The United Kingdom
Visitors come for London, the Scottish Highlands, Welsh mountains and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
The United Kingdom is a country in north-western Europe made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. London is the capital of the UK and of England, while Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the main island and excludes Northern Ireland. Calling the whole country England is a common mistake, and people from the other three nations may take offense.
Visitors come for London, the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia in Wales and the Giant's Causeway on Northern Ireland's coast. London has the Royal Opera House and many theatres, and the Elizabeth line runs east to west through the city. Most of the UK has a temperate climate with rain all year, and temperatures rarely fall below 0°C or rise above 30°C. Summers are warmest in south-east England, and snow can fall on high ground in winter.
Five things to know before The United Kingdom
- Get a UK ETA before you travel
Visa-exempt visitors, including most US and European citizens, need an ETA (£20, valid two years or until the passport expires) for stays up to six months. It also covers Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. UK ETA explained
- Tap to pay, and carry little cash
Contactless cards and phones work almost everywhere, including London buses and the Tube. Some rural places and markets still want cash.
- Pack a Type G adapter
The UK uses the three-pin Type G plug at 230 V. Continental two-pin plugs will not fit without an adapter.
- Book long-distance trains early for Advance fares
Advance tickets for a fixed train cost far less than buying on the day. Railcards cut fares by about a third for eligible travelers. Getting around
- Know which nation's rules apply
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland share entry and currency but set some laws separately, such as outdoor access and visitor levies. Jersey and Guernsey are Crown Dependencies, outside the UK. Great Britain: which nation first
The United Kingdom travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
London, Bath, York, the Cotswolds and the Lakes.
Read the guideScotlandEdinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands and Skye.
Read the guideWalesCardiff, Eryri and the Pembrokeshire coast.
Read the guideNorthern IrelandBelfast and the Causeway Coast.
Read the guideGreat BritainEngland, Scotland or Wales: which to choose and how to link them.
Read the guideGuernseyCliff paths, St Peter Port, Herm and Sark.
Read the guideJerseyTidal beaches, castles and the Channel Islands ferries.
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWho needs one, the £20 fee and how long it lasts.
Read the guide
Destinations in The United Kingdom
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- £35
- Food
- £25
- Transport
- £8
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- £110
- Food
- £60
- Transport
- £25
- Sights
- £35
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- £180
- Food
- £120
- Transport
- £70
- Sights
- £80
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, grayJanuaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, gray
- FebruaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°ColdFebruaryCloudy
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°CoolMarchRain
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°SpringAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°WarmJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warmest, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°BusyAugustPartly cloudy
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°MildSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°AutumnOctoberRain
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°WetNovemberRain
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°LightsDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights
Average daily high and low in London, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in The United Kingdom
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
The United Kingdom
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°1°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue10°4°4%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed10°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°7°0%Thursday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°7°5%Friday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat8°6°24%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Sun8°4°10%Sunday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 04:40 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
The United Kingdom FAQ
Do I need a UK ETA?
Yes, if you are visa-exempt and not British or Irish, including EU and US citizens. It costs £20 and lasts two years or until your passport expires.
Is one ETA enough for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. The ETA covers the UK, which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and also Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Some rules, such as outdoor access and visitor levies, differ by nation, so check the nation guides.
Is the UK in the Schengen area?
No. UK days do not count toward the Schengen 90 in 180, and EES does not apply at UK borders.
Can I use euros in the UK?
Rarely. Prices are in pounds; pay by card or withdraw sterling from bank ATMs.
How much should I tip in the UK?
About 10–12.5% in restaurants with table service, unless a service charge is already on the bill. Tipping in pubs is not expected.