21 UK Travel Tips You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Appropriate greetings, money saving hacks and ways to avoid the veritable pitfalls of a major British social faux pas. That’s right, I’m here to help you navigate through all things UK for your visit to this mighty island nation with my top UK travel tips.

I may have lived in Canada now for a number of years, but going to the UK still feels like coming home. I fall right back into habits and British-isms that, let’s be honest, may seem a little odd to non-Brits.

In spite of all its quirkiness, or maybe because of said quirkiness, a trip to the UK shouldn’t be overlooked.

United Kingdom or Great Britain?

Why do we have so many names? Filling out forms where it asks where you’re from – I’m never sure where to look first. You go to United Kingdom and you find out the form has you down as Great Britain. Try Great Britain first and it’s bound to be UK.

I recently had the curveball where it wasn’t either and I had to select England. For a second I thought they’d eliminated my country from the pick list. But how do you know which one to use?

Great Britain is the mainland countries of England, Scotland and Wales including their islands. The United Kingdom is made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The official and political name is United Kingdom so you’re safer to go with this one. To confuse matters more though, someone from the UK is called a Brit, or British.

Clear as mud? Nowadays the only thing you have to remember is that for official purposes we’re UK, for sporting events we’re Great Britain, and for football it’s everyone for themselves – England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Why you need to visit the UK

Likely the main reasons you visit any European country: history, culture and good food. Don’t laugh, the UK actually has some good food options and always seems to be improving. If you don’t think so, take it up with Gordon Ramsey.

But seriously, one of the best reasons to visit the UK is the historical sites. Medieval castles, elegant palaces and ornate cathedrals are all worth checking out when you’re in the UK.

I’m pretty sure you’ve also heard of Stonehenge – but I bet you haven’t heard of some of the other interesting stone circles, like Castlerigg in the Lake District.

The rolling green hills, stunning protected National Parks and coastal views make up some of the diverse scenery you’ll find in the UK. Another big reason to visit. We might have a lot of big cities, but you’re never too far from the gorgeous countryside.

21 Top UK Travel Tips

Long layover, week-long vacation or extended stay, these UK travel tips will come in handy when preparing for your visit to Britain. Be sure to balance pre-planned activities with just going with the flow – this definitely helps around the variable weather.

Whatever it is you’re looking for, these tips will serve you well in getting by with the Brits.

Important Note: Getting some of these wrong may result in merciless mocking, but read on to find out why that’s not such a bad thing.

There’s more to the UK than London

Of all the things you’ll learn, this is maybe the most important. It won’t save your life, but it might save you money. And it’ll allow you to see that there’s way more to the UK than one big city – as cool as that city is, don’t get me wrong.

Take a trip up north, and visit the Lake District or head down to the south coast and explore the tiny villages of Cornwall. Visit the ruggedly stunning Scottish highlands or the medieval sights of Anglesey in Wales. Or you could hop over to see where the Titanic was built in Northern Ireland.

Even if you don’t have long in the UK to go on a big trip around the country, take a day trip out of London and see somewhere new. The ancient city of Bath, the university city of Oxford or even a day trip to prehistoric Stonehenge.

The north is cheaper… and amazing to visit

Everyone goes on about how expensive it is to visit the UK. Most of those people likely never got further than London. Sure, comparatively to some European countries the UK isn’t exactly cheap, but it doesn’t have to break the bank either.

The average price of dining out, shopping in supermarkets and day trip activities drop as soon as you leave London. However, the north is much cheaper still and has so many great places to visit.

My hometown Carlisle is the gateway to the Lake District National Park, or you’ve got the charming city of Durham with it’s Harry Potter connection. Everyone likes to rush to Edinburgh (great city), but often skip the much more affordable city of Glasgow.

NOBODY LIKES £50 NOTES

While we’re talking money, let’s get real for when you’re converting currency. No-one likes £50 notes. Many shops don’t accept them or will put them through rigorous examination to make sure they’re not fake.

Short story – it’s not worth it to have them in your wallet if you can help it. Stick with £20 notes and under. If you do get £50 notes you can exchange them at local banks for smaller notes, or I’d recommend using them for larger purchases. You’ll get some major stink eye if you hand them in for a small purchase.

THE POWER OUTLETS ARE DIFFERENT TO THE REST OF EUROPE

The plugs in the UK are very different from mainland Europe. The two round pin plug is not used here, but rather we have a three rectangular pin plug. So if you’re traveling more of Europe on the same trip, make sure you have both kinds of adapters.

As well as the plug being different, another nuance is that UK oulets have a switch. So you can leave something plugged in but turn off the switch for the power.

People tend to get very antsy if you a) leave the switch turned on for something you’re not using; or b) if you unplug your device but leave the switch turned on. Or maybe that’s just my Mum.

YOU’LL NEVER LEARN ALL THE ACCENTS

In the UK we’re a land of regional accents. Every county seems to have its own local dialect or vocabulary. If you’re from the UK you can typically tell whether someone is from Yorkshire or Newcastle, Liverpool or London, Glasgow or Edinburgh.

