Phones & Internet in London

Staying connected in London is straightforward — here's the practical information.

Dialling Codes

UK country code: +44. London's city code: 020 (or 0207/0208 historically — both still work). When dialling a London number from abroad: +44 20 XXXX XXXX. When dialling from within the UK: 020 XXXX XXXX. Emergency services: 999 (police, fire, ambulance). Non-emergency police: 101. NHS urgent advice: 111.

Mobile Coverage

4G and 5G coverage is strong across central and inner London on all major UK networks. The Underground (Tube) has wifi in station platforms and concourses but not in the tunnels — signal resumes at stations. The Elizabeth line has continuous connectivity including in tunnels.

Public Wi-Fi

Free wifi is available at all Tube stations (sign into the Virgin Media network), most cafes and restaurants, major shopping areas and many bus stops. The quality and reliability vary but for basic connectivity it's adequate as a backup.

International Calling

Calling home from a UK SIM or eSIM: WhatsApp, FaceTime and other VoIP calls over wifi are free and usually the cheapest option. International calls from a mobile plan cost varies by provider — check before dialling. Payphones still exist in some central areas but are rare and rarely needed.

Tips

• 999 for genuine emergencies — 111 for urgent NHS advice — 101 for non-emergency police.
• WhatsApp or similar for international calls — standard mobile international rates are expensive.
• Download offline maps before relying on connectivity underground.