Do you want to travel to the UK from the US as a tourist? I’ll be showing you budget-friendly things you can do while in the country.
Having a US passport comes with a lot of privileges. One of them is that you can travel to many countries, for a short period, without a visa. The UK is one of the countries American passport holders can visit without a visa.
The UK is one of the best tourist destinations in Europe, topped only by countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. It’s also one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Hence, if you want to travel from the US to the UK, it is best to have a budget so you don’t overspend.
Nevertheless, you should still have fun, so here are 7 budget-friendly things to do as a tourist in the UK:
- Watch a soccer match
Football – soccer – is huge in Europe, and the UK takes center stage. The English Premier League is the best soccer league in the world. You’ll find the home ground of top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City in England.
If you’re a soccer fan, watching a soccer match is one of the best things to do as a tourist in the UK. The cost of match-day tickets can be as low as £30. However, games involving two big clubs can cost up to £80. Ultimately, you won’t spend up to £100 ($125). There are usually multiple soccer matches each weekend.
- Visit the Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge is one of the 4 most famous bridges in the world – the other 3 being the Golden Gate Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge in the US and the Ponte Vecchio in Italy. If you ever visit the UK, you shouldn’t miss visiting this monumental bridge.
Notably, the 128-year-old bridge is an ideal tourist site if you’re traveling with your family. You can purchase a family ticket (maximum 4 persons) for £22. In contrast, an adult ticket cost £11.40 while children’s and student tickets cost £5.70 and £8.60 respectively. What more? You can take wonderful family photos.
- Experience Harry Potter
Most parts of the movie, Harry Potter, were shot in the United Kingdom – other parts in Ireland. In total, there are 13 Harry Potter film locations in the UK you can visit. The most prominent, however, is the Alnwick Castle – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’d want to visit the location where the young wizard mastered his spells. You can even take a broomstick lesson in the same place where Harry Potter first rode his. The castle is located in Northumberland, a county in northern England. You pay around £62 to tour the castle with your family.
- Visit the Churchill War Rooms
Here’s a budget-friendly tourist destination to visit if you’re a fan of history. The Churchill War Rooms, now a museum, were the secret underground headquarters where the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, operated during WW2. It’s located in London.
At this location, you can experience firsthand the activities of the British army during the world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. You’ll be standing on the same ground where some of the war’s most crucial decisions were made. Ticket prices range from £26 to £29 for adults and £13 to £14 for children between 5 to 15. It’s free for children under 5.
- View London from the Sky Garden
You get a 360-degree panorama view of one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and the country’s capital when you visit the Sky Garden. It’s literally a garden in the sky, located at the top of the Walkie Talkie building 160 meters above street level.
From the Sky Garden, you can see the Shard, The Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, NatWest Tower, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, to name a few. It’s an ideal option if you don’t have the time to tour around the UK; simply view everything from one spot.
What more? Visiting the Sky Garden is free. You can visit from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 11 am to 9 pm on weekends.
- Tour the Stonehedge
Stonehedge is a popular historical landmark in England. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded during the Bronze Age, is estimated to be about 5,000 years old. Despite its prestige, it’s a very affordable location to visit.
You can purchase a ticket to tour Stonehedge for £22 to £22. For children between 5 to 17, tickets cost £12 to £13. Furthermore, there are family tickets for £32 to £35 (1 adult and up to 3 children) and £52 to £57 (2 adults with up to 3 children).
- Go Hiking
If you hike regularly in the US, you have a chance to experience new surroundings when you visit the UK. There are lots of hiking trails in the UK and many affordable ones. Most of these hikes have a rich history, not to mention the beautiful countryside.
Some examples include England’s Coast to Coast Trail, South West Coastal Path, Dorset and Wessex Trails, The Dales Way, The South Downs Way, and Hadrian’s Wall Trail. These are some of the UK’s best affordable hiking trails.
Traveling From US To UK
If you’re traveling from the US to the UK for tourism purposes, you don’t need a visa. You can stay in the country for up to 6 months. However, you must meet the UK entry requirements for Americans. Primarily, you must have a US passport that remains valid throughout your stay. UK immigration officers will check your passport at the port of entry. If you are unsure of all the requirements, you may seek advice from Total Law immigration lawyers who are highly experienced in the US and UK travel and immigration laws.
Furthermore, you should have the finances to support your stay and must leave the country at the end of your visit. If you plan to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, for any reason, you must apply for a visa. You can consult UK immigration lawyers for advice on the best visa for your circumstance.