Travel to the UK So you have finally got the green light your UK travel visa has come through and you’re ready to set on your travels from Thailand. But wait…Oh no the next problem, what should I pack for a stay in the UK?
What Do I need, What don’t I need, What clothes, What documents? these will just be a few of the ‘burning’ questions you will be asking yourself. Wait there is help at hand…
To help you with the task of packing for a trip to the UK please see the Handy checklists and tips below to help you plan your trip without forgetting a thing. Our packing lists are designed for your peace of mind – so you can leave on your trip well prepared.
Firstly before we get carried away with what clothes should I pack, there are a few essentials you should arrange to pack first…
Essentials
Travel Essentials Lets Make Sure You have Everything!
• Valid visa to enter the UK
• ID card
• Airline ticket or E-ticket
• Any Reservation numbers: hotel and car rental
• Money: both local and foreign currency
• Credit cards or debit cards
• House keys for home
• A valid passport
• Your accommodation details in the UK (full address and contact number)
What About The UK Climate?
Weather in the UK is unpredictable, to say the least. And although we don’t get the extreme heat or cold you to find in other places, it’s not uncommon to go through some sun, rain and 10-degree temperature changes in the same day. So layering is the key when packing for a trip to the UK, whether in summer or winter. Yet despite popular opinion there is a difference between the two here!
Clothes:
- Jeans – although some travelers are anti-jeans, I like to have mine as they are so comfortable and they’re useful if it’s cold. Plus they can be dressed up with a nice top for nights out.
- Non-denim trousers – jeans aren’t so great in the rain so it’s good to have another option which will dry out more quickly.
Long-sleeved t-shirts – keep you warm in winter and keep the sun off in summer. - Tank tops – for layering under the long-sleeved tops in winter and wearing on their own in summer.
Everyday t-shirt - Fleece – good for colder days or evenings.
- Smarter tops – if you’re going to be in cities, it’s nice to be able to dress up a bit for a night out.
- Seven pairs of underwear and four bras (black and flesh-colored) – so you only need to do laundry once a week.
- Seven pairs of socks – more during winter than summer.
- Waterproof jacket – a lightweight or fold-up one is good so it doesn’t take up much room and can be stashed in your day bag in case of one of those unexpected showers.
If You Travel To The UK In Winter Add Much Warmer clothes!
- Pair’s of leggings – comfortable for long bus or train journeys, to sleep in or as an extra layer under trousers if it gets really cold.
long-sleeved dresses – smarter than jeans and a fleece, this is good teamed with leggings when exploring cities. - jumpers (aka sweater)
- Scarf and gloves
- Or in summer add:
- Pairs of shorts – for exploring by day.
- Summer dresses – can be dressed up in the evenings.
- Cardigan – to cover up on cool nights.
Shoes:
1 pair of walking shoes/trainers
1 pair of smart shoes
1 pair of flat ballet pumps – for smarter evenings - Plus in winter add a pair of flat boots (keep the rain and cold off and look a bit smarter than trainers) and in summer add a pair of flip-flops/sandals.
- Toiletries:
- It’s easy to buy toiletries in the UK – both in chemists (pharmacies) and supermarkets. Most places offer their own-brand generic versions of things like shampoo, conditioner, and medicines, which are cheaper. Obviously, everyone has their own must-haves, but to start you off:
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap/shower gel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Moisturiser
- Deodorant
- Razor
- Hairbrush and hairbands
- Sunscreen (more in summer, in winter you might be able to get away with a moisturizer with SPF)
- Basic medical kit (painkillers, plasters etc)
- Insect repellent if you are going to Scotland, the midges can be a nightmare!
Technical stuff - This depends on how connected you want to be travel bloggers end up carrying around laptops and portable hard drives but most people won’t need them.
- Adaptor plugs the UK has its own 3-pin plugs so an adaptor from the rest of Europe won’t work here, and you may need a voltage adapter for electrical’s from the US.
- Smartphone – if you don’t want to pay roaming charges you can get free wifi in most places.
iPod/another music player for long journeys - Camera –A download cable and memory stick to back up when you get a chance.
Other: - Umbrella – to be carried around at all times, just in case!
- Hairdryer – a compact hairdryer’s a good idea in winter if you’ve got long hair as there’s nothing worse than wandering around in the cold with wet hair.
Oyster card and Tube map – if you’re visiting London, get an Oyster card to save on travel costs. You can buy them and pick up Tube maps in any underground station.
Baggage allowance
For this it is advisable to check with the airline directly as to your allowance, however, a typical international baggage allowance consists of 30 kg of checked in baggage (in the aircraft hold) and around 7 kg for the hand baggage do your homework before you travel to the UK.
Links & useful information before you set off to the UK :
London Heathrow airport guide & useful information for people who travel to the UK – London heathrow
How to renew your passport from overseas, British passport renewal. If you require a British passport renewal from overseas then you will need to visit the overseas passport office. Details on obtaining a passport for your child from overseas can be found here.