Floriday

Florida, from a British Perspective

Florida is the most popular long-haul destination for UK holidaymakers, and for good reason. Guaranteed sunshine, world-class theme parks, stunning beaches, vibrant cities, and a welcome that makes you feel at home — even if the portion sizes are four times larger.

floriday.uk is your complete Florida travel resource, written by and for British travellers. We cover everything from booking flights and navigating immigration to finding the best beaches, restaurants, and hidden gems across the Sunshine State.

Why Florida?

Some 2 million British visitors fly to Florida annually. The appeal is undeniable:

• Weather — Average temperatures of 22-33°C through most of the year. Even winter rarely drops below 15°C in Central and South Florida
• Direct flights — Under 10 hours from London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and other UK airports to Orlando, Miami, and Tampa
• Theme parks — Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and Busch Gardens are all here
• Beaches — Over 1,300 miles of coastline with white sand, clear water, and warm Gulf or Atlantic surf
• Value — Despite the exchange rate, Florida offers excellent value for food, accommodation, and attractions compared to other long-haul destinations
• Family-friendly — The entire state is geared toward welcoming families with children

Quick Facts for UK Travellers

• Flight time: 9-10 hours direct from major UK airports
• Time difference: Eastern Time (ET) — 5 hours behind GMT
• Currency: US Dollar. Current exchange rates vary — check before you go
• Visa: UK citizens need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) — not a full visa. Apply online at least 72 hours before departure. Costs $21
• Driving: You'll almost certainly want a hire car. Drive on the right. UK driving licences are valid
• Tipping: Expected everywhere — 15-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $1-2 per bag for hotel porters
• Plug adapters: US sockets are 120V Type A/B. Bring a UK-to-US adapter. Most phone chargers and laptop chargers are dual voltage
• Drinking age: 21 (not 18). Photo ID required everywhere

The Major Destinations

Orlando & Central Florida

The theme park capital of the world. Walt Disney World alone covers 25,000 acres — roughly the size of San Francisco. Add Universal Studios, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and dozens of smaller attractions, and you could spend a month here without running out of things to do.

Beyond the parks: the restaurant scene on International Drive, outlet shopping malls, airboat tours on the Everglades, and day trips to both coasts.

Miami & South Beach

Glamour, nightlife, Art Deco architecture, and Cuban coffee. Miami is Florida's most cosmopolitan city — a Latin American metropolis that happens to be in the United States. South Beach is iconic, Little Havana is essential, and the food scene rivals any major world city.

Tampa Bay & St. Petersburg

Florida's Gulf Coast gem. Less flashy than Miami, more laid-back than Orlando. Beautiful beaches (Clearwater Beach is regularly voted America's best), a thriving craft beer scene, excellent restaurants, and Busch Gardens for the thrill-seekers.

Fort Lauderdale

Once known as Spring Break central, Fort Lauderdale has matured into a sophisticated beach city. The Riverwalk district, Las Olas Boulevard, and a stunning stretch of beach make it an excellent base — and it's often cheaper than Miami, just 30 miles south.

The Florida Keys

A chain of islands stretching from the southern tip of mainland Florida to Key West, connected by the Overseas Highway — one of the world's great road trips. Key West is the final stop: a quirky, colourful, rum-soaked island town where Hemingway wrote and the sunset is a nightly community event.

Jacksonville

Florida's largest city by area and population. Less touristed than the southern cities, Jacksonville offers Atlantic beaches, a revitalised downtown, excellent craft breweries, and the massive Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.

The Everglades

A vast, unique ecosystem of sawgrass marshes, mangroves, and waterways covering the southern tip of the state. Alligators, manatees, panthers, and hundreds of bird species. Airboat tours are the classic experience, but kayaking through the mangroves is unforgettable.

Best Time to Visit

For UK visitors, every season has merit:

• November to April — Peak season. Warm, dry weather (20-28°C). Higher prices but reliably pleasant
• May to June — Shoulder season. Getting hot and humid. Prices drop. Afternoon storms begin
• July to September — Summer. Very hot (32-35°C+), humid, daily thunderstorms. The cheapest time to visit, but the weather tests you. Hurricane season runs June-November (peak August-October)
• October — Halloween season at the parks. Good weather returning. Excellent value

Getting Around

Hire Car

Essential for most Florida trips. Roads are wide, well-signposted, and driving is straightforward once you adjust to the right side. Hire cars from Orlando airport start from around 25 per day. Book in advance during peak season.

Toll Roads

Florida has extensive toll roads, especially around Orlando. Most hire cars come with a SunPass or similar transponder — check with your rental company. Going through a toll without paying results in fees.

Ride-Sharing

Uber and Lyft are widely available in all cities. Often cheaper than taxis for short trips. Useful if you're staying in a walkable area and don't need a car daily.

Public Transport

Limited compared to UK cities, but improving. Miami has Metrorail and Metromover. Orlando has Brightline (high-speed rail to Miami), the I-Ride Trolley on International Drive, and Lynx buses. Tampa has the TECO streetcar in Ybor City.

Planning Your Trip

Explore our detailed guides for each region, or dive into our themed pages covering beaches, dining, weather, activities, and practical travel tips. Every guide is written with UK travellers in mind — we know what questions you have because we've asked them ourselves.

floriday.uk is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with any airline, hotel chain, tour operator, or tourism board. Content is provided for informational purposes. Travel information is current at the time of writing — always verify visa requirements, opening hours, and prices before booking.