The United Kingdom is four countries sharing one passport: England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland. Different legal systems, two other official
languages, and accents that shift every fifty miles.
Most first visits are London and little else. London earns it. But Snowdon is
three hours from Euston, the Hadrian’s Wall crags are four, and Edinburgh is
four and a half. The rest of it is below.
The United Kingdom is made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – a constitutional monarchy comprising of much of the British Isles. The four constituent United Kingdom countries include: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK attractions are spread throughout all four countries.
When talking about the UK, travelers are often just referring to England (and a lot of the time, just London). But Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are fine destinations in their own right, and deserve just as much attention. When traveling between these countries, you will notice the shared culture, though also the distinct local flavours in the different cuisines and small nuances of the people (the different English accents for one!).
This historic country is packed with history, culture, food, arts, and beautiful landscapes. While the city of London should be on every travelers bucket list, they shouldn’t overlook the other beautiful destinations in the UK. From the English Lake District to the glistening lakes and lush green valleys of Scotland and the quaint English countryside. There are countless small towns to visit throughout the UK along with beautiful lakes, rugged mountains and coastal districts, not to forget the several other big cities worth exploring. There are many great cities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We hope that our UK travel guide provides a good start to your UK travel planning!
Most travellers require either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the United Kingdom. Which one you need depends on your nationality, the purpose of your trip and how long you plan to stay.
Visitors from many visa-exempt countries, including those from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, will generally need an ETA for tourism, family visits, business trips, short studies or transit through UK border control. Irish citizens do not need an ETA. You also do not need an ETA if you hold a British passport, have a valid UK visa or have permission to live, work or study in the UK, for example if you have settled or pre-settled status.
An ETA is not a visa, but digital authorisation to travel is required. Apply for one through the official UK ETA app or via GOV.UK before your journey. It costs £20 per person, including children and babies. Decisions are usually sent by email within one day, but the UK government advises allowing up to three working days. Do not travel until you have received the approval email, as airlines and other carriers can refuse boarding if you do not have the required travel authorisation.
Once approved, an ETA is digitally linked to the passport used in the application. It is normally valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner, and allows multiple visits during that period. Each standard visit can be for up to six months, but an ETA does not guarantee admission to the country or permit paid or long-term work. If your passport changes, you must apply for a new ETA.
Use this website to check whether or not you will need a UK visitor visa.
Travellers who are not eligible for an ETA, or who plan to work, live in the UK, undertake certain types of study, get married or enter into a civil partnership, or stay for more than six months, may require a specific UK visa instead. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa or EU residence permit is not valid there.
The UK today is a mix of diverse native and immigrant cultures, with a fascinating history and dynamic modern culture. Very much apart of the ‘Western world’, you will find yourself fitting into the UK culture quite easily.
While all four countries are housed under the UK, they each feel strongly about their own identity and are extremely passionate about their own country. Don’t go around confusing a Scot with a Brit – they don’t enjoy being compared 😉
Greeting with a handshake is customary when meeting someone for the first time. Friends may greet with one or two kisses on the cheek, or a hug.
Casual attire is acceptable in most places. Some nightclubs may not allow jeans and trainers, and corporate work attire is generally quite smart.
English is the main language spoken throughout the UK, so you shouldn’t have a problem with communicating if you can speak English. Just be warned that the different accents can make things a bit tricky to understand. Particularly the strong accents found in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Liverpool and the West Country. Welsh is spoken in parts of Wales and Gaelic in parts of Scotland.
The monarchy, while only symbolic politically, still holds high reform among the locals. Members of the Royal Family are admired, with their every move followed by the local press in both the UK and abroad.
The currency used throughout the UK is the Pound (£). One Pound is 100 pence.
Scottish and Northern Irish banks issue their own notes, however the Bank of England notes circulate freely throughout these countries, and you will often receive a mix of notes when getting change in Scotland or Northern Ireland. While these notes are also supposed to be accepted in England, it’s best to exchange them at an England-based bank as some locals may have an issue with accepting them. Welsh banks do not issue their own notes since its banking system is directly under the jurisdiction of the Bank of England. Coins are uniform throughout the United Kingdom.
