HPR Travel Series: keep calm, carry on, and go to the UK on the CHEAP!

Culture | August 10th, 2016

By Anne Krapu

Regardless of one’s opinion of Brexit, economic analysis currently shows the British Pound (GBP) is weaker against the dollar than at any point in thirty years. That’s right – the last time traveling to the UK was this cheap, this writer was in diapers.

First things first. Yes, many Brits are quite upset about the result of the Brexit vote, but unless you’re actively seeking out drunken arguments and taking a pro-UKIP position, it’s totally safe to travel in the British Isles. And if you’ve ever wanted to ride the London Eye, tour the British Museum, see shows in the West End, go shopping on Carnaby Street, and tour all of the palaces and other historical sites open to the public, strike while the exchange rate is hot.

If you want to try to get prices even lower than the ones I’m citing and are network-literate, try running a VPN through the UK and pay for tickets and reservations in GBP off of that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but you may be able to save another 10-15% if you hit a formula that works.

For international flights, I usually leave from MSP or Winnipeg because Fargo is at the end of most airlines’ networks; and rely on Momondo as a search engine. A trip departing 8/17/16 from MSP and returning a week later is under $1000, including taxes. For such a close departure date from the Midwest, round trip straight to London Heathrow, this is unheard of.

If you do end up flying into Gatwick or Luton, National Express buses or rail connections will take you into the city center.

On the accommodation front, my favorite resource is Hostelworld.com. For solo travelers, this is the best way to meet up with new friends who also want to explore. For couples or groups, you can book private doubles or quads, often with private bathrooms, for much less than a normal hotel rate. I will personally vouch for the Generator Hostel chain for newbies.

Photocopy your passport and leave a copy with an emergency contact stateside. I usually carry a crisp $100 USD note with me for emergencies. Although most ATMS give favorable rates, national post offices in the UK will also give good rates. In British English, a fag is a cigarette and not a slur, the lift is the elevator, and if you do Airbnb, you’re renting a flat and not an apartment.

But Anne, I don’t have a passport! There are a few times when asking the US Consulate in Minneapolis to rush you one is a worthy investment, and if you can show that you’ve booked a ticket with a nearby departure date, they are usually pretty accommodating.

Happy travels! Feel free to reach out to anne@hpr1.com for advice not covered here.

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