I am in Canada. So far my sits have been Canada and USA. I’d love to visit the UK on a sit and I am wondering, for those who’ve done so – do you have tips or advice on the differences?
How did you get around? I realize public transportation will vary with the area, but did you rent a car and how did you make out on the other side of the road? Canadians, did you need an international driving permit?
Did you exchange cash before going or do everything on a card?
What did you do for an adaptor for any electronics? Basic stuff like charging your phone.
Phone communication: I just have a cheapie little flip phone with no data or international anything. Do you buy a SIM?
Voltage is different, so you need a converter / transformer (which changes the current), not just an adapter. Easily available via Amazon and many other sites or shops.
I withdraw a little cash from an ATM when I get there — for tips for maids, bellmen, valets, tour guides, bathroom attendants or entry, etc. Otherwise, I ApplePay everything.
Public transit is usually strong in urban areas. I didn’t even use cars that hosts had left for me. Not necessary.
I’m American and I’ve done a lot of sits in the UK. I’ve also done a lot of non-sitting travel in the UK. I think I’ve spent so much time there that I don’t really notice the differences anymore.
To answer your questions. I don’t like driving in other countries, so I only apply to sits that are accessible by public transit. It’s very easy to get around by train or bus in the UK.
You really don’t need cash. I think the only thing I used cash for was to give money to street performers and for tips.
You definitely need an adaptor. I recommend getting one with USB ports too, it just makes it easier to plug everything in to one adaptor. All of my electronics are dual voltage, so I didn’t need a converter, but check everything you plan to bring to see if you need one.
Good questions. I’ll be there at Christmas for my first international sit (American going to London). I purposely looked at areas with good public transportation which really is just about anywhere in England! I didn’t want to worry about driving. I’m hoping that it’ll take about half a day to figure it out and then I’ll be traveling all over like a native!
The majority of houses have internal stairs, which in older homes can be narrow and steep. Not all apartments will have lifts.
Rural dogs are usually walked on footpaths, which are rights of way mostly across private land, and are just foot-worn tracks through fields and woods. So expect uneven ground, mud, stiles etc.
So choose carefully if you have any mobility issues.
Is it on principle that you don’t use a smart phone? Having one will simplify using public transportation. Maybe consider renting one while over there if you don’t want to change your habits when back home.
I haven’t used cash in the UK in years. Many places will get huffy if you try to use it. You’ll need an adapter but as long as you’re just using personal tech like phone/laptop you won’t need a converter as modern tech all has that built-in. If you want something like a hairdryer, you’ll need it. I am driving here now and you get used to it. I’m even in a LHD, which can be annoying but isn’t difficult. But, public transport is generally easy. You’ll want a smart phone if you’re going to do public transport. I can’t even imagine how annoying it would be to try to get around on buses and trains without the internet to show you where to go. I made my mom get a smart phone before I took her international because otherwise it would have been a nightmare.
Hello! I’ve had city and rural sits in the UK. For the rural ones, homeowners have loaned me a car. I have a valid US driver’s license and an international driver’s license has not been necessary either in Europe or the UK. Perhaps that’s different for Canadian drivers but I doubt it. Car insurance is a different, though. The car is covered in the US but the driver is covered in Europe. I think it’s the same in the UK.
Adapting to driving on the right side of the road wasn’t that difficult for me. You really just need to take your time. I watched Youtube videos about navigating roundabouts, which can be quite intimidating in the cities, so be prepared for that if you’re driving.
Getting around the cities is easy wherever I’ve been as there is reliable public transit most everywhere in the UK (unlike in the US). I prefer buses and trams rather than subways, but that’s just a personal thing. Most cities have apps for phones and many allow you to pay for fares using apps; otherwise, you just get a bus pass. You can get schedules via respective services or even via Google Maps.
I have found that food is more expensive in the big cities, but that is also the case in the US and Europe.
I rarely use cash these days. In Europe and the UK, contactless cards are most prevalent and so are methods like Apple Pay, for instance. I use a banking and currency exchange app/service called Wise that lets me do currency exchanges in an instant and pay with the local currency. Check with your credit card companies and bank about what your cheapest options are and remember to notify your bank and card companies of your travel dates and any countries you’re visiting.
