Ready to move to the UK?
Here you will read about various ways you can travel to UK
Hello there, fellow adventurer! Planning a trip to the UK is an exciting prospect, and as your friend, I'm here to guide you through all the ways you can make your grand entrance and even settle in.
Arriving in the United Kingdom: Your Entry Points
The vast majority of international visitors arrive in the UK by air. It's the most common and often the most convenient way, especially if you're coming from outside Europe. For those within Europe, train services like the Eurostar (connecting from Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam) are also a fantastic option, offering a scenic and often quicker city-to-city journey. For a truly unique experience, some might even arrive by ferry, particularly if they're bringing a car from nearby European countries.
Major and Minor Airports Around UK Cities
The UK is well-served by a network of international and regional airports. Here's a rundown of some key ones:
Major Airports (often serving intercontinental and a wide range of European flights):
London Heathrow (LHR): The UK's busiest and most well-connected airport. It's a massive hub for international travel, located to the west of London.
Average B&B cost: Prices can vary widely, but expect to pay anywhere from £70-£150+ per night for a decent B&B or budget hotel nearby.
Connectivity: Excellent!
Train: The Heathrow Express is the fastest way to central London (Paddington Station, 15-20 mins). The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) offers a slower but more extensive connection across London.
Underground (Tube): The Piccadilly Line connects directly to central London, offering a more affordable but longer journey.
Bus/Coach: Numerous bus services serve local areas, and National Express coaches connect Heathrow to cities across the UK.
Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside all terminals.
London Gatwick (LGW): The UK's second-busiest airport, located south of London. Popular for both short-haul and long-haul flights.
Average B&B cost: Similar to Heathrow, expect £60-£120+ per night.
Connectivity:
Train: The Gatwick Express is the fastest train to London Victoria. Other regular Southern and Thameslink services also connect to London and beyond.
Bus/Coach: National Express and local bus services operate from the airport.
Taxi: Available outside the terminals.
Manchester Airport (MAN): The busiest airport outside of London, serving the North of England with a vast network of destinations.
Average B&B cost: Around £50-£100+ per night.
Connectivity:
Train: Direct train services connect the airport to Manchester Piccadilly (city centre) and other major towns and cities across the North.
Tram (Metrolink): The Manchester Metrolink tram network offers direct connections to the city centre and various suburbs.
Bus/Coach: Extensive bus and coach services.
Taxi: Available at all terminals.
Birmingham Airport (BHX): A central UK hub, connecting the Midlands to many international destinations.
Average B&B cost: Generally £50-£90+ per night.
Connectivity:
Train: A free Air-Rail Link monorail connects the airport terminal to Birmingham International train station, from where you can get direct trains to Birmingham New Street (city centre) and other UK destinations.
Bus/Coach: Various bus routes and National Express coaches.
Taxi: Available outside the terminal.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI): Scotland's busiest airport, a key gateway to the capital and the rest of Scotland.
Average B&B cost: Around £60-£110+ per night.
Connectivity:
Tram: Direct tram service connects the airport to Edinburgh city centre.
Bus: The Airlink 100 express bus runs 24/7 to the city centre. Other local buses are also available.
Taxi: Readily available.
Glasgow Airport (GLA): Another major Scottish airport, serving Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
Average B&B cost: Expect £50-£100+ per night.
Connectivity:
Bus: The Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 is a direct bus to the city centre (Buchanan Bus Station).
No direct train station at the airport, but buses connect to the nearby Paisley Gilmour Street train station for onward rail travel.
Taxi: Available.
Belfast International Airport (BFS): Northern Ireland's main international gateway.
Average B&B cost: Around £50-£90+ per night.
Connectivity:
Bus: The Airport Express 300 service runs frequently to Belfast city centre (Europa Bus Centre).
No direct train station at the airport.
Taxi: Available.
Minor Airports (often serving European budget airlines and domestic flights):
London Stansted (STN): Northeast of London, a major base for low-cost airlines like Ryanair.
Connectivity: Stansted Express train to London Liverpool Street, also extensive coach services.
London Luton (LTN): North of London, another hub for budget airlines.
Connectivity: Shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway train station for direct trains to central London (St Pancras International) and coach services.
London City Airport (LCY): Closest to central London, popular with business travellers, served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
Bristol Airport (BRS): Serving the Southwest of England.
Connectivity: Bristol Airport Flyer express bus to Bristol Temple Meads train station.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL): Near Liverpool, predominantly budget airlines.
