COUNTRY GUIDE
United Kingdom
Four nations, very different cities, and people to share them with.
Studying in Edinburgh, working in London or moving to Manchester: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.
BASICS
Before you go.
- Language
- English
- Welsh is widely used in Wales, and Scottish Gaelic and Irish are spoken in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Currency
- Pound sterling (£, GBP)
- Contactless cards and phone payments are used almost everywhere, including on many city transit networks.
- Time zone
- GMT, UTC+0 · BST, UTC+1 in summer
- Clocks go forward in late March and back in late October.
- Power
- Type G plugs, 230 V
- The three-pin plug with rectangular pins.
- Getting online
- eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
- Easy to set up. Coverage is good in cities and can be patchy in rural areas and the Highlands.
- Emergency
- 999 or 112
- For police, fire, ambulance and coastguard.
GETTING AROUND
Easy to move, once you know how.
Trains between cities
Intercity trains link London with Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and many other cities. Booking ahead often helps.
Coaches
Long-distance coaches reach many towns and are a slower alternative to the train.
City transit
London has the Underground, buses and trains, and other big cities have their own trams, metro or bus networks.
Ferries and islands
Ferries link Great Britain with Northern Ireland and with many Scottish islands, and flights shorten the longest trips.
CITIES TO EXPLORE
Where to start.
A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in the United Kingdom through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.
London
A huge city of distinct neighbourhoods and global culture, where markets, parks and venues each have their own crowd.
Good for · Work · Culture · Nightlife
Find London in the app (opens in a new tab)Cardiff
The Welsh capital, compact and lively, with a waterfront bay, a castle in the centre and hills and coast within reach.
Good for · Students · Sport · Day trips
Find Cardiff in the app (opens in a new tab)Manchester
A northern city of music and football, with old mills turned into studios and flats and a large student population.
Good for · Music · Students · Work
Find Manchester in the app (opens in a new tab)Glasgow
Scotland's largest city, friendly and creative, with a strong music scene and the Highlands a short trip away.
Good for · Music · Art · Day trips
Find Glasgow in the app (opens in a new tab)Edinburgh
Scotland's capital of old and new towns, steep streets and hills, at its busiest during the summer festivals.
Good for · History · Festivals · Walking
Find Edinburgh in the app (opens in a new tab)Belfast
Northern Ireland's capital, with a growing food and music scene and the Causeway Coast within reach.
Good for · Food · Music · Coast
Find Belfast in the app (opens in a new tab)
GOOD TO KNOW
Small things that help.
Four nations
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own identity, and some institutions and customs differ. England is not the whole country.
Changeable weather
Weather can change quickly, so layers and a rain jacket help in every season.
Traffic on the left
Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when you cross the road.
Pubs
Pubs are often community spaces as well as bars, and many serve food.
Tipping
A service charge is often added in restaurants. If not, a tip for good service is appreciated.
UNMAPPED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Arrive knowing someone.
Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.
Meet people before you move
Open London, Manchester or Edinburgh before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.
Ask the City Chat
Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, coworking spaces or where to find live music.
Join or host something
Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a hill walk outside Edinburgh, a gig night in Glasgow or a market morning in London.
Travel together
Share your route from London to the Highlands, or post a Buddy Plan for a weekend trip, a class or a night out.
FAQ
Questions about Unmapped in the United Kingdom.
Can I use Unmapped outside London?
Yes. You can explore any city in the United Kingdom through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.
Does this cover Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. Cities in all four nations have their own places in Unmapped's location directory.
Can locals use Unmapped too?
Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.
Can I explore a city before I arrive?
Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.
Can I find people to travel with?
Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.
Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.
Sources & information
Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Connor Mollison (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)
Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
UNITED KINGDOM WITH UNMAPPED
Explore the United Kingdom with Unmapped.
Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.