United Kingdom travel guide: the best cities to visit
The United Kingdom is small enough to cross by train in a day and varied enough that a week feels full. London takes the first few days; Edinburgh, Bath, Manchester and York each make a trip of two or three nights. The one thing to know before you book is entry: most visitors need an ETA, applied for online in advance.
The short answer
- First trip
- London, plus one of Edinburgh, Bath or York. Add a second city only if you have a week or more.
- How long
- Four to five days for London alone, seven to ten for London and two other cities, two weeks for a loop that includes Scotland.
- Best time to go
- May to September for long days and the best chance of dry weather. April, October and early December are quieter and cheaper.
- Getting around
- Trains between cities, the Underground and buses within them. Hire a car only for the countryside.
- Money
- Pounds sterling, written £. Cards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere, so you need very little cash.
- Book ahead
- Advance train fares, Edinburgh in August, theater and a few big sights. Walk-up fares on long trips cost far more.
Best cities to visit in the United Kingdom
London
The biggest and most varied city break in Europe, with free museums, parks, markets and a theater district. It suits a first visit and anyone who likes to walk.
Give it 4 to 5 days
Edinburgh
A compact capital of castle, Old Town and hills, with Scotland on its doorstep. It suits history, walking and festival visits.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Bath
A Georgian spa town of pale stone, small enough to walk end to end in a morning. It suits a calm weekend and a day out from London.
Give it 1 to 2 days
Manchester
A northern city of music, football, museums and a strong food scene, more modern than historic. It suits a younger crowd and anyone heading to the Peak District.
Give it 2 to 3 days
York
A walled city with a Gothic minster, medieval lanes and good tea rooms. It suits history lovers and fits between London and Edinburgh.
Give it 1 to 2 days
Beyond the cities
The Lake District
England's lakes and fells in the north-west. Take a train to Windermere or Penrith and then buses or a hired car; allow two nights.
The Cotswolds
Honey-colored villages west of Oxford. Trains reach Moreton-in-Marsh and Kemble, and a car or local tour does the rest.
The Scottish Highlands
Glens, lochs and mountains north of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Trains run to Fort William and Inverness; tours and hire cars reach the rest.
Cornwall and the south-west coast
Cliffs, harbors and beaches a long way from London. A car helps, and summer weekends are busy.
Wales and Snowdonia
Castles, coast and mountains, reached by train from Chester or Birmingham toward the north Wales coast. Allow a day each way from most cities, and a car for Snowdonia.
United Kingdom itineraries
- Five days: London and Bath
Spend four nights in London, then take the train to Bath for a night and an unhurried morning in the town. The train from London takes about an hour and a half, and you can return the same day if you prefer.
- Seven days: London, York, Edinburgh
Three nights in London, then the train north to York for one night, and on to Edinburgh for three. The London to York leg is about two hours, York to Edinburgh about two and a half. Fly or take a night train back if time is short.
- Ten days: London, Bath, Manchester, Edinburgh
Four nights in London, one in Bath, two in Manchester and three in Edinburgh. Each leg is two to five hours by train, so book advance fares and keep long days for the Edinburgh end.
- Two weeks by train: add York and the Lake District
London for four nights, Bath for one, Manchester for two, a night or two in the Lake District, York for one, and Edinburgh for three. Look at the Railcard and pass options below before you buy individual tickets.
Best time to visit the United Kingdom
Late spring and early autumn are the best balance. From May to September the days run long, and in June daylight lasts until about ten at night in the south and later in Scotland. July and August are warmest and busiest, and Edinburgh is crowded in August during the festivals.
Winter is short on light but good for museums, pubs and Christmas markets. The weather can change in an hour in any month, so bring a waterproof whatever the forecast says. Scotland and the north are cooler than London throughout the year.
How to get around the United Kingdom
- TrainsNational Rail is the network, run by many operators on one timetable. London to Bath, York, Manchester and Edinburgh are all direct. Advance fares are cheapest and tied to one train; flexible tickets cost much more.
