Do you want to know great castles, historical places, beautiful lakes, lineages of kings and royal families, as well as an elegant British accent? The United Kingdom is the destination for you!
With a population of more than 67 million inhabitants and with four countries (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) in its integration, the United Kingdom or also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a fantastic adventure that you cannot miss. Keep reading and do not miss any of the many ways to spend a good holiday in the UK.
How to get there
We know that the journey begins the moment we take our bags and take a plane to our destination. In this way, something very important is how we are received in this new country. If our arrival was comfortable, we will surely have the trip of our dreams. That is why here we will mention the best airports in the UK, so you can start your journey as it should.
If you have a choice, the best airport and the one that takes the gold, is the Glasgow Airport located in Scotland, one of the busiest in the UK. This airport is also easily accessible by road.
The next in our list is Heathrow Airport also known as London Heathrow, which is the main international airport in London. This airport is accessible by train, bus, taxi, car, and bicycle, so once you get there; it will be easy for you to get around the city.
On the other hand, traveling to Northern Ireland is easy, comfortable, and secure through George Best Belfast City Airport and if you want to go directly to Wales, the best option you have is the Cardiff Airport that is the busiest in the country.
Visa Information
If you need or not a visa to enter the United Kingdom, will depend on your country of origin. For example, Citizens of the European Union do not need a visa, so they have free movement through Europe, including the UK.
If you are traveling from countries such as The United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Argentina, you have visa-free entry for 6 months. However, citizens from most of the countries around the world (especially from Asia and Africa), will need to apply online for a visa.
Best time to visit the country
Although you can visit The United Kingdom at almost every time of the year because it does not have extreme temperatures, we want to recommend you to go there during the spring and fall seasons.
From April to June, the temperature range is between 12°C and 18°C. This moment is perfect to enjoy the events and festivals that take place during these months.
However, during the fall season (from September to November) temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C. If you travel in September, you will enjoy those festivals that mark the harvest. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, then October is perfect for you.
Safety
Overall, the United Kingdom is safe for travelers. However, as in many other destinations around the world, there would be pickpockets and beggars ready to catch you off guard, must of the time in public places. As we do not want this to happen to you, here you have some tips to follow and stay safe.
First, do not leave your bag unattended or hooked onto the back of your chair if you are in a restaurant. Always plan your route before you leave, in that way you will avoid getting lost in an unknown city. UK emergency numbers are 999 and 112, if you have any inconvenience do not hesitate to call and report it.
Budget
Do you want to make the UK your next destination? Probably you are wondering how much you will spend on that trip. Well, you could spend around £117 ($144) per day, including the accommodation (£58 / $72), meals for one day (£28 / $35), local transportation (£23 / $28) and entertainment (£21 / $26).
That means that you could spend £817 ($1,008) per week, and if you plan to stay for two weeks you should plan to spend £1,635 ($2,017). Of course, the cost will also depend on the lifestyle you want to lead during your vacation. The prices mentioned above are based on a moderate travel style.
Here below we show the prices of common items in the UK:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: £7 ($8.78) – A traditional Sunday lunch.
- Mid-range restaurant: £25 ($31.37) – A three-course dinner.
- Soft Drink: £1.33 ($1.67) – 0.33-liter bottle.
- Beer: £3.70 ($4.64) – 0.5-liter draught.
Currency
In the United Kingdom, that is to say in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the official currency is the Pound Sterling. If you travel to any of these places, you should know that neither the US Dollar nor the Euro is accepted.
To obtain Pounds we recommend you withdraw from an ATM upon arrival at your destination. Of course, you should know that a commission would be charged for the withdrawal of cash, so it is important to check with your bank about the rates.
The most widely used payment method in the UK is credit and debit cards. The most used are MasterCard and VISA; however, you can also find places where American Express is accepted. Other currently accepted methods are checks, and electronic payments, for example, PayPal.
Interesting facts about the culture
Knowing that the United Kingdom is made up of four countries (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales), it is to be expected that its culture, customs, and social behavior will be very varied. At first, it is important to know that the official language is English, but many immigrant people also speak French, German, and Spanish.
When you travel there, probably you are going to notice that one of the things that represent better the British culture and traditions is the monarchy. If people there talk about the queen, they are referring to Elizabeth II that is the world's oldest living monarch.
In the UK there are from famous museums and galleries, to palaces and gardens that form part of the UNESCO world heritage sites, so it is to be expected that tourism in most cities will be full of wonderful architecture to see.
