Essential Florida Travel Tips for Brits
Florida is one of the easiest long-haul destinations for UK travellers — but it's still a different country with different rules, customs, and systems. This guide covers everything practical so you arrive prepared.
Before You Go
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
UK citizens don't need a traditional visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days. You need an ESTA, which is an online pre-screening authorization.
- Apply at the official CBP website (the only legitimate source)
- Cost: $21 (payable by card)
- Apply at least 72 hours before departure, though most are approved instantly
- Valid for 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)
- Covers multiple trips — you don't need a new ESTA for each visit
Beware of third-party ESTA sites that charge inflated fees (sometimes 50 or more) for the same service. Always use the official government site.
Passport Requirements
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Machine-readable biometric passports are required. If your UK passport was issued after 2006, it's biometric.
Travel Insurance
Absolutely essential. American healthcare is ruinously expensive without insurance. A basic emergency room visit can cost $2,000-5,000. An ambulance ride alone can be $1,000+. A hospital stay can run into tens of thousands.
Buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers:
- Medical expenses (at least $1 million — $5 million is better)
- Repatriation
- Trip cancellation
- Lost luggage
- Activities you plan to do (some policies exclude water sports, for example)
Flights
Direct flights from the UK to Florida:
- London (Gatwick/Heathrow) to Orlando, Miami, Tampa — multiple daily flights, 9-10 hours
- Manchester to Orlando — direct services, especially during peak season
- Glasgow to Orlando — seasonal direct services
- Birmingham to Orlando — limited direct services
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, TUI, and JetBlue are the main carriers. Norwegian and other budget long-haul options appear seasonally.
Flight tips for UK travellers:
- Book early for peak season (school holidays, Christmas, Easter)
- Consider flying to Tampa or Fort Lauderdale instead of Orlando for lower fares
- Outbound flights are mainly afternoon/evening departures, landing in the evening EDT
- Return flights are often daytime, arriving early morning UK time (brutal, but unavoidable)
Money
Currency
The US Dollar ($). As of recent years, 1 GBP buys roughly $1.20-1.30 — check current rates before travel.
How to Pay
- Credit/debit card — Accepted almost everywhere. Use a card with no foreign transaction fees (Starling, Monzo, Chase, Revolut, or a fee-free credit card)
- Cash — You'll need some for tips, small shops, and markets. Withdraw from ATMs using your fee-free card rather than exchanging currency at the airport
- Contactless — Accepted in most shops and restaurants, but less universally than in the UK. Many US terminals still expect chip-and-PIN or chip-and-signature
Tipping Culture
This is the biggest cultural difference for British visitors. Tipping is not optional in the US — service workers' wages are structured around tips.
- Restaurants: 15-20% of the pre-tax bill. 20% is standard for good service
- Bars: $1-2 per drink at the bar
- Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per day, left on the pillow or nightstand
- Hotel porters: $1-2 per bag
- Taxi/Uber: 15-20%
- Valet parking: $2-5 when your car is returned
- Tour guides: $5-10 per person for a half-day tour
Not tipping (or tipping very little) is considered rude and is noticed. Budget for tips — they add 15-20% to your dining costs.
Driving in Florida
Hire Car
You'll almost certainly need one. Florida is spread out and public transport is limited outside downtown areas.
- Book before you go — Prices are much lower when booked in advance from the UK
- Insurance: Your UK car insurance almost certainly doesn't cover the US. The hire company will offer CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), LDW (Loss Damage Waiver), and liability insurance. Consider what your travel insurance covers before accepting or declining
- Fuel: Petrol (they call it "gas") is significantly cheaper than the UK — roughly half the price. Most cars take "Regular" (87 octane)
- Driving licence: Your UK photocard licence is valid. An International Driving Permit isn't required but some hire companies accept it as additional ID
Driving on the Right
The first 30 minutes feel odd. After that, it's fine. Tips:
- Roundabouts are rare — Junctions are mostly traffic lights or stop signs
- Right turn on red — You can turn right at a red light (after stopping) unless a sign says otherwise. This feels deeply wrong at first
- Four-way stops — Whoever arrives first goes first. If simultaneous, the car on the right has priority
- Speed limits — In mph. Highways typically 65-70 mph. Residential streets 25-35 mph. Speed enforcement is real
- School zones — Strictly enforced reduced speed zones near schools during school hours. Fines are doubled
- Toll roads — Everywhere. Ensure your hire car has a transponder (SunPass, E-PASS) or ask the rental company
Parking
Free parking is much more common than in the UK. Shopping centres, restaurants, and many attractions have free car parks. Downtown areas and beaches may have metered parking ($1-3 per hour).
Health and Safety
Sun Protection
The Florida sun is significantly stronger than anything in the UK. Even in winter:
- SPF 30+ minimum, reapplied every 2 hours (and after swimming)
- Hats and sunglasses are essential, not accessories
- Seek shade during 11am-3pm, especially with children
- Hydrate constantly — the humidity makes dehydration sneaky
Tap Water
Safe to drink throughout Florida. It may taste different (slightly sulfurous in some areas due to the aquifer), but it's perfectly safe. Buying bottled water is optional.
Wildlife
Florida has wildlife you won't encounter in Bournemouth:
- Alligators — Present in any body of fresh water, including golf course ponds, swimming pools, and suburban lakes. Don't approach, don't feed, keep children and pets away from water edges
- Mosquitoes — Especially June-October. Bring repellent (DEET-based works best)
- Jellyfish — Occasional on both coasts. If stung, rinse with sea water (not fresh water). Lifeguards can help
- Fire ants — Small red ants that deliver a painful sting. Don't stand on ant mounds (small piles of sandy earth)
Pharmacies
Walgreens and CVS are the main chains — found everywhere. Many medications available only by prescription in the UK can be bought over the counter in the US (and vice versa). Bring your own regular medications and the prescription.
Practical Bits
Electricity
US sockets are 120V, 60Hz, Type A/B (two flat pins, sometimes with a round earth pin). You'll need a UK-to-US adapter. Most modern phone chargers, laptop chargers, and camera chargers are dual voltage (110-240V) — check the small print on the charger. Hair dryers and straighteners are often NOT dual voltage — use a voltage converter or buy a cheap one locally.
Mobile Phones
Most UK mobile plans include US roaming, but check:
- Best options: Three, EE, and Vodafone all offer inclusive US roaming on some plans. Check your specific plan
- Alternatives: Buy a local US SIM (T-Mobile and AT&T prepaid are good). Or use Wi-Fi calling — free Wi-Fi is available virtually everywhere (hotels, restaurants, Starbucks, theme parks, shopping centres)
Time Zone
Florida is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which is 5 hours behind GMT (4 hours behind during BST/British Summer Time, March-October).
Exception: The Florida Panhandle (western strip near Alabama) is in the Central Time Zone, 6 hours behind GMT.
Sales Tax
Florida has no state income tax but does have sales tax — typically 6-7.5% added at the till (not included in the displayed price, unlike the UK). This applies to most purchases including restaurant meals but NOT groceries or some medications.
This is the single most confusing thing for British visitors. The price on the shelf is not the price you pay. A meal listed at $50 will cost roughly $54 after tax, then add a 20% tip and it's around $64.
Weather Alerts
Florida has more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the US. Afternoon thunderstorms are common May-October:
- Lightning — If you can hear thunder, you're within striking distance. Go indoors
- Hurricanes — Season runs June 1 - November 30 (peak August-October). Monitor weather forecasts. Hotels and resorts have well-practised protocols. Travel insurance should cover hurricane disruption
Travel information is current at the time of writing. Always verify visa requirements, entry rules, and specific advice with official sources before booking. floriday.uk is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with any government body, airline, or tourism organisation.