First Trip To England

[TheNiteSiren]

I am planning a trip to visit our boys across the pond in England but I have never traveled that far before. I have mainly traveled in the South eastern United States and have no idea what I need to do. I could use some advice because this is something I really would like to do. I have met so many charming people from the UK.

 

[blulilacgrl]

Hey! I am in the same boat, kind of. [laughs] I will be going in the Spring.

Do you have your passport? I just found out I need to get a new one and I need to do it now so that I don't have to pay an exorbitant processing fee.

 

[TheNiteSiren]

Hey! I am in the same boat, kind of. [laughs] I will be going in the Spring.

Do you have your passport? I just found out I need to get a new one and I need to do it now so that I don't have to pay an exorbitant processing fee.

I don't even know how to get a passport.

 

[TheSilverLining]

If you don't have a waterproof and/or a decent pair of wellies..... invest.

 

[desertslave]

Everything you need to know about getting a US passport:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

 

[TheNiteSiren]

If you don't have a waterproof and/or a decent pair of wellies..... invest.

wellies?

 

[fire_breeze]

I am planning a trip to visit our boys across the pond in England but I have never traveled that far before. I have mainly traveled in the South eastern United States and have no idea what I need to do. I could use some advice because this is something I really would like to do. I have met so many charming people from the UK.

I haven't been to England for a long while, but I do travel across the pond relatively regularly, so take what you will.

1. Get your passport. Make sure that it's good for at least six months until after your projected return date (so if you plan to come back in June, 2014, that passport's expiry date should be the earliest December 2014). Many countries, European or otherwise, requires this.

2. If you haven't got your passport, get one ASAP. Here's a link, although you should look into it, because I don't know how US Consular Services work.

3. Get travel and medical insurance. When you book your ticket through Expedia, you can usually buy both options (if your personal insurance doesn't provide you with medical while travelling). This is absolutely, imperatively non-negotiable. While you hope that nothing happens, you will be glad that you have this if something does. Travel insurance will refund you a portion or all of your expenses if your trip is interrupted before or during the stay, or if you have a lost baggage. Medical is necessary if you need to visit the hospital for whatever reason. While yes, England has NHS, a type of universal health care, it is for those who pay into the system, in other words, not visitors. There is a common assumption that free health care is for everyone. It isn't. It's for those who pay the necessary taxes (this is a complaint I heard from an American who visited and was surprised that he couldn't just waltz into a hospital and get a free check-up).

4. Listen and/or watch TV shows from Britain. Not BBC or Downton Abbey, but Black Adder, Coronation Street and the like. Why? Simple. London is home a to myriad of beautiful accents, but if you're not used to it, it can be difficult to understand. By training your ear, you will at least be able to understand. And the reason why not BBC or Downton Abbey? They use a very specific type of pronunciation - a sort of trained accent. Many Londoner don't speak like that.

5. Know where your hotel will be (if staying), where the US consulate is (again, just in case), and get familiar with public transit before you leave. You don't have to memorise every stop, but after flying, being jet lagged, you don't want to be fumbling.

6. Convert a certain amount of currency into British Pounds before leaving (around 100£ is usually a safe bet). Do not do this at the airport. Airports will charge you an arm and a leg and your firstborn in exchange fees. Check any major banks - they should be able to do this.

7. When you do fly, carry your valuables with you (or leave them at home), and a change of clothing into your carry-on. Depending if you're a smart packer and how long you're going for, you can only bring a carry on. Whenever I travel for 7 days or less, I never check in a luggage. If I forgot something, I either buy or do without.

8. Tell your credit card company that you will be going on a vacation and where. Also, this is something I realised when I was in the States that many credit cards are chipless. In Europe (at least where I've been, I don't know England, so the Brits can correct me if I am wrong), they only use chip credit cards which requires a passcode (use 4 numbers for your PIN. Again, in some places in Europe, they only accept 4 numbers, not 6).

9. Invest in a good bag. Bring minimal cash when sightseeing, and carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes.

10. London is a cosmopolitan city, so dress the part. I can always point out a tourist (no matter where they are from) in Montreal by the way they dress (white shoes, shorts, loud shirts, too many cameras hanging from their necks). You want to dress city chic, with comfortable shoes. However, this is just me: I prefer to blend in a bit with the crowd, and in Europe, casual means something else than in North America.

11. HAVE FUN. That's the most important thing. Try the local pubs, see the local sights. Ask the concierge at your hotel (if staying there). See a few museums. Wander around. Don't be shy in striking up conversation. Do some touristy things (you should see Buckingham Palace and the Big Ben). Do some local things as well. Spend time with your sons.

I hope this helps. Take what you will. And have fun

ETA: Wellies = rubber boots. Depending on when you go, you may need waterproof boots. Here's a list of British to American English

ETA II: You will need a separate converter for anything that plugs into a wall. These are inexpensive in any travel shop.

 

[blulilacgrl]

Wow, Breeze! I have traveled abroad but it has been a long time. These were excellent reminders. Thanks!

 

[TheNiteSiren]

Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for the info. I am hoping to meet someone there when i go. Now i need to get over my fear of flying. LOL

 

[GrrlFriday]

Make sure that you check the amount of fluids (shampoo, conditioner, face cream, toothpaste) that you're allowed to take with you, and be careful how much body lotion you use before you go - some moisturisers can give a false positive as an explosive.

http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/08/14/can-skin-lotion-set-off-airport-explosive-detectors/

 

[pfflyerhot]

wellies?

Rubber Boots... And, thanks for the verification Fire_Breeze.
"Bumpershoot" is slang for umbrella. Lot's of British-ism sites out there. Google search, but I bet FB's like is great.

Also, their casual wear is not the same kind of casual as our casual wear... Or at least it wasn't 30+ years ago when I went.
Have fun!

 

[SamScribble]

You don't mention which part of England you are going to visit. If you are going to be spending most of your time in London, you'll be fine without Wellies - although I would recommend a good brolly (umbrella). In more than 20 years of living in London I never once found the need for anything more robust than my trusty Timberland boots. But wherever you are going, make sure that you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Have a great trip.

 

[quietlylooking]

You've gotten some great advice! Fire Breeze, your comments were really useful, especially about watching some fine English movies and television before her trip. Having traveled there a half-dozen times for work and later for pleasure (yes, he was...), I have just a few other things to add:

1. Find out BEFORE you go whether or not you can use your cell (o.k., "mobile") voice or smart phone over there without racking up exorbitant fees.

2. Remember while you are there EVERY TIME YOU CROSS A ROAD to look "right, left, right" instead of "left, right, left".

3. Try to stay up the day you arrive until at least 9 pm local time if at all possible to avoid jet lag.

4. Be a good representative of our country Not everyone over there is a big fan of the US, sometimes with good reason...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I think I'd rather travel to hell than Britain.

 

[NightL]

stay there

 

[subdued_passion]

I think I'd rather travel to hell than Britain.

Like your weather toasty, do you?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Like your weather toasty, do you?

It was 90 yesterday.

 

[Bottomlover]

1. Find out BEFORE you go whether or not you can use your cell (o.k., "mobile") voice or smart phone over there without racking up exorbitant fees.

I found the best deal to be buying an unlocked GSM quad band phone (I have a Motorola RAZR V3) for $50 and then buying a SIM card with minutes when you get there. You can call in to check your American number voice mail and return calls for only a penny or two per minute. You also get an UK phone number so it's easy to do whatever you need to there. Shop around a little for this. There are stores everywhere, and deals vary widely.

Definitely get out of the cities and see some of the countryside. I could spend weeks in Wales.

If you like beer, the good stuff is called 'real ale' in the pubs. Ask what real ales they have, and most will let you taste a bit before buying a pint.

In London, it appears that rudeness is acceptable as long as you say "Sorry" afterward.

Have a great trip.

 

[fire_breeze]

A couple of things I forgot:

Britain, like the rest of the civilised world D) uses metric. A simple conversion is 1.6km is 1 mile; 1kg= 2.2lbs; 3 ft= a rough 1m, 250ml = 1 cup; 1L=1 qt, 3.75L=1gal.

They do use centigrade, and I have no idea how to convert that to Fahrenheit. I have to ask my all for that when I visit him. Or use a converter app.

