9 Things to Know When Traveling To England
1. Currency: The currency in England is the British Pound Sterling. This can also be used in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The British Pound is stronger than the US Dollar right now, so be careful when shopping, because your US Dollar is only worth approximately .59 cents in England. That is almost half the value, so watch that exchange rate!
2. Credit Cards: The credit card you use in the US may not work in England. Most of Europe, including England, uses a “chip and pin” or “chip and signature” credit card for added security. These credit cards have a special digital chip inside that is read by chip readers, then you have to add your pin or sign for the transaction. Check with your bank or credit card company to see if they have a “chip and pin” or “chip and sig” card with no foreign transaction fees. Also, be sure to let your credit card company knew when you are traveling, so they can lift international restrictions on your card.
3. England, especially London was more expensive than I expected. Make certain you set a realistic budget for yourself, but be flexible, as the exchange rate fluctuates.
4. Do not use your cell or smart phone in England without contacting your cell phone provider to arrange for global services, with discounted texting and/or calling features, otherwise you may come home to a very large phone bill! Most cell phone providers have global features that can be temporarily turned on while you are on your trip. If you decide not to pay the fees for global data/phone usage, you can use wifi only, just be sure to turn your cellular data off while overseas. Special apps such as Skype, and Facetime can help you stay connected to friends and family via wifi, so you can talk and text. I purchased a global plan through Verizon, but it didn’t work, and I didn’t need it after all, as What’s App worked best (and was free!).
5. Unlike the United States, most people in England travel by public transportation, such as train, bus, and ferry. Automobiles are expensive to rent, and gas prices are more than twice what we pay in the US. Driving a vehicle can be confusing for some, as people in Great Britain drive on the opposite side of the car and road. If possible, avoid rental cars…although they do make traveling from town to town easier for those with lots of luggage, and lots of stops. Weight the options for your particular trip, but know that rental cars may not always be the easiest or most economical way to go.
6. Public Transportation: In London, the easiest way to get around is by using the Underground/Tube, buses, ferries, and National Rail, and the way to pay is with an Oyster cards. Oyster cards can be purchased at any Underground terminal or at automated machines. There is a £5 fee for activating a card, so try to use the same card and re-load it when it gets low. To use the Oyster Card, wave it over the green pad as you go through a Tube turnstile. You will also have to wave the card when you exit the Underground, but there is a sleeve you can keep your card in, and you will not have to take the card out of the sleeve, just wave the whole thing over the green pad. The Oyster card can also be used for the DLR, buses and ferries, but cannot be used for the Heathrow Express to the airport (be sure to get an Oyster card that is good for all travel zones). Note: When you go through the Underground turnstile, your balance will quickly flash on the entrance screen. You can also check your balance at the automated machines.
7. Walking: You will do a fair amount of walking around London, and it is a great way to see the city. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. When crossing streets, look both ways, then look again. Cars speed in London, and can come from all directions. Pedestrians do not have the right of way in London! When using escalators, stay to the right if you are not walking on them, so people can pass you on the left.
8. Taxis: Taxi service is expensive in London, but if you have mobility issues, it may be an easier way to get around. Some taxi service can be arranged ahead of time by your hotel concierge, and you may even be able to pay with a credit card if you arrange taxi service in advance, but most of the time you will have to pay in cash (British pounds) for taxi service. Black cabs are the official taxi service for London, so be careful if an unknown cab service asks for your business. You can also hire a private service minivan or limousine service, but make sure they are licensed.
9. BritRail Passes: To travel across England, purchase a BritRail pass. Passes can be purchased to be used for England only, or may include other United Kingdom destinations for additional fees. Passes can be available for consecutive days or flexible travel, depending on your travel plans, and you can purchase first class or standard seating. Once the pass is activated, they are easy to use on all trains (except Underground/Tube trains in London), and seat reservations are not necessary (although on busy travel days/times, such as business travel peak times, reservations make life easier). My son and I used Britrail passes to travel from London to Salisbury, then to Cardiff, back to Bath, up north to Hexham, then back to London, and we never had to wait more than 30 minutes to hop on a train to our destination. BritRail made traveling throughout England and Wales super easy for us! Note: Be sure to purchase your BritRail pass from the United States at least three weeks before you leave for England. BritRail passes are only available for non-British residents, and must be purchased in advance (three weeks in advance).
