Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting the UK, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There is a lot to see when traveling to the UK, and diverse countries to see. So we thought we’d help you get started by sharing the top travel tips for London and the rest of the UK.
Getting Around the UK
If you want to see the heart of the UK and not just the major cities, then I highly recommend renting a car. It will give you much more freedom than traveling by public transportation. Yes, they drive on the left side of the road, but don’t let that keep you from renting a car. It can be hair-rising at first, but it doesn’t take long to get used to. It’s so worth it to be able to explore the remote castles and villages at your own pace.
Driving on the Left in UK & Ireland
If you decide to rely on public transportation in the UK, then there are buses and trains to get around. The trains can be pretty costly, so if you’re traveling on a budget, you may stick to the buses, which are cheaper. Ubers and taxis are still widely available, especially in the larger cities. Before you get in the cab, let the driver know where you’re going and they’ll let you know if that’s ok.
Currency in the UK
Rather than the Euro, the UK still uses the British Pound. If you are planning Scotland Northern Ireland travel, they do have their own currency as well, which is sometimes interchangeable, but not always. We try to exchange our Scottish pounds for British pounds before leaving Scotland. It just makes things easier. ATM’s are readily available, although lately most establishments seem to prefer credit cards over cash. It’s also fairly easy to find currency exchange places, especially in the larger towns.
Don’t forget to let your bank at home know that you’ll be traveling abroad!
Prices in the UK
London is notoriously expensive; it’s actually one of the most expensive cities in the world. Transportation, food, and accommodation are all expensive in London. Once you leave London, prices drop and become much more reasonable. London is great, but I recommend visiting other places like York, Bath, Wales, and Scotland as well. They are much more affordable and there’s a ton of cool stuff to see.
Where to Stay in the UK
There are many choices for where to stay in the UK. I highly recommend the historic bed and breakfast inns. They often have great locations, free parking, and a full English/Scottish/Welsh breakfast. If you prefer to travel on points, you’ll find plenty of Hilton and Marriott-type properties in the cities and larger towns. When reserving your UK accommodation, make sure you indicate the number of adults and children on your reservation because that could change the number of beds they give you. Many UK accommodations have single beds, so be sure you know what you’re reserving and don’t expect hotel rooms to be as large as they are in the United States.
What to Eat in the UK
There’s a long-standing joke about how bad British food is, but because it’s such a melting pot of cultures, there’s actually some great food in the UK. Some of the best Indian food we’ve ever had has been in the UK. If you want to stick to traditional UK food, we have several videos on what to eat in each country. Beef burgers, meat pies and fish and chips are all very popular. Wherever you go, make sure you try one of the local specialties. Ask at the local pub, and they’ll steer you towards the best local food.
When it comes to beer, you can get cold beer or “not as cold” beer. Usually ales are the ones that are not served as cold as some of the other beers. And don’t worry about getting coffee; even though tea is way more popular, you’ll still see a ton of Starbucks and other coffee shops where you can get your fix.
Tipping in the UK
At a restaurant, tipping between 10-15% is customary, although if you are eating at a pub, tipping isn’t as common.
Staying Connected in the UK
We’ve had great 4G service throughout the UK. Of course, if you go to remote places, you may not always have a signal, but in the cities and towns, you won’t have any problem making phone calls or posting your travel photos on Instagram. Most hotels, restaurants and cafes also have free WiFi that you can use while traveling.
Safety in the UK
We’ve always felt safe traveling in the UK. Of course, there are always going to be areas that you might want to avoid in the big cities, but that will be the case anywhere you go. With some common travel safety sense, you’ll probably be just fine. The biggest danger is probably as a pedestrian. Don’t forget they drive on the left, so you have to look right when you are crossing the street. When in doubt, look both ways twice!
UK Queue Culture
There are some unique cultural aspects of visiting the UK that you should know about. Respect the UK “queue” culture. Don’t jump the line if you are waiting for something; it’s a big taboo. In some countries, people just form a massive group at the door, but in the UK, they have practically made an art form of queuing. If you try to cut, you’ll be called out and shamed!
What to See in the UK
There is so much to see and do in each country or region of the United Kingdom. In fact, there is so much to see, I don’t recommend trying to see everything in one trip. I recommend separate trips for Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. Even within each country, you’ll be hard-pressed to see all the sites on a single trip. York and Bath are two of our favorite towns in England.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
No matter where you go in the UK, you’ll have a great time! Between historic homes and castles, quaint villages, and natural beauty, there’s something for every type of traveler. Want more UK travel tips? Check out these blog posts: