Is it Safe to Travel to the UK?

While sidespread, the riots have mainly been in secondary shopping areas outside of the heart of London and typical tourist areas. The US State Department has not issued any warnings for US residents traveling to the UK. It is always recommended that you plan your route ahead of time. Keep up with delays and detours with these helpful tools.

The concentration of violence in low-income suburban areas has persuaded Travel Security Services, a joint venture between International SOS and Control Risks, to tell its clients that travel to London and the UK is safe at the moment.

"We’re not advising that our members, many of whom are business travelers, cancel their trips at this moment, unless their hotel or office happens to be located near one of the areas where riots have occurred," said Rob Walker of Travel Security Services. "In traditional tourist areas and the central city of London, during the day, there is little risk."

The State Department has not issued a travel warning for London -- it normally does so for countries, not cities -- but the U.S. embassy in London has issued guidelines for tourists on its website. Among other safeguards, the embassy urges U.S. citizens to follow local media reports, leave sites of civil unrest and to not engage in debate with rioters. Read more

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