United Kingdom travel guide

The UK is Europe's classic first stop. London has world-class musicals, free museums and royal culture, and every city, from Edinburgh in Scotland to England's Cotswolds, Bath and York, has its own character.

July to September is the best season, and December's Christmas decorations and Edinburgh's New Year fireworks are also popular.

Visa and entry requirements for the United Kingdom

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

Many visitors who do not need a visa must now get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling; the UK Government lists the fee as GBP 20. Approval can take from a few hours to a few days, so apply at least three days before departure. The UK is not in the Schengen Area, so time in the UK and time in Schengen countries are counted separately.

• Check if you need a UK visa (UK Government)
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) (UK Government)

• Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
• Time zone: GMT (UTC+0), summer time BST (UTC+1)
• Main airport: London Heathrow
• Best season: May to September; Christmas in December; Hogmanay (New Year fireworks) in Edinburgh on 1 January
• Electricity: 230 V, Type G (British rectangular three-pin) plugs
• Language: English

London: the heart of Britain

The UK capital and a world center of finance, culture and art. Most visitors give it five to seven nights.

Free sights: most national museums are free, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.

Paid sights: the Tower of London (from GBP 30), Buckingham Palace (summer season, from GBP 28), the London Eye (from GBP 35) and the Harry Potter studio tour (west of London, from GBP 52; very popular, advance booking required).

West End musicals: Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and The Lion King. Book ahead on the official websites or via officiallondontheatre.com; for good seats, book three months ahead.

Edinburgh: Scotland's capital

A medieval citadel city with a very different European feel from London, 4 hours 30 minutes by train from London.

Must-sees: Edinburgh Castle (from GBP 20), the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Arthur's Seat (a free one-hour walk with city views) and Greyfriars Kirkyard (graves said to have inspired Harry Potter).

The Fringe in August: the world's largest performing arts festival, with more than 3,000 shows over three to four weeks. Hotel prices jump three to five times during the festival, so book six months ahead.

Suggested stay: two to three nights. London to Edinburgh by train takes 4 hours 30 minutes (GBP 30–50 booked in advance).

The Cotswolds: fairy-tale English villages

Across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, honey-colored limestone villages make up England's most beautiful countryside.

Key villages: Bourton-on-the-Water ("the Venice of the Cotswolds"), Bibury (Arlington Row cottages), Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Two hours from London by car, or by train and bus. A rental car is most convenient. We recommend staying one or two nights rather than a day trip.

Bath: UNESCO city of Roman baths

A Roman spa town with perfectly preserved Georgian architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage city 1 hour 30 minutes from London by train.

Must-sees: the Roman Baths (from GBP 22), Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge.

A three-day, two-night route combined with the Cotswolds is popular.

Oxford and Cambridge: the great university cities

Oxford: one hour from London by train. Of its 39 colleges, Christ Church (a Harry Potter filming location), the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera are the most popular. Christ Church from GBP 17.

Cambridge: 1 hour 10 minutes from London by train. King's College Chapel (from GBP 12), the Mathematical Bridge and punting (from GBP 25). The alma mater of Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.

• Fish and chips: the national dish; best in harbor towns and fishing villages. GBP 12–18 in London.
• Full English breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, toast and black pudding. GBP 10–18.
• Afternoon tea: at Claridge's, Fortnum & Mason, Sketch and others. GBP 60–120 for two; book three to four weeks ahead.
• Sunday roast: the British family Sunday lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
• Indian curry: London is Britain's best city for Indian food; try Brick Lane and Southall. GBP 10–20.
• Beer and pubs: ales, stouts and IPAs. London brewery tours are popular too.

The London Underground (the Tube): use a rechargeable Oyster card or a Visa or Mastercard contactless card. A single fare is GBP 2.80 (Oyster) to 5.25 (cash). There are also seven-day Travelcards (Zones 1–2 from GBP 40).

National Rail: booking ahead on the Trainline app (trainline.com) is 50–70% cheaper than buying on the day. On main routes, booking three months ahead can cost a tenth of the walk-up price.

Buses: the red double-deckers. GBP 1.75 per ride in central London (contactless or Oyster).

Taxis (black cabs): official metered taxis, GBP 2.7–3 per km. Know exactly where you are going before you get in.

Price benchmarks: an americano GBP 4–6, lunch GBP 15–25 per person, dinner GBP 30–60, a four-star hotel GBP 150–300 per night. London is more expensive than Paris or Amsterdam.

• Weather: changeable. Even in summer (July and August) it can suddenly rain; a folding umbrella is essential.
• Tipping: restaurants may automatically add a 10–12.5% service charge; check the bill before deciding whether to tip more.
• Adapter: Type G (rectangular three-pin).
• Pharmacies (chemists): basic medicines are available at chains such as Boots and Superdrug.
• SIM cards: buy on arrival at Heathrow, or use prepaid SIMs from giffgaff, EE or O2. Set up an eSIM before you leave.