United Kingdom Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit United Kingdom in 2023

One of the biggest monarchies of the world, the United Kingdom keeps alive centuries of history and, at the same time, walks firmly to the future. England is a symbol of development, and the Industrial Revolution was just the beginning of the technological journey. But by visiting the countryside of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can feel like you are living in a historical movie or, why not, in one of Jane Austen’s books.

In this ultimate United Kingdom travel guide we will share some travel tips and everything you need to have, including up-to-date information, when visiting the UK.

Documents Checklist for the United Kingdom

• Valid visa

• Valid passport

Essential United Kingdom Travel Information

• Currency - British Pound (GBP). $1 is equivalent to approx. £ 0.90.

• Daily budget for 1 person - A daily budget of around £122 ($132).

• Language - English.

• Top 3 cities to visit - London, Edinburgh, and Belfast.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Stonehenge, Tower of London, and The British Museum.

• Socket type - Type G, 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

• Time zone - Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): ET+4 / (GMT+1/ET+5) in summer

United Kingdom Visa Information

The UK government requests a UK Standard Visitor Visa as part of the entry and exit requirements. So, if you don’t have one, you may be refused entry. This international travel document is the perfect visa for travelers that want to visit the United Kingdom for tourism, business, medical treatment, or to visit family and friends.

You can use a multiple-entry visa to stay in the UK for up to 180 days in Total. The best thing is that travelers from many nationalities can apply online for this tourist visa without needing consular services or visiting the nearest embassy. You can submit the information in just a few minutes, then all you need to do is wait for the document to arrive in your email. Just be aware that the passport validity must be at least six months from the arrival date to meet the entry requirements.

Typical Costs and Budget for the United Kingdom

A basic guide to what you'll spend daily to explore the spectacular natural beauty and main cities in the United Kingdom on a decent budget.

Daily spending - Around £122 ($132)/per person/per day on a budget vacation. This includes:

• Meals - £30 ($33)

• Transport - £23 ($25)

• Hotel room - £60 ($65) for a single room

A trip to the United Kingdom for two people for one week will cost an average of £1,705 ($1,851).

Transport and Best Ways to Travel in the United Kingdom

The best way to travel through the United Kingdom may be public transportation. British trains have been around since the early 1800s, and they have a well-established and extensive network. The major cities are connected, and there are transportation hubs to take you to the small villages. England, Scotland, and Wales have a very well-integrated system, but for Northern Ireland, you will need the Translink services, which provide coach, bus, and train services in the country.

The train can be the cheapest and eco option, but if you don’t have much time and want to visit faraway cities, you can count on UK airports. Otherwise, if you are going to explore the territory at your own rhythm, an international driving permit and a rental car can be a fantastic way to visit the countryside. Just be aware of the local laws for traffic and that driving is on the left-hand side of the road (different than most other countries).

In the cities, opt for public transportation. In regions like central London, you won’t have problems with public transport, like bus and subway services; but pay attention to unlicensed taxis because they can take advantage of tourists and charge more.

Safety in the United Kingdom

Like many European countries, the United Kingdom is a safe territory to visit. There are low crime rates, and the streets are very safe. The only thing to be aware of is pickpocketing, which could be expected in tourist areas.

It’s also a good destination for women to travel alone, for example. Just keep some common sense, and there will be risk to personal safety.

Besides crime rates, natural disasters are also rare; so you don’t need to worry about tornadoes or earthquakes. In any case, local authorities don’t require comprehensive travel insurance, but it’s always good to travel without concerns.

United Kingdom Weather

The United Kingdom has very defined seasons. You can see a flowering spring and red parks in the autumn. The winter is cold, and some heat waves can make summer days hard to deal with.

The best time for overseas visitors to travel to the United Kingdom is in spring and autumn, when it’s usually warm and dry. But no matter the time of the year, it’s a piece of good travel advice to have an umbrella or raincoat with you.

• Spring (March - May): Average temperature between 9.3°C - 15.4°C / 48.74°F - 59.72°F

• Summer (June - August): Average temperature between 18.1°C - 20.6°C / 64.58°F - 69.08°F

• Fall (September - November): Average temperature between 9.5°C - 17.5°C / 49.1°F - 63.5°F

• Winter (December - February): Average temperature between 6.6°C - 7.4°C / 43.88°F - 45.32°F

Popular Cities and Towns in the United Kingdom

England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland: There is much to explore in the United Kingdom. Here are 5 popular locations in the United Kingdom that you should visit.

