Transport in United Kingdom: what actually matters to know
Real experience of people from chats on «Transport» in United Kingdom — as it is, no fluff. For your case — ask Luky.
From real experience
Tinkoff Premium card benefits for travel to the UK primarily include access to airport business lounges and travel insurance. No specific in-country privileges within the UK are typically associated with the card itself beyond these travel-related services.
Arriving at London Gatwick (LGW) at 01:30 AM requires advanced planning. Airport hotels (like those in the North Terminal) are recommended to avoid finding transport or accommodation in the city center at night. Passport control for non-EU/non-visa-free nationals can take significantly longer than expected, even at night.
For a Russian citizen with a German residence permit planning a transit through London for 3 hours on a single booked flight with no checked baggage, a UK transit visa is likely not required, provided they remain in the international transit area of the airport. The temporary travel document ('fictitious certificate' or 'Fiktionsbescheinigung') proving the pending residence permit in Germany is usually sufficient for re-entry into the EU. Airlines will confirm boarding eligibility.
London Heathrow (all terminals) has lifted the 100ml liquid restriction for carry-on luggage. Other airports like Gatwick may also have implemented this change, but it is advised to check individual airport policies as some smaller airports or specific security checkpoints may still enforce restrictions.
For Russian citizens with a German residence permit, transiting through London for less than 48 hours on a single booking with no checked baggage generally does not require a transit visa, falling under the 'transit without visa' provision. However, the final decision to allow boarding rests with the airline. It is recommended to contact the airline directly for confirmation.
When encountering issues with online check-in for Pegasus flights (e.g., Istanbul to London), selecting 'Official passport' as the document type can sometimes resolve the error, even if it's not strictly an official passport. This workaround is often undetected on the boarding pass and allows for successful check-in.
If a mistake is made regarding the order of names (swapping first and last names) in a UK visa application, it is critical to address it immediately. Attach an explanatory note to the cover letter and inform the visa center. Ignoring such discrepancies can lead to identity verification issues at the border or during the visa processing stage.
Travelers at Gatwick Airport can weigh their luggage for free at unattended check-in desks. Often, the conveyor belts and scales remain powered on even when no staff are present.
When booking appointments or tickets for events in London, if you need to change your date, the 'reschedule appointment' option typically allows you to view and select alternative slots. Your original booking usually remains valid until you confirm a new date, preventing an automatic cancellation of your initial slot.
Traveling from Berlin to Poland and then to London: Entry into Poland from the Schengen Area should be straightforward with a ticket to London. Exit from Poland is also generally not an issue. While border guards may check passports, significant questioning is unlikely.
When traveling to the UK on an electronic visa, applicants may need to provide a 'share code' or visa number during airline check-in. Accessing the UKVI account on a mobile device might be requested by authorities.
A standard UK visa covers travel to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Jersey, a Crown Dependency, does not require a separate visa when traveling from the UK; the British visa is sufficient. However, a separate visa is needed for the Republic of Ireland.
Transit through the UK without a visa is generally not permitted. However, exceptions exist for individuals holding valid visas for countries like the USA or Canada. These visas must be stamped, not electronic, and affixed to the passport. Holding such a visa allows transit and potentially leaving the airport. It's crucial to have the correct type of visa and ensure it's properly stamped in the passport.
Transit through the UK without a visa is generally not permitted. However, travelers holding valid, stamped (not electronic) visas for countries like the USA or Canada may be allowed to transit. The visa must be affixed to the passport, not an e-visa, to be considered for this exception.
For transportation in London, besides Citymapper, users recommend Bolt and Uber apps for taxi services. Both are popular and widely used options for getting around the city.
Travelers with electronic UK visas should be prepared to show a share code and a screenshot of the visa details (including photo and expiry date) at airline check-in desks (e.g., Air Serbia). Border control officers typically only require the physical passport, but having the digital proof accessible on a mobile device is mandatory for boarding.
