Your Home for The Weekend

No visa is required; however, U.S. passport holders will need to complete an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK for tourism, for stays up to 6 months.

An ETA costs £16 (~$21) and is typically approved within 24 hours. Each traveler, including babies and children, must have their own ETA. You can submit applications on behalf of others.

Apply here.

London has several major airports. The most convenient options are:

• Heathrow (LHR) – Closest to Richmond, about 20-25 minutes by taxi or train.

• Gatwick (LGW) – Around 1 hour by train or taxi.

From Heathrow: You can take a taxi or Uber (~20 mins, recommended) or the Piccadilly Line on London’s Underground (Subway) to Hammersmith, then transfer to the District Line to Richmond Station.

From Gatwick: Take the Gatwick Express or Southern Rail to Clapham Junction, then a direct train to Richmond Station.

Richmond is a very walkable town, most wedding-related events/hotels are just a short walk away from each other.

For longer distances, taxis and Ubers are easy to arrange. Richmond Station also connects you to Central London via train or the District Line on the Underground (Subway).

We’ve reserved room blocks at three lovely hotels in Richmond (see below), all along the Thames and within 10-minute walking distance of the wedding festivities.

If you prefer to stay in Central London, please note that travel to Richmond can take up to an hour or more with traffic.

Richmond is in southwest Greater London and about 40 minutes by train or Underground from Central London, making it easy to explore the city before or after the wedding. Reach out to Christine if you want recommendations for places to stay in Central London for the rest of your trip!

Expect mild summer weather, typically 65–75°F. It can be breezy or drizzly, so a light jacket or umbrella is a good idea, just in case!

Yes! The UK uses Type G plugs (three rectangular prongs) and 230V voltage. Bring a plug adapter for charging phone/laptop chargers.

See here for an adapter we like.

• Pack comfortable walking shoes, Richmond and London are very walkable.

• Contactless Apple Pay payment works on all major public transit.

• Tipping isn’t mandatory, but is appreciated (typically 10–12.5% in restaurants). Note if your bill says “Service Charge included”, that means the tip is already on the bill!

• English weather is famously unpredictable, even in June! You can expect mild temperatures, but light rain or overcast skies are always a possibility. We recommend packing a light jacket, layers, and a small umbrella, just in case. Fortunately, Rain showers often pass quickly, and the greenery it leaves behind is part of the charm!

• Most U.S. phone carriers offer international plans, but check with your provider to avoid roaming charges. Alternatively, consider getting a UK SIM card or using eSIM options like Airalo or Hola Fly.

If you have any other questions or need help with travel or accommodation arrangements, feel free to call or text Christine at 925-813-9602. We know that traveling abroad can feel a bit daunting, but we’re here to make it as smooth and enjoyable as possible!