http://travel.state.gov/content/passport...
Unless the extra $30 would be important then get a passport card in addition to the regular passport:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...
The cards are only valid for crossing land/sea borders within North America, but they make great daily ID when traveling abroad. That lets you keep your regular passport (and US driving license) safely tucked away.
The cards also don’t show your home address (like a driving license or state ID card does), making it much less likely someone could steal your identity while you are traveling
Take your USA driving license/state ID card even if you don't expect to drive. If you have a student ID then take it, even if it is from "last semester". Students get more discounts in Europe than in the USA.
You need a round trip airline ticket:
www.aa.com
www.delta.com
www.united.com
Join the frequent flier program for the airline even f you don't expect to be a frequent flier. Joining and belonging are free. If you already bought the ticket then call the airline and talk to a human to add the account number to your trip. Use the airline's website to check-in 24 hours before your flight departs (also for the return trip).
You need hotel reservations. Search for options via travel sites like Expedia & Orbitz, but book the stay on the hotel's website (such as www.bestwestern.com) unless the travel site offers a significantly better price.
Check with your health insurance to find out if it covers you outside the USA and pays for medical evacuation to home (should that be necessary). If yes then take proof of coverage with you. If no or not sure then get trip medical insurance, which is cheap and sold by airlines & travel agents. Having travel medical insurance is a requirement to enter some countries (ex. Lithuania & Slovakia). Even if it's not, PLEASE do not skimp on this as an otherwise-silly accident could turn into a crisis if you don't have medical insurance.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw...
Call the issuers of any credit/debit cards a week before you depart to advise them you will use the cards in Europe. Don't forget to do this or you will probably trigger an automatic security hold the first time you try to use the card(s), which can be very inconvenient. Ask about exchange rates and foreign transaction fees while you have them on the phone.
Call customer service for your cellular provider to set up your phone so it works internationally. Ask about fees so you know. To call the USA from Europe you dial 001-area code-number. Being able to use your phone in Europe could be important.
Unless using your cellphone will be cheap (some providers are) then use Skype to call home. Skype to Skype is free and using Skype to call a phone number in the USA is less than 2 Cents/minute. It requires Internet but free wifi is widely available in cafes and pubs.
All electronic devices made anytime recently accept any voltage and all you need is a plug adapter for the UK. Electrical appliances like hair dryers and flat irons purchased from a regular store in the USA only accept 110 volts and won't work in Europe without a voltage converter. Better is to either get dual-voltage appliances or just buy them after arrival. There are stores like Walgreens.
The UK has summer weather that is generally cooler than in the USA. Also be prepared for frequent light rain.
Dress decently to be treated decently.
Get 100 Pounds (about $160) in 10 Pound notes before leaving home. Your bank can help with that.
Do some research on the UK. At least read the Wikipedia article, plus the articles for whatever places you expect to visit.
You don't say where you are going in the UK, for how long, or your planned activities. Re-post your question with that info for more advice.
When you walk into a pub its tradition to buy a drink for everybody there to introduce yourself. You should budget around ￡300 ($470) per pub.
If you see a queue (line) of people in front of a bus stop or the counter in a shop, walk to the front and ask to be served - people in shops often arrange themselves in lines to point customers in the correct direction to be served.
If you hire (rent) a car, remember that UK gears are opposite of what you're used to, 1 is the fastest, 5 is the slowest, N is reverse (from the phrase "Nah mate, you need to go back.") and R is neutral (because the car stays "Right where it is"). To save wear and tear on the roads, we drive on the left on days with a T in them, on the right on the rest of the week - except for Bank Holidays when we drive on the left if the driver's surname starts with a vowel and on the right if its a consonant.
The most important tip for visiting the UK, is that we use sarcasm a lot and we like taking the micky out of Yanks. Use your common sense, don't believe everything people tell you and enjoy your trip ?
There is lots to see. Where you go besides London depends on your tastes and interests. Buy a good U.K. guidebook and study it. If you intend to do quite a bit of travel in the U.K. we have a dense frequent rail network. You will see a lot as you travel. You can buy a Britrail Pass before arrival
www.britrail.com
www.nationalrail.co.uk (timetables)
Besides London www.timeout.com/london you might be interested in visiting
Bath www.visitbath.co.uk
Oxford www.visitoxfordandoxforshire.com
York/Whitby/The North York Moors National Park www.yorkshire.com
Ludlow www.ludlow.org.uk
Edinburgh/The Highlands/The Cairngorns/Isle of Skye (Scotland) www.visitscotland.com
These are just a few general suggestions
Remember to drive on the left side of the road. DON'T PANIC WHEN YOU SEE A ROUNDABOUT. And remember to bring sunscreen you might get burnt. The last bit was a joke. ;)
Don't say alloominnum and remember that momentarily means FOR a moment, not IN a moment.
Just enjoy it ...
