Documents & Preparations

Passport

First, the obvious—you need a passport. However, it must be valid for at least six months after your planned return date to the U.S. To prepare for the unlikely but possible event of loss, take a picture of the key passport pages on your phone or carry a paper copy.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

New in 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for short visits—whether for tourism, business, or even just transiting through UK airports—must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This applies if you do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

The ETA is a digital authorization linked to your passport, allowing UK authorities to screen visitors before arrival. If you plan to visit both the UK and any part of the European Union (such as France, Holland or Ireland), you will may need both a UK ETA and the EU equivalent, known as an ETIAS. The EU's ETIAS start date hasn't been announced yet but is likely to be in 2026.

The UK ETA costs £10 and allows multiple visits to the UK for up to six months at a time over a two-year period (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). For more information and to apply, visit the UK Government website.

The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the official UK ETA smartphone app, available on the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play Store (Android). Simply search for "UK ETA" to download it....

Communication & Connectivity

Before traveling, check with your carrier about international plans or roaming fees. While carrier plans are often the most convenient, they are typically the most expensive. For example, Verizon’s TravelPass ($12 per day) allows you to use data and make local phone calls with your existing number. However, keep in mind that people in the UK may hesitate to call you back, as it would be an international call.

A SIM card (a physical card) or an eSIM (a digital alternative) can be a more affordable option for local calls and data.

• SIM Cards: These is inserted into your phone and can be purchased before you leave (Amazon options here). You can also buy SIM cards at most major airports—Heathrow has SIM-card vending machines in the baggage claim area, as well as retail stores selling them in the arrivals hall. Outside the airport, you can purchase SIM cards from major UK carriers such as Vodafone, EE, O2, or Three at their retail shops. A SIM card provides both data (internet) and a local phone number for calls.

• eSIMs: These are more convenient, as they are downloaded as apps before you leave home and activated on the plane just before you leave the US. However, most eSIMs are data-only, meaning they work for websites, Google Maps, and messaging apps (WhatsApp) but do not support traditional phone calls or may only include a small number of minutes (e.g., 20 minutes).

  This can be frustrating if you need to make frequent calls such as to local taxis or restaurants. Some eSIM providers do offer call-enabled plans, so check carefully. Follow the instructions carefully so that when you arrive, your phone automatically switches to the eSIM. It can be a little intimidating at first, you need to install the eSIM and turn off your primary line (your US number) and turn on the eSIM line.

For a 7-day visit, 2 GB of data is typically more than sufficient and costs around $7. My personal preference is Airalo. This option is well used and documented so there are plenty of videos to help you set it up.

A good introduction to using eSIMS can be found on this blog by Intentional Travelers, the post does focus on Asia but all the same principles and tips apply anywhere in the world. Click here to view

Note: Your phone must be unlocked and able to work with a eSIM, this will be the case for most newer phone. For an iPhone, go to

Settings > General > About

If "No SIM restrictions" is shown your phone is unlocked and you are good to go.

Messaging Apps

WhatsApp

If you have internet data access (such as with a SIM, eSIM card or carrier international service), WhatsApp works well for text and calls.

Google Voice

Although Google Voice has been around for over a decade, it remains relatively underused. However, for planning a trip to the UK and for use while traveling, it can be invaluable but you must have a Gmail account. Google Voice is FREE to set up. When you set up Google Voice, you will be assigned a new US telephone number. Important: The Google Voice number must be linked to an existing U.S. phone number for verification. And a Gmail account. Once set up, you can use it anywhere with Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Incoming calls can be forwarded to your linked U.S. number or sent to voicemail, with transcribed messages forwarded to your email. You can also assign certain numbers to be directed to your cell phone while the others sent to voicemail. Our Google voice numbers are 978 540 5075 and 978 412 0019.

Using Google Voice to call the UK from the US prior to your travel

Google Voice allows you to make international calls at very low rates—typically 1–2 cents per minute for calls to UK landlines but more expensive to call mobile/cell phones. Obviously this will save you a lot of money of you are making calls to the UK in preparation eg booking a golf round.

When dialing a UK number, you must include the country code (+44) and the area code (STD code) without the leading zero. For example, 01938 111234 would be dialed as +44 1938 111234. You can use Google Voice from a laptop from the list of apps on Google.com or with the Voice app on a smart phone. Obviously when traveling, the smartphone app will be more convenient so I suggest you download before you leave.

