UK Trip Planner: Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Trip

💰 Step 2 – Decide on your budget

Before you dive into booking, it’s important to have a clear idea of your travel budget. The UK can be expensive, especially in big cities like London, but there are ways to manage costs and still have an amazing experience.

Accommodation, transport, food, and entry fees all add up, so think about how much you’re comfortable spending per day. As a rough guide:

• Budget Travel: £70–£100 per person per day
  • Suitable for hostel stays, budget meals, and public transport
• Mid-Range Travel: £150–£200 per person per day
  • Covers 3-star hotels, dining at mid-range restaurants, and entry to popular attractions.
• Luxury Travel: £250–£350+ per person per day
  • Includes 4- to 5-star accommodations, fine dining, private tours, and premium transportation.

These estimates exclude flights and accommodation, but they’ll give you a general idea.

Good to know:

✅ There are lots of free attractions in cities like London
✅ Public transport is usually cheaper than hiring a car
✅ Booking early can save you money on trains, tours and hotels
✅ Discount passes like the London Pass or English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass might be worth it if you’re visiting lots of attractions

Need help working it all out? Check out our guide – How much does it cost to visit the UK?

🔍 Step 3 – Start your research

Now that you’ve figured out when you’re going and how much you want to spend, it’s time to start researching where to go and what to see.

This can feel like the most overwhelming part of planning, but it doesn’t have to be. Use our website to explore destinations, check out suggested itineraries, and gather inspiration from travellers who’ve done it all before.

Things to consider:

• What are your must-see places or experiences?
• Are there any events or festivals on while you’re there?
• Which airport will you fly into and out of?
• Do you prefer to move around frequently or stick to a few key locations?

🎧 Prefer to listen while planning?
Tune into the UK Travel Planning Podcast for itinerary tips, interviews, and real-life trip reports.

Need help narrowing things down?
Join our UK Travel Planning Facebook group where over 23,000+ members ask questions, share advice, and compare itineraries.

🛂 Step 4 – Check your passport and any visa requirements

Before booking anything, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip. Some nationalities require at least six months’ validity to enter the UK, so check this in advance.

Most visitors from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can enter the UK as a tourist for up to six months without a visa. However, the UK is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement, so it’s important to check whether this applies to you.

👉 Find out if you need an ETA and apply online

If you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, or any other country, entry rules vary. Always check the latest guidance before travelling.

👉 View full UK visa and entry requirements

You can also check your own country’s travel advisory site for up-to-date advice:

• New Zealand – safetravel.govt.nz

• USA – travel.state.gov

• Canada – travel.gc.ca

• Australia – smartraveller.gov.au

🗺️ Step 5: Where Should I Go?

Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices? You’re not alone. Here’s how to keep it simple.

🎯 Pick 2 to 4 base destinations
Then build in day trips or nearby add-ons if you have time.

📍 Popular Bases for First-Time Visitors

Destination	Why Go?
London	Iconic sights, museums, history, theatre, markets
Cotswolds	Countryside villages, cosy pubs, scenic walks
Bath	Roman Baths, spa culture, Georgian architecture
York	Medieval charm, York Minster, cobbled streets
Edinburgh	Castles, views, historic Old Town, bagpipes optional!
Lake District	Nature, lakes, walking trails, Beatrix Potter vibes
Scottish Highlands	Dramatic scenery, lochs, castles, wildlife
Wales	Castles, mountains, national parks, coastal beauty

💡 Less is more. A few well-chosen destinations = a more relaxed, memorable trip.

🔗 Need inspiration?

• Browse our Destination Guides for itinerary ideas, travel tips, and local highlights.
• 🎧 Prefer to listen? Check out our podcast for real trip reports and expert tips.

📝 Want more help building your itinerary?

• Read our full guide: How to Plan Your UK Itinerary

✈️ Step 6: Book Your Flights and Travel Insurance

Now that you’ve got a rough itinerary in mind, it’s time to book two of the most important things — your flights and your travel insurance.

✈️ Booking Flights

Flights can take a big chunk of your budget, so it’s smart to book early for the best prices and availability.

• Consider flying into one city and out of another (e.g. arrive in London, depart from Edinburgh) if it suits your route
• Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to track price changes
• Midweek flights often have better fares and fewer crowds

💡 Airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh are the most common entry points for overseas travellers.

🧾 Don’t Skip Travel Insurance

Even if your trip is short, travel insurance can be a lifesaver, covering medical costs, trip cancellations, delays, and lost baggage.

For US-based travellers, we recommend Travel Insurance Master.
For Australian-based travellers, check out Cover-More.

Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. You should always seek your own professional advice that takes into account your personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. We always encourage our readers to compare options when it comes to financial products.
Read our full disclosure.

Read – Best booking sites for UK travel

🏨 Step 7: Book Your Accommodation

There’s a huge range of places to stay in the UK, from cosy B&Bs and boutique hotels to cottages, apartments, and even castles. Whatever your style or budget, you’ll find something that fits.

