The United Kingdom offers a mix of megacities, medieval towns and some of the greenest countrysides you will ever see.
One can't head to the United Kingdom without seeing the capital, home of the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge. While there, go for an authentic afternoon tea experience.
You cannot miss Edinburgh Castle, which houses the crown jewels of Scotland, or Arthur's Seat for a wonderful panoramic view of the city.
Learn about Neolithic people and visit the wonder that is Stonehenge, an ancient site where each stone tells a piece of history.
The city of Bath is known for its Roman baths, its Medieval abbey and the picturesque Pulteney Bridge. Don't forget to go for a soothing spa session at the historical Thermae Bath Spa.
While the Scottish lake is mainly known for its legendary Loch Ness Monster, you can make a hiking trip out of it by walking along the South Loch Ness Trail.
The United Kingdom is well known for its wet and rainy weather, so be prepared! However, from May until August the climate tends to be drier and more pleasant.
Citizens of over 70 nations, including the European Union, Switzerland, and the United States, don't need a visa to enter the United Kingdom but must present a valid passport upon entry. Citizens from non-exempt countries must apply for a visa in their country of residence.
The United Kingdom has a number of airlines that connect it with the world, the main ones being British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. If you are flying from Europe, you will find cheap flights with airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair.
Train connections are available through Eurostar on the European mainland, with trips from Paris to London averaging 2h 15m, while trips from Brussels to London take under 2h.
If you are looking at driving from Europe mainland, you will need to take your car through the Channel Tunnel. This trip takes about 40min and a one-way fare starts at about £50 ($65).
Bus travel to London is available with Eurolines, which offers direct trips from Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Ferry travel to the United Kingdom is available from all its neighboring countries, with one of the most popular routes being the Calais to Dover. Ferries are also available from Dublin to Liverpool or Holyhead.
Hotels of all ratings and prices are widely available throughout the main cities. Budget travelers will also find a lot of hostels or camp sites to choose from.
Only 4 cities in the United Kingdom have an underground metro system, including London, Glasgow and Liverpool. The rest of the country is well connected by light rail, buses and trains.
The United Kingdom has two main train networks that connect major cities through high speed trains. National Rail covers the countries on the Great Britain side, while Northern Ireland Railways operates in Northern Ireland.
Local and regional public transport bus services are available for short distances. For long-distance travel, coaches are a more comfortable option. Some of the popular companies are National Express, Megabus and CityLink.
Renting a car is not advised if you are staying in the big cities as parking can be costly; however, it is a great way to see the British countryside. It is important to know that in the United Kingdom you must drive on the left.
Flying is not the cheapest or most convenient way of travel within the United Kingdom. However, domestic flights are widely available with British Airways or with the many low cost airlines that operate in the country.
Intermediate SUV
5 adults, 3 Bags
£18/day
Full-size SUV
5 adults, 2 Bags
£242/day
Renting an apartment will vary greatly depending on the city or town where you are living, with London being the most expensive by far. On average, a weekly groceries trip will cost around £60, while a meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around £12, and a public transport pass will be around £60 per month. Credit and debit cards are widely used throughout the country.