I love hearing all the different accents and dialects as I travel the UK, but as a visitor I’m sure it can be overwhelming and confusing that no-one sounds the same.

Preparing for your UK trip is a good excuse to watch some British TV (with subtitles on to help you understand difficult accents). But the UK is a polite country, if you really don’t understand something just ask.

TRAINS ARE THE EASIEST WAY TO TRAVEL

Train travel is quick and can be cheap if you book in advance. Often there are deals, but trains get much more expensive the closer to travel you book so don’t leave it too long. Of all the UK travel tips, this one will save you time on your travels.

Most major cities have direct trains. Don’t worry about connection times of 15 minutes if you have to change trains though. Unless you’ve got a lot of luggage or are super slow, you’ll usually have time to connect and even grab a drink from the shop.

From my hometown, Carlisle, to London the train takes about 3.5 hours. Driving would take 6 hours. Even if you are close to an airport (which most places aren’t), to get from one of London’s airports to the center of London takes an hour.

Factor in check in time and flight time and you’ll find that the train is the best option almost every time.

BUSES AREN’T THE BEST IF YOU’RE NOT IN THE CITY

City buses like in London or Manchester are a good way to get around – although in my opinion still not as fun or as quick as the underground or metro train systems. However, when leaving cities you’ll find buses don’t run as often, and might not go everywhere you want to visit.

Where I’m from you can take the bus into the Lake District, however it isn’t quick and your options aren’t too varied. Buses might go to major destinations, but if you want to explore an area more you’d be better off with a car.

Buses are more or less reliable, so if you find a bus going to where you need to get to, you shouldn’t have any issues. But your options might be limited if you’re relying solely on buses.

STAY IN B&Bs WHERE YOU CAN

You won’t get a hotel with as much character and friendly service as a Bed & Breakfast. Not to mention that the breakfast part of the Bed & Breakfast is a delicious way to start the day.

Most hotels don’t include breakfast – and if they do, it’s not worth writing home about. A B&B on the other hand will typically offer a traditional Full English – which also means you will still be full at lunch time.

Most are family owned and operated and you’ll get more of a chance to live like a local while visiting the UK. A couple of my favorite B&Bs and Guest Houses to have stayed at in the UK are: The Gables in Ambleside, Lake District, The Farthings in York, and Fellview Guest House in Bowness-on-Windermere.

ROADS ARE WIDER THAN THEY LOOK

No matter how narrow a road looks, it’s still often two-way traffic. This is especially true in the countryside where you often see an oncoming vehicle and think to yourself “there’s no way we’re both going to get through”. And then you do.

Smaller cars are key to UK road trips – as well as the ability to maneuver up against a hedge without getting locked into a “no, you go first” battle with the other driver.

Top UK travel tip for you – don’t be an a**hole when driving. You can’t be in a rush if you’re trundling through the British countryside.

ALWAYS CARRY AN UMBRELLA

Maybe this should be the most important of the UK travel tips. Even on a sunny day the weather can seem to change in an instant. Unless it’s blisteringly hot (by UK standards that often means more than 15°C/59°F), I’d always prepare for every weather eventuality.

Have a rain jacket or umbrella in the car or get ready to duck into a bunch of shops on the way back to it. If you’re out in the countryside with zero shelter, always have some form of weather-proof attire, just in case.

GET AN ENGLISH HERITAGE OVERSEAS VISITORS PASS

You’ll find that many historic sites and attractions are either managed by the National Trust, or English Heritage. Both organizations are charities which look after and help to conserve popular places in the UK. So a pass can come in handy.

While National Trust only offers annual membership, English Heritage offer a 9-day or 16-day Overseas Visitors Pass. This allows you access to any and all historic sites managed by them during that time.

You can buy online ahead of your visit, but pick it up at the first location you go to. Popular English Heritage sites include Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, Dover Castle and Whitby Abbey.

YOU CAN SAVE A LOT ON HOTELS WITH SUPER SAVER OPTIONS

Hotels often have non-refundable rates which are significantly cheaper than the cancelable rates. If your plans are firm and fixed this is a great way to save money.

Budget hotel chains like Premier Inn and Travelodge are all over the UK. You can’t book them through sites like Booking.com, however book directly on their sites and you often find great deals.

They’re known for selling a certain number of rooms really cheap if you book in advance. Often under £35 a night in some locations.

The hotels are basic but still clean and comfortable. And both options are ways to make even the most expensive cities like London affordable for visitors including families.

DON’T INSULT GREGGS

Greggs is a British bakery chain which is absolutely everywhere. It’s the perfect place for a quick lunch on the go – cheap sandwiches, pies and pasties or cakes. Brits are very protective of Greggs – it’s a national institution.

While there may be some haters, I think most people have a soft spot for this cheap and cheerful bakery. Therefore don’t insult Greggs at any cost.

Instead, get yourself in line for a cheese & onion pasty (the best) or a sausage roll and revel in the fact that even in “expensive” Britain you can get lunch for two under £5.

