To enter the United Kingdom you need a current valid passport. Most visitors will be permitted to enter the country as general visitors, although citizens of some nations will need to acquire a visa prior to arrival. You will need to complete a brief application and provide some basic personal information, details of the purpose of your trip and you may need to show that you have a place to stay and means to support yourself while in the country. If you plan on driving in England you will need to bring your driver's license.
When planning travel to England, visitors should know that it is a relatively expensive place in terms of accommodation, food, travel and entertainment costs. You will need to have enough money to cover your expenses for the entire trip, and expect to pay significantly higher prices for everything than you would find in the United States. You will need some local currency, pounds sterling. Compare conversion rates with charges to use major credit or debit cards at ATMs to save on money-changing fees. Although all major credit and debit cards are widely accepted, most retail outlets in England only accept UK "chip and pin" style cards so you likely will need to carry some cash.
Although England does not experience extremes of weather, it is seasonal and changeable with rain possible throughout the year. If you are visiting England during the winter you will need a warm coat and a hat, scarf and gloves. Snow is occasional but possible, and rain is likely, so waterproof footwear and an umbrella are essential. During the summer months England's climate ranges from mild to hot and humid, so you will need light clothes and sunscreen. At any time of the year it is a good idea to pack clothes that can be layered so you can adapt to the frequently changing weather. Visiting England will inevitably involve some walking, so you should bring comfortable shoes.
An up-to-date guidebook will help you navigate the sights of England and provide you with valuable information to help you plan your trip. In London tourists are well cared for but elsewhere and especially outside of the bigger cities you will need to rely on your guidebook. Maps are essential if you wish to drive in England, where the streets are generally more difficult and confusing to navigate than those in the United States. You may want to brush up on the Highway Code laws for driving around roundabouts, which are found throughout the country and require careful navigation. A local publisher of detailed maps is called "A to Z" and its maps are available in most gas stations and bookstores.
If you want to bring electronic items from the United States you will need to purchase a plug adapter and a voltage converter, as England uses different-shaped plugs and has a higher voltage. If you bring a laptop computer and want to connect to the Internet in England, you need a telephone jack adapter or an English phone line because the phone jacks in England are different from American ones.
