Below you can click through to read about my experiences of plus-size travel in the British Isles’ different countries. Plus scroll down for practical information on travelling to the British Isles, including Visa and other entry information, luggage storage, how to use the public transport, and more.
What’s the difference between the British Isles and the UK?
The British Isles are made up from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, whereas the UK, which is owned by the British crown, is made up from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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British Isles Travel Advice
Practical information to plan your trip
Entry Requirements
VISA
If you’re a British citizen, or from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you only need a passport to enter anywhere in the British Isles.
If you don’t have a passport issued in any of these countries, you may need a visa to enter. You can check here if you need a visa for the British Isles.
You don’t need any documents to travel from the R.O.I. to Northern Ireland, but you will need a passport to travel from Ireland to England, Scotland or Wales.
Coronavirus
Passengers arriving in the British Isles currently do not need to show proof of COVID vaccination, a negative COVID test, or a certificate of recovery from COVID.
ETIAS Waiver
From Mid-2025, visitors that do not need a visa to enter Europe and the UK will need to register with ETIAS. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will become a mandatory entry requirement.
British Isles Weather
These are the average highs and lows of the temperature in the British Isles throughout the year:
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 4° / 9° | 4° / 9° | 5° / 11° | 7° / 14° | 10° / 17° | 13° / 20° |
| Belfast | 3° / 7° | 3° / 8° | 4° / 9° | 5° / 11° | 7° / 14° | 10° / 17° |
| Dublin | 4° / 8° | 3° / 8° | 4° / 10° | 5° / 12° | 8° / 14° | 10° / 17° |
| Edinburgh | 1° / 6° | 1° / 7° | 2° / 9° | 4° / 11° | 6° / 14° | 9° / 16° |
| Cardiff | 3° / 8° | 3° / 8° | 4° / 10° | 6° / 13° | 9° / 16° | 11° / 18° |
| City | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 15° / 23° | 15° / 22° | 13° / 19° | 10° / 15° | 7° / 11° | 5° / 9° |
| Belfast | 12° / 18° | 12° / 18° | 10° / 16° | 8° / 13° | 5° / 10° | 3° / 8° |
| Dublin | 12° / 19° | 12° / 19° | 10° / 17° | 8° / 14° | 6° / 11° | 4° / 9° |
| Edinburgh | 11° / 18° | 11° / 18° | 9° / 16° | 6° / 13° | 3° / 9° | 2° / 7° |
| Cardiff | 13° / 20° | 13° / 20° | 12° / 18° | 9° / 14° | 6° / 11° | 4° / 8° |
When to visit
July and August are peak season in the British Isles, with long, sunny days, festivals everywhere, and all the British beaches filled with sun-seekers. To avoid crowds, it’s best to visit in the Spring, between late March and early June. The weather is warm, and mostly dry, but be prepared for rainy days – British weather is notoriously temperamental.
Getting around in the British Isles
Trains
The railway network in England, Scotland and Wales is operated by National Rail, and is a popular mode of transport. Tickets are much cheaper if you book in advance, either via National Rail, or a third-party website like thetrainline.com. You can also purchase tickets directly at the station.
The railway and bus network is operated by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland, and Irish Rail in the Republic of Ireland.
Buses
Buses are a cheap and convenient option. Enter through the front door and pay the driver (you may need to use exact change, but in most instances you can use contactless card) for your ticket. In most cases, you can purchase a day ticket for unlimited travel on that day.
You can also travel longer distances by coach, which take longer than trains but are generally a lot cheaper. The two main services for coaches are National Express and Megabus.
London Underground
Also known as ‘The Tube’, the London Underground provides an underground railway service throughout London and into the neighbouring counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex. It’s operated by Transport for London (TFL). You can use their journey planner to work out your travel using the Tube, and also their fare finder to work out the cost of your journey.
