Flights from Santiago de Compostela to United Kingdom from 22GBP*

Travel to the UK from Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is 2 to 2.5 hours from the UK by direct Vueling flight, with London, Edinburgh and Birmingham as the 3 destinations.

London suits a city break, Edinburgh opens up Scotland and the Highlands, and Birmingham is the base for the Midlands and the Cotswolds. One city fits into a weekend. A week gives you time for the surrounding area as well.

What documents you need to travel to the UK

The UK is no longer part of the European Union and has never been in the Schengen Area, so a passport is compulsory and the Spanish ID card (DNI) is not accepted, not even for children.

As well as a passport that is valid for your whole stay, Spanish and other EU citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), applied for online before boarding. The process is straightforward but takes time, so it is best not to leave it until the last minute. No visa is needed for short tourist stays.

Because entry requirements are changing, check the latest conditions on the travel documents page before you book.

As you are flying outside the Schengen Area, you will go through passport control. Allow for this and get to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

What to know when you land in the UK

From the airport into town. In London it depends on which airport you land at, and the journey can take anywhere from half an hour to an hour by train or Underground, so check before you book accommodation. Edinburgh has a tram from the terminal to the city centre in just over half an hour, and Birmingham has direct trains from the airport itself.

Plugs. In the UK, plugs are type G, with 3 rectangular pins, at 230V.

The pound. The UK’s currency is the pound sterling, and euros are not accepted as payment. Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, the Underground and buses included. Scotland issues its own banknotes, which are not always accepted in England.

Driving is on the left. If your plans include a hire car, especially for the Highlands or the Cotswolds, keep this in mind from the start. Rural roads are narrow.

The weather is changeable all year round, and rain is common in every season, particularly in Scotland. Summer temperatures sit between 15 and 22°C, while winters are cold but rarely extreme. A light waterproof will see you through the whole trip, and travellers from Galicia will feel right at home.

What to do in the UK

London

In London, the British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern are all free to visit. Westminster, the Tower of London and the South Bank cover the obvious sights, while Shoreditch and Notting Hill feel like different cities within one. The food scene now holds its own against any other European capital.

Edinburgh and the Highlands

Edinburgh pairs striking medieval architecture with a cultural life that stays busy all year and takes off in August with the Festival Fringe. Further north, the Highlands offer lochs, mountains and castles. A drive along Loch Ness or through the Glencoe valley is the kind of trip that stays with you.

Birmingham and the Midlands

Birmingham is the UK’s second city, with a regenerated centre, navigable canals and a well-regarded food scene. It is also the most practical base for Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s home town, and for the golden-stone villages of the Cotswolds, a little over an hour away by road.

The north of England by train

From London or Birmingham, trains run to Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake District, a World Heritage Site and one of the best-known hiking areas in the country. It gets far fewer international visitors than London, and its scenery is the closest you will find to Galicia’s.

Luggage for your flight to the UK

Your luggage allowance depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

For a short break, cabin luggage is usually enough. If your trip links several cities or includes hiking with your own gear, which comes with specific conditions, check beforehand. You will find the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.