United Kingdom Overview

Fast Facts

Main Languages: English (official). Recognised regional languages include: Irish, Ulster Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Welsh, & Cornish

When to Go: The United Kingdom has a temperate climate, with plenty of rainfall all year-round. The temperature varies from season to season, but, on average, seldom drops below -10 °C or rises above 35 °C. The best time to visit the United Kingdom is from late April to September, where July & August are the peak summer months with sporadic rainfall, and the shoulder months with slightly more frequent rainfall. The lovely sun in this period is very enjoyable.

Local Transport: Britain is well-connected by an extensive rail and road network, as well as domestic air-connectivity (more expensive and less frequently used). The main domestic hubs of the United Kingdom are London, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. UK’s rail network is privatised, and covers approximately 34,000 km of the country, and while train services are not as fast as France, Germany or Japan, it is one of the busiest commuter and freight networks in the world. Buses also provide a convenient network between cities and villages in the United Kingdom, as do boats and ferries, linking the coastal cities and islands. Taxi and minicabs are great for intra-city transportation, while some cities, like London, have an efficient local railway system, known as the “Tube”. Cycles, cars, and motorcycles can all be easily hired here.

Phone code: +44

Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP) 1 GBP is approximately 79.5 Indian Rupees (INR)

Voltage: 220V/240V

Time Zone: GMT 0:0 hours IST-5:30 hours, Summer (Daylight Savings): GMT+1 hour