- Railcards and passesA Railcard takes a third off most fares for a year, and the Two Together and Family & Friends cards suit visitors in pairs or groups. Check eligibility first. The BritRail Pass is a rail pass sold for travel in England, Wales and Scotland; check its conditions against the advance fares for your route.
- CoachesNational Express and others run long-distance coaches that cost less than a train, with journeys that take longer. Useful for places the train misses.
- Within citiesLondon has the Underground, buses and tap-in payment with a contactless card or phone. Edinburgh, Manchester, Bath and York are best on foot, with buses and trams for the longer runs.
- DrivingCars drive on the left. A car makes sense in the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Cornwall and the Highlands, and is a burden in London, Edinburgh and Bath.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across United Kingdom. Each city guide has its own list.
- Advance train tickets6 to 12 weeks ahead
Fares are released roughly three months out and rise as trains fill.
- Edinburgh in August3 to 6 months ahead
Festival month fills hotels, and the prices rise with the crowds.
- London theater and popular attractions2 to 4 weeks ahead
Big shows and timed-entry sights sell out, especially at weekends.
- Roman Baths and York Minster tower1 to 2 weeks ahead
Timed slots in busy months book up; check the official sites for current rules.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyPound sterling (£). Scotland prints its own banknotes, which are legal tender in the United Kingdom but sometimes harder to spend in England.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small pubs and market stalls. Carry a little cash for the odd stall.
- TippingAround 10 to 12.5 per cent in restaurants, often added as a service charge, which you should check on the bill. Nothing in pubs unless you order at a table.
- Tourist taxesEngland and Wales do not charge a national tourist tax. Edinburgh introduced a visitor levy on accommodation in 2026, and some cities add local charges, so check the council's page for the current rate and your hotel's rules.
- EntryMost visitors who don't need a visa need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel: check gov.uk/eta for your passport.
- PlugsType G, with three rectangular pins, at 230V. You need an adapter for anything from outside the UK.
What to skip in the United Kingdom
- Day trips from London to Stonehenge, Windsor, Oxford and Bath in one go
A coach tour that strings them together leaves you with an hour in each. Pick two, and take the train.
- Oxford Street for shopping
It is crowded, and the shops are the same as at home. Marylebone, Shoreditch or Borough Market give a better afternoon.
- Peak-hour travel on the Underground and trains
Weekday mornings and early evenings are packed, and advance tickets are dearer or limited. Travel mid-morning or later when you can.
- Driving in the big cities
Parking is costly, and London has congestion and low-emission charges. Leave the car for the countryside.
United Kingdom: questions people ask
How many days do you need in the United Kingdom?
A week is enough for London plus one or two cities. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Scotland or the Lake District without rushing. Four or five days will do for London alone.
What are the best places to visit in the UK besides London?
Edinburgh, Bath, York and Manchester are the easiest cities on this site. Outside the cities, the Lake District, the Cotswolds and the Highlands are the most visited, and all are better with more time or a car.
Do I need a visa or an ETA to visit the UK?
Most visitors who don't need a visa need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel: check gov.uk/eta for your passport.
What is the best way to travel around the UK?
By train between cities, as the main routes link them directly. Use buses and the Underground within cities and a hired car in the countryside.
What is the best time of year to visit the UK?
May to September for the longest days. April, October and early December are quieter and cheaper. Bring a waterproof at any time of year.
Is the UK expensive for a short trip?
London is one of the dearer cities in Europe for hotels and eating out. Other cities cost less, and advance train fares and free museums help. Book rooms early for summer and the Edinburgh festival.
Can I do the UK in a week?
Yes, with London and one other city. London, York and Edinburgh by train is a good seven days and moves quickly. Stay put longer if you do not like packing.
What should I pack for the UK?
A light waterproof, comfortable shoes, layers and a Type G adapter. Evenings are cool even in summer.