United Kingdom Travel Guide
A land known for its historical grandeur, charming streetscapes, distinctive culture and enchanting countryside, the United Kingdom offers the ideal blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy.
Whether you most want to take in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or a bit of it all, a trip to the UK is one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
If you’re planning a trip to the UK, this handy travel guide provides you with all the tips and information you need to prepare for the trip of a lifetime.
Best ways to experience the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is home to countless impressive historic buildings, iconic landmarks, quaint villages, scenic landscapes and other attractions, that you could easily spend years discovering everything the UK has to offer.
Whether you’re visiting for one week, one month or even longer, there’s only so much you can pack into your UK itinerary. If you’re a little lost on where to go and what to see, here are a few of our favourite attractions and destinations that are well worth including on your itinerary.
| Region | Best attractions |
| England | |
| London, The Cotswolds, Liverpool | London is a must-visit destination for every UK adventure. With traditional British pubs aplenty, endless iconic attractions like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral, along with vibrant cultural pockets like Camden, Paddington, Notting Hill and The West End, London is an ideal place to kick-off your UK tour.
The Cotswolds is another great attraction that is quintessentially English. Known for its historic charm, honey-coloured stone buildings and beautiful scenic countryside, it’s a great place to get a taste of the England of old.
If you’re a big Beatles fan or music-lover in general, then a visit to Liverpool should also be on the cards. Known for its unique architecture, thriving arts scene and world-famous Football team, there’s a lot to love about this waterside city. |
| Scotland | |
| Glasgow, The Scottish Highlands |
Glasgow offers a captivating blend of Scottish history and culture. Known for its vibrant arts scene, stunning architecture and welcoming atmosphere, explore world-class museums and galleries including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, revel in the city’s musical legacy and enjoy striking architecture such as the Glasgow Cathedral and the Riverside Museum. With a diverse dining scene and dynamic neighbourhoods, Glasgow serves up an enriching and engaging Scottish experience.
For a touch of nature, The Scottish Highlands delivers an awe-inspiring journey into Scotland’s unspoiled natural beauty. This remote and rugged region offers dramatic landscapes of majestic mountains, serene lochs and ancient glens. Whether you’re exploring the enchanting Isle of Skye, hiking in Glen Coe or marvelling at the legendary Loch Ness, the Highlands provide a pristine wilderness that oozes peace and tranquillity. |
| Wales | |
| Cardiff, Conwy |
As the capital of Wales, Cardiff offers an array of attractions for tourists, including the impressive Cardiff Castle, the Wales Millennium Centre and the striking Principality Stadium. Explore the revitalised Cardiff Bay area, stroll through beautiful parks like Bute Park or get acquainted with its diverse neighbourhoods where you can immerse yourself in Welsh culture.
The picturesque medieval town of Conwy is another great destination where you can journey back to a bygone era. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its well-preserved medieval walls, magnificent Conwy Castle and charming harbour. |
| Northern Ireland | |
| Belfast, Giant’s Causeway |
As Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast delivers a captivating mix of history, culture and contemporary vibrancy. The city offers a poignant journey through its complex history, with landmarks like the Titanic Belfast museum, the historic Crumlin Road Gaol and impressive painted murals that depict the Troubles era. Explore the iconic Belfast City Hall, visit St. George’s Market to sample the local flavours and take in the lively atmosphere of the Cathedral Quarter. With a rich cultural scene, Belfast provides an authentic Irish experience that won’t be forgotten.
To experience a breath-taking natural wonder, head to the Giant’s Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a geological wonder, with its unique hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity. The dramatic coastal scenery, which includes the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, is a must-visit for nature lovers and hikers. |
Visiting the United Kingdom
Climate
The United Kingdom is renowned for its mediocre and often dreary weather, so it’s important to pack carefully for your visit.
The peak time to travel to the UK is during the summer months around July and August, when you can generally expect to encounter mild weather conditions. Temperatures will generally range from around 9 to 18°C at this time of year, however, it can climb to around 30°C on occasion.
Winter brings much cooler weather, with temperatures averaging between 2 to 7°C. It’s not uncommon for the temperature to drop below 0°C and you may encounter rain, wind and snow. Conditions will generally become more challenging the further north you travel within the UK.
Culture and language
English is the primary language spoken throughout the UK, however, you may also encounter people speaking Welsh in Wales, Gaelic or Scots in Scotland, Cornish in Cornwall and Irish or Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland. Generally, Australians won’t have any trouble communicating anywhere they travel within the UK.
The UK has traditionally been predominantly Christian and Western values are upheld throughout the region, however, the multicultural nature of the UK of today has created a far more diverse religious and social composition.
