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Northern Europe

United KingdomTravel guide

Explore United Kingdom visa rules

The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Its capital is London, and visitors can explore historic cities, castles, museums, countryside and coast.

Why go

  1. Explore London's museums, palaces and theatres.

  2. Visit historic cities such as Edinburgh, Bath, York and Cardiff.

  3. Walk through national parks such as the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor.

  4. Discover varied coastlines, from beaches at St Ives to the fishing port of Whitby.

  5. Experience the distinct cultures of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Best time to go: Outdoor activities are possible all year. Summers are generally warm and damp, while winters are generally mild, but northern Scotland's mountains can have heavy snow.

Getting there

By land

  • LeShuttle trains carry vehicles from Calais in France to Folkestone in Kent in about 35 minutes. Passengers stay with their vehicles during the crossing.
  • You can use LeShuttle without a reservation, though this costs more. UK passport and customs checks take place before departure from France.
  • Eurostar services run to the UK from Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. UK passport checks take place before boarding, with selective customs checks after arrival.

By sea

  • Dover receives ferries from Calais and Dunkirk in France. UK passport checks take place before boarding, while customs checks take place after arrival.
  • Ferries from the Netherlands connect Amsterdam with Newcastle, the Hook of Holland with Harwich, and Rotterdam with Hull.

Customs

  • The UK has strict rules on imported goods, food and animals. Officers can confiscate restricted goods and may seize the vehicle carrying them.
  • Customs allowances differ between England, Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's limits also depend on whether your journey started in the European Union.
  • For England, Scotland and Wales, alcohol allowances include 42 litres of beer and 18 litres of still wine. You can also bring either 4 litres of spirits over 22% alcohol or 9 litres of specified weaker drinks, or split that allowance.

Getting around

  • Train

    Trains are a fast, comfortable way to travel between cities. Services can be busy. You can make connected journeys using trains run by different companies. Scotland, Wales and northern England have scenic railway routes. Preserved railways also run historic steam trains.

  • Local bus and long-distance coach

    Buses serve towns, cities and many villages, while coaches usually run between cities or to airports. Some rural buses run only once a week or less. At most stops, hold out your arm to stop the bus. Ring the bell before the stop where you want to get off. On almost all local buses, you pay the driver when boarding. Tickets from one company are often not valid on another company's buses. Return tickets usually cost less than two single tickets. Day tickets can be good value, but check which companies accept them. Services are usually much less frequent in the evening and on Sundays. Check the timetable with the operator before travelling.

  • Car

    Drive on the left. Road distances are in miles and speed limits are in miles per hour. Most hire cars have manual gears. Ask specifically for an automatic if you need one; it may cost more and availability can be limited. A car can help you reach remote places, but city parking can be difficult and expensive. Many cities have car parks on the edge with buses or trams into the centre. Traffic is often heavy from 07:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 19:00. Check local traffic reports before setting off. Driving in central London can involve extra charges. Check which charges apply to your route and hire car. Wear seat belts and do not drink and drive. Drivers must not hold or pick up a phone while driving, including when stopped in traffic.

  • Domestic flight

    Flying is rarely the cheapest or most convenient choice for short UK journeys. It can be useful for some long routes and island crossings. You need photo identification to board a domestic flight. Check the full fare, including baggage and check-in fees. Some regional airports have no railway connection and use relatively expensive connecting buses.

What to see and do

  • London

    The capital has palaces, museums and major attractions such as the London Eye.

  • Edinburgh and Cardiff

    Both cities have medieval castles, and Edinburgh is also known for its festivals.

  • Bath and York

    These historic cities offer places to explore Britain's Roman history.

  • Lake District National Park

    This scenic national park is a World Heritage site recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

  • Stratford-upon-Avon

    Visit for its connections with Shakespeare.

  • Museums across the UK

    Hundreds of museums across the country are free to visit.

Food and drink

  • Sunday roast

    A traditional meal that can include roast lamb and Yorkshire pudding.

