UK destination information

All you need to know before visiting UK

UK summary

UK is a medium sized country with around 65M UK. Official language is English. United Kingdom uses metric system (kilograms, centimeters, °C). Time zone is UTC+00:00 with daylight saving time. Currency used in UK is Pound Sterling (GBP).

🎫 Border Rank #️⃣ 118
🗺️ Passport Rank #️⃣ 14

ATMs in UK are Available everywhere. Internet speed in United Kingdom is on average 13.9 Mbps. In United Kingdom you drive on the left side. Most cars have manual transmission (stick).

🏙️ London
🗣️ English
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 65M ☀️ ~9 °C 🌧 ~101 mm 👍 Developed 🚩 243k km2 (94k mi²)
🎫 Visa Exemption
🗺️ Passport Strength
📧 UK visa Online
🏥 Health regulation
🛃 Customs rules
🏛️ Embassies

General

Socket 🔌

United Kingdom uses 230V, 50Hz with socket and plug Type G.

Languages 🗣️

  • English

Money

Currency 💱

1 GBP = 1.21 USD

United Kingdom uses the British pound (symbol: £), code GBP.Banknotes come in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 pounds. Pound is subdivided into 100 pence. Coins come in denominations of 2 and 1 pounds and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.

ATM 🏧🏦

Available everywhere

Automatic teller machines (local name: cash machines) are everywhere in United Kingdom. Pretty much anywhere you look there will be an ATM. United Kingdom has one of the highest ATM densities in the world.You do not need a chip & PIN card to use an ATM — your standard magnetic card will work fine.

Tipping 💁🏽

Not expected, but can leave extra tip

Tipping is usually not expected in United Kingdom. However, if you are satisfied with the service provided you can show your appreciation by leaving a small ‘extra’ tip. Receipts might sometimes include a service charge. If there is a service charge there is no need to tip.

Card 💳

Widely accepted

Credit cards are widely accepted within United Kingdom (at hotels, shops, and restaurants, travel agencies, car-rental agencies etc.). Visa, MasterCard and Maestro are the most widely accepted. American Express is less common. Diners Club is pretty rare. Discover, JCB, UnionPay and RuPay are unknown.

Phone

Mobile Phone 📱

United Kingdom uses GSM mobile networks GSM 900 and GSM 1800.

Roaming 🌐

If you don't want to buy SIM card in United Kingdom upon arrival, make sure to check the roaming charges with your telecom provider before your departure so there are no surprises when you return home.

Emergency Calls 🚨

Universal :

911

Police :

911

Ambulance :

911

Fire department :

911

Calling ☎️

International

To call United Kingdom, dial +, then 44 (the country code for United Kingdom), then the area code (without the initial 0) and the local number.

Locally

For local calls within United Kingdom, start with the area code (with the initial 0). In the case above area code is 121 .


international: + 44 121 1234567
calling local: 0121 1234567

Internet connection

Internet Speed 💯

Internet speed in United Kingdom is on average 13.9 Mbps.

Wifi 📡

WiFi coverage in United Kingdom is very high. Most hotels, hostels, cafes, restaurants and bars have it.

SIM Card #️⃣

You can buy a SIM card for about £12.38, which includes 1 GB of data plan. You can choose from 4 telecoms: 3 (Three), EE (Everything Everywhere), O2 or Vodafone.

Driving

Rules 🚗

In United Kingdom you drive on the left side. Most cars have manual transmission (stick).

Limits 🚦

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for cars and motorcycles are as follows: 113 km/h (70 mph) on motorways, 113 km/h (70 mph) on expressways, 48 km/h (29 mph) in all built-up areas and 97 km/h (60 mph) on undivided highways.

Weather

Temperature 🌡️

Rainfall ☔

Countries nearby UK


More on UK travel and visa information

All the informations you need to schedule your trip to UK.

🎫

Visa Exemption

Check who can come to UK without visa requirement.

🗺️

Passport Strength

Check countries nationals of UK can visit without visa.

📧

UK visa Online

Apply for visa to UK online.

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Health regulation

Want to visit UK ? Check health regulation !

🛃

Customs rules

Want to visit UK ? Check customs regulation !

🏳️‍🌈

LGBT Destination info

Check if UK is LGBT friendly for travel.

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UK embassies

Check list of UK embassies around the globe !