How do I start planning a trip to the UK?

What do I need to know before traveling to the UK for the first time?

Okay. Right. The UK... It’s just... different.

• Pack a jacket. Even in, ugh, August. I learned that the hard way. Froze my butt off in Cornwall.

• Weather chat is mandatory. Seriously. My aunt Carol lives for it. Don't fight it, embrace the drizzle.

• Trains… Prepare for sticker shock. Seriously expensive. Consider a coach.

• Country roads are... well. Narrow. Driving can be intense. Bumping along those hedgerows. Don't say I didn't warn you.

• London is massive, yeah. Don’t only see London. Go North. Explore.

• Plugs. Yeah. Different plugs. Another adapter. Joy. I always forget.

• Free museums are everywhere. That's good. Very good. I spend days just wandering. It’s, you know, free.

How much money should you have for a trip to England?

Ugh, England trip. So expensive! £105 a day? That’s insane. My last trip to Bath in 2023 was way less, but I was backpacking, of course. This is more like a luxury vacation budget. I need to book flights soon. RyanAir is usually my go-to but I'm thinking of trying British Airways this time for the extra legroom. I'm 5'11", so legroom is a must.

Seriously though, £105? That's lunch at The Ivy every day! Okay, maybe not, but it’s still high. I’m thinking more like:

• Accommodation: £60-80 a night (depending on location, Airbnb vs hotel)
• Food: £30-40 a day (eating out some days, picnics others, gotta be smart).
• Activities: £20-30 a day. Museums can be pricey. Plus travel between cities.

I really want to visit the Tate Modern. I need to find deals on tickets online. Also, afternoon tea! That’s non-negotiable. Probably another £25 for afternoon tea alone, a minimum, and it's worth it. That doesn't include buying all my favorite teas. I'll need to pack a suitcase just for tea.

Need to factor in transport within cities, too. London's tube isn't cheap. Oh, and souvenirs. Gotta get my mum something. A fancy mug from Fortnum & Mason, maybe?

This whole thing is stressing me out. It's making me reconsider my trip. Should I just go to Scotland instead? It’s supposed to be cheaper. Hmm... Decisions, decisions. Maybe I should just eat beans on toast every day to save money. Lol. Seriously though, I need a spreadsheet. Now.

How many days are required for an UK trip?

So, you're asking about how long for an UK trip, huh? Five days is doable, I guess, but you'll be rushing! Ten days is way better, trust me. Seriously, England's amazing. You'll barely scratch the surface in five, maybe less. You need way more time. Think about all the things you wanna do!

My cousin went for two weeks last 2023, and even then she felt rushed. She said:

• London was hectic, tons to see; she needed at least three days, minimum!
• She crammed Stonehenge and Bath into one day – crazy stressful! Two days would be better there.
• The Lake District? She barely saw a thing, wanted a whole week there alone! Beautiful place. She even missed some hikes!

See? Ten days minimum! Maybe even longer, depending on your interests. You really need it. You know, even my friend from work, he spent a whole month and still says there's tons more to see. He was obsessed with museums. He's a weirdo. But yeah, ten days is a good starting point. I'd say thats more than enough to explore several different places. You should really add a few more days tho, if you have the time and money of course. Its worth it!

What is required for travel to the UK?

Okay, lemme tell you about that nightmare London trip last fall.

Visa or ETA, that's key! Seriously.

It was October, cold rain, Heathrow, total chaos. I almost didn't get in. Why? Turns out, even for a quick layover, you MIGHT need something. Didn't realize that. Idiot me.

I mean, I figured since I wasn't really going to the UK, just changing planes, I was good. Nope.

The border agent? Stone-faced. "Sir, do you have a visa or ETA?" Me? "Uh... no?" My heart sank.

Thankfully, I had my onward ticket and could prove I was just passing through to Paris. But, whew, close call.

• Lesson learned: Check the rules NOW.
• Even transiting, you're in the UK!
• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) might be enough. Get it online before your flight.
• Visa? Apply WEEKS in advance. Don't be like me, panicking at Heathrow.