QUEUE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT

It might. The Brits are ruthless if you (literally) step out of line. We’ll queue for everything, silently and patiently waiting for the bus, food or a busy and popular attraction. But if you barge in at the front or don’t give someone the appropriate personal space you’ll be done for.

Expect chronic eye-rolls, dirty looks or if they’re really angry a condescending “tut” or “excuse you!!”. All of which seem unfathomably worse than being outright screamed at. Queuing is no joke in the UK.

GETTING DIRECTIONS CAN BE HIT AND MISS

When asking for directions there seem to be three common responses. They don’t know (which often means they can’t be bothered to explain it but are too polite to say so); They’re really vague (“it’s about 2 minutes that way, if you hit the Greggs you’ve gone too far – but there are 3 different Greggs). Or my personal favorite: They’re super specific.

Getting directions from someone who is super specific can feel like getting into a conversation with Uncle Colm from Derry Girls. You regret it instantly and know you still won’t be able to find the place as you’ll stop listening.

The good news is that most bigger cities and popular places have signposts pointing you the right way so as to avoid any of these encounters. And of course there are some people who are very helpful and will get you where you need to go.

But it’s often best to just Google it and if you get a little lost on the way you’re bound to discover another cool sight along the way.

VISIT A LOCAL CHIPPY

Fish & chips, everyone raves about it, but is it really that good? It’s all that – and a bag of chips. But you have to get them from a proper local chippy (what we call the fish and chip shop).

Even if you don’t like fish (vegetarian over here), chippy chips are the absolute best. Unlike any other chips you’ll get in a restaurant.

There’s nothing better than eating a portion of hot chips right from the paper bag. Extra points if you’re anywhere by the sea and you can sit an eat them with a view.

Top Travel Tip: Order a battered Mars Bar with your chips – it might sound weird but where else are you going to be able to try it?

MANUAL CARS ARE MORE POPULAR

“Wow, you can drive stick?” was a popular question when I first moved to Canada. Um, yeah, everyone does in the UK. While automatic cars are still often the most common in North America, you’ll find manual cars more so in the UK.

Automatic cars are getting more prevalent, but when renting a car it’s best to check and not assume. I don’t think I’ve ever been given a manual rental car in the USA or Canada, but I have in the UK. You can rent an automatic car if that’s your preference but note that both options are likely available.

Top Travel Tip: One of my UK travel tips that will (literally) point you in the right direction – GPS in the UK is commonly known as Sat Nav.

SUPERMARKETS SELL THE CHEAPEST NEW RELEASE BOOKS

As someone who loves a good book – especially while on holiday, or for a long train journey – this is definitely one of my money saving UK travel tips. Book stores have the better selection, but supermarkets often sell new release books for cheaper.

Book prices in North America are ridiculously high compared to the UK so I often buy books when I return home to the UK. And when I do I always hit up the local supermarkets for new releases which are typically marked down when they first go on sale. Happy reading!

YOU DON’T REALLY NEED TO TIP

Top tip about tipping is that you don’t need to do it. Unlike North America where in my opinion tipping is getting a little out of hand, tipping is not part of the UK culture. Sure, if you’re at a restaurant and have a particularly good meal you might leave an extra pound or two, but it’s not expected.

Most card machines don’t have the option to tip – and the ones that do, the staff often skip that step before handing the machine over.

The only places you might see tipping is in more high end restaurants and in fancy hotels. Here it’s still customary to have a small tip for the bell staff who take your bags.

BRITISH GREETINGS CAN BE CONFUSING

The only correct response to “You alright?” is “You alright?”. Sometimes you can throw a “yeah, you alright?” in there. You’ll hear this one a lot though, it’s a greeting, almost like a hello.

Often people will shorten it to just “Alright?”. I would say this is more a northern UK thing, but you’ll come across it at some point. If someone in Canada asks if you’re alright it means they thing something’s wrong – that’s not the case with this British greeting.

IF YOU’RE BEING MADE FUN OF, YOU’RE WINNING

Sounds counter intuitive I know, but, much like playground rules, if you’re being made fun of they actually like you. Mocking, making fun of your accent, calling you rude names – we don’t do it unless we think you can handle it. It’s also how you know you’ve made it in Britain.

While there are a few choice words I’m hesitant to put into print, don’t be offended if someone calls you one of them.

Unless they look like they’re about to pummel you into the ground. But that typically only happens around football matches or takeways on a Saturday at 2am. Otherwise, rest easy knowing you’ve been accepted as an honourary Brit.

UK travel tips to thrive in Britain

It doesn’t matter if you’re only here a short time, these UK travel tips will have you fitting right in. You’ll be welcomed back anytime with open arms and a pint of beer. Which is the perfect combination.

It’s not difficult to make friends in the UK – we’re a friendly bunch. Just don’t make fun of the football team we support, beans on toast as a reasonable well-balanced meal, or David Attenborough – the man’s a legend. Other than that, I think everything’s fair game.

Explore as much as you can – make sure to see the best London has to offer, but also remember there’s more to the UK than London. For a small country there are lots of things to see and do that will leave you itching to return before your trip is even over.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Do you have any other top UK travel tips that you think visitors should know?