The people in the UK are polite, courteous, and modest; and they are very proud of their social etiquette. It is good to know that they generally do not display affection in public and that they like to keep their personal space. Do not worry if at the beginning they appear to be cold, they are just reserved and very friendly with foreigners.
What to do in the United Kingdom
In this set of countries, you can find many fantastic and interesting places where you can do many activities and have a good time. You can see the queen in the Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London, have wonderful views in Wales and Northern Ireland, visit a legendary lake and see people playing bagpipes and wearing kilts in Scotland.
Places to visit in England:
- The Big Ben, in Westminster: High-rise gothic clock tower and national symbol of the country.
- The British Museum, in Great Russell Street: Large exhibits gathered from many cultures, and one of the most visited museums in the world.
- Stonehenge, in Salisbury: Legendary Neolithic monument made with stones.
One of the countries with more castles in the UK is Wales. This is a historical sovereign state with beautiful views in the whole country but if you want more modern cities you can go to the capital: Cardiff.
Places to visit in Wales:
- Snowdonia National Park: 2,131-square-kilometer mountainous national park with isolated villages, lakes, and Snowdon Peak.
- Snowdon, in the Snowdonia National Park: It is the highest mountain in Wales, at a height of 1,085 meters, and the highest point in the British Isles.
- Cardiff Castle: Fantasy Victorian Gothic building in roman and Norman ruins with a colorful interior.
Another country of the UK is Scotland, a place full of life and extraordinary culture. Scotland has places to enjoy the wonderful views of its lakes, mountains, and Green zones.
Places to visit in Scotland:
- Edinburgh Castle, in Castlehill: 11th-century castle and barracks housing royal jewels and the Scottish National War Museum.
- Loch Ness: 37 km freshwater lake in the highlands with a legendary monster.
- Holyrood Palace, in Canongate: 16th century high Palace, with walks through the royal halls, antiques, and relics.
And for the last and not least, there is Northern Ireland, famous for its Norman castles, glacial valleys, high mountains, and the Golf courses. It is a fantastic country with beautiful places and historical sites to see.
- Titanic Belfast, in 1 Olympic Way: Monument and museum dedicated to the RMS Titanic, with interactive exhibits such as nighttime attractions, underwater exploration theater, and recreated cabins.
- Belfast Castle, Antrim Rd: Castle within natural parks with adventure games, visitor center, souvenirs, and restaurants.
- Belfast Botanic Gardens, in College Park Ave: Beautiful intricate public garden dating from 1828 with tropical species and a conservatory with an elegant dome.
How to get around
Moving through the UK is not as hard as you think. This country is relatively small and is well connected, due to its efficient public transportation. The most popular transport is the train.
The British countryside is connected by the extensive National rail network and covers more than 34,000 Km, and for Northern Ireland, you can use the Northern Ireland Railways (NIR). You can check the prices on the website of the National rail and all the details that you need.
You can use the planes to move through the country, it is comfortable but expensive. The bus services are used in the cities between the center and its nearby locations like the suburbs.
And for the last, renting a car is an option for you if you want more time to travel and if you like the excellent roads of the country. However, it is better that you lookup for parking, because you cannot park on the streets with the signals indicated.
How to stay connected in the United Kingdom
Whenever we travel to a new destination, we want to capture all the moments lived and to show them to our close family and friends. We are also interested in being able to use our phone to find new and unknown places. To use your phone in the UK, four main operators will allow you to be connected wherever you are. These operators are Vodafone, Three, EE (Everything Everywhere), and O2. The mobile services they provide will allow you to stay connected, navigate through applications, send text messages, and make calls, national and international.
Another quite useful option is to request an international prepaid SIM card from providers like SimOptions, which also allow you to enjoy all the services at a very good price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I rent a car?
The most popular way to travel through the UK is by train. It is not recommended to rent a car due to the heavy traffic on the streets.
Which airports can I fly to?
The most popular airports are the Glasgow Airport, the Heathrow Airport, the George Best Belfast City Airport, and the Cardiff Airport.
What are the most popular types of hotels?
There are traditional hotels and self-catering (flats, houses, cottages, and serviced apartments).
How much does a holiday cost?
In a moderate travel style, you could spend around £117 ($144) per day.
What are the best things to do?
The most visited places are the Buckingham Palace and Big Ben in London, and the Snowdonia National Park in Wales.