Connectivity: Regular bus services to Liverpool South Parkway train station and city centre.
Newcastle International Airport (NCL): Serving the North East.
Connectivity: Direct Metro (light rail) link to Newcastle city centre.
East Midlands Airport (EMA): Serving Nottingham, Leicester, Derby.
Connectivity: Skylink bus services to surrounding cities.
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA): Serving West Yorkshire.
Connectivity: Frequent bus services to Leeds and Bradford city centres.
Belfast City Airport (BHD): Closer to Belfast city centre than Belfast International, mostly serving domestic and some short-haul flights.
Connectivity: Airporter bus service to Belfast Europa Bus Centre, and a short walk to Sydenham train station.
Cheaper Options to Travel to the UK
If budget is a key concern, here's how to snag the best deals:
Be Flexible with Dates: This is the golden rule! Avoid peak seasons, which are typically:
Summer (June-August): Warm weather, school holidays, and major events like Wimbledon drive up prices.
Christmas and New Year (December): High demand for festive travel.
Easter holidays: Another peak period for family travel.
Cheapest Times to Travel:
January to early March: This is generally the "off-season." The weather is colder and wetter, but you'll find significantly cheaper flights and accommodation, and fewer crowds at attractions.
Late September/October: After the summer rush, but before the Christmas season, you can often find decent prices and still enjoy pleasant, albeit cooler, weather.
Mid-week flights (Tuesday-Thursday): Flying on these days is usually cheaper than weekends.
Book in Advance: Especially for popular routes, booking your flights several months ahead (3-6 months for long-haul) can result in substantial savings.
Consider Budget Airlines: For travel within Europe, airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Jet2 often offer very competitive fares, but be mindful of extra costs for luggage, seat selection, etc.
Look at Smaller Airports: Sometimes, flying into a slightly less popular airport (e.g., London Luton or Stansted instead of Heathrow) can be cheaper, even with the added cost of onward travel to your final destination.
Be Open to Indirect Flights: Flights with layovers are frequently cheaper than direct flights.
Moving Long-Term: Shipping Your Furniture
If you're planning a long-term move and want to bring your belongings, including furniture, shipping is the way to go. This isn't a quick process like bringing a suitcase on a plane, but it's essential for a comfortable move.
Key things to know about shipping furniture:
Specialised International Removal Companies: You'll need to use companies that specialise in international removals and shipping. They handle everything from packing your items at your current home to managing customs clearance and delivering to your new address in the UK.
Door-to-Door Service: Most reputable companies offer a "door-to-door" service, which means they pick up from your current residence and deliver directly to your new home in the UK.
Full Container Load (FCL) vs. Less than Container Load (LCL):
FCL: If you have a lot of items (e.g., a whole house full of furniture), you might opt for a full container, which is generally faster and you have sole use of the container.
LCL: For smaller moves, your belongings will be consolidated with other shipments in a shared container. This is more cost-effective but might take a bit longer.
Insurance: Always get comprehensive insurance for your shipment. Accidents can happen, and you want to be covered.
Customs and Duties: When moving your household goods to the UK, you generally won't pay import duties if you're transferring your "normal place of residence" and the goods have been owned and used by you for at least six months. However, you will need to complete customs declarations (e.g., Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief application). Your shipping company will guide you through this.
Prohibited and Restricted Items: Be aware of items that cannot be shipped (e.g., hazardous materials, illegal substances) or are restricted (e.g., firearms, certain plants).
Timeline: Shipping by sea freight can take several weeks to a few months, depending on the origin and destination. Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive. Plan well in advance!
Get Multiple Quotes: Contact several international removal companies to compare quotes and services. Look for companies with good reviews and extensive experience in UK relocations.
Some well-known international removal companies that operate in the UK include PSS International Removals, Pickfords, and Britannia Movers International, but many others exist. A quick online search for "international furniture shipping to UK" will give you plenty of options.
Important: Before making any plans, please check with your employer if they are willing to sponsor your relocation. E.g. moving your furniture or paying for your short stay in a reasonable hotel or a service apartment until you find suitable long-term accommodation. This will greatly reduce your initial cost of relocation. Some large employers partner with companies which specialise in employee relocation and provide a comprehensive relocation package to their employees.
I hope this comprehensive guide helps you plan your journey to the United Kingdom, whether it's for a short visit or a long-term relocation! The UK is a wonderful place, and I'm sure you'll love it.