United Kingdom

Traveling the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is still on my list of places I’m building out full guides for, but I wanted to get the basics up here for anyone planning a trip in the meantime. Between London’s endless neighborhoods, the Scottish Highlands, Welsh coastal trails, and Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, it’s a country that rewards picking one region properly rather than trying to rush through all four nations at once.

A few practical notes on the UK: the currency is the British pound, not the euro, and contactless card payment is accepted almost everywhere, including on public transit. Driving is on the left side of the road, which catches out a lot of visitors, and distances between cities are often smaller than they look — the train network connects most major destinations quickly and comfortably, and is usually more relaxing than renting a car in London specifically.

Weather is famously changeable across the UK — pack layers and a proper rain jacket no matter the season, since a sunny morning can turn into an afternoon downpour without much warning. If you’re a US citizen, no visa is required for short tourist visits, but it’s worth checking the U.S. State Department’s United Kingdom travel page for current entry requirements before you book.

London deserves more time than most first-time visitors give it — a week barely scratches the surface between the museums (many of which are free), the sprawling parks, and neighborhoods like Shoreditch and Notting Hill that feel like entirely different cities. Outside London, the Cotswolds offer classic English countryside within easy reach, Edinburgh’s Old Town and castle make for one of the most dramatic city skylines in Europe, and the Lake District is a proper hiking destination if you want to get outdoors. Each region has its own distinct character worth building a separate trip around.

The UK’s rail network is generally excellent for getting between cities, though booking tickets in advance can save a significant amount compared to buying on the day. Within London specifically, the Underground (the Tube) and contactless payment make getting around simple without needing a car at all. If you’re venturing into rural Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, though, a rental car opens up a lot more flexibility than public transport alone.

Food in the UK has come a long way from its dated reputation — London alone has an enormous range of world-class restaurants, and a proper pub lunch or Sunday roast is worth seeking out anywhere in the country. Tipping is more modest than in the US, generally around 10-12% at restaurants when service isn’t already included, and it’s not expected at all at pubs or for counter service.

We’ll be adding proper trip guides and stories from the UK as they happen — for now, keep an eye on this page, and let us know in the comments if there’s a specific city or region, like Edinburgh or the Lake District, you’d like us to cover first.