• London - The capital of England is full of attractions. You can visit art and history museums, go on long promenades in the parks, or enjoy pubs, concerts, and expositions.

• Edinburgh - Scotland’s capital is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. It’s a place with rich history where you can explore green spaces, museums, and art galleries.

• York - You can find modern shops and the facilities of a big city, but the charm of York is that this city keeps buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries. There are historical tourist areas to explore.

• Bath - Known for its Roman ruins, this is one of the European cities protected as a UNESCO Heritage Site. You can enjoy museums, galleries, and, of course, the thermal baths.

• Belfast - The biggest city in Northern Ireland, but not big enough, so you can visit the attractions walking from one to another. You can explore street art, museums, and historical buildings.

Must Do and See in the United Kingdom

From natural beauty to art and medieval architecture, here are some of the things you shouldn’t miss on a trip to the United Kingdom:

1. Visit the Cleopatra Mummy in the British Museum in London.

2. Visit the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge at Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England.

3. Travel in time by visiting His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.

4. Taste the incredible Northern Ireland food at St. George’s Market.

5. Explore Loch Ness in Scotland (and maybe see the mysterious monster!).

Places to Visit if You Are a Fan…

An itinerary for Beatles fans (Liverpool)

1. Visit the legendary Cavern Club, where the Beatles used to play in Liverpool.

2. Visit the Beatles Story Museum in Albert Docks. It is an immersive journey telling the story of the Fab Four.

3. Take a picture of the group statue in Albert Docks.

4. Explore the grounds of Strawberry Field, the place that inspired the Beatles song with the same name.

5. The Grapes Pub is another place where the band used to chill out. You can visit and drink a couple of beers around there.

An itinerary for Jane Austen fans

1. Visit the Jane Austen Centre in Bath. It’s an immersive and interactive experience that lifts the veil on the period in which Jane Austen lived and worked.

2. Explore Chawton House in Chawton Town. The place was an inspiration for her books.

3. Visit the Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton Town. It’s a mesmerizing experience, and the building and its interiors are pretty much intact.

4. Explore the Lyme Park Estate. The beautiful park was the filming location used for Pemberly in the famous BBC series adaption.

5. Visit the Temple of Apollo at Stourhead. It’s the filming location of the famous rain proposal scene in Pride and Prejudice, a movie starring Keira Knightly and Mathew Macfadyen.

Typical British Food to Try

• Fish and Chips - Simple, but a classic. You can find this delicious dish everywhere in the United Kingdom. The very best place to eat it is in the open air, by the sea, but you can easily find it in London.

• Sunday Roast - This dish is made up of roasted meat (beef, chicken, lamb, or pork), potato, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, vegetables (parsnips, Brussels sprouts, peas, carrots, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower, not necessarily all) and gravy.

• Bangers and Mash - Also known as sausages and mash, this traditional dish consists of sausages and mashed potatoes and is often accompanied by peas and gravy.

Vaccine Information for the United Kingdom

Make sure you are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccination status before traveling to the United Kingdom, although it may not be part of entry restrictions. Please check the CDC health guidelines for the United Kingdom for further information about other vaccinations, such as rabies and polio.

Fun Facts about the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is one of the favorite destinations in Europe and has a powerful history. But the are still some facts about the kingdom that we bet you didn’t know!

1. The monument of Stonehenge is older than the Egypt pyramids. It’s one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, and scientists believe it was built over 3,000 B.C.

2. The famous game of Golf was invented in Scotland; but there was a moment when the national sport was banished because of its popularity. James II prohibited it in 1457 because it interrupted the army’s practice.

3. Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning Queen in the world. She ascended the throne in 1953; in 2015, her excellence became the longest Queen in history.

4. Windsor Palace is the oldest and largest castle in the world that is still occupied.

5. From 1066 to 1362, French was the official language in the UK. This happened after the Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror of France. During said period, the nobility mainly used French, and the lower classes generally spoke English.