  • Full English breakfast

    A fried breakfast commonly offered by bed and breakfast accommodation.

  • British cheese and dairy

    The country is known for its range of cheeses, butter and milk.

  • Food markets and food halls

    Look for local produce, seasonal fruit and vegetables, breads and other foods.

  • International food

    The UK's diverse communities support a wide choice of international dishes.

  • Picnics and cooking for yourself

    Food from shops and markets can help keep costs down compared with eating in restaurants.

Money

Pound sterling (£), currency code GBP. One pound is divided into 100 pence.

  • Bank of England notes are accepted throughout the UK. Some shops in England and Wales refuse Scottish or Northern Irish notes.
  • Try to avoid £50 notes, as shops often refuse them. Small purchases can also be difficult to pay for with a £20 note.
  • Some businesses do not accept cash, and some buses do not accept banknotes. Check before relying on either.
  • Old paper banknotes are no longer valid. Exchange options depend on the type of note.

Tipping: Tips are usually optional. For good restaurant service, about 10–15% is customary, but you do not need to tip again if a service charge is included; tips for pub drinks are not normally expected.

Typical costs

  • Budget travellers should expect to spend at least £50 per day.
  • A main meal generally costs £10–£30.
  • Travelodge and Premier Inn rooms are described as costing £30–£150 per night, depending on location, booking time and rate flexibility.
  • Breakfast at these budget hotel chains usually costs about £10 extra.
  • London and South East England generally cost more than the rest of the country.

Language

Quid
An informal word for pounds.
Fiver
A £5 note.
Tenner
A £10 note.
Pee
A spoken way of saying pence.
Coach
A long-distance bus, usually between cities or to an airport.
Rambling
Walking or hiking, often in the countryside.

Staying safe

  • The UK is generally a safe place to visit. Follow ordinary travel safety advice.
  • In an emergency, give your exact location, including the town or city. Stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up.
  • If you cannot speak during a mobile call to 999, press 55 when prompted.
  • Do not drink and drive. Alcohol limits are lower in Scotland than in England and Wales.

Local customs

Do

  • Recognise that England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have distinct cultures and identities.
  • Use the toilets provided where you are drinking. Public urination is illegal and unacceptable.
  • When wild camping, move on after two or three nights to let the ground recover.
  • Treat restaurant tips as a reward for good service, and check whether a service charge is already included.

Don't

  • Do not offer tips to police officers or other public-sector workers. This can be treated as bribery.
  • Do not assume every pub admits people under 18. Some only allow adults.
  • Do not light fires when wild camping; they are usually discouraged.

Staying healthy

  • For a life-threatening medical emergency, call 999 or go to a hospital's Accident and Emergency department. The operator's questions help decide the response and do not delay it.
  • For health problems that are not life-threatening, call the National Health Service advice line on 111. Staff can direct you to suitable care.
  • Urgent treatment centres and minor injuries units treat less urgent conditions. Services and names vary across the four countries.
  • Pharmacists can advise on minor illnesses and medicines. They generally cannot supply medicines that require a doctor's prescription without one.

Phone and internet

  • Traveline offers online public transport planning for Great Britain and free regional apps.
  • Translink provides travel information for Northern Ireland and operates most of its bus and train services.
  • WhatsApp or Signal can be cheaper alternatives to sending picture messages through your mobile provider.

Where to stay

  • Hotels range from basic one-star properties to five-star luxury accommodation.
  • Bed and breakfast accommodation usually includes a fried full English breakfast. These places are often privately run.
  • Travelodge and Premier Inn are common budget hotel chains. Breakfast usually costs extra.
  • Youth hostels welcome travellers beyond the young age group. Most offer shared sleeping rooms, and many also have private rooms.

Trips to United Kingdom

Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.

