8 practical tips for your trip to the United Kingdom

8 practical tips for your trip to the United Kingdom

Are you going on vacation to the United Kingdom soon and want to travel prepared? In this blog, I will tell you some practical tips about your trip to England that you will definitely need!

1. Drive on the left

One of the most important points to remember when going on vacation to England is that cars drive on the left. This may take some getting used to if you come from a country where people drive on the right. Pay close attention when crossing that the cars are coming from the right, rather than the left. When renting a car, you can choose to rent an automatic which makes driving easier, but be careful when driving on a traffic circle and that you take it from the left!

2. Public transportation

England has a good public transportation system with buses, subways and trains. Between the big cities like Manchester, Birmingham and London the trains are well arranged and easy to do. You should book your train tickets in advance on the National Rail website, for example, to save money. If you do this shortly before departure, the prices can be a lot more than if you do it in advance. In London, you can use the “Oyster Card” and you can travel around the city on buses, subways and streetcars for very little money. You can recharge this card instead of using paper tickets.

3. Changeable weather

The UK is known for changeable weather. The weather can be lovely in the summer, but a day later it can rain. Be prepared and bring a raincoat or an umbrella in case it does rain.

4. British pound

In the UK, they pay with the pound. 1 GBP = 1.18 EUR and 1 GBP = 1.10 USD. You can pay in restaurants, museums and stores by credit or debit card (contactless), but it is still handy to always have some pounds in your pocket.

5. Passport

Since 2021, Great Britain is no longer in the European Union and you can no longer travel to England with just your ID (EU). You will need a valid passport to go on vacation to The UK since October 1, 2021.

6. Adapters

England uses the “type G plug” with three square pins. This is different from most countries in Europe, so don’t forget to bring a travel adapter when you go here on vacation.

7. Free museum visits

In England and especially in London, you can visit many museums for free. This is the case, for example, at the “British Museum”, the “Tate Modern” and the “National Gallery”. This is a handy tip if you want to save money and still go to an interesting museum.

8. Tap water is safe to drink

Throughout England you can safely drink tap water and you don’t need to buy bottled water. In restaurants you can ask for tap water and it is often served free of charge. When you go on vacation to England, take a water bottle with you that you can fill so you always have drinks in your pocket.

With these practical tips, you’ll be fully prepared for your trip to England! If you happen to be going to London, do the SmartWalk London. This is a super fun tour that is completely up to you. You will learn all the fun facts about London and even the hidden gems. You can take breaks whenever you want with this tour and get to know London really well this way!