Using Google Voice while in the UK

You can make calls or send text messages over Wi-Fi or mobile data using the full international number as if you are in the US again using the app or on a laptop. If you do need to make calls back to the US, this could be invaluable.

Note: People in the UK calling or texting your Google Voice number will be making an international call so they might hesitate.

Google Voice does not support UK emergency numbers (e.g., 999,112).

Navigation

Google Maps

Google Maps works well in most parts of the UK You can download maps of the areas you plan to visit so you can navigate even without data coverage. A downloaded map is not perfect as its missing some detail but its better than getting lost.

Important: Google Maps does not require data access to display your current location. While offline maps may lose some detail, they will still allow you to navigate effectively.

For instructions on downloading offline maps, visit Google Maps Support.

Other Map Options

• Waze is available in the UK but doesnt have offline maps and is not ideal for walking, cycling, or public transport.

• Apple Maps is not yet as detailed as Google Maps and more limited for public transport options outside major cities

• Ordnance Survey (OS Maps) (Best for Hiking & Rural Areas) is the most detailed maps for rural UK areas and works offline (subscription required for premium features) so is best for hiking, camping, and countryside navigation, It is not good for driving or public transport and a paid subscription is needed for full access. There is generally a free trial period of 14 days but a credit card is required and auto renews to an annual subscription if you don not cancel when you leave Click here for the OS Map website

• What3Words - this is not a true mapping app but its useful to know about if you are planning to get off the beaten track and hike. This app is a geolocation system that divides the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, assigning each square a unique three-word address. This makes it easy to pinpoint and share precise locations, even in places without traditional street addresses. As an example, the house we are renting is serenade.edits.rots and most if not all taxi driver will find the house with those words.

Electronics and Electrical

Voltage & Adapters

The UK uses 240V, and you will need a Type G adapter, but if you plan to visit other parts of Europe, a universal adapter may be a better choice.

• A highly recommended universal adapter is the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter (recommended by Wirecutter).

• If you only need an adapter for the UK and Ireland, the Anker International Plug Adapter is a great choice—it includes 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port for charging multiple devices.

• Depending on your adapter, you may need a USB wall plug adapter (like the power brick you use to plug into U.S. outlets)

Charging Phones & Devices

• Smartphones, Kindles, laptops, and iPads - these work with dual voltages (110V/230V), you do not need a voltage converter—just an adapter.

• If you have multiple devices, consider bringing a multi-port USB charger to avoid a nighttime charging bottleneck with just one adapter.

Hair Dryers & Other Devices

• Do not bring a standard U.S. hairdryer—it will not work and could burn out unless it’s dual-voltage (220/110V).

Battery Pack for Phones

• You will likely use your cell phone a lot—for navigation, taking photos, looking up restaurants, and reading reviews—so keeping it charged is crucial.

• A portable battery pack is a smart travel essential. The Belkin Portable Charger (recommended by Wirecutter) strikes a good balance between capacity and portability. Please note: Battery packs that use Lithium (most do) cannot be packed in checked luggage as Lithium must also be visible on planes.

Money Matters

Currency

The UK is becoming increasingly cash-free, so you won’t need to carry much cash. ATMs are widely available, and local withdrawal rates generally offer better exchange rates than travel bureaus at airports. Be sure to check which ATMs your bank has agreements with to avoid extra fees. Typically, it’s cheaper to withdraw cash with a debit card rather than a credit card, depending on your card issuer.

Credit Cards

Most places, including restaurants and attractions like castles, will accept debit and credit cards. Contactless cards are becoming the standard for smaller transactions, though Chip and PIN is widely used. Check with your bank to set a PIN code for your credit card. If your contactless payment is rejected, don’t panic—simply insert the card into the reader. Here are the general rules for PINs numbers for credit cards:

• Contactless payments (tap-to-pay) are widely accepted, with a limit of £100 per transaction before a PIN is required.

• Occasional PIN entry: Even for contactless, banks may randomly ask for a PIN.

• Online and phone payments: May require additional verification like a one-time passcode (3D Secure).

