United Kingdom

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Means of transport recommended in town

Recommendation

In cities, due to traffic congestion, the use of public transport (Underground or buses) is recommended.
Taxis are widely available. Taxis drivers are highly trained but they speak mostly English. Pedestrians are injured and even killed every year in accidents, forgetting that traffic drives on the left.  Extra care should be taken when crossing streets.

Maps of urban networks

Transport for London (Maps)

Transportation from Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car rental
London - Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3 (LHR)	25 km / 15 miles	£ 35-60 / 45-70 min	£6.90/ 40-80 min	£16.50 / 22 min	Available

Means of transport recommended in the rest of the country

Recommendation

The country has a good rail network. Intercity lines provide fast services between London and major cities, and there are services to the southeast, to the Midlands, north and south Wales and between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Some rural areas are less well served.
The National Rail network is now operated by train operating companies. Internal flights depart regularly to major cities.

Rail companies

Rail.co.uk

Airlines

You can consult the list of airlines banned within the EU. Look also the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling by yourself

Recommendation

There is a good quality road and motorway network. Roads tend to be congested, particularly in the South. There are a lot of trucks on the roads; only the heaviest loads travel by rail. In London, avoid parking in the street, as parking spaces are reserved for those with a resident's permit.

Road maps

Multimap

Find an itinerary

The Automobile Association's route planning facility.

Different forms of tourism

Historical

Roman remains, castles, palaces, Stately Homes. Museums of our maritime heritage or the Industrial Revolution. The UK has a wealth of historic places to visit.

Cultural

Painting, literature, theatre and music. Prestigious and leading-edge museums, galleries and centers for arts and crafts.

Nature

49 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 40 National Scenic Areas, 14 National Parks and an amazing 27 World Heritage Sites, 5 of which have World Heritage status due to their outstanding natural features. The landscape is very varied. Scotland and Wales are mountainous with Ben Nevis (Scotland) the highest peak in the UK and Snowdon the highest peak in Wales.

Religious

Many thousands of beautiful churches, abbeys and cathedrals spanning 13 centuries of history. They are found in every city, town and village, and most are open for visitors to enter and explore freely. Canterbury Cathedral is one of the UK 's top destinations.
Consult Visit britain website.

Thermal

There are several spa towns in Britain, Bath Spa being a very popular destination because of its historic past (Roman remains).

Beach

Best areas are the South-East, the South-West, Wales, Norfolk, Northumberland and Scotland. Visit Goodbeachguide.

Winter sports

The natural snow resorts are in Scotland and all have invested heavily in recent years.

Outdoor activities

For a list of activities for all tastes, from walking, cycling, riding, golfing to sailing, visit Visitbritain.co.uk.

Shopping

Britain is a great place for speciality shopping, whether for souvenirs or luxury treats.

Tourism organizations

British Tourist Authority
Official on-line Guide to England

Health and safety

Health precautions

No health or vaccination requirements. However, immigration officers can refer individuals to a doctor for a medical examination: someone visibly unwell, intending to remain for more than 6 months or coming from a country with a high rate of tuberculosis.

International hospitals

For information for non-British citizens regarding the UK medical system, and for a list of hospitals, consult Expat-medical-insurance.

For further information on sanitary conditions

World Health Organization
Department of Health

For further information on safety conditions

Visit Britain
Travel information from the Canadian Foreign Office
U.S. Department of State travel information

Time difference and climate

Time and time difference

It is %T:%M %A in London (GMT in summer and GMT+ 1 in winter)

Summer time period

March to October.