What You Need to Know About Visiting England for the First Time

My first visit to England was in 2017 and as a first-timer, I had no idea what to expect.  Of course, I knew they spoke English – which, as an American, gave me some comfort… but what about the way they drive?  Or their currency?  Or tipping practices?  Of course, part of the thrill of visiting a new country is figuring all of this stuff out.  But it can also be quite stressful to travel to a new country for the first time.  That’s why I’m here to ease your worries and give you the best tips on visiting England for the first time!

 

If you’re traveling to England, don’t miss…

• Visiting England in 8 Days

 

Is England Worth Visiting?

Yes, England is worth visiting!  The country is beautiful, historic, and has so much to offer beyond London.  In fact, London is one of my least favorite places to visit in England.  The only reason I would tell you to choose another country over England is if you’re looking for more of a cultural change or challenge.  England (especially London) has become quite Americanized and because their national language is English, you don’t get that same “out of the country” feeling that you would in a country where English is not the first language spoken.

 

Brief History of England

England is the prime example of a country where ancient tradition meets modern dynamism; having a history that stretches back thousands of years.  From its roots as a Roman province to its evolution into a medieval kingdom shaped by the tales of knights and monarchs, England’s story is both complex and fascinating.  The Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries transformed it into a global powerhouse, setting the stage for innovations that would change the world.  Today, England’s landscape offers a mix of rolling countryside, picturesque villages, and bustling cities.  Known for its iconic landmarks like Stonehenge, the Cotswolds, and its love of tea… England is a place where you’ll find history, culture, and charm in every corner.

 

Safety Tips for Visiting England

Overall, I would say that England is a safe country (I’ve traveled extensively around England and the only time I feel even slightly unsafe would be while in London).  However, I always recommend being prepared when traveling – even in a country like England.  There are a few common scams and pickpocketing is rampant, especially in London.  Here are some things to keep an eye out for…

• Pickpocketing (especially in London, on the metro, or at tourist attractions) – I recommend bringing an anti-theft waist bag
• Bikers stealing a cell phone out of your hand when you’re on the streets (mostly in London)
• Having someone distract you while someone else pickpockets you

As of 2024, the United Kingdom ranks 34th out of 163 countries and territories on the Global Peace Index (for reference, the United States holds the 132nd spot).   And even though it is safe, here are some general safety tips to follow when you travel to England…

• Make two copies your passport; keep one copy in a separate place from where you keep your passport, and leave the second copy at home with a loved one
• Forward all hotel reservations to a family member/friend so they can track where you’re supposed to be at all times
• Don’t carry all of your cash and credit/debit cards on you – keep some in your hotel room in case your purse was to be taken
• Know the number and address of the US Embassy (or whatever country you’re from).  In this case, th US Embassy is located in London
• Know how to dial out – the code for England is +44
• Know how to contact emergency services – 999 (or 101 for non-emergent police inquiries)

 

Travel Insurance

Another way to ensure safety during a trip is by purchasing travel insurance.  Travel insurance can cover illness, theft, airplane and hotel cancellation, and emergency evacuation services if something arises (each plan is different so make sure to see what your insurance covers before purchasing).  I use SafetyWing when traveling through England and would highly recommend it.

 

Read more about why I recommend travel insurance…

• Why You Need Travel Insurance… From a Nurse’s Perspective
• 9 Most Important Things to Know About Travel Medical Insurance

 

PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE!

 

Visa Requirements

If you’re traveling to England as a United States citizen, you do not need a visa to visit unless you plan to stay for longer than six months.  If you’re traveling from elsewhere, you can check out iVisa to see what your requirements are.

 

Best Time to Visit England

The best time to visit England is during the late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild, and crowds are smaller.  These seasons are great for exploring England’s countryside, historic landmarks, and charming towns.  Summer (July to August) is the peak tourist season, with warm weather and lively events, but also more crowds.  Winter (December to February) brings cooler temperatures and shorter days but offers a festive atmosphere in cities like London, with holiday markets and winter activities.

 

How Many Days Should You Spend in England?

If it’s your first time in England, I would highly encourage you to venture outside of London.  For this, I would say you need a minimum of one week, however if you have more time to spend you could plan a 2-3 week stay in England.  Here are a couple of sample itineraries you could follow…

• 1 week – London + Bath + Oxford
• 2 weeks – London + Bath + Oxford + Cotswolds + York
• 3 weeks – London + Bath + Bristol + Oxford + Cotswolds + York + Lake District

A couple other places of interest include the island of Jersey and England’s southwestern coast.  Alternatively, you could also venture into Scotland if you’re interested in both England and Scotland.

