Are you ready to explore one of the most charming countries in the world? Whether you’re an experienced traveler or just beginning your journey, traveling to England is an experience that’s sure to leave you with lasting memories. From the rolling hills of the countryside to the bustling city streets of London, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. To ensure your trip is as memorable as possible, we’ve compiled the 9 most important travel tips you need to know before traveling to England.
Check out our blog posts about other destinations on our blog homepage as well.
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1. What’s the difference between the UK, Great Britain and England?
The United Kingdom (UK), Great Britain, and England are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is an island on which England, Scotland, and Wales are located (but not Northern Ireland). That means England is part of the UK and also part of Great Britain. The terms Britain and England are often used interchangeably, and sometimes Britain is used as a shortened form of Great Britain.
It’s confusing, right?
2. When is the best time for traveling to England?
England is known for being rainy and windy, but in fact, sunny days are not as rare as you might think. We visited England in April and June and had very pleasant and sunny weather both times. The best months for a visit are probably May to September because chances are high that you will have nice conditions. The highest temperatures are experienced in the summer, but they rarely rise above 30°C.
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3. How to get around in England?
By car
This is our preferred way of traveling as we always look for the most flexibility. If you come from a country where you drive on the right side of the road, driving in England on the left side might be challenging at first. That’s why we recommend renting an automatic car so you can focus on the traffic and get used to it quickly! We usually rent our car through Europcar or Sixt.
Be aware of the minimum rental age when hiring a car. It can vary by company and ranges from 18 to 25.
You will find that England has a lot of roundabouts, a lot of them with several lanes. Traffic moves in a clockwise direction through the roundabout, meaning, when you enter the roundabout, you turn to the left. If you are taking the first exit, stay in the left lane and signal left. If you are taking the second, third or fourth exit or going full circle, enter the roundabout in the right-hand lane and keep to the right until you need to change lanes to exit.
By train
The rail network covers the whole country, making traveling by train a scenic way to discover England. However, be prepared to sacrifice some flexibility and adjust your itinerary accordingly. You can plan your itinerary by checking National Rail Enquiries or Southeastern train online.
If you plan on traveling across the country by train, make sure to check the BritRail Pass which provides access to all trains on Great Britain’s National Rail Network (excluding underground trains in London). The pass can be used in England, Scotland, and Wales and is available only for non-British residents.
By bus
The local bus is the most popular form of public transport you’ll come across in the UK. While buses primarily run on local routes, there is also coach travel available, connecting the largest towns and cities. Coach travel is usually more affordable than traveling by train but takes longer. If you’re interested in this form of travel within England, you can check National 50 Express or Megabus.
4. How to pay in England
The currency of the UK is pound sterling. Currently, 1 euro is around 0.9 GBP, and 1 USD is around 0.82 GBP.
Almost all restaurants and attractions accept card payments, with paying by card often being the only option. Therefore, it’s advisable not to carry too much cash with you (although having a small amount for emergencies is recommended). You shouldn’t have any problems paying with Visa or Mastercard, and American Express is widely accepted as well.
5. How much money do you need when traveling to England?
Compared to other European countries, England is one of the most expensive European travel destinations, with London being known as one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Average costs:
- Double room in a hotel: 100 € – 250 €
- Full meal with drinks in a restaurant for one person: 40 €
- Gasoline: around 1.50 € per liter
- Sightseeing: around 10-40 € (many museums are free)
During our trip to the English countryside for 7 days, we spent approximately 2,500 Euro. In addition, we spent another 2,500 Euro for the two of us during our 7-day stay in London, including flights from Germany.
6. What’s the food like in England?
British food has had a bad reputation, but we were pleasantly surprised and truly enjoyed the traditional hearty dishes, whether it was a quick lunch in a pub or a fancy meal at a seaside restaurant. We also appreciated the emphasis on organic and local products, especially when it came to meat.
Don’t be confused by the strange and amusing food names you’ll encounter throughout the country. For example, Yorkshire puddings are not a dessert but a baked bread pudding usually served with roast beef. When Yorkshire pudding is combined with a sausage, it creates the dish with the wonderful name “Toad in the hole.
Keep in mind that it is not common in England to automatically receive a glass of water with your meal. If you’d like to drink water, you have to order it, and you may be charged for it. Refills are also not common.
In British restaurants, it is customary to tip 10 to 15% of the bill. However, it’s important to check the bill first, as the tip may already be included, and you don’t want to end up paying the tip twice.
7. Dos and Don'ts when Traveling to England
It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with local customs and etiquette when visiting another country. Here are a few dos and don’ts for England:
Dos in England:
- Talk about the weather. We had wonderful weather when we visited England, and the cloudless sky seemed to be a topic British people couldn’t stop talking about.
- Say sorry whenever you can. The British say sorry to express a genuine apology, to ask someone to repeat themselves, or even when they accidentally bump into you. In fact, if you get bumped into, you’ll likely find that the person who bumped into you will also apologize, even if it wasn’t their fault.
- Use the word ‘cheers.’ You say cheers when you raise your glass and have a drink with someone, but it is also used informally to say goodbye or thank you. There are no strict rules for when to use cheers as long as it is not a formal situation.
- Hold open doors for others, regardless of whether they are women or men.
- Mind your table manners: Place your napkin in your lap, don’t chew or talk with your mouth open, don’t lick your knife, and bring a gift to your host if you’ve been invited.
- Stand on the right-hand side of an escalator so others can pass.
Don’ts in England:
- The British value queuing and following rules. Therefore, never jump a queue. Although the British are usually too polite to confront tourists about queue-jumping, they certainly won’t be happy about it.
- Don’t blow your nose with a napkin; use a tissue instead.
- Don’t be late
- Avoid talking loudly in public, staring at others, and using first names if you are not close with the other person. Use titles such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms.
8. Is afternoon tea really a big deal?
Well, yes and no. Tea is the national drink, and you may be offered a cup of tea many times. However, it is not limited to a specific time of day. British people drink tea and enjoy snacks whenever they feel like it. Nowadays, it’s more common for the British to have a cup of tea and a biscuit at home rather than a full afternoon tea with sandwiches, pastries, and scones. Nevertheless, we absolutely loved experiencing a traditional afternoon tea with warm scones, clotted cream, and sweet strawberry jam. As tourists, we considered it our duty to enjoy afternoon tea every single day of our trip to England.
9. What places not to miss when traveling to England?
England has so much more to offer than just London. We discovered some of the most charming towns, villages, and beautiful countryside. If you’re considering a trip to England, make sure to check out our other blog post about the 10 best places to visit in England and subscribe to our newsletter to never miss a post:
