England is a wonderful Country to explore, with all it’s history and beautiful countryside. As an American visiting England for the first time, there were things that I was unaware of, that I wish I knew before arriving. I am happy to share with you some pieces of advice that will make your trip easier to plan. Whether you’re planning on traveling throughout the Countryside by car, or simply staying in one place, here are a few tips to help you plan your holiday.
Getting Around England
If you want to do anything fun in England, you have to be able to get there! Here are some things you may want to know when renting a car in England.
Drive on the Left
You probably already knew all about this one, but yes, in England, you drive on the left side of the road (or, as they would say, the “right”, meaning “correct” side). This is especially important to remember when turning onto roads with a divider in the middle, and on roundabouts. But, it actually isn’t as hard as it sounds.
Roads are Narrow
For us, the most difficult part of driving in England was definitely the narrowness of the roads. Back home, most roads are wide enough for three cars to pass side-by-side. But in England, the roads are much narrower, with room for only two. Oncoming cars will feel like they are getting much closer to you back home, and the hedges right up against the sides of the road in many places don’t help any. Just know that this is normal, and don’t let it make you nervous.
Pay for Parking
Almost anywhere you go in England, you will have to pay for parking. There are machine that you go to, pay with cash or card, and then get a printed ticket that you display in your vehicle. Some places also use an app. Many garages and lots use plate recognition cameras to enforce this.
Know Your Signs
This is an important one that, unfortunately, many learn the hard way. England’s road signs look different from American ones, and it is important to know what they mean. Without this knowledge, it is easy to pull your car into a place where it isn’t allowed, and get a ticket from a spying traffic camera (which, in England, are allowed to send you a ticket without an officer present).
Financial Tips
Traveling abroad can incur unexpected expenses. Here is some advice for how to avoid these expenses in England.
Do Not Exchange Money at the Airport
When you land at the airport, you will see money changing desks on your way out, where you can exchange you US dollars for pounds. Do not use the ones at the airport! They offer very bad exchange rates that in some cases take a third of your money as a premium! It is good to have some cash for some cardless parking machines, but most places in England accept card anyway, so you won’t need a lot of cash.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Most credit cards assume you will always transact only in your local currency, US dollars. So, when you take it abroad, and make payments to places that only accept pounds, you will incur a foreign transaction fee. These fees are small, but can add up quick! Therefore, it is a good idea to look in to getting a credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees as one of its benefits. This could save you quite a bit of money over the course of your trip.
Utilities
There are some things to be aware of when traveling to England with regards to your appliances.
Cell Bills
When you get off your airplane, and switch your phone off of airplane mode, you will probably receive a message from your cellular provider welcoming you to England, and telling you that you will have to pay for service during your travels. Different policies will charge different amounts, and some may even offer a certain number of free international days. But in any case, it is worth knowing your cellular plan’s policies so you aren’t hit with any nasty surprise bills.
Different Outlets
One surprise we were met with in England was that we could not plug any of our appliances or charges into the wall because their outlets are different! We ended up having to buy a (probably overpriced) adaptor from a local store so we could plug our phones and other electronic stuff into the grid. Having an adaptor like this one before you travel can save a lot of headaches.
Dining/Outings
Going out is very similar to going out back home, but there are a few small differences to keep in mind.
Paying for Water
In England, most (though not all) restaurants do not give complementary water with your meal. You will have to buy water if you want to drink it with your meal. Incidentally, there are also few public drinking fountains, so a water bottle is a must, especially during the hotter months.
Tipping
At most restaurants, there is no tipping the way we are used to back home. Instead, they automatically add on a service charge of around 12.5%.
Lack of Public Restrooms
Another thing we noticed in England is that there are fewer public restrooms than in the US. And oftentimes, if there are public restrooms, you have to pay to use them, like a vending machine or paid parking! Most restaurants have restrooms for customers, so be sure to take advantage of these.
Conclusion
All in all, visiting England is a wonderful experience, with countless beautiful places to explore and memories to make. I hope these travel tips are helpful as you plan your own adventure. By doing a little research and planning ahead, you can be better prepared for the unexpected that comes with traveling abroad. Most importantly, enjoy your trip, embrace the experience, and spend less time worrying about the little things!