If you’ve got a trip to the UK booked and stamped into the calendar, you may be about to take a long haul flight to one of the most expensive countries in Europe.
As such, you’re going to want to be very careful about your travel budget – especially when it comes to visiting some of the more famous attractions and heritage centres in the western world.
However, pre-booking is the best way to save money on seeing the best that the UK has to offer. And not just any hotels and flights either; there are quite a few things you’ll want to pre-book to save money.
Here’s what to book well in advance.
Why Advanced Booking is Essential
It varies from site to site, but advanced booking guidelines often look the same when you’re trying to get across the UK.
The booking systems below are all commonly used by UK attractions, properties, and transport providers.
However, it’s always best to double check booking platforms and sites yourself to verify information.
Booking systems can change without notice, and you’ll always be better off doing your own research.
Booking may be online only
Long gone are the days where you could just walk up to a reception desk and ask for a ticket.
A lot of attractions now run online only ticket systems, in an effort to both reduce overheads for issuing tickets, as well as prevent ‘first come, first served’ from preventing as many customers from getting through the doors as possible.
This is the main reason you need to check whether or not a pre-book is required. If the attraction runs an online only system, you’re not getting in otherwise!
You may need to arrive at a certain time
A lot of tickets now require patrons to arrive at certain times to be let into a venue. This helps to prevent the property from getting too overcrowded, especially during ‘holiday’ seasons like the summer and Christmas.
Most of the time you’ll have to choose the time slot yourself, but this isn’t always the case. Always double check a ticket doesn’t have a stated time on it that’s been selected for you.
As far as wiggle room goes, the venue will usually have a 15 to 20 minute window to allow for things like traffic issues, but otherwise it’s best to arrive at the exact time as stated on your ticket.
It can save you money
And finally, you could just save a bit of cash by booking in advance. If you’re on a strict travel budget, it’s a good idea to see if advanced tickets will let you into the attraction at a discount.
Sometimes, these money saving offers are also quite flexible – in that, you can save tickets just by booking online, whether or not you’re booking in advance.
You could stand outside the front entrance and book a discounted ticket and it wouldn’t be a problem at all.
What to Book Before Your Trip to the UK
Train Tickets
Train travel in the UK is incredibly popular. However, it also runs at an incredibly high cost.
Booking a ticket on the same day can make it double, or even triple the price it would be if it was an advanced ticket.
If you want to take any day trips, be sure to book the train travel ASAP.
Apps like Trainline can be helpful here, as they compare costs from all rail distributors, as well as highlight where buying multiple tickets would save money.
Luggage Storage
The UK has some of the world’s most walkable cities, but that doesn’t mean you’ll want to drag your cases around all day anyway!
Luggage storage options are available in most major towns and cities, such as Edinburgh luggage storage near waverley station or various locker options around London’s most famous stations.
However, most of these storage centres have to be booked online and in advance. You can’t just turn up with your suitcase and ask for a space.
Entrance to Famous Sites and Landmarks
A lot of attractions across the UK require visitors to book in advance, either due to a limited capacity inside the property itself, or to reduce congestion during peak hours.
Sometimes, these attractions also offer reduced prices if tickets are booked online.
Either way, it’s best to double check the website of any famous site or landmark you’re interested in seeing.
For example:
- Buckingham Palace: Booking online can save between £2 and £4 on ticket cost, depending on visitor age.
- Big Ben: Visits are tour-only, and tickets for these tours are released once per month.
- Stonehenge: Tickets are priced per date and time, with the chance to save up to 15% if booked in advance.
Should you pre-book for museums too?
It depends on the museum in question!
Smaller, more local, or niche museums may not require you to book in advance at all. Most of these establishments both welcome guests on a walk-in basis, as well as provide the option to pre-book via their website.
Bigger, more well-known museums may require pre-booking to obtain entrance.
The British Museum, for example, is free to enter. However, general admission tickets are still issued on a limited basis, and arriving on-the-day may mean you’re not able to get in until a later time.
Booking for Peace of Mind: Keep Your UK Trip Stress-Free
The earlier you book, the easier it’ll be to lock in a low price, get a time slot that works for you, and make sure your trip goes as smoothly as you need it to.
So, be sure to head online to check out where you’re planning to go, and if booking in advance is either essential or beneficial.
Remember, if you’re visiting any of the major cities around the UK (London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Oxford, etc.), you’ll be wrangling with other tourists while you’re in town. And things tend to sell out fast, even if you’re spending more than one day in town!
