Know Before You Go

Now’s the time to explore Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but before you discover another side to our iconic locations or head into the countryside for a remote escape, stay up-to-date with all the information on visiting the four nations.

You do not need to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form before you travel, take any COVID-19 tests or quarantine when you arrive in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The UK has a two-tiered system for international travel - a ‘red list’ of countries and territories and a ‘rest of the world’ list. If you need to follow red list rules, you must do so if you are fully vaccinated or not.

As of 1 March 2022, there are currently no countries on the red list (although this is subject to change and you should always check before travel).

Please also ensure you check the links below for the latest guidance for each nation:

England

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

From 18 March 2022, all testing requirements and the need to complete a Passenger Locator Form were removed for all arrivals into the UK.

To make your days out as enjoyable as possible in the future, we encourage you to plan your trip in advance and to check all of the important facilities and attractions, while looking after our great outdoors. To ensure we’re all doing our bit to travel responsibly, here are a few general steps to help make planning easy:

• When planning your trip, check that important facilities – like toilets and car parks – are open before you travel so you’re not caught short. You can find information on public toilets open across Great Britain and Northern Ireland at Toilet Map.
• If you have an attraction in mind, please check online to see if you need to pre-book a time slot.
• Locations where face coverings are mandatory differ by nation, and you should follow the specific guidance for face coverings for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, depending on the country you are visiting.
• Some places may be extremely popular, so instead why not plan to get off the beaten track and discover a hidden gem.
• Make sure you have a bank card; some outlets only accept cashless payments.
• Wash your hands regularly and take hand sanitiser with you for use when public hand-washing facilities are not available.

Government information and advice

For the latest government information and specific advice on travel in each of the four nations, please visit:

• England – https:gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
• Scotland – https://www.gov.scot/
• Wales – https://gov.wales/coronavirus
• Northern Ireland – https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19

If you think you have coronavirus symptoms, you should use the online service on the UK Government website. You can find the latest health guidance for each individual nation on dedicated pages for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Hospital accident and emergency (A&E) departments in Britain provide treatment for genuine life-threatening emergencies. Should you require medical help or advice in a non-life-threatening situation, you should call 111 to access the NHS 111 service.

Overseas visitors may need to pay for hospital care they receive, and all visitors are strongly advised to ensure they have adequate insurance cover before travelling. Any coronavirus testing and treatment will not incur any charges.

You should dial 999 in an emergency to reach police, fire and ambulance services, as well as the coastguard. You will need to indicate which service you need. Further services such as mountain rescue and Britain’s voluntary coastguard service, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, can also be accessed via this number.

Calls are free from any phone, but should only be made in genuine emergencies.

If you are lost, ask a policeman or woman for assistance – they are courteous, approachable and helpful. Traffic wardens may also be able to help you with directions. If you have been the victim of a crime, contact the police by dialling 999 or 101 for non-emergencies.

Police community support officers also work alongside the police, and can also provide advice and guidance, alongside directions and other key information.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland have left the EU and there are new rules for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who wish to visit us. Find out what you need to know about visiting the UK from the EU, EEA or Switzerland or check the official government website. There will also be new rules if you wish to work and study in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as part of a new points-based immigration system for EU citizens.  If you would like further information, please visit gov.uk to find out more.