Spending 10 days in London and 5 days in Edinburgh gave me a good feel for what traveling around the UK is actually like. Before the trip, I had the usual questions about transport, safety, payments, and how different things would be compared to the Philippines. After two weeks there, a few practical lessons stood out.
These aren’t dramatic “don’t make this mistake” warnings. Just realistic things I learned that made the trip smoother.
Public Transport Tips and Navigation
Public transport in the UK is efficient, especially in London. The London Underground, buses, and trains are well connected, and you can simply tap your contactless credit card or mobile wallet at the gates. There’s no need to buy paper tickets for every ride unless you prefer to. Just make sure your card doesn’t charge high foreign transaction fees.
You can also use an Oyster Card in London, which is a prepaid travel card that you top up with credit. It works the same way as contactless when tapping in and out, and fares are the same. There’s a daily cap, meaning once you hit a certain spending limit in a day, you won’t be charged more, no matter how many rides you take within the zones covered. The downside is that you need to top it up manually, which can be a bit of a hassle. Contactless is more convenient since it charges automatically, but again, check your bank fees before relying on it.
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| public transportation in Edinburgh |
In Edinburgh, things are much simpler. You’ll mostly rely on buses, and the city centre is very walkable. I walked a lot more in Edinburgh compared to London. If you’re staying centrally, you may not even need transport daily. Bus fares are straightforward, and there’s also a daily cap system if you’re tapping contactless.
For navigation, Google Maps was extremely accurate for me throughout the trip. It gave precise train platforms, bus numbers, and even which exit to take from Underground stations. I relied on it heavily in London, especially when transferring lines, and never had issues with incorrect routes. It made navigating both cities much less intimidating than I expected.
Safety Tips
Overall, I felt safe in both London and Edinburgh. That said, London is a major city, so you still need to be alert, especially in crowded touristy areas and on public transport.
I kept my bag zipped at all times and avoided using my phone near the edge of the pavement. Phone snatching does happen in parts of London, particularly in busy areas. It’s not something to panic about, but it’s something to be aware of.
Edinburgh felt noticeably calmer, especially in the evenings. Still, basic travel awareness applies anywhere.
Money and Payments
The UK is very card-friendly. I used my card for almost everything, including small purchases like coffee. You don’t need to carry large amounts of cash.
Tipping culture is different from the Philippines and the US. Service charge is often already included in restaurant bills, usually around 10 to 12.5 percent. If it’s included, you don’t need to tip extra unless you really want to.
ATMs are easy to find if you do need cash, but honestly, I barely used physical money. In fact, during my two-week trip, I only had about £100 worth of cash on hand.
SIM Cards and Connectivity
I used an eSIM for this trip, and it was one of the most convenient decisions I made. I set everything up before leaving the Philippines, and as soon as I landed and phones were allowed, I simply turned it on and had data immediately. No lining up at airport kiosks, no swapping physical SIM cards.
There are different data options available depending on the provider. You can choose plans with a fixed amount of data per day, unlimited data, or a set total for the duration of your stay. In my case, I chose 20GB for 15 days, which was honestly more than enough.
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| navigating made easy when connected |
Since I was mainly using Google Maps, social media, and messaging apps while out, I never came close to running out. My accommodations had Wi-Fi, and many cafés and restaurants also offered free Wi-Fi. I never had any issues with connectivity throughout the trip.
If your phone isn’t eSIM-capable, you can either buy a local SIM upon arrival or use a travel SIM instead, which is more affordable. You can book the travel SIM online in advance and simply pick it up from the kiosk at NAIA Terminal 3 before your flight, with options like 300MB, 500MB, or 1GB per day. I’ve tried this on a different trip, and it worked really well. It was easy to activate and very convenient.
Weather and Packing
UK weather is unpredictable. Even in summer, I experienced rainy days, warm afternoons, and chilly evenings on the same day. Layering is key. I brought light layers that I could easily remove or put back on. A compact umbrella or light waterproof jacket is also a good idea.
Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable, especially in Edinburgh with its hills and cobbled streets.
Booking Attractions in Advance
For major attractions like the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and the British Museum, or special exhibitions, booking in advance is safer. Some attractions sell out, especially during peak season. In Edinburgh, timed entries for places like Edinburgh Castle and the Real Mary King's Close Tour can also fill up quickly.
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| Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London |
The same goes for transportation between cities. I booked my trains in advance, including my day trips from London to Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, as well as my train from London to Edinburgh. Prices are generally cheaper when booked earlier, and you get more flexibility with seat options. I also booked my flight from Edinburgh back to London ahead of time since it was my connection for my flight back to the Philippines. Having those long-distance transfers secured made the whole trip feel more organised and less stressful.
In short, if something is important to your itinerary, don’t leave it to the last minute. At the same time, I left room in my schedule for spontaneous exploring, which is how I ended up discovering some of my favorite spots.
Traveling around the UK was straightforward and comfortable overall. Once you understand how transport works and adjust to the pacing of the cities, everything feels manageable.
London moves faster and feels busier, while Edinburgh is calmer and more compact. Experiencing both gave me a balanced view of the trip. With a bit of preparation and common sense, it’s a very easy destination to navigate, even for first-time visitors.
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