Many credit card machines will detect you are using a US Dollar card and ask whether you want to charge in local currency (pounds sterling) or USD. It’s generally better to choose local currency. This is because:

• Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) (charging in USD) often comes with additional fees and less favorable exchange rates compared to what your card issuer would offer.

• If you choose local currency, your credit card company will handle the conversion at their typically better exchange rate, which can save you money.

So, unless you have a specific reason to pay in USD (e.g., avoiding foreign transaction fees on your card), local currency is usually the more cost-effective option.

Restaurants and Pubs

Restaurants typically process and charge your credit card at the point of service (at the table or bar) using a hand held device. Many establishment prefer this for security reasons and convenience, especially with the widespread use of contactless payments. They rarely, if ever, take your card away from the table. Side note: European visitors to the US are often shocked/surprised when restaurants take the card away to process it.

Tipping in restaurants is usually between 10-15%, but check your bill first—many places have "Service Included", which means the tip is already added. If a service charge is included, there’s no need to tip extra. It is not unusual for locals to ask if service is included, this is not considered rude or frugal. Servers in the UK get paid a "competitive wage" and unlike the US do not rely on tips for their salary.

While restaurants and pubs typically serve lunch and dinner, food options are often limited in the mid-afternoon with a kitchen closing at 2pm. Some pubs may not offer food at all, so it’s best to check ahead. The busiest time to eat in UK is usually about 7pm. In addition, many restaurants in rural areas may not open on Mondays and occasionally Tuesdays.

In pubs, order at the bar. Unlike the US, there’s no table service at most pubs. If you wait for a server, you might still be there when your flight home takes off. This can also apply to the pub food menu so check at the bar if you are unsure. Bartenders don’t expect tips.

At the end of the evening, pubs announce “Last Orders” about 10 minutes before closing time (usually 11pm). You have until 10 minutes after closing to finish your drink and leave.

Transportation

Local Buses: Local buses are available in most areas and generally run on published schedules. They’re a safe and inexpensive way to travel, especially for short distances within towns and cities. However, services can be limited on Sundays, so it’s a good idea to check schedules in advance. Some buses still require exact change and do not give change but many now accept contactless payment.

Trains: Many parts of the UK are accessible by train. It’s almost always cheaper to book your ticket in advance, rather than buying one at the station on the day of travel and you can use an app to do this (see below). The UK has multiple train companies, which can be confusing for first-time travelers, but there are apps available that provide comprehensive train options. For an excellent guide to navigating the UK train system, check out The Man in Seat 61, which offers detailed information on routes, fares, and booking tips.

UBER and Taxis: UBER is available in most cities and towns in the UK, and you’ll also find plenty of local taxi companies. Taxis are a reliable option, especially if you're traveling in areas with limited public transportation options but check in advance. In some rural areas, taxis may insist on cash. It’s often possible to book a taxi in advance via phone or app. For taxi tips, add 10% for a tip.

Car Rental: Smaller towns may not have car rental offices, and those that do may only be open for limited hours, typically closing at noon on Saturday and reopening on Monday morning. If you’re planning to rent a car over the weekend, airports are generally your best option, as they offer more flexible hours and availability.

Useful Smart Phone Websites and Apps

National Rail: National Rail is the official body representing UK train operators. It provides an official service for train schedules and ticket prices and owns and maintains the tracks nationwide. While it doesn't operate the trains, it serves as a one-stop shop for train information. The site offers details on ticket types, timetables, and redirects you to the train operator's website to purchase tickets.

Trainline: Trainline is a private online ticketing platform that sells train, bus, and coach tickets across the UK and Europe. As an independent service, it provides booking services for multiple train companies and charges a small booking fee. Trainline’s app is user-friendly, and it offers price prediction technology to help you book tickets at the best possible fares. This app is the one preferred by all of our UK friends

Omio: Omio is another popular app and website for booking train travel, as well as buses and flights across Europe. Similar to Trainline, Omio acts as an aggregator and allows you to compare prices from various transport providers.

Direct Train Operator Sites: Websites like Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast, and SouthEastTrains may offer lower or even no booking fees. These are the companies that actually run the services. However, if your trip involves multiple train companies, you can book the entire journey with one operator, such as Transport for Wales, which offers tickets for all rail services nationwide (except sleeper services).

