Travel essentials for the United Kingdom
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
Type G adapter required
You need a Type G adapter - the big three-pin British plug. Voltage matches Australia so no converter is needed.
230V, 50Hz
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe everywhere. London water is hard but fine to drink.
Staying connected
Excellent nationwide, including the Underground on most lines.
Many UK and European eSIMs cover the whole of Europe for barely more than a UK-only plan - worth it if you're hopping to the continent.
Compare United Kingdom eSIMsHealth risks
- Very little daylight in winter
- Occasional heatwaves with almost no air conditioning
Emergency numbers in United Kingdom
| All emergencies | 999 or 112 |
|---|---|
| Police | 999 |
| Ambulance | 999 |
| Fire | 999 |
| Australian consulate | Australian High Commission London - +44 20 7379 4334 |
Tipping and everyday costs
10-12.5% in sit-down restaurants, and many add an optional service charge you can ask to remove. No tipping in pubs when you order at the bar.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More United Kingdom essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
United Kingdom travel essentials FAQs
What power adapter do I need for the UK?
A Type G adapter - the large three rectangular pin plug. The UK runs 230V like Australia, so no voltage converter is needed.
Planning United Kingdom?
We will send you the United Kingdom guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.