Skip to content
Europe3 regions2 city guides

What to Pack for the United Kingdom

Country-wide essentials plus regional packing for London and Southeast England, the Scottish Highlands, and Wales and the Lake District.

Updated Jun 2026
ShareXFBPinRedditHN
On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Overview
  3. Country essentials
  4. Cultural notes
  5. London and Southeast England
  6. Scotland: Highlands and Edinburgh
  7. Wales, Lake District, and Rural Countryside
  8. Seasonal guide
  9. Packing Tips
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

Regions

3 regions covered

Currency

Pound Sterling (GBP)

Plug type

Type G / 230V

Language

English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic

Pack a real waterproof jacket with a hood, sturdy waterproof shoes, and warm layers. UK weather turns in any season. Bring a Type G plug adapter, three rectangular pins, for 230V outlets. US citizens have needed a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) since 8 January 2025.

Packing for the UK starts with rain. London gets measurable rain on about 110 days a year, and some western spots in the Scottish Highlands hit 250. It falls in any season, sometimes for ten minutes and sometimes all day. So buy a real waterproof jacket, not a water-resistant one. That one call matters more than anything else you pack.

Read more ▾

After the rain, it comes down to where you go. In London the code is smart-casual: dark jeans or tailored trousers, clean sneakers, a knit and a coat. Pubs and theatres rarely want a suit. The Scottish Highlands and the Lake District are different country altogether, the kind of place where merino and Gore-Tex and broken-in boots beat anything you packed to look good.

US citizens have needed a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) since 8 January 2025. You apply before you board a UK-bound flight or Eurostar. It costs 20 GBP, covers you for 2 years or until your passport expires, and most applications clear within minutes on the official gov.uk site or app. The UK runs Type G plugs, three rectangular pins, at 230V and 50 Hz. And it drives on the left.

Country essentials

Plug type

Type G · 230V, 50 Hz

Currency

Pound Sterling (GBP)

Language

English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic

Visa

US citizens have needed a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) since 8 January 2025, for stays up to 6 months. It costs 20 GBP, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and is approved within minutes via the official gov.uk ETA app. It's not a visa. But it's strictly enforced.

SIM / data

Airalo and Holafly eSIMs are the easiest option. EE, O2 and Vodafone sell prepaid SIMs at Heathrow, Gatwick and high-street shops. There's free WiFi in most pubs, cafes and trains.

Tipping

10 to 12.5 percent at sit-down restaurants if service charge is not already added (check the bill carefully). No tipping at pubs when ordering at the bar. Taxi drivers: round up. Hotel porters: 1 to 2 GBP per bag.

Driving side

left

Tap water

Safe to drink

Emergency #

999

Cultural notes and dress codes

  • Queue properly. Jumping a line in the UK is a genuine social offense. Wait your turn at bus stops, ticket counters, and pubs.
  • At pubs, order at the bar and pay when ordered. Table service for drinks is rare. Tipping a bartender is unusual; saying 'and one for yourself' adds a drink to their tab as a thank you.
  • Smart-casual is the default for restaurants, theatres and concerts. Jeans plus a decent shirt or blouse passes almost anywhere outside of Michelin dining and specific private clubs.
  • Theatres in London's West End do not enforce a dress code, but locals typically dress up a little: dark jeans, chinos, a button-down, a dress. Jeans and a band t-shirt will not be refused.
  • Driving is on the left. This matters for pedestrians too. Painted 'LOOK RIGHT' and 'LOOK LEFT' signs at crosswalks in London exist for good reason.
  • Rain is a conversation topic, not a complaint. The national approach is to dress for it and carry on.
  • Tap water is safe and actively encouraged at restaurants. Ask for tap water, not still.
  • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are distinct nations with their own identities. Never call a Scot or Welsh person English.
  • Sunday roast is a real tradition, usually served at pubs 12 to 4 pm. Worth planning at least one.
  • Cash is still accepted but contactless card and Apple Pay/Google Pay are dominant nationwide. Even small food stalls and buses go cashless.

London, Windsor, Canterbury, Brighton, the Cotswolds, and Oxford. Dense city life, palaces, pubs, theatre and easy day trips.

Climate: Temperate oceanic. Mild wet winters (35 to 48 F), mild summers (60 to 75 F, occasional 90+ heat waves), rain possible year-round averaging 600 mm a year. Short winter days (sunset at 4 pm in December).

  • Waterproof shell
  • Smart-casual pub and theatre wear
  • Dark layers
  • Waterproof walking shoes
  • Compact umbrella

🧥Clothing

Essentials

  • Waterproof rain jacket with hood (Real Gore-Tex or equivalent; not water-resistant)
  • Warm mid-layer (fleece or merino)
  • Dark jeans or chinos x2
  • Blouses or button-downs x4

Nice to Have

  • Sweater or knit x2
  • Smart-casual outfit for theatre/nice dinner (West End shows do not require formal wear but locals dress up a little)
  • Light scarf and beanie (Oct-Apr)

👞Footwear

Essentials

  • Waterproof walking shoes or boots

Nice to Have

  • Smart shoes for evening out
  • Wool or synthetic socks x5

🎒Day Bag and Accessories

Essentials

  • Crossbody bag or backpack with zipper
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Contactless-enabled debit/credit card (Works at every Tube gate and bus tap reader)

Nice to Have

  • Compact umbrella

🔌Electronics and Documents

Essentials

  • UK Type G plug adapter x2
  • Passport + printed UK ETA confirmation (US citizens have needed an ETA since 8 January 2025)

Nice to Have

  • Power bank (10,000 mAh)
  • Pre-booked theatre, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey tickets

When to visit and what changes by season

Spring (Mar-May)

March to May · 40-62°F

Variable and often beautiful. Daffodils and bluebells through April and May. Rain likely, snow possible in Scotland through April. Long days lengthen fast.