Definitely take adapters with you for charging your phone as they aren’t that easy to find since nobody needs them at your destination (i.e. UK residents don’t need UK adapters).
Let me know if you have any questions. I’ve been traveling the world for 20+ years and pet/house sitting for nearly that many!
@ABGM, we’re from Canada (and UK). Completed quite a few UK housesits. Super fun. Responses to your questions:
Transport: Compared to Canada, it’s a small island! Flights are cheap (vs Canada). Trains can be expensive (but plentiful). Car insurance varies (some Pet Parents kindly left car, some claimed insurance challenges). Most roads are neither straight nor multi-lane!
Finance. We love wise.com. Cheap fx conversion. ATM cash access. Apple Pay
Electronics. We love power chargers by Minix (Amazon.ca). USB-C and USB-A wall chargers that come with UK, EU, US/Canada adapters. Few models. Efficient travel packing
Phone. We use eSIMs. But you can pick up a simple physical SIM card, with Pay-As-You-Go use, in a UK supermarket
Foods. The British love pubs :). And meal deals. And warm beer (if that’s your thing). Enjoy the wonderful delights and local delicacies
Accents. Be prepared to be confused ;). Travel a short distance and people can speak quite differently
@ABGM do you plan to house sit in cities or rural locations ? What are your interests ?
Sits in U.K. can be as varied as a cottage on an isolated Scottish island with views of a windswept coastline and wonderful opportunities to experience wildlife or an apartment ( called a flat in U.K. ) in the hustle and bustle of central London , a rural farm location , a modern hi-tech new build family home, or a historic building ( such as a a castle, a water mill . We have stayed in several homes in U.K. parts of which were built in 14th century with very low wooden oak beams, wonky floors and doors , open fire places , we loved the experience , ) .
Are you interested in historical cities , architecture, or nature peace and tranquility ?London sits are popular but there are many other great cities in U.K. to visit . Bath,Cambridge,Chester,Oxford,Brighton….Edinburgh….
Fellow Canadian here and we have not done a UK sit yet. Have been thinking about it, so, this is a great thread for me to follow! We have been to London many times, feel free to ask any questions (we are in AB, where are you? We were looking at flights to Toronto, then through to London, but there are a few airlines that go direct)
We drove for the first time in Australia last year - def took getting used to, but, now that we have done it, I think we may rent a car next time we are in London,but, do keep in mind the train and bus systems there are great! Food… there are little stores peppered all over… they all have sandwich, drink and snack deals - we spend a lot of time in Marks and Spencer food area buying basics like fruit and veg, then ready to go meals. I thought food was reasonably priced - cheese… so many to choose from and? I thought really well priced. We bought several diff converters in diff sizes our faves are the ones that have both regular plug ins as well as a few USB charge ports. We usually take 100 of whatever currency, and a cc that does not charge to do foreign exchange. Always have a 20 in each of our wallets in case we need cash for something. Get some coin once you arrive and carry it with you, many bathroom facilities are pay for use. Not a good time if you don’t have coin and really need to go! We now use Airalo for an esim now. Great pricing and easy peasy to use with a standard cell. If you have any specific questions, ask away Take a small or a few small nylon reusable shopping bags! Trust me. We had a few we brought and were SO happy to have had them to pack up all our meals, groceries.
The narrow and steep stairs are a real thing! We were quite surprised by this on our last visit. Also, the public footpaths… made me laugh, there was no way I was wandering through a field that had sheep, lambs etc… but, many do! We did walk through one… and a herd of cattle RAN at us ha ha, I moved quickly to get out of that field. Pretty sure they were looking for food and equated humans to the delivery of that. They were very docile, and sweet (especially from the other side of the fence) and due to the footpaths being through farm fields, likely very used to visitors wandering through. Slippery mud definitley requires good shoes with great grips.
I live in the UK, but have spent time in the US (and many other countries too) but I’d like to add……
Not all houses have scary staircases - most properties built after around 1930 are ok.
