The UK and Ireland have entranced potential travellers for decades, with their iconic cities, beautiful landscapes, vast history and interesting places to visit. Though many visitors to this lovely area of the world concentrate solely on the capital cities of London, Edinburgh or Dublin, there really is so much more to see in such a seemingly small area.
Because of how much ground visitors have the potential to cover, planning a trip to the UK and Ireland can prove to be a difficult, especially if you try to pack far too much in too short a period of time.
If you’re trying to plan the perfect trip to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, then you’ve come to the right place. This travel guide is made to direct you to all of the best tips and tricks for visiting these incredible countries and to help you plan the best trip possible!
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Table of Contents
Countries
If you know which countries in the UK and Ireland you plan to visit — of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland — then make sure to browse through our country-specific information to find all of our articles.
The guide below includes some of our top articles and guides on a number of different destinations within the region, however, if you want some more niched information, then make sure to click on the country squares below to find everything you may need!
Planning a Route
Planning a route through the UK and Ireland can be met with a number of challenges. Where do you go? And how long do you spend in each place?
There are so many incredible destinations within the region that it can be frustratingly difficult to map out the ideal itinerary for you and your travel style, especially if you only have a limited amount of time to play around with.
Luckily for you, we have spent a lot of time both living in the UK and travelling through England Wales, Scotland and Ireland and know where to go, how long to spend and more.
So whether you’re looking to do a stand-alone trip to England or want a longer route through the entire region, we have you covered. Make sure to browse the articles below to figure out the perfect route for your trip to the UK & Ireland!
Places to Visit in the UK & Ireland
Though it can seem like the United Kingdom and Ireland encompass only a small area, there are so many incredible places to visit that it is absolutely impossible to cram it into one short trip to the region.
To help you plan where to go and what to see while visiting Ireland and the UK, have a look through the sections below to find all of the information you may need when it comes to planning the logistics of your British or Irish adventure!
Top Places to Visit
If you want to find the best information on some of the top places to visit in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and beyond, then look no further than these fantastic guides! Whether you want to maximise your time in one of the region’s vibrant cities or want to explore the pristine nature of the countryside, we have you covered.
Deciding Where to Go
If you’re short on time and don’t know what to cull from your itinerary, we are here to help you out. Though it’s always preferable to visit everywhere that you want, sometimes that’s not practical.
If you can’t decide between some major destinations in the UK and Ireland, then make sure to look through the articles below in order to help make your choices a little bit easier.
Day Trips
If you want to see a lot of the UK without having to sleep in a new destination every single night, then taking day trips from an established base is always a great idea.
Especially from the dynamic capital of London (and from other cities, too!), there are countless great day trips to take that will give you a holistic view of the UK without exhausting your itinerary!
Road Trips
Though Ireland and the UK are blessed with great public transportation systems, if you want to get a bit off the beaten path or just want the ultimate flexibility in your itinerary, then renting a car and going on a road trip is an excellent option.
If you want some inspiration about some of the best road trips in the United Kingdom and the Emerald Isle, then make sure to have a look at all of the fantastic road trips linked below.
Best Time to Visit the UK & Ireland
Many potential visitors to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland often wonder when the best time of year to visit is. A geographical region not particularly known for its great weather, is there really an optimal time of year to visit?
The short answer is yes, some seasons are better than others to travel through the UK and Ireland, however, you shouldn’t expect to avoid the inevitable rain and chill that will sneak up on you even in the height of summer.
Keeping that in mind, summer is the most popular time to visit and that is when you will get the longest days and the warmest temperatures.
Obviously, temperatures can differ depending on where you are — areas like Cornwall in the south of England are going to be far warmer than, say, Orkney off the north coast of Scotland. However, don’t expect scorching hot temperatures. Highs that land somewhere around 20-25°C (68-77°F) are going to be commonplace throughout the months of June-August in both Ireland and England, Scotland and Wales.
While you’re more likely to experience some sunny days, keep in mind that you should still very much be prepared for rain during the summer months. The summer is also when crowds are at their peak and prices for things like accommodation are also at their highest.
Conversely, winter in the UK and Ireland is cold, wet and dark. Though you’re not going to see arctic temperatures, highs do hover around freezing and you also need to be prepared for the sun to set by around 3:30 to 4PM, depending on where you are.
Visiting in the autumn or spring can be great options, with the autumn generally having more consistently warm temperatures than spring, but both seasons are fairly mild and pleasant.
Crowds are also thinner than those of the summer months and the days are longer than in the winter, so the month of March-May and September-November can be an excellent time to visit.
Regardless of when you choose to take your trip, you’re going to need to make sure that you have the proper clothing and shoes. Make sure to browse the articles below to ensure that you’re prepared for your trip!
Cost of Travelling to the UK & Ireland
The UK and Ireland aren’t necessarily known to be the most affordable of destinations to visit, with prices being quite high in a number of areas.
However, many don’t know just how much a trip can cost them and tend to assume that it will cost a lot more than it needs to. We’re here to tell you that you don’t have to break the bank in order to have an excellent trip to this magical region of the world!
If you’re interested in the average cost of a trip to the UK and Ireland, have a look at the articles below. We’ve outlined the prices in England, Scotland and Ireland along with guides to their capital cities so you are not blind-sighted by the costs of travelling here.
Transportation in the UK & Ireland
Getting around the UK and Ireland can be a bit of a mixed bag, especially depending on your budget and travel preferences.
Many people think that they can just take the train absolutely everywhere and, while the rail network is extensive, this isn’t the most practical of options if you’re travelling throughout rural Ireland, Scotland and even parts of England where rail connections are thin.
If you’re keen to save money, then the bus can be a good option, however, they can also be slow and, again, don’t cover rural destinations as well as they could.
Renting a car is an excellent way to get around England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, especially if you want the flexibility and ease of having your own mode of transport.
Accommodation in the UK & Ireland
Figuring out where you’re going to stay during your trip Ireland and the UK can be a tricky choice as there are so many options available. However, it is also a blessing to all kinds of travellers as you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.
Whether you want to travel in the height of luxury and stay in high-end hotels (or even a castle!) or would rather pinch your pennies by staying in a hostel dorm, you’re sure to find something that suits you and your travel style in the UK and Ireland. Though the more rural you go, the luxury options may thin out a bit, you will almost always find a hostel and a comfortable bed and breakfast to rest your head in.
Airbnb can also be a great option in the region, both when it comes to saving money (especially if you opt for private rooms in the major cities like London, Dublin or Edinburgh), or even if you’re looking for unique accommodation options, or simply a cosy private flat to have to yourself. All in all, you’re really spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in both Ireland and the UK.
If you want to know about the best places to stay in some of the top cities in the UK, then have a look at the articles below to help you out!
Planning a trip to England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland can seem a bit daunting, especially when confronted with all of the amazing places to visit and all of the options available for you. Though it is impossible to pack everything you may wish into a short trip, there is no denying that it is an incredible region to visit and you will create memories for many years to come.