We recommend Booking.com for hotels and apartments across the UK. It’s what we use ourselves — the site is easy to use, and we always choose properties with free cancellation for peace of mind.

For self-catering stays like cottages in the Cotswolds, cabins in the Lake District, or apartments in London, VRBO is another great option.

💡 Prefer a B&B? Breakfast is included, and you’ll usually get fantastic local tips from your hosts.

🛏️ Accommodation Tips to Keep in Mind:

• Book early for popular destinations like Skye and Edinburgh during the Fringe
• Staying central in cities saves time and transport costs
• Check what’s important to you, air conditioning, lifts, or ground-floor rooms aren’t guaranteed in older buildings
• Free cancellation can offer flexibility if plans change

Not sure where to start?

• Where to Stay in London
• England Accommodation Guide
• Scotland Accommodation Guide
• Wales Accommodation Guide

Step 8 – Book transport

Whether you’re travelling by train, car, coach, or ferry – now’s the time to start booking your transport.

🚖 Getting Around London

If you’re flying into London, it’s essential to understand your transportation options from the start. We don’t recommend hiring a car in the city. London’s traffic and limited parking make it far easier to get around by Tube, bus, or black cab.

• Consider a Visitor Oyster Card or using a contactless card to pay for public transport.
• For airport transfers, we recommend:
  • ✅ XFA Cars – Private Transfers in London and Beyond

Read our complete guide>> How to Get Around London Using Public Transport

🚗 Renting a Car in the UK

Hiring a car is a great way to explore the UK especially if you’re heading to rural areas like the Cotswolds, Cornwall, the Lake District, or the Scottish Highlands.

We recommend comparing prices with Discover Cars, which shows you deals from all major rental companies.

🚗 First time driving in the UK?
Tripiamo is brilliant for first-time UK drivers. Their visual driving guides are made for international travellers and walk you through everything step by step.

🚦 Key Things to Know About Driving in the UK

• Drive on the left-hand side of the road
• Most cars are manual (automatics cost more)
• Everyone must wear a seatbelt by law
• Fuel is petrol or diesel – double-check before filling up!
• Fuel is expensive, so plan your budget accordingly
• Roundabouts are common – give way to the right
• Mobile phones cannot be used while driving
• Speed cameras are everywhere – stick to the limit
• Children under 12 or under 135cm must use a car seat

🚗 Parking Tips

• Parking charges are common in cities, towns and tourist areas
• Park and Ride services can save time and hassle

🚆 Travelling by Train

Trains are a fantastic way to travel the UK, and it’s our favourite way to get around.

✅ Use National Rail Enquiries and the Trainline to compare prices and buy tickets.

Popular routes:

• London to Edinburgh – 4.5 hrs
• London to York – 2 hrs
• London to Cardiff – 2 hrs

🚆 Need help planning rail routes?

• 📘 Grab our UK Train Travel Guide — written by Doug, who worked in the rail industry for 25+ years.

• 🛌 Consider the Caledonian Sleeper if you want to travel overnight between London and Scotland.

🚌 Coaches & Buses

If you’re on a tight budget, coaches are a great option.

• 🚌 National Express serves over 1,200 destinations
• 🧾 Book via Trainline for coach vs. train comparisons

Expect longer journey times, but much lower prices.

✈️ Internal Flights

Flying is sometimes worth it if you’re covering a lot of ground. But do factor in:

• Airport transfers and wait times
• Baggage fees
• Airport distance from city centres

⛴️ Taking Ferries

Ferries are essential if you plan to visit:

• Scottish Islands – CalMac & Northlink Ferries
• Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Scilly Isles
• Ireland – from England, Wales, or Scotland

🎫 Book at Direct Ferries

🧭 Learn more: Complete Guide to UK Transportation

🎟️ Step 9: Book Key Attractions in Advance

Some of the UK’s most popular sights and experiences sell out fast, especially during summer, school holidays, and festivals.

We always recommend booking ahead for:

✅ Major London attractions
– Tower of London
– Westminster Abbey
– London Eye
– Harry Potter Studio Tour
– Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London

✅ Edinburgh highlights
– Edinburgh Castle
– The Royal Yacht Britannia
– Underground walking tours
– Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (during August)

✅ Stonehenge and Roman Baths
– Both offer timed-entry tickets and can sell out days in advance.

✅ Afternoon tea & dining experiences
– Popular restaurants, afternoon teas, and special food tours often require reservations (especially in London).

🎧 Want Help Choosing?

• We cover popular attractions, how to save money, and what’s worth it in our UK Travel Planning podcast.

💳 Tip: Look into Passes

Consider a multi-attraction pass like:
🎫 The London Pass — includes entry to 80+ attractions
🎫 The English Heritage Pass — great for castles and stately homes