Visiting England

LANGUAGE: The official language in England is English, so you're in luck. There's not much of a language barrier to navigate here! That said, you'll quickly notice regional accents & slang can be very different— from Cockey in London to Scouse in Liverpool to some really posh vernacular. Don't be shy about asking a local to repeat themselves... I'm sure some Brits even do it to each other!

CURRENCY: England's currency is the British Pound Sterling (GBP or £). The United Kingdom is largely a tap-and-go society with contactless cards & phone payments being accepted almost everywhere, from black cabs to markets. Cash still comes in handy for small shops, tipping in cash-only pubs, or the rare rural spot, but you can genuinely get by just using plastic for most of your trip!

CREDIT CARDS / ATMS: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, even for tiny purchases like a tea or scone. ATMs are everywhere, and many of them work with international debit cards. Watch out or "free" ATMs versus ones that charge a withdrawl fee (usually they're clearly labeled), and check with your bank about foreign transaction fees before you go, since they can sneak up on you.

PLUGS: England uses Type G plugs (not like the U.S. and Canada), with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. If you’re coming from North America, you'll need an adapter and possibly a converter for devices that aren't dual-voltage. Travelers from Europe will need a plug adapter too, since Type G differs from the standard EU plug.

VISAS: For many travelers, including those from the U.S., Canada, most of Europe, Australia, and Japan, England offers visa-free entry for stays of up to 6 months as a visitor. At the moment, travellers from the United States are required to obtain a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before entry. And you can apply securely online in just a few minutes before your trip and be sure to check with the UK government's official website or your local embassy for more updates before you travel.

GETTING AROUND: Getting around England is almost better than getting around The States! The London Underground (known as "the Tube") is fast and extensive, and an Oyster card or contactless payment gets you tapping in & out with zero fuss! .The National Rail network connects cities and countryside towns quick & easy, so hopping from London to Bath or York or even Paris for a trip is simple. For local rides, black cabs & rideshares are both reliable in major cites. If you want to slow things down, just rent a bike, take a scenic bus route or walk! England's cities and villages are made for wandering!