Public transport should be carefully considered - even in cities there could be quite a walk to get to a stop. In rural locations there might not be buses and if here are they might be so infrequent that they won’t be much use (most of my sits haven’t been anywhere near a bus, and Ubers didn’t reach them). I use the public transport option on Google maps to help me find what is available to get from A to B; London TFL (transport for London) has an app too
Not all fields are for walking in - there are public rights of way marked on Ordnance Survey maps, or ask the HO for suggestions. Cows can be dangerous, so I prefer not to walk in fields with them in, especially if they have calves and many of them simply don’t like dogs (this is real - near me a woman was killed by a cow last week). Mud is a real thing, even in cities if you walk in some of the larger parks & go off the paved paths.
accents are fun - I am getting used to a north east one and often have to ask the speaker to repeat.
food prices vary, and shops like Aldi and Lidl are good for quality, low cost food
local specialities are worth seeking out, mostly in small bakeries and butchers as well as pubs and tea shops
Cream tea is delicious and not what it sounds like: scones with butter, jam and cream, served with a pot of tea
“Sunday lunch” is roast meat & veg, and if you’re lucky a baked dessert with custard
ENJOY
Just a thought……NEVER run if cows come to you. They’re not looking for food but are very nosey. Just keep walking. By running they’ll run too and you can get in trouble because they’re bigger than you and faster in most cases.
Heading on my first international trip in December, I’m from the USA and I put 18 different apps on my phone for transportation, currency exchange, google translate, trains, etc etc…I’m heading to Paris and Germany however. All the sits I’ve done in the USA, I have always used my phone to figure out the area, find restaurants and grocery stores, Find walking/biking tours of the area and booking it, etc…not sure if your flip phone has that ability, but something to certainly consider. I’m not sure if you’ve read up on travel insurance, keeping your passport safe, taking pictures of all your travel things and keeping in an email to yourself and others, etc. And maybe you already know some of those things, not sure. I learned quite a bit on some travel facebook pages I am on.
Canadian here and we travel all over the world.
We have been using the WISE card for several years and it’s excellent for doing both currency exchanges and as a Visa/ATM card around the world. Takes about two weeks to get the card mailed to you, costs nothing (they have you put $15 onto the card using a CC but that’s still your money)
So far have used it in: USA, UK, Ireland, a dozen EU countries and Latin America. Strongly recommend it: Google for more info but basically you upload your CAD$ and then you can either convert whenever you wish (instantly) OR you can set an exchange point (for example, set it to exchange CAD$1000 when the GBP hits $1.75) You can use it to tap for the London Tube or to pay for buses or trains or flights. You will as a result, pay the least amount for those things (public transit in the UK gives lower rates to electronic payments.)
They seem to have the BEST rates for exchange and VERY low fees.
SECOND POINT: always buy a SIM when you reach a foreign country.
You will be SHOCKED at how much more you get than CAD cell phone companies provide.
Typically for 15 or 20 GBP a clerk will instally your new SIM in your phone, tell you what the new local phone number is. You will have a MONSTER amount of data for a full 30 days, unlimited phone calls, free text and if you do have to call back to Canada the cost per minute is MUCH lower than anything you pay in Canada.
For comparison? If you have most CAD cell carrier plans, you will continue to pay your normal monthly fee + CAD$18/day for roaming and that is NOT coverng any calls to/from Canada. Essentially two days of Canadian Roam Like Home = one month of coverage in the UK or Europe.
Hi @ABGM
It depends on where you’re sitting as whether renting a car is a good idea. In many major towns and cities it’s a huge disadvantage in terms of many charge a daily congestion charge to enter the town/city, some also charge ulez (although many hire cars are new enough to be exempt) and that before parking costs which can be eye watering.
Many towns/city public transport systems accept debit/credit card payment plus apple pay or google pay for journey’s. Many area’s have an app which gives you live updates on trains, trams and buses.
If you’re sitting in more rural area’s then a car may be a distinct advantage.
There’s little you need cash for in the UK now. You can use your debit/credit card to tap contactless to pay for everything from a pint in the local pub to groceries.
I think getting a cheap pay as you go sim (they start at about £5 a month) will be an advantage. Using free wifi could compensate this somewhat in larger towns and cities.
Take a small or a few small nylon reusable shopping bags! Trust me. We had a few we brought and were SO happy to have had them to pack up all our meals, groceries.