Book cheap flights to The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s climate sees its north side being colder than its south side. Low season is in the winter (November – March), but all you could look forward to would be low hotel rates and no crowds. Cold and wet conditions see many of this sovereign state’s attractions closed. If you’re visiting Scotland for some skiing, or are planning to explore the magnificent mountains and other attractions of Snowdonia in Wales, however, the winter is a good time to go. April through May (spring) brings more sunny days and warmer weather, but wind speed tends to pick up. Visit the United Kingdom during these months to avoid the tourist rush of the summer season (June – August) and bring a heavy jacket for the wind. The summer is the most popular time to visit, despite plenty of overcast days. Besides the superb weather conditions, school holidays take place as well, meaning crowded attractions. The autumn (September – October) is a risky time to go to the United Kingdom. The warm conditions of the summer still prevail during September, but the oncoming winter season means the latter part of this season begins to get dark and gloomy, with increased rain and plenty of overcast days. The volume of tourists decreases during this time, so if you’re willing to brave the increasing cold and wet conditions, you’ll have lower hotel rates and a calmer time in the United Kindgom.

You will need a UK visa to enter the United Kingdom. Visa processing can take at least two weeks, so it would be best to make your applications well in advance of your departure date.

Save time and money by applying for your UK visa online. Visit the Access UK website for more information, or see this guide on how to apply for your UK visa.

The High Commission of South Africa is in London.

Address: South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP, UK

Phone: 44 20 7451 7299

Before you depart for the United Kingdom, make sure to receive all the routine vaccinations. Getting additional vaccines and medication is dependent on your activities during your time in the United Kingdom.

Diseases that you should guard against include: Hepatitis A (transmitted through contaminated food and water); Hepatitis B (transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products); Rabies (transmitted through the bites of infected mammals, such as dogs and bats).

Avoid exploring the cities of the United Kingdom at night. Although there is a police presence, it would be wise to remain vigilant.

Dining out around the time of a football match can get dangerous, as fans tend to get rowdy during the match and may start fights. Avoid wearing any football club shirts or showing support to a team. Some establishments ban patrons from wearing team shirts to prevent any altercations.

Should you rent a car, always make sure the doors are locked when leaving it, and park in busy, well-lit areas. When locking your valuables in the boot, make sure to do it before reaching your destination to avoid alerting any potential thieves.

The United Kingdom offers one of the richest and most varied accommodation landscapes in the world, from grand country house hotels and five-star city properties to the institutions that define British travel culture. The bed and breakfast — a family-run guesthouse typically including a full cooked breakfast — is one of the UK’s most beloved and enduring accommodation traditions, found everywhere from remote Scottish glens and Yorkshire market towns to Cornish fishing villages and Welsh coastal paths. Alongside B&Bs, a thriving culture of self-catering holiday cottages makes the UK one of Europe’s leading self-catering destinations; from thatched Cotswold cottages and Norfolk barn conversions to Highland lodges and Pembrokeshire clifftop retreats, there are tens of thousands of properties available across the country.

Budget travellers are well served by major chains including Premier Inn and Travelodge, which together operate thousands of reliable, affordable rooms across the UK. Mid-range and upmarket travellers will find international brands including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Accor joined by a strong domestic boutique hotel scene. For something distinctly British, pubs with rooms and historic coaching inns offer atmospheric stays often combined with excellent food — a particularly appealing option in rural England. The UK also has a well-established glamping sector, with shepherds’ huts, treehouses, yurts, and converted windmills available through platforms such as Canopy and Stars and Unique Homestays.

In London, the most popular bases for visitors are the West End neighbourhoods of Covent Garden, Soho, and Marylebone, with South Bank and Southwark offering excellent access to the river and major cultural attractions. Staying near a major Underground or rail hub — such as King’s Cross, Victoria, or Waterloo — makes getting around the capital significantly easier. In Edinburgh, the historic Old Town (around the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle) and the Georgian New Town (along Princes Street) are by far the most convenient and atmospheric bases for visitors. In Manchester, the city centre districts around St Peter’s Square, Spinningfields, and the Northern Quarter are the most popular choices for both leisure and business travellers.

Book well in advance for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August), Hogmanay (New Year), the Chelsea Flower Show (May), Wimbledon (late June to early July), and UK school holiday periods — all of which put significant pressure on accommodation availability and pricing across the country.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury city hotel, a cosy countryside B&B, a self-catering cottage, or a budget-friendly chain, you can find and book a huge variety of accommodation across the United Kingdom at Travelstart Accommodation.

The United Kingdom has an extensive and well-maintained road network, and self-driving is one of the best ways to explore the country beyond its major cities — particularly for reaching rural areas like the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Snowdonia, and the coastlines of Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, and the North Yorkshire Moors. You can compare and book affordable rental cars across the UK with Travelstart Car Hire.

The UK drives on the left-hand side of the road in right-hand drive vehicles. Visitors from most countries can drive on their valid home country licence for up to 12 months from the date of entry — no International Driving Permit is required for most nationalities, though it is advisable to carry one alongside your licence if your licence is not written in English. The minimum age for hiring a car varies by company but is typically 21, with a surcharge often applied to drivers under 25. Speed limits are signed in miles per hour (mph): 30 mph in built-up areas, 60 mph on single carriageway roads, and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Car hire is available at all major UK airports and city centres from companies including Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Budget, and the UK’s own Arnold Clark, which is particularly well represented in Scotland and the north of England. If planning to drive into central London, be aware that the city operates a Congestion Charge (£15 per day, Monday to Friday 7am–6pm and weekends 12pm–6pm) and an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covering all London boroughs — a daily charge of £12.50 applies to vehicles that do not meet minimum emissions standards. Both charges apply to foreign-registered vehicles. In many cases, public transport is a better choice than driving within London, Edinburgh, and other major city centres, where traffic is heavy and parking is scarce and expensive.