Published 9 Oct 2026 · Updated 11 Oct 2026
A week in the UK works best as four nights in London and three in Edinburgh, joined by a day-time train. Budget roughly ₹1,40,000 to ₹2,00,000 per person, and start the visa application about two months before you fly.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
Indian passport holders need a visa before travelling to the UK. The UK’s visa national list, which we checked on 9 October 2026, includes India, which means entry clearance is needed in advance for any purpose. For a holiday, that is the Standard Visitor visa, described on gov.uk. Key points from the gov.uk pages:
- Fee: £135 for a visa of up to 6 months. Long-term visas are £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years) and £1,128 (10 years), each allowing visits of up to 6 months. At about ₹105 to ₹115 per pound, £135 is roughly ₹15,000, so check the day’s rate.
- Stay: usually up to 6 months. You can do tourism and visit family or friends.
- When to apply: the earliest is 3 months before you travel. gov.uk says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks after applying online, proving your identity and providing documents.
- Documents: a passport valid for your whole stay, travel dates, accommodation, estimated trip cost, home address and residence history, your parents’ names and dates of birth if known, annual income, and any offences. Depending on your case, 10 years of travel history and employer details may be asked.
- Biometrics: you give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre, and get your passport back the same day. gov.uk does not name the operator on the page we read, so book through the link on gov.uk.
- Funds and return: you must show you can support yourself and pay for your return or onward journey, or that someone else will.
The UK’s separate £20 Electronic Travel Authorisation does not replace a visa for visa nationals. Apply only through gov.uk, because the government warns that other websites imitate its services and charge more. Rules and fees change, so confirm on gov.uk before paying.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, sharing a twin room, mid-range, seven days and six nights. These are our estimates for a trip outside peak summer and the August festivals, at about ₹110 to the pound.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flight, Delhi or Mumbai to London | ₹45,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Standard Visitor visa (£135) | ₹15,000 |
| Hotels, 6 nights, half a twin room | ₹35,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Food, about £30 – £45 a day | ₹22,000 – ₹32,000 |
| Edinburgh–London train, contactless fares, buses | ₹9,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Attractions (Tower, castle, one West End show, day tickets) | ₹8,000 – ₹14,000 |
| Travel insurance, eSIM, small extras | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
| Total | ₹1,40,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
London hotels are the biggest swing. Staying in Zone 2 or 3 near a Tube station instead of Zone 1 can save a quarter of the hotel line. Booking the Edinburgh–London train weeks ahead usually costs far less than buying on the day. Flying into London and out of Edinburgh is often priced close to a plain return, so compare both.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: arrive in London
Most non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai land in the morning at Heathrow. Take the Elizabeth line or Tube to your hotel, drop your bags and walk along the South Bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge. Keep the evening light.
Day 2: royal London
Start at Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, walk through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace and finish at Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery next door is free. Book timed tickets for paid sights before you travel.
Day 3: museums and markets
Spend the morning in the British Museum or the Natural History Museum, both free, then eat at Borough Market and cross to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Evening: a West End show, with same-day ticket booths in Leicester Square for cheaper seats.
Day 4: day trip or Greenwich
Pick one. Windsor Castle is about an hour away by train, or stay in town for Greenwich, with the Royal Observatory and the Thames walk. End with Indian food in Southall or Wembley if you want a familiar meal.
Day 5: train to Edinburgh
Take a morning train from King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, about 4.5 hours. After checking in, walk the Royal Mile from the castle down to Holyrood, and climb to the Calton Hill viewpoint at sunset.
Day 6: castle and Arthur’s Seat
Do Edinburgh Castle when it opens, then spend the afternoon on the Arthur’s Seat hike (about 90 minutes round trip) or the Royal Botanic Garden. Book the castle in advance in summer.
Day 7: fly home
If you booked into London and out of Edinburgh, leave from Edinburgh airport. Otherwise take the train back to London in the morning and fly from Heathrow in the evening. Allow three hours before an international departure.
Vegetarian and Jain eating
London is easy: Indian vegetarian restaurants, Gujarati thalis in Wembley and Southall, and plenty of vegan menus. Many British dishes use meat stock or animal fat, so ask. Strict Jain travellers should carry dry snacks and look for kitchens with a clear no-onion, no-garlic option.
Best time to go
May to September has long evenings, with sunset after 9 pm in June. August in Edinburgh is festival season, with high prices. April and October are cheaper and wetter. London in winter is festive but dark by 4 pm.
Practical tips
- Money: use a forex card or a Visa or Mastercard; nearly everything accepts contactless. Don’t plan on UPI.
- Transport: tap in and out of the Tube with a contactless card or phone. Daily fares are capped.
- SIM: an eSIM bought before you fly works from landing.
- Plugs: the UK uses the three-pin Type G plug at 230 V, so bring an adapter.
- Insurance: buy travel insurance before you apply for the visa so that your cover dates match.
Related guides
If you liked the idea of dramatic scenery, see our Iceland guide and the Georgia trip guide. Continuing to Ireland? Some Indian passport holders with a UK visitor visa can travel onward without a separate Irish visa; the conditions are in our Ireland trip guide. More facts are on the UK hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for the UK?
Yes. India is on the UK's visa national list, so Indian passport holders need a visa before travel, even for tourism. Most tourists apply for a Standard Visitor visa on gov.uk. The £20 ETA is not the route for Indian passport holders.
How much is the UK visitor visa fee for Indians?
£135 for a Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months, according to gov.uk. Long-term visas cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years, each allowing stays of up to 6 months per visit. The fee is charged in pounds, so the rupee amount moves with the exchange rate.
How long does a UK visa take from India?
gov.uk says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks after you apply online, prove your identity and provide documents. You can apply at most 3 months before you travel, so apply 6 to 8 weeks ahead, once your plans are fixed but before you pay for non-refundable tickets.
How much does a 7-day UK trip cost from India?
Roughly ₹1,40,000 to ₹2,00,000 per person for a mid-range week split between London and Edinburgh. That includes return flights, the visa fee, twin-share hotels, food, trains, attractions, insurance and an eSIM. Hostels and self-catering can bring it nearer ₹1,10,000.
Is London or Edinburgh better for a first UK trip?
Do both if you have a week. London has the big sights and museums, many of which are free, while Edinburgh adds a medieval old town, a castle and hill walks. The train between them takes about 4.5 hours.
Is the UK good for vegetarians from India?
Yes, London especially. Southall, Wembley, Tooting and Brick Lane have Indian vegetarian restaurants, and most British restaurants label vegetarian and vegan dishes. Edinburgh has fewer options, but cafes, Italian places and several Indian restaurants cover it.
When is the best time to visit the UK?
May to September has the longest days and mildest weather, and Edinburgh's August festivals bring crowds and high hotel prices. April and October are cheaper but wetter. Pack a rain jacket in every season.