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Layers
  • Warm hat
  • Waterproof shoes

Summer (Jun-Aug)

June to August · 55-75°F

Mild and green. Occasional heat waves hit 90+ F in London. Long daylight (4 am to 10 pm in Scotland in June). Midge season in Scottish Highlands.

  • Light rain shell
  • Layers
  • Midge net (Scotland)
  • Sunglasses

Fall (Sep-Nov)

September to November · 40-60°F

Crisp and rainy. Highlands are stunning with autumn color in October. Stormy November with the first frosts. Clocks go back late October, sunset by 4:30 pm.

  • Warm layers
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Beanie
  • Waterproof boots

Winter (Dec-Feb)

December to February · 30-48°F

Short dark days, damp cold, occasional snow (more in Scotland and the Pennines). London rarely freezes for long. Christmas markets in late November through December.

  • Warm coat
  • Scarf and gloves
  • Waterproof boots
  • Thermal base layer

Packing tips for United Kingdom

  1. 1Pack a real waterproof jacket with a hood and taped seams. Water-resistant is not enough for the UK.
  2. 2Layer with merino or synthetic base layers. Cotton stays wet once it is wet.
  3. 3Bring waterproof walking shoes or boots. Wet boots on day three ruin the rest of the trip.
  4. 4Compact umbrella or packable rain jacket in your day bag every day, all year.
  5. 5A Type G adapter is mandatory. UK plugs are uniquely large with three rectangular pins and no other plug will physically fit.
  6. 6Apply for your UK ETA at least 3 working days before travel via the official gov.uk site or app, and avoid the third-party paid sites.
  7. 7Oyster card or contactless card for London Transport. Apple Pay or Google Pay at the gate also works fine.
  8. 8Pack a lightweight scarf and hat for spring and fall. North Atlantic wind cuts through layers.

Frequently asked questions

Do US citizens need a visa for the UK?
Not a visa, but you still need one. Since 8 January 2025, US citizens must hold a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before boarding any UK-bound flight or Eurostar, and it's tied to your passport. It costs 20 GBP and lasts 2 years, or until your passport expires. Apply on the official UK ETA app or gov.uk at least 3 working days out. Most come back within minutes.
What plug adapter do I need in the UK?
The UK uses Type G plugs, and only Type G: three large rectangular pins in a triangle. Nothing else fits the socket. Buy a Type G adapter before you go. The UK runs on 230V at 50 Hz, so dual-voltage devices (check the label for 100-240V) work fine with just that adapter. Single-voltage US hair tools will burn out.
How should I prepare for UK rain?
Start with a real waterproof jacket, taped seams and a hood. Water-resistant won't cut it. Add waterproof walking shoes or boots for anything off London pavement, and a compact umbrella in your day bag for sudden showers. Merino base layers and synthetic midlayers stay warm when damp. Skip cotton.
Is the UK cash or card?
Card, overwhelmingly. Contactless (tap) debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay work almost everywhere including buses, the Tube, food trucks, and small shops. Cash is still accepted but many places are cashless by choice. A US credit card with no foreign transaction fee is the cleanest option. Notify your bank before travel.
Do I tip in the UK?
Much less than in the US. Restaurants: 10 to 12.5 percent for sit-down service if a service charge is not already on the bill (always check). Pubs: no tip when you order at the bar. Taxis: round up. Hotel porters: 1 to 2 GBP per bag. Cafes: drop coins in a tip jar if you liked the service. American-style 20 percent is unnecessary.
What should I wear to a West End theatre?
There's no enforced dress code. Locals dress smart-casual: dark jeans or chinos with a nice top, a button-down, or a dress. You won't be turned away in sneakers and a hoodie, but you might feel underdressed. Same rules for most London dinners. Full formal wear is only required at a handful of Michelin-level private clubs.
Is tap water safe to drink in the UK?
Yes, across the entire UK. London tap water is hard (high mineral content) but completely safe. Restaurants are legally required to provide free tap water if they serve alcohol. Carry a refillable bottle. Public refill stations are common in city centers.
How do I deal with driving on the left?
The driver sits on the right, the passenger on the left, and traffic goes clockwise around roundabouts. Rural roads are narrow, hemmed in by hedgerows and stone walls. An automatic rental costs more, but it's worth it if you're new to driving on the left. And watch for the 'LOOK RIGHT' signs at London crosswalks. They're painted there because tourists get hit.
What are midges and how do I avoid them in Scotland?
Highland midges are tiny biting flies that swarm in the Scottish Highlands from early June through mid September. They're worst at dawn and dusk, and in still, damp air. Deet doesn't really work on them. The standard defense is a midge head net plus a locally-made repellent called Smidge or Avon Skin So Soft. A coastal breeze or higher ground keeps them down.
When is the best time to visit the UK?
May, June and September are the sweet spot: mild weather, long days, fewer crowds than July-August. July and August are warmest and most crowded. December brings atmospheric Christmas markets and short dark days. Scotland's Highlands are prime in May-June (before midges) and October (autumn color). Avoid late January-February in the north unless you want rain and early sunsets.

City packing lists in United Kingdom

Related countries

Destination guides in United Kingdom

Build Your Custom Packing List

Use PackSmart to create a personalized packing list for United Kingdom based on your trip dates, activities, and style.

Try PackSmart Free