10 Things I Always Pack on a Trip to the UK

Traveling internationally comes with different challenges than domestic travel, and the UK is no exception. Things you wouldn't dream of packing on a trip across state lines can end up ruining your trip if left behind on a journey overseas--or at least costing you much more than anticipated. With a handful of international trip under my belt (and another trip to London tomorrow! Eeeek!) I thought I would share a few of my must-haves for a trip to the UK. 

1. Passport: This one almost goes without saying, but if you don't have a passport, you won't get off the ground. You will need to present your passport (or enter your information online) before boarding your flight, and have it ready at immigration upon arriving in the UK.  The good news is, currently US citizens don't need a visa to visit, so once you have your passport, no additional paperwork is necessary. 

2. Travel pillow: Let's be honest--there's no way to make an airplane seat comfortable, but being able to catch some zzz's (especially on a red eye, my preferred way to go for UK travel) or just having a place to rest your head while watching an in-flight movie makes that 7-8 hour flight infinitely more bearable.

3. Book/e-reader: Back to that 7-8 hour flight....:) Even if you can binge-watch in-flight entertainment & sleep for the duration of your airtime, airport layovers are no fun, and you'll need some way to pass the time. I also tend to read before bed as part of my nighttime routine, and keeping that consistency also helps me combat jet-lag. 

4. Power converter:  Very important: adapters and converters are two different things! Not only are UK/US electrical plugs & outlets different shapes, but they're also on different voltages (120v for US; 220v for UK). Some devices are designed with this in mind; they are "dual voltage" and can be used either place with a simple adapter to make the plug fit. Other devices are 120v only, and using them with an adapter in the UK will cause them to short out (and potentially blow the fuse where you're staying, too)--they need a converter that will change the voltage to 120. When in doubt, use a converter. 

5. UK SIM Card: I know there are a couple of exceptions (Sprint being one), but it's almost always cheaper to order a UK SIM card (they're free from most carriers), have it shipped to the US, and pay for a month's worth of service than to pay for international roaming for less than a week. An example: I have AT&T, and their international day pass is $10/day for limited talk, text, and data--with fees if you go over the allocated amount. For my spring break trip, this would end up costing $70 + tax. I ordered a SIM from giff gaff and paid for an unlimited plan: £25 +tax. The current exchange + tax rate makes that about $37 total--that's just a little over half of what an international day pass would be through my US carrier! The savings get bigger the longer you stay (and honestly, anything less than a week really isn't worth the flight over). There are no contracts; you just pay for a month at a time regardless of how long you stay.  One caveat--your phone has to be unlocked to use an international SIM

6. Visitor Oyster Card: If you're flying into/out of London, or spending any number of days in the city, it's well worth the money to order a Visitor Oyster Card. They will set you back a £5 deposit, and can be used for the Tube and bus services anywhere in London. You put any amount of money you want onto the card, and it allows for price capping that you won't get by buying tickets individually; for example, you can travel anywhere in Zone 1 (the heart of the city) for around £7 per day. Individual tickets vary, but even a one-day travel card starts at £13.10. (The lowest tier one-day travelcards cover Zones 1-4; but price capping for the Visitor Oyster Cards for Zones 1-4 is £10.10, so you're still coming out ahead if you want to travel further). The best thing about the Oyster cards is that any unused portion of the money you've put on the card is refundable (as is the deposit!) and never expires, so you can return the card after you've arrived back home--or just keep it for your next trip. Guess which option I go with? :) 

7. Layers: Midwesterners often make the joke, "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes" and while London isn't that extreme, a multi-day trip can definitely require different kinds of attire. Even in June, we spent one day shivering in our jackets--and two days prior, we were sweating in t-shirts! The best advice: bring a capsule wardrobe made up of layers.  It's also worth noting here that many places in the UK don't have air conditioning--because of the typically mild weather--so it you're heading across the pond in the summer, keep that in mind. 

8. Comfortable shoes: If you're going to the UK, prepare to walk. This is especially true in London, but even smaller cities and towns around the country, parking in city centers is scarce. Unless you have deep pockets and can afford a taxi everywhere you go, you will definitely need some comfortable shoes--and this summer, even with comfy shoes, I ended up buying insoles a few days into the trip for extra support. So if you have a full day of sightseeing planned, definitely prioritize function over form. 

9. Rain jacket or umbrella: Remember how I mentioned that different days in the UK can warrant different kinds of attire? One of those kinds is a rain jacket (or umbrella). There's a valid reason that the British Isles have a reputation for being rainy, and while rainy days are my favorite kind of days, that doesn't mean I want to be soaked if I have to go out in them. 

10. Camera: You didn't think I would forget this, did you? The UK is amazingly varied, and every single part I have been to is breathtakingly beautiful in its own way. If I somehow accidentally left my camera at home on a UK trip, I honestly would probably buy a whole new camera when I got there--not even kidding! It's that important to me to capture my travel memories to my favorite place; there's no place on earth like it. 

If you have any specific questions about traveling in the U.K., please feel free to reach out via the comment section, email widget, or contact tab. There are few things I love more than helping people fall in love with my favorite place!