National Express: National Express is the UK’s largest long-distance bus/coach operator, running intercity and airport coach services across the UK.

Local Bus Services: For local bus travel, apps like UK Bus Checker and Moovit provide timetables, bus stop locations, and, on some routes, the estimated arrival time for the next bus.

Shopping

Main Stores: Most stores in the UK close earlier than in the US. Larger stores typically close between 5:30 and 6:00 pm, with even earlier closing times on Sundays, around 4:00 pm.

Banking Hours: Banks in the UK generally close earlier as well, typically around 4:00 or 5:00 pm on weekdays and are closed on Sundays. ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawals, but if you need to visit a bank, it's best to locate one and check their hours ahead of time. In the UK just like the US, bank branches are closing especially in rural areas.

Grocery Stores: Many grocery stores (like ALDI, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Asda) may have later hours on weekdays, often staying open until 10:00 pm or later, so check individual store opening times.

Sunday Shopping: Sunday trading laws in the UK limit larger stores to opening for a maximum of six hours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, which can sometimes make planning purchases a bit tricky if you're used to 24-hour availability. This applies to all stores including the big grocery chains,

Late-Night Options: If you’re looking for something open later, supermarkets and 24-hour convenience stores like Tesco Express or Co-op can be great options for snacks, essentials, and some toiletries. Gas/Petrol stations are often the last option.

Health & Safety

• Emergency Numbers & Services

  • 999 and/or 112 for emergencies (police, fire, ambulance). The triple 9 (999) number is the traditional emergency number but 112 has become the standard across Europe.

  • 111 for non-urgent medical advice (free, 24/7).

  • 101 for non-emergency police assistance (e.g., reporting minor theft or lost property).

• Hospitals & Urgent Care

  • A&E (Accident & Emergency): For serious medical conditions. Wait times can be long unless it’s life-threatening.

  • Minor Injury Units & Walk-in Centres: These can treat many issues faster than A&E (e.g., minor cuts, burns, infections, broken fingers).

  • Private Urgent Care Clinics: Available in major cities (e.g., Bupa, Babylon Health, or London Doctors Clinic) but can be expensive.

• Pharmacies & Medication

  • Chemists like Boots, Superdrug, and Lloyds Pharmacy are common. Many offer consultations for minor ailments.

  • Some large supermarket pharmacies (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s) have longer opening hours.

  • Prescription Medications: UK doctors cannot accept foreign prescriptions. You may need to see a local GP or private doctor to get UK-approved medication.

• Health Insurance & Costs

  • Emergency NHS care is available to everyone, but non-emergency treatment is not free for tourists unless your country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.

  • A private consultation (for minor illnesses or prescription refills) costs £50–£200, depending on the clinic.

  • Travel insurance with medical coverage is recommended to avoid large bills for private treatment.

• Late-Night Pharmacies & 24-Hour Services

  • Late-night Boots branches exist in big cities, but in rural areas, 24-hour pharmacies are rare.

  • NHS 111 can help you locate an open pharmacy outside normal hours.

  • Some hospital A&Es have 24-hour pharmacies for urgent prescriptions.

• Additional Travel Health Tips

  • Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in the UK.

  • If hiking in remote areas, carry basic first aid supplies.

  • Consider downloading the What3Words app, used by emergency services to locate people in remote areas.

Miscellaneous

Queueing (Waiting in Line): The UK has a strong queueing culture—cutting in line is frowned upon. Cutting in line is social suicide. Even in an emergency, it's safer to faint dramatically and hope someone lets you go ahead.

The UK weather forecast is more of a polite suggestion than a guarantee. It might say "light showers," but that could mean anything from a gentle mist to a full monsoon.

If a British person asks, "Fancy a cuppa?" the correct answer is always "Yes, please!" Even if you don't drink tea, accept it—this is a social contract, not a beverage offer. Regular tea comes with milk (always) - but there is a debate whether milk before or after tea.

The weather is the #1 topic of conversation. If you’re stuck, just say, “Bit chilly today, innit?” and you’ll blend right in.

Brits apologize for everything. If you accidentally step on a Brit’s foot, they will say “Sorry” before you do.

The pub is the one place Brits will actually talk to strangers. Don’t lose that opportunity