Before you fly

Coming to London from abroad

The flight, the airport you land at, the time difference and what it means for arranging things before you travel rather than after. The big figure on each tile is the flight time.

8hChicagoLondon is 6 hours aheadThe midwest run, where the connection is more likely to break your plans than the jet lag.9hDallasLondon is 6 hours aheadUsually three nights and a full diary, which makes the timing the whole problem.10 to 11hLos AngelesLondon is 8 hours aheadThe longest common approach, and the one where jet lag genuinely changes your plans.9hMiamiLondon is 5 hours aheadUsually a leisure trip rather than a business one, which changes the planning entirely.6 to 7hMontrealLondon is 5 hours aheadThe shortest crossing from North America, and the easiest to recover from.7hNew YorkLondon is 5 hours aheadThe overnight hop, the early landing, and why your first evening is the one to plan properly.7hTorontoLondon is 5 hours aheadShort, frequent and overnight, with the same five hour gap as New York.9hVancouverLondon is 8 hours aheadThe worst jet lag of any North American city, and the route where ignoring it costs most.

These pages cover the journey, not the people. Each one ends at the parts of London nearest where you land, with measured figures for each. See the London areas

Common questions

Do I need to arrange things before I fly?

It helps. Good diaries fill days ahead, and arranging from home means you are doing it awake and unhurried instead of jet lagged in an unfamiliar city.

What time should I message from the United States?

London is five to eight hours ahead of most of North America. Aim for mid morning on the east coast or mid morning on the west coast, which lands in London in the afternoon or early evening, when people are answering.

Will my hotel mind?

Central London hotels see guests receive visitors constantly. Pass your room number by message and the evening is unremarkable.

What currency do I need?

Cash in pounds sterling, agreed beforehand. Draw it before you need it rather than looking for a cash machine late at night.

Is prostitution legal in England for tourists?

The law applies to everyone in the country equally, visitors included. Selling or buying sex between consenting adults is legal in England and Wales, but soliciting in public and using brothels are not.

Is escorting legal in the UK?

Yes, in England and Wales it is legal for two consenting adults to exchange sex or company for money. What is illegal is the activity around it, such as soliciting in the street, running a brothel or controlling someone else's work. The Crown Prosecution Service sets this out in its published guidance.

Is prostitution legal in the UK?

Selling and buying sex between consenting adults is not itself a crime in England, Wales or Scotland. Northern Ireland is the exception, where paying for sex has been an offence since 1 June 2015. Public soliciting, brothel keeping and exploiting another person's work are offences in different forms across the UK.

18+ For adults only. This site publishes guides, definitions and London market figures. It does not arrange bookings, and it does not speak for anyone.

© 2026 The London Companion. If you are worried about someone's safety, the legal notice says where to go. In an emergency, call 999.

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