5 nights
London With Time to ExploreLondonWindsorFrom, per person~US$1,970
 7 nights
Scotland for Two, SlowlyEdinburghPitlochryGlencoeLoch LomondFrom, per person~US$3,460
 8 nights
Three Cities at Your PaceLondonYorkEdinburghFrom, per person~US$3,030

Outdoor adventures in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom offers mountain walks, woodland trails, sandy beaches and winter sports in the Cairngorms. You can also cycle, watch deer, climb, paraglide or sail. Outdoor activities are possible all year, but the weather can change quickly.

  • Lake District National Park

    HikeEngland

    Head to the national park for countryside walking. No specific walking route or access details are given.

    • The Lake District is often rainy and cold.
    • Be ready for a change in weather.

  • Peak District National Park

    HikeEngland

    Visit the national park to explore its countryside on foot. No specific route or transport details are given.

  • Cairngorms skiing and snowboarding

    SkiingScotland

    Head to the Cairngorms for skiing or snowboarding. No ski centre, operator or transport details are given.

    • Northern Scotland's mountains can have heavy snow and harsh mountain conditions in winter.

  • Cairngorms climbing

    ClimbingScotland

    Head to the Cairngorms for climbing. No climbing route or guide service is specified.

    • Northern Scotland's mountains can have heavy snow and harsh mountain conditions in winter.

  • Gower Peninsula cliff-top walks

    HikeWalesnear Swansea

    Visit the Gower Peninsula in Swansea for cliff-top walking. No specific route is given.

  • Gower Peninsula beaches

    BeacheWalesnear Swansea

    Visit the Gower Peninsula in Swansea to relax on its sandy beaches. Individual beaches and access routes are not named.

  • Yorkshire Dales countryside walks

    HikeEngland

    Day trip or longer stay

    Visit the Yorkshire Dales for countryside walking, either on a day trip or during a longer stay. No specific route is given.

  • Dartmoor countryside walks

    HikeEngland

    Day trip or longer stay

    Visit Dartmoor for countryside walking, either on a day trip or during a longer stay. No specific route is given.

  • Arthur's Seat

    HikeScotlandnear Edinburgh

    Walk up the extinct volcano in Edinburgh. Go around to its far side for the simpler ascent.

  • Pentland Hills

    HikeScotlandnear Edinburgh

    Half-day or full-day trip

    Take a hiking trip to the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh. No specific route or transport details are given.

  • Brecon Beacons climbing

    ClimbingWalesnear Cardiff

    Reach the Brecon Beacons by car from Cardiff, about 40 minutes away. No climbing route or operator is specified.

  • Brecon Beacons paragliding

    ParaglidingWalesnear Cardiff

    Travel to the Brecon Beacons, about 40 minutes by car from Cardiff. No paragliding operator or launch site is specified.

  • Brecon Beacons sailing

    SailingWalesnear Cardiff

    Travel to the Brecon Beacons, about 40 minutes by car from Cardiff. No sailing venue or operator is specified.

  • Leigh Woods hiking trails

    HikeEnglandnear Bristol

    Cross the Suspension Bridge and turn right at Ashton Court Gate. Continue 800 metres to signs for the visitor centre, then follow the marked hiking trails.

    • Cost: Free
    • Only descend into the Avon Gorge in dry weather.
    • After rain, the trails become very muddy.

  • Leigh Woods mountain biking

    CyclingEnglandnear Bristol

    Cross the Suspension Bridge and turn right at Ashton Court Gate. Continue 800 metres to signs for the visitor centre. Follow the marked mountain biking circuits.

    • Cost: Free
    • Trails become very muddy after rain.

  • Richmond Park cycling

    CyclingLondon, Englandnear London

    Take the Tube to Richmond, then bus 65 or 371 to the park. Explore the park by bicycle.

  • Bushy Park deer watching

    WildlifeLondon, Englandnear London

    Visit Bushy Park near Hampton Court Palace to see its large deer population. No transport details are given.

  • St Ives beaches

    BeacheEngland

    Visit St Ives for its beaches. Individual beaches and access routes are not specified.