British culture has a very distinct flavour and following social customs such as acting politely, using manners and speaking at an appropriate volume are considered to be very important. Sport, and soccer (which is referred to as football) in particular, are very important to many Brits. The Royal Family also plays an important role in British culture and various royal events are widely celebrated.
Getting around
The UK has an extensive and well-connected railway system and trains are a convenient and efficient way to travel between cities and regions. Major cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff are well connected by high-speed train services and tickets can be purchased either in advance or at the station.
A hire car can be a good option if you want to explore rural areas, and they also drive on the left in the UK which does make it easier for Australian drivers. However, driving in major cities like London can be challenging, so you’re generally best placed to stick to using the underground tube (train network), buses or the iconic black taxis that can be hailed from the street.
Accommodation
You’ll find a wide variety of accommodation options throughout the UK, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, serviced apartments, private holiday home rentals, backpacker hostels and guest houses.
Accommodation can be expensive in some locations, so it’s worthwhile doing your research to find the most suitable option/s.
Entry requirements
The UK is introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which means Australians visiting the UK, who do not need a visa for short stays or who do not have any other UK immigration status will need an ETA to travel to or transit through the UK.
It’s always a good idea to visit the Australian government’s Smartraveller website before your trip for the latest information and updates about travelling to the UK.
Why it’s so important to have travel insurance
All benefits and covers are subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions listed in the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and on other policy documentation, including the schedule.
Why might you need travel insurance in the United Kingdom?
Please refer to the relevant PDS before purchasing our travel insurance to understand what is, and is not, covered by the policy to ensure it is the right cover for you.
The United Kingdom travel insurance FAQs
It’s always a good idea to get travel insurance when travelling to the UK so you know you’re prepared if something doesn’t go to plan. From lost luggage to travel delays, trip cancellations, medical issues or dental emergencies, travel insurance can come in handy in a variety of situations. Choosing cover that also offers instant claims can also be invaluable while travelling abroad.
The best way to find out how much it will cost to get cover to travel to the United Kingdom is to get an instant quote with PassportCard. It only takes a couple of minutes to get a personalised quote by providing some basic details such as your age, destination/s, travel dates and the level of cover you would like.
Not automatically. If you’re planning on doing any adventure activities like cascading, deep sea fishing, mountain biking, mud buggying, paragliding, quad bike riding, outdoor rock climbing, Segway tours or sky diving, you’ll need to add Adventure Activities Cover when you purchase your travel insurance to make sure you’ll be covered.
The United Kingdom does have reciprocal health agreements with Australia that allow Australians to access most National Health Service (NHS) services for medically necessary care that can’t wait till you get home for free. However, the reciprocal agreements won’t cover the cost of some things such as medicines, access to private care or any dental services.
It’s still a good idea to take out comprehensive travel insurance for your trip for added peace of mind, particularly if you also plan to visit other countries outside of the UK where health care arrangements can vary.
Simply call our Global Assistance team on +61 1800 490 478 or contact us on WhatsApp. Our Australian-based Global Assistance team is available 24/7 and can quickly handle most common claims on-the-spot over the phone.
Preparing for your trip to the United Kingdom
All set for your trip to the UK?
Make sure you’ve ticked these items off your checklist before you head off:
- Check your passport is valid with at least 6 months of validity left from the date you plan to leave the country
- Ensure you meet the visitor entry requirements
- Arrange a travel currency card or another method of payment to cover expenses while you’re away
- Notify your financial institution of your plans to travel
- Contact your phone provider to ensure your phone plan will cover you while you’re away or purchase a pre-paid international sim card
- Arrange accommodation for each location you plan to stay in
- Consider booking any tours or activities you want to do in advance
- Provide details of your travel plans to a family member or close friend not travelling with you so you can be contacted in case of an emergency
- Save the details of how to access emergency consular assistance in case you need it
- Organise your travel insurance with PassportCard.
Get covered for your trip to the United Kingdom with PassportCard
Instant payouts on approved claims with PassportCard
When you choose PassportCard, you’ll enjoy the extra peace of mind of knowing you’ll be able to cover most expenses there and then if something goes wrong.
When you purchase one of our travel insurance policies, we’ll ask you if you’d like a PassportCard to take with you on your trip. If something happens while you’re away (like your luggage is delayed, your cash is stolen or you experience a medical issue), our team can handle your claim quickly over the phone and transfer funds to your PassportCard on-the-spot**.
If approved, you’ll be able to withdraw cash to cover expenses that can arise from things like delayed luggage or stolen cash, or if it’s a medical issue, we can instantly add funds to your PassportCard so you can immediately pay for expenses when you need to.
You won’t need to fill out any paperwork and instant access to funds means you won’t be left out of pocket.
Find out more about how instant claims work or get a quote for your upcoming trip.