The easiest way to get around London is to purchase an Oyster card (£7) and top it up. It can be used to tap in and out of the Tube and London Overground, and tap in on buses and trams. Oyster cards can be bought and topped up from the ticket machines at any Tube or London Overground station. You can also use contactless cards, but foreign cards don’t always work.
Trams
Blackpool, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Tyne and Wear and the West Midlands all have a tram network. You can use your Oyster card in London, and outside of London the main method of payment is by contactless card. In some cities, like Edinburgh, you will need to buy a ticket from a machine before boarding.
Taxis
Taxis are quite expensive, and are generally used for short distances, or late at night when public transport has stopped running. Uber is a popular option in the UK.
Luggage storage
Most of the main train stations in the UK have left luggage services, including London St. Pancras, Birmingham New Street, Edinburgh Waverley, Glasgow Central, Leeds, Liverpool Lime St, and Manchester Piccadilly. The best way to check if a station has a left luggage facility is to look at the website, left-baggage.co.uk. You can also pay online in advance.
Dublin Airport, Manchester Airport, London Stansted, London Gatwick and London Heathrow also have numerous left luggage counters.
Pricing varies from location and storage time, but expect to pay around £7.50 for up to 3 hours, £15 for up to 24 hours, £22 for up to 48 hours, and £30 for up to 72 hours. After 72 hours you’ll pay around £7.50 per day.
Some other luggage storage solutions include Stasher, Nannybag, and Radical Storage, who all offer different locations and pricing options.
Further practical information for travelling in the British Isles
What language is mainly spoken in the British Isles?
English is the official language of the British Isles, but a number of regional languages are also spoken. You may hear Welsh in Wales, Scots and Gaelic in Scotland, Irish in Northern Ireland, Cornish in Corwall, England, and more.
What is the main currency of the British Isles?
The currency of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is the Pound (£). The currency of the Republic of Ireland is the Euro (€).
What is the emergency number in the British Isles?
If you need emergency services in the British Isles, you can dial 999 to ask for an ambulance, fire services, or the police. In a non-emergency, you can call 111 for health care, or 101 to report a crime.
What kind of plug adapter do I need in the British Isles?
You will need a Type G adapter for plugs in the British Isles. The British Isles operates on a 230V supply voltage & 50Hz.
Is the tap water safe to drink in the British Isles?
Yes, the tap water is perfectly safe to drink in the British Isles.
Are public toilets free in the British Isles?
Generally, most public toilets are free to use in the British Isles, but some do charge so make sure to carry a bit of change with you. Department stores, train and bus stations, pubs and hotels all have toilets available for public use, but sometimes you might need to make a small purchase first, especially in a pub or smaller store.
Is there free public wi-fi in the British Isles?
There are lots of free wi-fi spots in the British Isles, including on some public transport. Look for it in places like museums, parks, cafes and other public locations.
Is tipping expected in the British Isles?
While tipping isn’t particularly expected in the British Isles, when tipping serving staff or taxi drivers, it’s normal to round up the bill 5-15% to a convenient number, for example €27 to €30.
What is the drinking age in the British Isles?
The legal age for drinking in the British Isles is 18.
Are there are venomous or dangerous animals in the British Isles?
There isn’t much dangerous wildlife in the British Isles, but you might encounter European adders, ticks, hairy caterpillars, and weever fish depending on where you are. Cows can actually be more dangerous than you think as well, able to kick, charge, or even stampede in herds, but you should be fine if you stick to marked pathways, keep dogs under control, and stay away from new-born calves. Always research the area you’re travelling to, to see if there’s anything there that might pose a threat to you.
Updated 13/06/2024
Looking to book a hotel in the British Isles? Use Booking.com to browse hundreds of hotels in the area you want to stay, using filters like price range, star rating, facilities and much more to find your ideal room. By signing up to their free loyalty program, the more you travel, the more you save, with exclusive discounts, free breakfasts, free room upgrades and more.
Alternatively, Expedia and Hotels.com also offer hotels comparisons, with handy apps which offer exclusive discounts on thousands of hotels, and other rewards when you book.
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