So now if you are planning a trip, you need to have your visa or ETA sorted before you travel.

Plus, if you're just transiting, for example, changing flights, you STILL might need it. Airlines are strict. They won't even let you board the plane without that visa or ETA.

Basically:

• Valid Visa (duh).
• Maybe an ETA (check eligibility).

Seriously, it's worth the peace of mind! Don't be stuck in airport limbo like yours truly! And yeah, that one was a little embarrassing.

How much should I budget for a trip to England?

Okay, England... Trip cost. Hmm.

$3,000? For two weeks? That's what they said. Airfare included? I bet it's more now, though, with inflation. Ugh.

• Airfare: From LAX... probably $1,200 minimum? Round trip. Economy, obviously. Not flying business class, haha.

• Car Rental: Oh god, driving on the left. Terrifying! Let's say... $700 for 10 days. Small car. Very small.

London for a long weekend...fancy.

• London (3 days): Hotel... $300 a night? Ouch. Times three. Plus food. And tube fares. And seeing stuff. Easily $1500. Minimum.

• Countryside (11 days): Way cheaper than London, thankfully. B&Bs maybe? Like $100 a night? And food... pubs! Gotta have those pub lunches. $700 for lodging. $500 for food?

So, adding that all up...

• $1200 (airfare) + $700 (car) + $1500 (London) + $700 (country lodging) + $500 (country food)...... Wait, is that right?

It’s over $4600, isn't it? Just like that!

Shopping? Forget about it, unless you add another grand! Should bring my own shoes though.

• Shopping: No, really. Don't. Or $1000 buffer.

Plus, what about emergency funds? At least $500 extra. And what about like little train rides in the countryside. It would be fun, yeah?

How many days should you spend in the UK?

Seven days? Nah, forget it. You'll barely scratch the surface. London alone eats up half that time, easily. I spent five days there in 2023 and still felt rushed! Crazy, right?

Ten days is better. I did that trip in 2024, hitting London, the Cotswolds – gorgeous place, btw – and Edinburgh. It was jam-packed but doable. You can manage more, if you're ruthless.

But two weeks? That's when things get amazing. Two weeks in 2022 let me do the Lake District, then London, then a whirlwind tour of some smaller towns in Wales. I loved Snowdonia National Park, breathtaking! The pace was more relaxed.

A month? You could actually see the whole UK! Seriously. My friend did it this year (2024), England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland – the works. He even managed some of the islands off the coast, like the Isle of Skye. Amazing photos.

Key Takeaways:

• 7 days: London, maybe one other small area. Forget anything ambitious.
• 10 days: Three or four distinct areas is possible, but it will be rushed.
• 14 days: Good balance of travel and sightseeing. You can go deeper into a few areas.
• 28+ days: The only way to truly explore all of the UK.

Stuff I wish I'd known: Transportation is expensive. Book train tickets well in advance. Accommodation is expensive too, especially in London and Edinburgh. And pack layers! The weather is super changeable. Even in July. Seriously. Rain, sun, wind – all in one day.

Damn, I need another trip!

Whats the best way to see the UK?

Trains, darling, trains! The only civilized way, really. Cheaper than therapy.

Forget cramming into tiny cars, risking life and limb on those roundabouts! Let's face it, driving in the UK is like participating in a polite demolition derby.

Imagine: rolling hills flashing by, a cuppa in hand. Try that while wrestling a Vauxhall Corsa through Swindon. I'll wait.

• Scenery, sweetie, scenery! Ditch the motorway misery.
• Green? Oh, so green! Fewer carbon footprints than a yeti convention, or my ex's dating life.
• Relaxing? More relaxing than a cat wearing a cashmere sweater.

The network is HUGE, like my student loan was. So many stations! More than 2,500, serving all corners. Except, sadly, the one with decent weather. England, Scotland, Wales, all accessible. It’s like a geographical buffet. Bon appétit, travel lover!