To exchange money, there are plenty of ATMs (often referred to as Cashpoints in the UK), where you can withdraw from your international account usually for a fee, depending on your own bank conditions. Credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and American Express are well accepted all over. But it’s always useful to have a few notes, especially when traveling to more rural areas.
You may hear a few slang words with regards to money in the UK. ‘Quid’ is a slang term for pounds – eg. three quid refers to three pounds. Then for penny (singular) or pence (plural), locals often just say ‘p’. The words ‘fiver’ and ‘tenner’ are common slang for a for £5 and £10, respectively.
The emergency police/ambulance number in the UK is 999 – for all life-threatening situations. You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, we are an affiliate of SafetyWing, a travel medical insurance provider.
It’s easy to get connected in the UK, whether you use your existing mobile plan, buy a local prepaid SIM card, or choose an eSIM before you leave. The main UK mobile networks are EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three, which have smaller providers that use their networks. Orange and T-Mobile no longer operate as separate UK consumer brands, as both became part of EE.
Do not assume that an EU mobile plan includes free roaming in the UK. The EU’s “Roam Like at Home” rules no longer automatically apply after Brexit, so roaming allowances, daily passes, fair use limits, and charges vary by operator and tariff. Some European providers still include the UK in certain plans, while others charge for calls, texts, or data. Check your provider’s current UK roaming policy before you leave, especially if you plan to use mobile data for maps, transportation apps, or uploading photos.
To get a local number or more predictable data costs, buy a prepaid SIM from an EE, Vodafone, O2, or Three store after you arrive, or arrange for an eSIM compatible with your phone before you fly. Stores are common in town centers, shopping areas, and many major airports. Make sure your phone is unlocked and supports the relevant network bands before buying a physical SIM card.
Another option is to rent a mobile MiFi device, your own hotspot. There are services, which you can pick up at the airport or which gets delivered to the hotel you are staying at.
Wi-Fi is easily available at hotels, restaurants and many coffee shops. The City of London has free Wi-Fi covering 95% of the Square Mile. The London Underground stations also have free Wi-Fi – just make sure to use a VPN when accessing public Wi-Fi (like ExpressVPN).
Coworking in the UK is also extremely popular, with major coworking spots in London along with many found in Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
When flying to the UK you are most likely to arrive at one of London’s five airports, although there are direct international flights to many other cities.
Heathrow London is the largest and busiest airport in the UK, with flights from all over the world. The other London airports include London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton and London City Airport.
Other major airports in the UK are Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Belfast, Newcastle, Liverpool, East Midlands, Leeds and Aberdeen. Cardiff International is the only international airport in Wales. In Northern Ireland, Belfast International Airport and George Best City Airport are both located in Belfast.
Check out Expedia for available flights to the United Kingdom.
Then there is also the option to arrive by train, coming from neighboring countries. If coming from Belgium or France, Eurostar high-speed trains travel between London (St Pancras International), Ebbsfleet and Ashford through the Channel Tunnel to Paris (Gare du Nord), Lille (Europe), Calais (Fréthun) and Brussels (Zuid-Midi). There are also multiple daily connections from Dutch cities via Brussels on the Eurostar to London. There are also cross border trains and buses available between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
You can also arrive via ferry, with routes from France to England. Eurolines offer daily bus services from Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels to London Victoria coach station. Daily overnight coaches and limited day coaches travel between the UK and Ireland.
You can of course also enter the UK by car using the Channel Tunnel from France. If traveling to the UK by car, check out Europcar for car hire. Car ferries also operate to many parts of the UK from other European countries.
The four United Kingdom countries include England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
England is the largest nation, both in terms of size and in population (by far). It is also the most well-known and visited among international tourists. England is packed with history, culture, arts, shopping, food, cosmopolitan cities, sleepy villages, and lush green landscapes.