1. Currency: The currency in England is the British Pound Sterling. This can also be used in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The British Pound is stronger than the US Dollar right now, so be careful when shopping, because your US Dollar is only worth approximately .59 cents in England. That is almost half the value, so watch that exchange rate!
2. Credit Cards: The credit card you use in the US may not work in England. Most of Europe, including England, uses a “chip and pin” or “chip and signature” credit card for added security. These credit cards have a special digital chip inside that is read by chip readers, then you have to add your pin or sign for the transaction. Check with your bank or credit card company to see if they have a “chip and pin” or “chip and sig” card with no foreign transaction fees. Also, be sure to let your credit card company knew when you are traveling, so they can lift international restrictions on your card.
3. England, especially London was more expensive than I expected. Make certain you set a realistic budget for yourself, but be flexible, as the exchange rate fluctuates.
4. Do not use your cell or smart phone in England without contacting your cell phone provider to arrange for global services, with discounted texting and/or calling features, otherwise you may come home to a very large phone bill! Most cell phone providers have global features that can be temporarily turned on while you are on your trip. If you decide not to pay the fees for global data/phone usage, you can use wifi only, just be sure to turn your cellular data off while overseas. Special apps such as Skype, and Facetime can help you stay connected to friends and family via wifi, so you can talk and text. I purchased a global plan through Verizon, but it didn’t work, and I didn’t need it after all, as What’s App worked best (and was free!).
5. Unlike the United States, most people in England travel by public transportation, such as train, bus, and ferry. Automobiles are expensive to rent, and gas prices are more than twice what we pay in the US. Driving a vehicle can be confusing for some, as people in Great Britain drive on the opposite side of the car and road. If possible, avoid rental cars…although they do make traveling from town to town easier for those with lots of luggage, and lots of stops. Weight the options for your particular trip, but know that rental cars may not always be the easiest or most economical way to go.
6. Public Transportation: In London, the easiest way to get around is by using the Underground/Tube, buses, ferries, and National Rail, and the way to pay is with an Oyster cards. Oyster cards can be purchased at any Underground terminal or at automated machines. There is a £5 fee for activating a card, so try to use the same card and re-load it when it gets low. To use the Oyster Card, wave it over the green pad as you go through a Tube turnstile. You will also have to wave the card when you exit the Underground, but there is a sleeve you can keep your card in, and you will not have to take the card out of the sleeve, just wave the whole thing over the green pad. The Oyster card can also be used for the DLR, buses and ferries, but cannot be used for the Heathrow Express to the airport (be sure to get an Oyster card that is good for all travel zones). Note: When you go through the Underground turnstile, your balance will quickly flash on the entrance screen. You can also check your balance at the automated machines.
7. Walking: You will do a fair amount of walking around London, and it is a great way to see the city. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. When crossing streets, look both ways, then look again. Cars speed in London, and can come from all directions. Pedestrians do not have the right of way in London! When using escalators, stay to the right if you are not walking on them, so people can pass you on the left.
8. Taxis: Taxi service is expensive in London, but if you have mobility issues, it may be an easier way to get around. Some taxi service can be arranged ahead of time by your hotel concierge, and you may even be able to pay with a credit card if you arrange taxi service in advance, but most of the time you will have to pay in cash (British pounds) for taxi service. Black cabs are the official taxi service for London, so be careful if an unknown cab service asks for your business. You can also hire a private service minivan or limousine service, but make sure they are licensed.
9. BritRail Passes: To travel across England, purchase a BritRail pass. Passes can be purchased to be used for England only, or may include other United Kingdom destinations for additional fees. Passes can be available for consecutive days or flexible travel, depending on your travel plans, and you can purchase first class or standard seating. Once the pass is activated, they are easy to use on all trains (except Underground/Tube trains in London), and seat reservations are not necessary (although on busy travel days/times, such as business travel peak times, reservations make life easier). My son and I used Britrail passes to travel from London to Salisbury, then to Cardiff, back to Bath, up north to Hexham, then back to London, and we never had to wait more than 30 minutes to hop on a train to our destination. BritRail made traveling throughout England and Wales super easy for us! Note: Be sure to purchase your BritRail pass from the United States at least three weeks before you leave for England. BritRail passes are only available for non-British residents, and must be purchased in advance (three weeks in advance).