Before you go to United Kingdom: what to know

Entry and visas

The UK is not in the EU or Schengen, so Schengen visas and days do not apply. Most visa-free visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): GBP 20, linked to your passport, valid for multiple trips of up to 6 months each for 2 years or until the passport expires. Others need a Standard Visitor visa. Irish citizens need nothing.

Online arrival forms and permits

• UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) ↗ required
  Before booking or at least 3 working days before travel; needed also for airside transit through border control · Fee: GBP 20 · Visa-free nationals incl. EU/EEA, Swiss, US, Canada, Australia, UAE and other GCC states; every traveller incl. children

Passport validity: Valid for the whole stay; the ETA is linked to the passport you apply with (EU ID cards not accepted for most visitors).

At the border you may be asked for

• EU/EEA, Swiss, US, Canadian, Australian and some other passport holders aged 10+ can use eGates at major airports.
• Officers may ask about your plans, accommodation and funds.
• No passport stamps for eGate users; keep your booking as proof of entry date.

Customs

• From the EU: meat, milk, cheese, butter and other dairy from cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are banned for personal import (foot-and-mouth controls).
• Duty-free from outside GB: 200 cigarettes, 4 L spirits or 9 L fortified wine, 18 L wine, 42 L beer; other goods up to GBP 390.
• Declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving.
• Knives, pepper spray, stun guns and most self-defence sprays are prohibited.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — works · Google Pay — works

Where to exchange money

• Pay by contactless card or phone almost everywhere, including buses and the Tube.
• Withdraw pounds from bank ATMs (marked "Free to use"); most charge nothing.
• If you need cash notes, Post Office or a city-centre bureau usually beats the airport.

Where not to exchange

• Airport exchange bureaux and "commission-free" kiosks with poor rates.
• ATMs marked "charges apply" inside shops and bars.
• Accepting conversion to your home currency at terminals or ATMs.

ATMs: Most UK ATMs are free to use ("Free cash withdrawals"); independent ones in shops can charge GBP 2-3. Your bank may still add a foreign fee.

Tipping: In restaurants 10-12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check, as many add a "discretionary" service charge. Not expected in pubs or taxis (round up).

• When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in local currency: dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3-10%.
• Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard and Mir) do not work here because of sanctions; bring enough cash or a card from a non-Russian bank.
• Some places in London are card-only; cash is still accepted in most shops and markets.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: visitbritain.com ↗, gov.uk ↗, bankofengland.co.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Christian heritage (Church of England, Church of Scotland); largely secular; significant Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish communities.

Clothing: Casual; bring layers for changeable weather. Smart-casual for nice restaurants and theatres.

Etiquette

• Queue patiently and never jump the line.
• Stand on the right on escalators in London.
• Say "please", "thank you" and "sorry" often.
• In pubs, order and pay at the bar; no table service unless signposted.
• Rounds: if someone buys you a drink in a group, buy the next round.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: visitbritain.com ↗

Climate

Mild, changeable maritime climate with rain any month; cooler and wetter in Scotland and the west. Figures are London average highs/lows.

Best season: May-September; London is fine year-round with layers.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: metoffice.gov.uk ↗, visitbritain.com ↗

What to pack

• Type G plug adapter (230 V)
• Waterproof jacket and layers
• Contactless card or phone wallet
• Comfortable shoes
• ETA approval or visa linked to your passport

Do not bring / prohibited to import

• Meat, cheese and dairy from the EU.
• Pocket knives, pepper spray or self-defence sprays.
• Expecting Schengen visas to work: they are not valid in the UK.

Practical

Plugs: Type G; 230 V, 50 Hz

Water: Tap water is safe; free tap water must be provided in licensed premises on request.

Traffic: drives on the left

Mobile and eSIM: Not in the EU roaming zone: EU SIMs may charge roaming unless your plan includes the UK. Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) are cheap.

Apps: TfL Go, Citymapper, Trainline, National Rail, Uber / Bolt / FreeNow, UK ETA

Internet: Good 4G/5G; free Wi-Fi in most cafés, stations and the London Underground.

Health: Emergency A&E treatment is free at the point of use, but most other NHS hospital care is charged to visitors. UK GHIC/EHIC rules apply only to certain EU citizens. Bring travel insurance; pharmacies help with minor issues.

Insurance: Not required for entry but strongly advised: NHS charges overseas visitors 150% of tariff for hospital care.

Emergency: 999 or 112 (police, ambulance, fire); 111 for urgent non-emergency medical advice

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: nhs.uk ↗, visitbritain.com ↗, tfl.gov.uk ↗