The main regions within England include:
Scotland is the second largest nation, occupying a third of Great Britain. The four archipelagos of Orkney, Shetland, and the Inner and Outer Hebrides are also part of Scotland. It’s a mix of idyllic beaches (though, rarely sunny), untamed wildlife (plus hairy cows!), and beautiful historic cities.
Despite its ‘wee’ size, there are many places to visit in Scotland. With the main regions in Scotland being:
Wales is located within the mostly mountainous western part of Great Britain. Wales is best experienced by exploring the world-class beaches, historic castles and green valleys. Throw in a few small towns and a visit to the capital city, Cardiff, and you’ve got a great Wales itinerary.
The main regions to explore in Wales include:
Northern Ireland (not be confused with the Republic of Ireland) is located on the north-eastern side of the island and consists of six of the nine counties of the ancient Irish province of Ulster. Northern Ireland was created in 1921 when the British government split Ireland into two autonomous territories.
The main areas of Northern Ireland include:
The Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark) and Isle of Man are technically not part of the UK, but are crown dependencies.
The Channel Islands consist of a number of small islands off the coast of France while Isle of Man is a small island in the Irish Sea between Britain and Ireland.
The United Kingdom is also comprised of several overseas territories, including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat and Saint Helena, among others.
The above listed territories are scattered around the Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean, Antarctica, Indian Ocean, Virgin Islands, Southern Europe, Mediterranean and South Atlantic.
When traveling around major UK cities, public transportation is your best option. All major cities and towns will have a bus system – with the famous red buses in London. Note that London busses are cashless – you can pay via debit/credit card or by a travelcard in advance. You can’t buy tickets on board!
In London you will find the London Underground. Outside of London, Liverpool has the largest metro system (Merseyrail), as well as in Newcastle and Greater Manchester. Glasgow has a small underground rail system in the centre, along with local train network. London, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, Blackpool and Edinburgh have trams covering parts of those cities.
When traveling in London, it’s best to get an Oyster card. This covers travel within the Greater London boundary on National Rail services (including the Underground, trains and busses).
Train travel is common and very popular in the UK. There are two rail networks in the UK: National Rail and Northern Ireland Railways. The National Rail covers most of England, Scotland and Wales (with 2,600 stations) and the Northern Ireland Railways operates in Northern Ireland. Both inner-city and regional trains run on the National Rail. Use the National Rail website to book train tickets in the UK.
Another option for inter-city travel is a car – check out Europcar for car rental. A car will get you mostly anywhere in the UK. The main issue however is parking in major cities, it’s hard to find and can be very expensive. Note that in the UK, cars drive on the left side of the road.
Accommodation in the UK can be quite pricey, but there is plenty to choose from. You will find a range of hostels in all of the major cities along with hotels, B&B’s, apartments, self-catering resorts and guest houses. Other options available include couchsurfing and camping! Some of the countryside destinations will have some cute and cozy cottages for rent.
Some travellers to the UK decide on a campervan or caravan holiday, where you travel with your accommodation. Most parts of the country have a good range of camping and caravan parks available.
There is also some unique accommodation in Scotland with castle hotels in Scotland being among the favourites for travelers! We recommend booking your accommodation well in advance, especially if traveling in the peak seasons.
British food is warm, comforting and hearty! You’ll find food from all over the world in the UK, with an international influence from all over Asia, the rest of Europe, and the Americas. Traditional British food though, brings a whole new meaning to comfort eating – with classic Brit meals being typical pub grub-style dining.
A few traditional dishes that you need to try while visiting the UK include:
The UK can be an expensive place to eat out compared to the more southern European countries, but relatively cheap in comparison with countries such as Switzerland and Norway. If your budget doesn’t allow for eating out, you can get well-priced foods such as cakes, crisps, fruit and cheeses at supermarkets. Bakeries and supermarkets also have a good selection of ready-made sandwiches, meals and pasties. For reasonably priced fruits, look out for street markets.
In December, you’ll find many Christmas markets in London and other big UK cities. You’ll find many delicious, heart-warming foods to taste.
