How to make the most of your trip to the United Kingdom
There are plenty of reasons to visit the United Kingdom, but you may not know how to make the most of your trip. You can do and see many things, from famous landmarks to touring national parks and everything in between. The best part about traveling here is that there's something for everyone here; if you don't like what you see in one place, move on to another! This guide will help you plan your trip and make the most of it once you arrive!
Book flights, hotels, and hostels in advance
Knowing what you're doing can make all the difference in how you experience a country. When I visit the United Kingdom, there are four steps I like to follow for my convenience and a better experience. These are:
- Book flights and hotel.
- Buy a rail pass ahead of time.
- Pre-order my National Express coach ticket so I don't have to wait in line at the station.
- Organize my Eurail Global Pass, or InterRail pass, in advance so that when I get there, I know where and when I'm going (as well as having planned out which countries).
When you're on vacation, it's not always easy to remember the little things.
Use flight websites like Skyscanner
Skyscanner is an excellent website for searching for flights. If you're using it, be sure to do some searches for weeks and months ahead - Skyscanner tells you how many airline seats are available on each day of the week or month, so you can see when will give you the best chance of booking a good flight. There's an option to filter by different airlines and types of the plane as well - meaning you can find all sorts from a quick budget flight through to direct flights with in-flight entertainment (lots more legroom!) or even first-class options with more perks like private lounges and access to lounge restaurants! Skyscanner will also show the price, including baggage and seat selection extras. You might think paying a little extra to get more space would be worth it, but don't forget that many low-cost carriers offer no checked luggage. If you only need hand luggage, check out Ryanair and Easyjet: they have amazing deals if you book early enough! They also offer loads of other add-ons that could help save money on airport parking, hotels, etc.
Pick a Budget Airline
A budget airline like EasyJet is an excellent option if you're looking for a reliable carrier that offers consistent air service from many European locations. These airlines have lower ticket prices and can be more convenient because they're smaller, so there's less of a chance that you'll miss your flight. That being said, these airlines are also often limited to traveling within Europe or surrounding countries like France or Spain. If you're not confined by a budget (or want more options), I recommend checking out Lufthansa or British Airways! You will pay more, but it may be worth it, depending on where you plan on going. You can also find flights with low-cost carriers like Norwegian Air that offer affordable fares across North America and Europe. Still, they aren't always as reliable as the significant carriers listed above.
Book Your Travel in Advance
Booking your travel in advance is the first step. Whether you are looking for flights, hotels, or both, I would recommend looking at several websites as they offer different fares and hotels at various locations. Start by finding which dates work best for you and see what hotel is available. You can also search for one-way trips that may cost less than roundtrip fares. It's okay if you don't find availability right away - it took me a few days before I found all my destinations. But this is an excellent way to get started! Remember to book your return flight home on the same day as your outbound flight. Some airlines charge an extra fee if you book an open-ended return flight, but some allow you to do so without any fees. When booking my flights, I chose not to pay for premium seats because those are more expensive and come with little added benefits (other than being more comfortable). After making sure everything was set up, I next looked into accommodations.
Arrive at the Airport Early
For transatlantic flights, there is a 30-minute arrival window between 4:00 am and 8:30 am, depending on flight duration. For European flights, arrive one hour before your scheduled departure time. There are many benefits to arriving early at the airport, including that you can claim luggage from the baggage carousel more quickly and get through security lines faster. Arriving at least two hours early will give you enough time to go through customs if you travel internationally. The customs process is usually quick but takes much longer than it used to because new rules have been established. Some other benefits of arriving early include checking out duty-free shops, buying SIM cards, and exploring the airport's surroundings while waiting for your plane.
There are many additional benefits of coming early to the airport, including not missing a connecting flight or a flight altogether because it has been delayed. If you come too late, you may be denied boarding because of overbooking or lack of seats. Missing an international connection could result in extended travel times or even pay for another ticket, as well as expensive lodging fees when arriving in an unfamiliar city late at night.
Get Free wifi and Work While Waiting for Boarding.