When departing from the UK, there is no passport control. Only bag checks are conducted. Customs are only relevant for individuals declaring goods.
From Stansted Airport to central London (King's Cross), the Stansted Express train to Liverpool Street station is the recommended mode of transport. From Liverpool Street, passengers can transfer to the London Underground (Circle or Hammersmith & City lines). Payment for the Underground can be made via contactless bank card or Oyster card.
For travelers with a UK e-visa, the physical or digital share code is rarely requested at border control. The standard procedure is to present the 'e-visa status' page from the official UKVI account, which includes personal details, photo, and visa validity dates. Having a screenshot of this page is advised for quick access during check-in or border interviews.
For train travel in the UK: 1. Purchase 'Advanced' tickets well in advance to secure the lowest fares. 2. Use 'off-peak' tickets to save money. 3. Tickets are delivered digitally with a QR code, which is scanned at station barriers. 4. Consider purchasing a 'Railcard' for frequent travelers to get significant discounts on ticket prices.
User reports a positive travel experience with Etihad Airways from Moscow to London. Key details include: visa and share code presentation at Sheremetyevo, checked baggage and boarding pass to final destination, complimentary food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages), and ticket price of 23,000 RUB for Moscow-London with 25kg checked and 7kg hand luggage. The user found the service more comfortable than Turkish Airlines.
Using a foreign bank card for public transport in London can be more cost-effective than paying with cash. Some users reported fares as low as £1 per journey (excluding airport transfers) when using cards like Freedom (Kazakhstan). Prices can vary depending on the bank and card type. Airport transfer costs can be significantly higher upon departure. It's advisable to use a card for travel within the city to benefit from potentially lower fares.
When renting a car in the UK, many international agencies (especially Europcar) require a credit card (a card with a credit BIN) for the deposit. While international driving permits (IDP) are not strictly required for Russian license holders under the Vienna Convention, some rental companies have internal policies enforcing them. Always verify specific rental agency requirements before booking.
Car rental in the UK: Standard national driver's licenses are usually sufficient for rental companies (e.g., Arnold Clark). An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not strictly mandatory for UK entry or rental but is often recommended as a supplement. Weather-wise: windproof rain jackets are more practical than umbrellas due to high winds.
Online check-in with airlines like Etihad Airways may require passport details instead of eVisa information if the system does not recognize the electronic visa. Manual verification at the airport will likely be necessary. Be prepared to present passport data for check-in, even if you possess an eVisa.
Traveling from Belfast to London via domestic flight with only a Ukrainian passport may be problematic. While entry into Poland and subsequent travel to London from Schengen might be permissible, flying from Northern Ireland to England without a UK visa constitutes a violation of UK immigration laws. Border control decisions can be unpredictable.
When flying with Ajet, the 'personal item' weight limit (around 4 kg) can sometimes be enforced. A neck pillow is generally not counted as part of the hand luggage. Maximize your backpack's capacity and wear extra items like a neck pillow to potentially avoid issues. Weight checks appear to be random, and some passengers have experienced no checks even with significantly overweight bags.
When transiting through the UK on a flight from an EU country to another EU country, if the transit is within the same airport and does not involve exiting the 'airside' or 'sterile zone,' a UK transit visa is typically not required, even for Russian citizens. This is because the traveler does not officially enter the UK. Airlines will make the final decision on boarding, so confirming with them is advised.
User feedback on AJet airline and Stansted Airport (STN). Concerns include flight cancellations, electronic issues, and hard landings. Luggage allowance and seat comfort (reclining vs. fixed) are discussed, with a preference for AJet over Pegasus due to occasional seat recline. STN airport's distance from London is noted as a drawback.
To present an electronic UK visa, applicants typically do not need a physical printout. The visa information (often a 'share code') is usually required during airline check-in. It can be accessed electronically on a mobile device if requested by border officials or airline staff. Ensure you have the necessary details readily available.