Visiting Cambridge – here are best restaurants in Cambridge from a locals perspective.
There are plenty of UK attractions to explore – from the major cities to the small towns and coastal regions.
London is the most well-known tourist destination in the UK. London is the world-renowned capital of culture, history and finance. Home to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Big Ben, London Eye, River Thames, countless museums and galleries, and a bustling restaurant scene.
Other cities in England include Birmingham (famous for the ‘Balti Triangle’), Cambridge (here’s what to do in Cambridge), Bristol (historical city), Liverpool (famous for its music, sport and nightlife) and Manchester (a thriving bohemian music scene and LGBT community).
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, Cardiff the capital of Wales and Edinburgh the capital of Scotland. Glasgow however is Scotland’s largest city, and is a new cultural hotspot – featuring a more grungy feel than Edinburgh. Other cities in Wales include Bangor, Gwynedd, Newport, Wales, St Davids, St Asaph and Swansea.
Besides from the cities, some of the best places to visit in England:
If you’re sightseeing in London, here are a few places to visit near the Shard.
The UK is generally regarded as a world-class shopping destination, with all major international brands and large shopping malls/streets throughout the country.
London is a major shopping hub, with Oxford Street being one of the most famous London shopping streets, as well as being amongst the top UK attractions. It has over 300 outlets and stores ranging from local brands to international designer labels, including Britain’s famous Selfridges. Other major shopping areas in London include Knightsbridge, Bond Street, King’s Road, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Westfield London and Jermyn Street.
Leeds is another major shopping district in the UK, with its famous Harvey Nichols department store. Manchester is great for shopping for trendy clothes as well as its music stores. When in Edinburgh, you’ll find loads of shops along George Street as well along the quirky Grassmarket area.
Value added tax (VAT) is charged on purchases, such as meals at restaurants, shopping expenses, and hotel accommodations. If you are a resident of a non-European Union country, you can get a refund of this tax in certain participating shops. For more info on VAT refunds, click here.
Some areas also have limited shopping hours on Sundays, so always check the opening hours if looking to do a Sunday shop run! In England, Wales and Northern Ireland supermarkets are required by law to remain closed two days a year; Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. There are then massive sales on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas).
You will find a pub in almost every corner in the UK. There are reportedly over 10,000 pubs throughout the UK! Here you can spend a lively evening, sometimes with live music and always a few pints flowing.
All major cities will have at least one theatre, while London, Stratford-on-Avon and Edinburgh are famous for their theatrical arts. You must plan an evening at the theatre while in the UK!
London has a lively nightlife scene, with some of the best places to go out in London being Mayfair, Soho, East London, Camden and South Kensington. You will find loads of nightlife hotspots, from dingy underground bars to high-end nightclubs.
Manchester and Newcastle also have a budding reputation for clubbing and live music performances.
It is generally quite safe to travel within the UK. The country has a low violent crime rate and lower petty theft rate than most other European countries. Though, we give the same advice as with traveling in all countries – be aware of your surroundings and always remain vigilant in crowds for pickpockets.
Visiting London at least once in your life is an absolute must. It’s a city full of character, history, and an energy hard to explain. But, don’t stop there. The United Kingdom is so much more than London – so make sure to venture beyond Zone 6 and explore more of what’s on offer. The fairytale city of Edinburgh, the beautiful Lake District in Northern England the great Scottish Highlands are all major UK attractions that are not to be missed!
While you can visit the UK at any time of the year, avoiding the extremely wet and cold months may make for a better experience. The best time to visit the UK is therefore from May to September in the summer months. If you love the cold, then you’ll be fine visiting in the winter months. It should also be noted that the UK is absolutely magical during the Christmas time, with so many lights, Christmas markets and such a lovely atmosphere. It is definitely worth braving the cold to experience Christmas in the UK – make sure to add London and Edinburgh at Christmas to your list.
When packing for the UK, make sure to include a variety of clothes for all weather conditions. No matter the season, make sure that you are prepared for everything – especially the rain!