  • Barry beach

    BeacheWalesnear Cardiff

    Head to Barry, next to Cardiff Airport, to visit its beach. No beach access details are given.

  • Water of Leith walk

    HikeScotlandnear Edinburgh

    Walk beside the Water of Leith through Edinburgh. Try the Leith or Stockbridge and Canonmills sections.

  • Mermaid Quay to Cardiff Bay barrage

    HikeWalesnear Cardiff

    Walk from Mermaid Quay along the bay to the barrage near Penarth.

  • Cardiff Bay barrage cycling

    CyclingWalesnear Cardiff

    Hire a bicycle from the rental company along the route between Mermaid Quay and the barrage near Penarth.

  • Taff Trail

    More to doWalesnear Cardiff

    Explore the Taff Trail near Cardiff city centre. No starting point or route directions are given.

  • Wales canyoning and gorge walking

    More to doWalesnear Cardiff

    Join a canyoning or gorge-walking trip with Blue Ocean Activities & Adventure. The Cardiff listing gives access via the A470, but does not name individual trip locations.

    • The operator provides safety gear, training and support.

  • Oldbury Court woodland and riverside paths

    HikeEnglandnear Bristol

    Visit Oldbury Court, about 3 miles northeast of Bristol city centre, and walk its woodland and riverside paths along the Frome.

Airports, metros and trains in United Kingdom

Airports with scheduled flights

  • ABZAberdeen International AirportAberdeenMain international airport
  • BFSBelfast International AirportBelfastMain international airport
  • BHXBirmingham AirportBirmingham, West MidlandsMain international airport
  • BRSBristol AirportBristolMain international airport
  • CWLCardiff International AirportCardiffMain international airport
  • EMAEast Midlands AirportNottingham, LeicestershireMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • GlasgowGlasgow Subway15 stations10.4 kmsince 1896
  • LondonLondon Underground272 stations402 kmsince 1890
  • LondonDocklands Light Railway45 stations34 kmsince 1987

Trains

Rail network
16,179 km
Electrified
6,200 km
High-speed lines
1,485.3 km
Top speed
300 km/h

People and safety in United Kingdom

Religion

No single faith is a majority. Mixed.

  • Christian48%
  • No religion37%
  • Muslim6%
  • Hindu2%
  • Other1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #23 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

73% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 84 of 198 countries can visit United Kingdom easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required2
  • Freedom of movement1
  • eTA required81
  • eVisa6
  • Visa required108

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania11 of 14 countries
  • Europe35 of 45 countries
  • Americas20 of 35 countries
  • Asia16 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

Which territories belong to the United Kingdom?

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar Guernsey, and 7 more and more.

Do I need a separate visa for the United Kingdom's territories?

Often yes. Territories such as Anguilla, Bermuda British Indian Ocean Territory, and 12 more can have their own entry rules, so check each one before you travel.

Which countries make up the UK?

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales make up the United Kingdom. London is the capital.

What should I pack for the weather?

Bring a warm top and raincoat, as the weather can change quickly. Outside winter, these are usually enough for ordinary outings.

How much should I budget each day?

Budget travellers should expect to spend at least £50 per day. London and South East England generally cost more.

Can I board a local bus and pay the driver?

On almost all local buses, you pay the driver when boarding, though some do not accept banknotes. Hold out your arm to stop the bus and ring the bell before your stop.

Which side of the road do people drive on?

People drive on the left. Distances are shown in miles and speed limits in miles per hour.

Do I need to leave a tip?

Tips are usually optional. About 10–15% is customary for good restaurant service, but no extra tip is needed when a service charge is included.

Where can I stay on a budget?

Options include bed and breakfast accommodation, Travelodge, Premier Inn and youth hostels. Many hostels also offer private rooms.

What should I do if I become ill?

Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. For other health concerns, call 111 for advice, or ask a pharmacist about minor illnesses.

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