Many visas require that you have at least £2 000 in savings for your trip. You will need to have bank statements with you to show Passport Control proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself. We would also recommend that you have around £150 cash for when you first arrive to cover transport, meals, emergency supplies and a few nights of accommodation.

If you're travelling from Australia or New Zealand , 1st Contact can arrange money transfers to the UK . If you have a credit card, take it with you. UK banks are inconsistent with granting credit services to new arrivals. A credit card is essential for online bookings such as flights or shows, and they allow you to draw local currency from most ATMs wherever you are in the world – an easier option than traveller's cheques.