United Kingdom travel guide for Americans

US citizens do not need a visa for tourism, business, or study visits of up to 6 months to the United Kingdom. However, from 2025, most visitors who do not need a visa will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. The ETA is applied for online, costs £10 (2026 estimate), and is valid for multiple entries over 2 years (check).

If you are planning to work, study long-term, or stay longer than 6 months, you will need a visa. The decision for most American travellers is straightforward: apply for an ETA before booking flights, and you are set for short visits.

US citizens can enter the UK without a visa for tourism, business meetings, and short courses of study, for up to 6 months. You must have a valid US passport, and you may be asked to show proof of funds and a return ticket (check).

From 2025, the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required for most visitors who do not need a visa, including US citizens. Apply online before travel; the ETA costs £10 (2026 estimate) and is valid for multiple entries over 2 years (check). You do not need an ETA if you have a valid UK visa, or if you are a British or Irish citizen (check).

The UK is not part of the Schengen Area, so a US citizen's visa-free time in the UK is separate from any time spent in Schengen countries. A US passport must be valid for the duration of your stay; there is no minimum validity requirement beyond that (check).

The US Embassy in London is at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US. It provides consular services for US citizens, including passport renewals, notarials, and emergency assistance. For other cities, there are US Consulates General in Belfast, Edinburgh, and Manchester (check).

If you lose your passport or need emergency help, contact the embassy or consulate. The embassy website has the most current information on services and appointments.

The UK uses the pound sterling (GBP, £). For US travellers, the exchange rate is roughly £1 = $1.25 (2026 estimate, check). Prices in London are higher than the rest of the country.

A typical daily budget for a US traveller: budget £60–80 ($75–100) for hostels, street food, and public transport; mid-range £120–200 ($150–250) for hotels and sit-down meals; luxury £300+ ($375+) for upscale hotels and dining. These are estimates; actual costs vary.

Direct flights from major US cities (New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami) to London Heathrow (LHR) take about 7–8 hours from the East Coast and 10–11 hours from the West Coast. Other UK airports with US connections include London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), and Edinburgh (EDI) (check).

Flight prices vary by season; summer and December are peak. Use a flight comparison tool to find the best fares. The UK is 5–8 hours ahead of US time zones depending on the season (check).

The UK uses Type G plugs with three rectangular pins, standard voltage 230 V and frequency 50 Hz. US devices (120 V) will need a voltage converter or a dual-voltage device (most phone chargers and laptops are dual-voltage). You will also need a plug adapter for US two-pin plugs.

Tipping is less pervasive than in the US. In restaurants, a service charge of 10–12.5% is often added to the bill; if not, leaving 10–12.5% is customary. In pubs, tipping is not expected, though you can round up for table service. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up, and hotel porters may get £1–2 per bag (check).

In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 for police, fire, or ambulance. For non-urgent medical advice, call NHS 111. For non-urgent police matters, call 101. These numbers are free from any phone (check).