 

If you plan to visit Scotland too, don’t miss…

• Taking a Train from London to Edinburgh
• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Scotland
• The Best 10 Day Scotland Itinerary
• The Ultimate Scotland Packing List

 

Where to Visit in England if it’s Your First Time

As I mentioned earlier, if it’s your first time in England, I highly suggest venturing outside of London.  In my opinion, the charm lies outside of England’s capital and you can’t get a great taste for the country if you’re only sticking to London.  Here are some places I’d recommend if it’s your first time in England…

• London
• Bath
• Cotswolds
• York

 

Cost of Visiting England

In my opinion, England is one of the more expensive countries in Europe.  Of course, London (especially during the summer months) is the most expensive place in England, but if you venture outside of London, you can find places that are a bit cheaper.  This is what I would recommend as a budget when traveling through England…

• Budget: £60+/day
• Mid-Range: £120+/day
• Luxury: £250+/day

 

Currency in England

England operates on the British Pound (GBP; £).  The Pound is constantly changing so before visiting, make sure how it compares to your home country currency.

 

Cash vs Credit/Debit

Just about everywhere in England accepts credit/debit cards (with few exceptions).  To be on the safe side, you might want to carry some cash around with you.  When you take your cash out of ATM and when you pay using your debit/credit card, make sure to pay in Pound versus your home currency so that you get a better exchange rate.

Of note – when you’re in London using the metro, you do not need to purchase a metro ticket as you can scan in and out of the station using your debit/credit card.  If you do this, make sure to scan in (even if there isn’t security around), because when you leave the station you’re required to scan out and if you didn’t scan in, you’ll be charged the maximum amount of money.

 

Tipping Practices in England

Tipping is not common practice in England and you will rarely be asked to add a tip.  If you are asked, know that tipping culture is much less common than in the US and an appropriate amount would be around 5%-10% of your bill.

 

How to Get to England

If you’re traveling to England from outside of Europe, you’ll be flying to one of its main international airports – most likely in London; and transferring from there (if you’re not staying in London).  The two main airports in London are Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW).  I prefer to use Skyscanner or a search engine when searching for flights.  If you’re traveling into Heathrow, taking the train into the city is much faster than driving clocking in at around 20 minutes (and an hour to drive).  Similarly, if you’re arriving to Gatwick, it’s also faster to take the train into the city which will take about 30 minutes versus the 1 hour 20 minute drive time.

If you want to book a private driver waiting for you upon arrival, you can do that here.

If you’re traveling to England from inside of Europe, you can easily take the Eurostar train from Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam.  Or if you’re traveling from a non-bordering country, you will most likely be able to connect directly to the destination of your choice, without needing to stop for a layover through London first.

 

Tips to Getting from the USA to England

If you’re planning a trip to England from the USA your journey can be relatively long!  To make your journey more comfortable, and maybe even more affordable, here are some simple tips…

• If you live in a small city, buy a flight out of a bigger city to save money
  • For example, I live in Omaha, NE so I use points to fly to Chicago in the morning, then get a night flight out of Chicago to my destination
• If you’re flexible on travel dates, play around with dates when it comes to arriving/departing for the cheapest flight
• Open a travel credit card to earn points to potentially use for your flight
• Sign up for Going (there is a free version) for cheap flight notifications
• Compare flight prices on a big search engine
• Purchase travel insurance (before traveling) in case anything goes wrong with your flight
• Bring a good eye mask on the airplane for a chance at some shut eye

 

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO ENGLAND HERE!

 

How to Get Around England

One of my favorite things about visiting England is the ease of being able to travel around the country!  Train and bus travel is pretty straightforward, renting a car and driving can be intimidating – but worth it; and you can also fly between cities is easy too.  Here are some great resources for traveling around England…

• England uses both Uber and Bolt (not in every city) – download both apps ahead of time
• For train/bus travel – Omio, Bookaway, & 12Go
• For an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport – Welcome Pickups (select cities only)
• To rent a car – Discover Cars

 

If you want to rent a car in England, don’t miss…

• The Best Tips for Renting a Car in the UK
• Why You Shouldn’t Rent a Car as a Solo American Traveler in the UK

 

English Food & Drink

England’s food and drink scene is a blend of tradition and modern innovation.  Classic dishes like fish and chips can be found just about everywhere, while roast dinners featuring meats, potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding remain a Sunday favorite.  Traditional English breakfasts, with eggs, bacon, sausage, and baked beans, offer a hearty start to the day.  The country is also known for pub culture, where you’ll find ales, ciders, and comforting fare like shepherd’s pie or bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes).

In recent years, England has become a global culinary destination, with chefs reinventing classics and embracing diverse international flavors.  Afternoon tea, complete with scones, jam, and clotted cream, is still a cultural ritual, while London’s vibrant markets and Michelin-starred restaurants showcase a wide range of cuisines.

 

Accommodation in England

By far, the easiest way to book accommodation in England is by using a search engine.  Not only will you find a plethora of hotels but you’re also able to filter through options when booking hotels.  Before browsing accommodations, I always make sure that I have “free wifi”, “very good 8+ reviews”  and “A/C” toggled ON.  From there, I browse through accommodations and choose the best one for me.

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN ENGLAND HERE!

 

For my favorite hotels in London, don’t miss…

• 6 Best Mid-Range Hotels in London

 

England Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting England

 

If you’re planning a trip to England, I hope that you found this post helpful!  If you have any questions, let me know in a comment below.

 

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For more information on things to see and do in England, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinengland” or under my highlights for “England”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “England” highlight

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