These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G
Type G:
Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: | Pound Sterling (GBP) |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in the UK, especially in cities. Contactless payments and mobile payment options are increasingly popular, with smaller businesses also accepting cards.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary in the UK, with 10-15% in restaurants. Taxi drivers generally expect a 10% tip or rounding up. Small tips for hotel staff are appreciated. |
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| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in many parts of the UK, especially in parks, festivals, and licensed premises. However, it's banned on public transport or in certain public spaces. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited indoors in all public spaces, including bars and restaurants. There are designated outdoor smoking areas. |
| Christmas (December) |
Christmas is widely celebrated, expect crowded markets and higher accommodation prices. |
|---|---|
| Bank Holiday (August) |
Busy periods, especially in cities and along coastal areas. Many businesses close. |
| New Year’s Day (January) |
A major public holiday with celebrations and closures in some sectors. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 999 or 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Bolt, Free Now, Ola |
| Other: | The UK is well-prepared for tourists, with excellent infrastructure. However, be aware of language barriers in remote areas. |
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Don't miss
- 👑 Visit Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard
- 🪨 Explore the prehistoric mysteries of Stonehenge
- 🕰️ Tour the Houses of Parliament and stand by Big Ben
- 🌊 Walk along the scenic cliffs of the Jurassic Coast
- 🍰 Enjoy traditional afternoon tea in a countryside manor
Why travel to England?
Traveling to England is embarking on a journey through centuries of history, culture and tradition. The country’s vast heritage is visible in sites like Stonehenge, the Tower of London and historic universities like Oxford and Cambridge. For nature lovers, the Lake District and Cornwall’s rugged coastlines provide breathtaking landscapes. While England dazzles with cultural riches, traveling off-peak is recommended to avoid busy tourist spots and higher prices in key cities. The weather can be unpredictable with frequent rain, so flexible planning and layered clothing are advisable.
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1
London
This bustling metropolis in England boasts iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Tower Bridge. Its vibrant neighborhoods offer diverse cuisine, world‑class museums and a thriving theater scene, while early‑morning strolls along the Thames reveal quieter charm. -
2
York
A historic city in northern England, known for its medieval architecture and vibrant culture. The site features a prominent castle, ancient walls and a lively market square that draws visitors year-round. -
3
Sheffield
A city in South Yorkshire known for its industrial heritage and green spaces, Sheffield offers a mix of historic architecture, modern museums and extensive parks. The River Don runs through it and the surrounding hills provide outdoor recreation. -
4
Liverpool
A vibrant port city on England's northwest coast, known for its maritime heritage and cultural scene. The Beatles Museum draws fans worldwide, while the waterfront hosts modern architecture, diverse eateries and lively music venues daily. -
5
Oxford
A historic university town in England, it hosts one of the world’s oldest universities, renowned for its medieval architecture and scholarly heritage. The city offers river walks, museums and a vibrant cultural scene that attracts students and tourists alike. -
6
Cambridge
Known for its prestigious university, the city offers historic colleges, river punting and a blend of medieval architecture with modern research hubs. Visitors can stroll through cobbled streets, explore museums and enjoy local pubs in a vibrant academic atmosphere. -
7
Bristol
A vibrant port city on England's west coast, known for maritime heritage, independent culture and diverse architecture. The historic harbor, modern bridges, thriving arts scene, lively markets and Clifton Suspension Bridge attract visitors year-round. Enjoy vibrant nightlife everywhere. -
8
Manchester
A major UK city known for its industrial heritage and vibrant music scene offers world‑class museums, diverse architecture, extensive shopping districts and a thriving nightlife. The River Irwell cuts through historic neighborhoods, linking cultural hubs. -
9
Birmingham
Industrial heritage meets modern culture in this English city, known for its iconic canals, diverse architecture and vibrant music scene. Visitors can explore historic landmarks, contemporary art galleries and a thriving culinary landscape that reflects global influences. -
10
Bath
This historic spa town in southwest England features Roman baths, Georgian architecture and rolling countryside. Visitors enjoy world-class museums, charming streets and tranquil parks that offer a peaceful escape from the bustling cities nearby.
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The Proms (Classical Music Festival)
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Chelsea Flower Show
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Notting Hill Carnival
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Glastonbury Festival
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Wimbledon Tennis Championships
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Edinburgh Fringe Festival
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The Royal Ascot
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London Fashion Week
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Bonfire Night Celebrations
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The Boat Race (Oxford vs Cambridge)
Knowledge before you go
- Carry a reusable water bottle; tap water is safe and free in most UK cities.
- Use contactless payment cards or mobile wallets for quick, cash‑free transactions at shops and public transport.
- Check the local weather forecast before traveling; sudden rain showers are common, especially in coastal regions.
- Explore off‑peak museum hours to avoid crowds and consider visiting lesser‑known heritage sites for a more authentic experience.
How to travel to England
Major international airports include London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. England is well connected by rail to continental Europe via the Eurostar. Ports like Dover provide ferry services to France and other countries.
Access summary
- Via London Heathrow (LHR): express train or metro to central London 15–60 min.
- Via London Gatwick (LGW): fast trains to London about 30–45 minutes.
- From Paris/Brussels: Eurostar train through Channel Tunnel to London around 2–2.5 hours.
Where to stay in England
Accommodation options range from luxury hotels and boutique inns in cities to cozy bed and breakfasts and countryside cottages. Backpacker hostels and campgrounds offer economical stays. England is also famous for its historic country house hotels.
Hotel recommendations
How to get around England
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
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| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
Packing recommendations for England
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