When you do fly, remember that TSA regulations dictate that your liquids must be in 3 oz containers, and fit in a quart clear Ziplock. Those bottles that you swiped at the hotels you've stayed? Those are perfect size.

If you are able to travel with your mobile, turn off your Wi-Fi and anything else that uses 3/4G. The only thing that should be operational is the capabilities to receive and make phone calls and text messages. My cousin's husband didn't and he racked up 2000$ bill. In fact, what I do is I turn off my smartphone completely and use a cheap phone with a SIM card that I purchased in Europe, which I load up with some money when I do there. If I lose it, meh. No biggie.

Find out the local equivalent for 911. And remember, while these tips may seem alarmists, they are absolutely not. If you are polite and smart, you will have an absolute blast and be completely and totally safe.

 

[boutrosboutros]

The local equivalent for 911 is 999.

I like Fire Breeze's comments but they are full of cute mistakes. It's Big Ben, not "the" Big Ben. If you want a London accent, watch Eastenders, not Coronation Street (it's set in Manchester).

But that's assuming you're going to London. London is a world of its own in most ways like many big cities are. It's not at all representative of what the rest of England is like. Which cities are you visiting?

 

[Ahlam]

If you're going to rent a car, then shelling out the extra dough for a GPS is a very good idea. I didn't and some rather unpleasant adventures ensued.

The last time I visited the UK, I was there for a month. I didn't make any reservations in advance. I just wandered from place to place and everything worked out without major incident. I don't think I would have gotten to see as much nor to stay in as interesting of places if I had planned it all out in advance. So, you may wish to keep some of your itinerary open for impulse. It's so beautiful over there and there's so much to see, a month wasn't enough time. A few things that surprised me:

1.) Sheep. They are pretty much everywhere.
2.) Even on the most "rugged" walks (that's what they call "hikes" I guess), there's a good chance that you'll run into a pub or wind up walking through somebody's backyard.
3.) Breakfast is totally awesome and my expectations for breakfast are now permanently warped.
4.) Everyone I encountered was very kind and helpful, even in the cities.
5.) The bathrooms rather suck most of the time.
6.) Road signs vary quite a lot. They may be up high, or down low, or only printed on one side, or nonexistent. This led me to more pubs.

I hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[midlandsfun9999]

Don't just go to London, visit the Cotswolds for glorious countryside and proper little English villages for example. Places like Bath, York, Edinburgh too.

Take in some sport, the theatre, comedy.

 

[boutrosboutros]

In the words of Paul Kelly, "Every fucking city feels the same."

Big cities yes. But England has loads of great small cities (Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh) and loads of fantastic tiny ones (Canterbury, Chester, York, Durham). I hate how people focus on London, though I suppose it's natural.

If you're going to rent a car, then shelling out the extra dough for a GPS is a very good idea. I didn't and some rather unpleasant adventures ensued.

The last time I visited the UK, I was there for a month. I didn't make any reservations in advance. I just wandered from place to place and everything worked out without major incident. I don't think I would have gotten to see as much nor to stay in as interesting of places if I had planned it all out in advance. So, you may wish to keep some of your itinerary open for impulse. It's so beautiful over there and there's so much to see, a month wasn't enough time. A few things that surprised me:

1.) Sheep. They are pretty much everywhere.
2.) Even on the most "rugged" walks (that's what they call "hikes" I guess), there's a good chance that you'll run into a pub or wind up walking through somebody's backyard.
3.) Breakfast is totally awesome and my expectations for breakfast are now permanently warped.
4.) Everyone I encountered was very kind and helpful, even in the cities.
5.) The bathrooms rather suck most of the time.
6.) Road signs vary quite a lot. They may be up high, or down low, or only printed on one side, or nonexistent. This led me to more pubs.

I hope you have a fantastic trip!

Don't get me started on road signs.

 

[boutrosboutros]

London is a great city, but there's better. Edinburgh is beautiful. I loved York.

The problem with London is it's full of Australians..........

 

[jackflash81]

I never knew it was so complicated to visit our little island!

If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer!

I work in London, and live just north of it!