Visiting England and Scotland is a trip unlike any other. From Buckingham Palace and the London Eye in London to the pristine coastal towns in Devon and the wildlife, beaches and festivals in Scotland, there is something for everyone to fall in love with. The easiest way to the UK is by air, and moving around on the island is easy and affordable.
Book flights in advance, if possible. This will ensure the best price. British Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada and Virgin Atlantic fly from America to London regularly, with flights averaging six hours from New York to London and 11 hours from Los Angeles to London. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are the most common for long-distance flights. Luggage collection, passport control and customs takes about an hour at these airports.
Arrange transportation from London to Scotland. Hiring a car is an option if you have a valid driving license. (See Tips.) There are regular trains from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and on the trip, you'll pass through Peterborough, York and Newcastle. The trip takes around five hours, and toilets and refreshments are available on board. Once you arrive in Edinburgh or Glasgow, you can catch a connecting train to Aberdeen or Inverness, both of which take around two hours. Most train stations have shops where you can buy books and magazines for the trip, and some first-class seats come with televisions.
Find accommodations for your stay. Scotland has a selection of hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts, and most have very reasonable rates. Use the Visit Scotland website to compare and book accommodations. (See Resources.) The hotel staff or hosts can tell you what's going on locally and the best places to visit.
Enjoy Scotland. From May to September, Highland Games, which are a mix of Scottish culture and competitive games, are held across the country. The most famous games includes tug' o' war, hammer throwing and tossing the caber. There also are haggis-making competitions and stores selling Scottish goods. Scotland also has many castles and gardens, as well as distilleries and science centers. The prices, locations and opening times of these are online (see Resources), and some are available to book in advance. While you are there, try some Scottish favorites, such as scotch broth, haggis, and Arbroath smokies. Seafood is very popular in Scotland, too, especially in coastal towns.
Book travel back to London. There are several routes from Edinburgh and Glasgow to the capital. The train from Edinburgh to Birmingham takes about three hours, and getting off at Moor Street train station in Birmingham puts you right outside the famous Birmingham Bullring shopping center. The Birmingham Hippodrome is home to plays that travel the country, and the Birmingham Royal Ballet is world-renowned for its range of new ballets. Go inside an English chocolate factory at Cadbury World, entertain the family at Drayton Manor theme park or visit the Thinktank, an interactive science museum. You can also catch the train from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Cardiff, Penzance, Bournemouth and Brighton.
Find accommodations in London. The Visit London website (see Resources) has a wide range of accommodations, prices and details on how to book a stay. Booking in advance will save you a surprising amount of money if you want to stay in the center of the Capital or at a prestigious hotel.
Schedule activities. The London Museum has exhibits telling the story of London's past, the London Eye gives amazing views of the country, and Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard is something every visitor should see. The Tate Modern is Britain's premier art museum, the Tower of London and the National Maritime Museum are full of history, and Madame Tussauds has waxworks of famous people, including the queen and Britney Spears. Get an online discount by booking through the Visit London website (see Resources) or by visiting Tourist Information centers in London, which will be able to advise you of the current offers. Using the train usually gets you free admission for one person in your group or half price for everyone.
Arrange travel insurance. You may need to give full details of your plans, including how you plan to travel and where you will stay, to get full coverage. Travel insurance will be worthwhile should you miss your flight home.
