The No-Stress Way to Land in London
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Below are our essential steps to moving to London — The London 6-Pack. Start at Step 1 and work your way down. Each tile shows what to set up, our #1 pick, and a couple of solid alternatives.
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Get the exact sequence to follow, from pre-departure to your first week on the ground. 60+ bite-size lessons, checklists and real expat tips—designed to save you time, money and stress.
Covers:
- Visas & Immigration
- Accommodation & Renting
- Transport & Oyster Card
- Healthcare & NHS Registration
- Finding a Job
- Setting Up Utilities
- Cultural Tips & Everyday Life
- and more.....
Book Flights
Lock in your travel dates first (after Visa and Passport of course)— it drives everything else (short-stay, bank setup, job viewings). Compare prices across airlines, then book the combo that suits your schedule and baggage needs.
Use:
- Skyscanner to compare dates & airlines
- Expedia for bundles/rewards
- Booking.com for simple, no-fuss booking
Pro tip: Aim to land Mon–Thu before 2pm at Heathrow and pick a fare with free date changes—gives you daylight to reach your stay and flexibility if visas or housing shift.
Travel Insurance
Protect your trip from day one: medical emergencies, trip cancellation, delays, and lost baggage. This bridges the gap before you’re on the NHS and safeguards your non-refundable bookings.
Use:
- SafetyWing (flexible monthly cover you can start before departure)
- World Nomads (solid single-trip plans with activity add-ons)
Pro tip: Buy it the same day you book flights to activate cancellation cover.
Short-term Stays
Lock in a “soft landing” for your first 7–14 nights so you can view flats and sort admin without rushing. Aim for a place near a Tube or major rail line, with Wi-Fi and flexible cancellation.
Use:
- Airbnb (flexible, neighborhood variety)
- Blueground (furnished mid-stay apartments, 1–6 months)
- Booking.com (hotels/aparthotels with easy changes)
Pro tip: Choose self check-in for late arrivals and keep your booking confirmation handy—useful when employers/agents ask where you’re staying initially.
UK SIM Card
Stay connected from touchdown. If your phone supports eSIM, buy UK data before you fly and activate via QR so you’re online the moment you land. Then add a physical UK SIM on/after arrival for a local number and SMS codes.
Use: eSim/physical
Pro tip: Make sure your phone is unlocked. Enable dual-SIM so data runs on the eSIM and calls/SMS on the UK SIM. Keep Wi-Fi Calling on for better indoor signal.
UK Bank Account
Get day-one spending sorted: start with an app account you can set up before you fly, then add a UK-only account once you have a local SIM and address.
Use:
- Wise (multi-currency + UK account details; great for transfers)
- Revolut (quick setup, virtual card, GBP account)
- Monzo (usually after arrival with UK number/address)
Pro tip: Have your passport ready, enable location, and use your UK SIM for verification. Move funds via Wise at the real exchange rate, then add Apple/Google Pay for instant tap-to-pay.
Optional Toolkit
Not essential for everyone, but tools like VPNs, baggage shipping, and money transfer services can make your move safer, cheaper, and less stressful. Think of them as bonus helpers once the basics are covered.
Use:
- Surfshark (VPN – unlimited devices, simple apps)
- Send My Bag (luggage – affordable door-to-door service)
- OFX (money transfers – better exchange rates, no hidden fees)
When it helps: logging in on hotel Wi-Fi during your first week, moving more than one suitcase overseas, or transferring savings into your new UK account.
Pro Tips
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Banking: Open a Wise or Revolut account before you fly so you can pay deposits and get paid without waiting for a UK bank.
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Short-Term Accommodation: Always book something cancellable for 2–4 weeks — it gives you breathing space to flat hunt without pressure.
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SIM Card: Order an eSIM like Lebara or a physical SIM ahead of time so you land with UK data from day one.
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Insurance: Travel insurance doubles as health cover until you’re registered with the NHS — don’t skip it.
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Flights: Use Skyscanner’s whole-month search to spot the cheapest days to fly and save hundreds.
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VPN: A VPN like Surfshark keeps bank logins and job applications secure on hotel or café Wi-Fi.
