CONSUMER CULTURE THEORY 2025

• Heathrow: The Heathrow Express train is the fastest (15-20 minutes to Paddington Station). Alternatively, you can take the Elizabeth Line or the Piccadilly Line (underground) or a bus. 
• Gatwick: The Gatwick Express train takes you to Victoria Station in about 30 minutes.      Alternatively, you can take a coach or the Thameslink train. 
• Stansted: The Stansted Express train to Liverpool Street Station is the quickest (around      45 minutes).
• Luton: Take a the Luton Express to St. Pancras International via a shuttle bus (around 40 minutes).
• Uber/Bolt: You can take an Uber or Bolt from any of the three airports using the app.

• Tube  (Underground): London’s subway system is fast and covers most of the city. Consider buying an Oyster card for discounts.
• Buses: London’s buses are great for sightseeing and cover areas the Tube doesn’t. You can      also pay via contactless card or Oyster.
• Cycling: Rent a bike from Santander Cycles, London’s bike-sharing program.
• Taxis & Ride-hailing: Black cabs are iconic, but you can also use Uber or other ride-hailing services.
• Lime Bikes: Lime bikes are available across the city. Download the app to find your nearest lime bike. Rates are subjective.

You can buy an Oyster card at any Tube station, or online before your trip. It’s the cheapest way to travel on public transport in London. Alternatively, you can use contactless payment (via your bank card or phone) for the same fares.

Oyster cards offer discounted fares (for example, a typical single journey on the Tube starts around £2.40). Fares depend on the zones you travel through. Contactless payment works similarly to the Oyster card.

•  Buckingham Palace: Watch the Changing of the Guard.
• The British Museum: Free entry, one of the world’s greatest museums.
• The Tower of London: Historic castle with the Crown Jewels.
• The London Eye: Ferris wheel with stunning views of the city.
• Big Ben & Houses of Parliament: Iconic landmarks along the Thames.
• Westminster Abbey: Famous church and UNESCO site.
• Covent Garden: Great for shopping, food, and street performances.

• Consider  buying a London Pass, which offers discounted entry to over 80 attractions and allows you to skip the line at some sites.
• Alternatively,  you can get a Royal Pass or Museum Pass for specific attractions.

• Consider buying a London Pass, which offers discounted entry to over 80 attractions and allows you to skip the line at some sites.
• Alternatively,  you can get a Royal Pass or Museum Pass for specific attractions.

  Many world-class museums and galleries are free, such as:

• The British Museum
• The National Gallery
• Tate Modern
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum

Take a stroll through Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, or Greenwich Park.

Yes, most places in London accept credit and debit cards. It’s a good idea to  carry a contactless payment method or a card with no foreign transaction fees for convenience.

 Tipping is generally not mandatory, but it’s appreciated. In restaurants, 10-15% is a standard tip if the service charge is not already added. You can also tip taxi drivers (rounding up the fare or 10%).

The Tube runs from around 5:00 AM to midnight. For late-night travel on Weekends, you can use Night Tube services (on some lines),  or buses that operate 24 hours.

London is generally very safe for tourists. However, like any large city, be aware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places like Oxford Street, Camden Market, and on the Tube. Stick to well-lit areas at night.

Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 999 or 112

Weather: London weather is unpredictable, so pack an umbrella or raincoat. Even in summer, bring a light jacket.

Comfortable shoes: You’ll likely walk a lot, so comfortable footwear is key.

Adaptors: London uses a Type G plug, so make sure to bring a suitable adapter for your electronics.

 Yes,  the tap water in London is safe to drink and of high quality.

If you lose something on public transport, check with the Transport for London Lost Property Office. For lost items in other places, contact the venue directly or visit a local police station to report the loss.

These tips should make your trip smoother! Let me know if you need more specific information about any part of London!

• For non-life-threatening emergencies, you can call NHS 111 or visit their can website to get advice on the next steps. You can also visit a Urgent Treatment Center.
• For serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, St Thomas' is the nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) center.  You can also call 999.
• For emergency dental care, find information on the NHS website. 

The CCT board is currently in the process of approving grants for global south participants. This will likely cover the registration fee for global south participants. Information will be available in the near future and will be posted on the CCT Facebook page and to the CCT membership database.  

Contact cctc@kcl.ac.uk to place your request. 

• Cancellation more than three weeks before the event 100% 
• Cancellation 1-3 weeks before event 50%
• Cancellation within one week before event 0%