UK Travel Tips – GypsyPlate

Visiting a foreign country is always a unique and rewarding experience. But often there are things you should know beforehand.

In my recent five-week blogging adventure to England, I decided to share my UK travel tips.

It’s one of the most culturally similar countries to America, but like all nations, there are a few things you should know before crossing the pond.

If you hold a US, EU or certain Commonwealth countries passport, you do not need a visa before visiting the UK.

Otherwise, you will need to apply for a visa in advance. There are different types of visas depending on the purpose of travel. Check the UK government website for how to apply.

Please note that you may have to go to a biometrics appointment to have your photo and fingerprints taken.

At the time of this writing, the current waiting time for UK visas is around 7 weeks. Alpana’s priority visa service allowed me to get my visa in 5 days. It’s worth checking out these different premium visa services.

The currency of England is the British Pound. If you want to exchange foreign currency, check with your local bank before you go. They generally offer the best exchange rates. Avoid exchange offices at airports as they have the worst rates.

Almost everywhere we visited took credit or debit cards, and many were completely cashless. Be sure to notify your bank or credit card company of your travel plans. Otherwise, your transaction may not be processed.

Our debit card offered a very good rate with minimal fees. It is recommended that you carry around £200 in cash, mostly in your local currency, and exchange it at a reasonable money changer if necessary.

Summer is usually the best weather. However, it is also the busiest time of year. Also, many accommodations do not have air conditioning.

Winter, on the other hand, gets dark very early, with the sun setting by 4pm.

We traveled in September and October. Some days were sunny and perfect for wearing shorts, but later in the trip, long pants and a light jacket were fine most days.

It rains relatively often, but generally very weakly. We do not recommend taking up space in your suitcase with heavy rain gear. A small umbrella or light poncho will suffice.

In five weeks, only one day was rainy enough to cancel the plan.

Hiring a taxi may seem tempting, but if you’re flying into Heathrow or Gatwick and want to head to London, the train is the best option. Driving in London is a time consuming task so much cheaper and faster. It can take an hour or more to reach the city center by car.

The Heathrow Express takes about 15 minutes and brings you to Paddington Station. The Gatwick Express takes about 30 minutes to Victoria Station.

After getting off the train, take a taxi to your accommodation.

England has a robust public transport system. There are usually trains connecting major destinations and buses connecting cities within and between cities.

Please note that some locations only accept contactless payments. In London you must have a contactless credit or debit card or purchase an ‘Oyster card’. They are available at most stations and can be pre-loaded. A separate payment method is required for each passenger.

Most large cities and tourist destinations also have hop-on hop-off buses with set routes. These aren’t the most budget-friendly options, but they do have a lot of great historical and informative commentary on record.

Services such as taxis and Uber are also options.

If you choose to rent a car we did, there are some important things to keep in mind.

First of all, if you are not used to driving a manual car, be sure to book an automatic car.

Remember cars drive on the street left before the road. What was more disruptive in our experience was the driver sitting on top. right. This completely changes the reference frame and it’s very easy to notice that it’s drifting to the left.

The lanes are also very narrow and there are rarely shoulders. This, coupled with driving from the right-hand seat, ran to the curb and blew a tire.

Also, on narrow, winding roads, the speed limit is often unfamiliar. I often stopped my car to overtake another car.

Having said that, the roads are very well maintained and in good condition.

Many of England’s cities and towns were built before the automobile, so parking can be a challenge.

Most towns have paid public parking, which you pay at a kiosk and receive a receipt to display on your dashboard. Prices were quite reasonable.

We recommend that you check your local regulations for street parking. Everywhere we went there seemed to be different parking laws.

There are three main types of accommodation: hotels, bed and breakfasts, and private lodgings.

Hotel: We stayed in 3 different hotels while in the UK. Few things you would expect.

Like the US, the UK also has a star rating system, with 5 stars being the most luxurious.

Bed and Breakfast: These are unique options because you are staying in a room in someone’s home.Breakfast is provided and you can interact with the homeowners and other guests.

Please note that some bed and breakfasts have shared toilets.

Minpaku: This was our favorite option. You rent someone’s property every night.

Unique cottages rented in Cornwall, Wales, the Lake District and the Cotswolds gave us the opportunity to live like a local.

One of the biggest features is that they generally have full kitchens. This can save you a lot of money when eating out. Plus, it’s nice not to have to leave the house after a long day of sightseeing.

I made quite a few meals during the trip, including Toad in the Hole, which I posted as a recipe on GypsyPlate. Noah also attended the flatbread night…

In addition to my usual AirBnb, I found a nice spot at Sykes Cottages.

England has some great food, especially in the big cities, and the choices are vast.

Small towns usually have a mix of pubs and a few ethnic restaurants (especially Indian and Asian).

One important thing to note is that pubs are often the only lunch option in small towns. So, enjoy great pub food for lunch (fish and chips is a must) and try international cuisine for dinner.

Reservations for dinner are recommended.

Common tipping rates in England are:

• Serving 10-15% *
• £1-2 per bartender round (except pubs)
• taxi driver 10%
• Tour guide £1-2
• Hotel housekeeping £2 per day

*Note: Some restaurants add an optional service charge to your bill. In that case no extra tip is needed.

Always check beforehand if anything is open. Small retail stores and pharmacies usually close by 5:30 pm, especially in small towns.

Also, please be aware of bank holidays. Many stores and even some attractions may be closed. A list of UK bank holidays can be found here.

Note that many large supermarkets also close at 16:00 on Sundays.

Common grocery store chains in England include Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrison’s and Aldi.

We found the food selection to be excellent. The produce in particular was very fresh and proudly marketed as British. Also, it was considerably cheaper than American products.

With its rich history, England has many wonderful attractions. From castles to museums, ancient relics like Stonehenge and modern wonders like the London Eye, there is so much to do and see.

Open most days, except public holidays. Tickets can usually be purchased on-site, but if you’re visiting during peak season, it’s best to buy them online in advance.

Important note: The interior of Buckingham Palace is open to the public from late July to early October.

Many museums, such as the British Museum and the National Gallery, are free to enter, but donations are encouraged.

If you plan to visit many of England’s historic sites, consider the English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass. At the time of this writing, a 9-day pass costs £39 for an adult, and a 16-day pass costs £46, giving access to over 100 sites.

As any seasoned traveler may know, different countries have different types of electrical plugs.

England uses 230V AC power. Type G socket. Adapters are easy to find online.

Overall, England is a very safe country with a low crime rate. However, the usual precautions should be taken. Basically pay attention to your surroundings.

That being said, accidents do happen. It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance when traveling abroad.

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We hope this guide will help your trip to England go as smoothly as possible. If you’re still in the planning stages, here are other posts you might find helpful: things to do in England and Wales, things to do in London, and what to eat in England.

Until next time, and to another destination…