Public Wi-Fi is reasonably plentiful in London, so getting free Wi-Fi when you're there isn't a problem. The wifi at airport terminals usually requires some form of payment, but they usually let you get on without charge if you're waiting for boarding. For example, at Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 (Gates T5A through T5E) has two separate areas - one that requires payment and one that doesn't. Both are accessed by scanning the barcode on your boarding pass. At Gatwick Airport, you can use vouchers or purchase pay-as-you-go cards to get online while passing the time before your flight departs. Vouchers cost £6.00 per hour, £20 for six hours, or £40 for 12 hours, and allow you to access the internet from any terminal throughout the airport without needing to show a boarding pass. You may also want to consider purchasing a mobile broadband stick; either 3G (which is more expensive but faster) or 4G/LTE, which tends to be cheaper but slower. These will give you unlimited data usage up until your return date. Check roaming charges from your service provider before purchasing any plan, though!
Pack Lightly - Wear Layers!
Planning your packing for a trip is always easier when you know what to expect. Packing clothes for U.K. weather is much different than packing clothes for U.S. weather and can vary widely depending on where you're going!
To avoid bringing cold weather gear if you're traveling in the summer, bring versatile clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched with each other, such as jeans, sweaters or jackets, leggings, and cardigans. Dresses are another great option as they come in many lengths-short dresses for warmer months and longer ones for cooler months. Even shorts are an option in the summertime (although pants should still be worn)! You might want to pack more outerwear options like scarves, pashminas, coats, and hats for winter trips. Pack Lighters - Pack More!: Since flights are typically relatively short from the U.S. to England (8 hours), there's no need to pack bulky items like pillows or shoes unless you have a long layover at your destination airport.
Frequently it's better to purchase these items locally since they will likely cost less than if purchased abroad, and shipping costs add up quickly. That said, do consider taking extra outfits or shoes with you just in case anything happens while abroad-you never knows how long it might take to find replacements!
Always Have Cash on Hand
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how often this can come back to bite you. I have a friend who was in Paris and needed transportation back to his hotel but had forgotten he had money on him (in an effort not to be pickpocketed) and was forced to try and find another mode of transportation. Make sure you always have some cash on hand. Carry around small bills so that if need be, you can break them for a minor change at places such as shops and cafes. It's unlikely that these establishments will have to change for larger denominations. If you're going to be traveling by bus or train, it is recommended that you purchase a travel card from the station or online before arriving. You'll also want to carry your ticket with you at all times - paper tickets are more likely to get lost than e-tickets. Lastly, don't forget about traveler's checks! They are still a viable option for travel - even though they're becoming less common in the U.S., they're still widely used throughout Europe.
Use Google Maps Offline
Google Maps Offline can allow you to use GPS and directions without data or wifi. Save maps for the area you plan on traveling to, and use them offline. Google Maps will show you a list of places like restaurants, banks, gas stations, stores, and more. Google Maps Offline also works on Android Wear watches. The best part is that this new app does not require any mobile data connection because it's stored on your phone when you have no other option! As long as you use an Android phone with Lollipop (5.0) or higher, you're good to go!
Download Maps Beforehand to Save Data on Holiday Cell Plans Section: Stay Informed - Check Weather Apps and Local Newspapers Section: Be Open Minded
Maps can be a great way to save data on holiday cell plans. You can download maps for free before you go, so you don't have to use as much data from your cell plan when you are out and about.
Some popular weather apps are also free, so if you're out and about looking at local landmarks or attractions in different cities, this app will give you weather updates on what's happening that day where ever you are. For example, a city close by might be in entirely different weather than the city in which we currently reside.
Avoid Bottlenecks When Touring London's Biggest Attractions Section: Maintain A Sense of Humor Section: If you can't fix it, laugh about it.
Try to anticipate potential issues disrupting a well-laid travel plan and take proactive measures when possible. But if you can't fix it, laugh about it. This is always easier said than done, but in many cases, if you can see the humor in an issue or inconvenience, it might be better than dwelling on it. Try not to dwell on inconveniences such as lost baggage or transit delays because they often won't get resolved in your favor.
Conclusion
You'll quickly find that it's not always easy to maintain a positive attitude when traveling. But by avoiding negativity, you might not get the full benefits of what the U.K. has to offer! In a way, you are wasting time and money on exploring another country while barely taking in what they have to offer. Sure, it may be easier said than done, but hey – at least it's worth trying, right?
The next time you plan to travel overseas, don't forget that a positive mindset is vital if you want an enjoyable experience!