The UK is full of stunning destinations with historic heritage, beautiful natural landscapes, and a diverse culture and arts scene. Start your journey to discover a new Britain by enjoying the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, now in its 75th year, and exploring unique museums and galleries.
1. UK Quick Facts
Language English
Religion Catholic
Currency GBP (£)
Visa Free Up to 180 days visa-free stay upon visit
Power Plugs 230 V 50 Hz (G Type)
Capital London
ATM ATMs can also be easily found everywhere, allowing you to withdraw local currency using a credit or check card.
Use card
Except for flea markets, credit cards can be used in most places, and payments can be made by multiple people. When using a card, a 4-digit pin number may be requested.
Useful APP
Google Maps
Visitor Oyster Card London
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency.
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around.
Travel umbrellas
Unless you’re travelling in June or July, don’t forget your umbrella.
3. Transportation
The cheapest way to get around is by using a Visitor Oyster Card, a pre-paid electronic card that can be used on buses, the tube, the tram and most rail services within London’s travel fare zones (zones 1 to 6). You can save time by ordering your card before you arrive.
The legendary London Underground network, often just called the tube, has more than 270 stations, each marked with the famous London Underground roundel logo.
Tubes run daily, apart from Christmas Day, from around 5:30am until midnight. Some lines run throughout the night at weekends. There are also fewer services on Sundays and public holidays.
The London Overground and a number of traditional rail services also operate out of London’s major hubs, such as Waterloo, Liverpool Street and Victoria, and travel to more suburban areas of London, particularly parts of south London which aren’t reachable by tube.
London buses come in all shapes and sizes – from double-deckers to single-deckers and Routemaster buses (with doors at the front, centre and rear) and operate all over the city.
London buses don’t take cash – instead you need to touch your Oyster Card or a contactless bank card against the reader when you board the bus, and a set cost will be deducted from the card, regardless of how long the journey takes. Paper travelcards can also be used on buses.
The maximum fare per day for buses only is £5.25, and you will not be charged more than £5.25 for multiple journeys. The maximum fare for a week (Monday to Sunday) is £24.7.
One-time charge: 1.75£. Maximum charge per day: 5.25£. Maximum charge for a week: 24.7£.
London’s famous black cabs (officially known as Hackney Carriages) start at £3.8, are safe and reliable, and drivers have to undergo rigorous testing to get a licence. All are wheelchair accessible and accept credit and debit card payments, and some are now electric, making travelling in London even greener.
There are fewer black cabs outside central London, but you will find that plenty of mini-cab companies or check out minicab apps such as Uber or Bolt.
Rent a Car
This can be an option when travelling from London to the outskirts or other cities. Driving into London is not recommended, and congestion charges can be expensive due to various regulations.
4. Safety
Security in the UK is generally stable, with many CCTV cameras monitoring urban and public areas. Crime rates vary by area, but generally remain low.
The emergency number in the UK is 999.
5. Climate
The UK is known for its changeable weather, which is due to fluctuations in barometric pressure, especially when a mobile low pressure system approaches, and it is not uncommon for even sunny days to quickly turn to rain, so it is advisable to carry a light umbrella or wear a hat when travelling.
The difference between summer and winter is not as great as on the continent, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing even in winter, but it is windy, so the perceived temperature is lower than it actually is, and it is cooler in spring and autumn, so warm clothes are necessary. There are many cloudy days in winter and the days are short, with the sunniest months being June and July.
London’s weather has a reputation for being unpredictable, but it tends to rain less than the rest of the UK and has more sunny days, with very short bursts of rain occurring on average once every three days. The coldest month of the year is January, but lows rarely drop below freezing and highs in July, the hottest month, rarely exceed 30°C (86°F).
6. price
Although the pound exchange rate has fallen since Brexit, the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU), prices in the UK are still high.
McDonald’s Combo Meal: 6.5-10 £
Water (1.5 litres): 0.6 to 2.0 £
Fish and chips speciality shop Fish and chips: 11 to 16 £
7. Travel precautions
Cars drive on the left in England. The vehicle steering wheel is also located on the right side of the vehicle. Pedestrians must always look to the right when crossing the street, so special caution is required at the beginning of the trip
Brexit As of 1 January 2021, the UK has abolished the tax refund scheme for travellers. You will not receive a tax refund for the 17% VAT in the UK.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
Londoners are the people who immediately say “Sorry” even if they pass by someone just a little bit while walking down the street. Give way if you feel like you might bump into someone, and when entering a building, hold the door for the person behind you.
Tip
Tipping is not required in pubs or where you order over the counter. Most restaurants and high-end bars in London will add a 12.5 per cent tip to the bill, but if it’s not included, a 10-12.5 per cent tip is the norm. If you’ve received particularly good service, feel free to tip some change.
9. Holidays
UK Bank Holidays in 2024
Monday 1 January New Year’s Day
Friday 29 March Good Friday
Monday 1 April Easter Monday
Monday 6 May Early May Bank Holiday
Monday 27 May Spring Bank Holiday
Monday 26 August Summer Bank Holiday
Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day
Thursday 26 December Boxing Day
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Thursday, 2 January : New Year Holiday Scotland
Monday, 17 March : Saint Patrick’s Day Northern Ireland
Friday, 18 April : Good Friday National
Monday, 21 April : Easter Monday National except Scotland
Monday, 5 May : May Day National
Monday, 26 May : Late May Bank Holiday National
Saturday, 12 July: Battle of the Boyne Northern Ireland
Monday, 14 July: Battle of the Boyne Holiday Northern Ireland
Monday, 4 August : August Bank Holiday Scotland
Monday, 25 August : August Bank Holiday National except Scotland
Sunday, 30 November : St Andrew’s Day Scotland
Monday, 1 November : St Andrew’s Day Holiday Scotland
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day National
Friday, 26 December: Boxing Day National