Travellers to the UK need a valid passport and a valid UK Visa. The Visa application needs to be submitted to British Embassies/Consulates through the outsourced partner VFS, located at New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, or Mumbai.

While travelling to the UK from a non-EU country, one is allowed 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits, 60cc of perfume, and £ 145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs and 250cc of eau de toilette.

Travelling expenses
Britain is a great destination for all kinds of travellers. Backpackers, mature travellers, couples, singles and students can discover Britain even on a shoe-string budget.
Travelling expenses vary with the purpose of visit. A British pound (£) is equivalent to one hundred pence. Foreign currencies may be easily converted at banks, post offices, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks found commonly at international airport and important city centers.

Buying the cheapest air tickets
The United Kingdom has air linkages with almost every country in the world and regular flights operate from major cities of the world. Air-India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and many other international carriers often fly to most major airports located at London -Heathrow, London Gatwick, London -Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton.

Ticket prices of all the leading airlines, (for the best scheduled and low-cost flights to Britain) may be compared online.

While in the UK, passengers may have their airline baggage double-checked before travelling to British airports. The one-bag norm has also been lifted at six of seven British airports. Unfortunately, a limited number of airlines continue to restrict the number of airline cabin bags.

Upon reaching London, a number of train services, such as the Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express ferry passengers between Heathrow, Gatwick and Central London.

Alternative modes of travel
Though aircrafts are the primary source of travel between India and Britain, Indian travellers within Europe may travel by the Eurostar. The Eurostar is a high speed service train linking London and Ashford with Paris, Brussels, and Lille. A trip with Eurostar services will let you explore unseen and exciting parts of Britain and Europe. The ride is comfortable and uniquely frequent, with fares starting from £ 60.

Plan your journey well
Your journey needs to be planned well in advance. Visas and passports should be obtained before time so as to avoid any last minute cancellations and delays.

Acclimatizing yourself with the new weather conditions
Britain has periods of fine weather in all seasons. Temperatures in summer season usually exceed 30 °C. The weather differs on a day to day basis, with summer temperatures hovering around 14-30 °C. Winters are icy and cool at 1-5 °C.

Buying suitable clothes
British weather is changeable. Hence, it is advisable to include a selection of light clothes and warm clothes, which you can wear depending on the temperature of the day.

The weather in spring fluctuates around 6 - 11 °C, with a maximum of 18 °C. In the summer season, temperatures range around 14-30°C. In autumn, temperatures fluctuate around 7-18°C.

Winter in Britain sees shortest and coolest days with temperatures dipping to a low of 1 - 5 °C.

Travel insurance
It is relatively safe to be adequately insured before travelling to a foreign destination. Travel agents and insurance agents will be able to guide you to opt for the best available travel insurance policy, in tune with your specific and unique needs.

An adequate insurance policy helps an individual to cover health and medical issues, apart from theft or damage to ones' belongings.

Medical and general insurance for studying abroad
Medicines carried while travelling must be checked to ensure that they are not controlled or banned by the government in the travelling country. Medicines should also be correctly labeled in a container along with the prescription from a recognized doctor. It may be more viable to show personal health records along with the medical prescription.

For the 1,10,000 students who go abroad every year from India, medical insurance is top priority. It is mandatory for select foreign university students to buy medical and health insurance. The maximum insurance covers from Indian students abroad come from accident and health ailments, followed by pregnancy.

Some universities have their own set of requirements while others have set up ties with Indian insurance companies to provide cover for Indian students.