Travelling to Brighton from overseas? Here’s what you need to prepare
Everyone who has ever followed a football team from abroad has thought about finally getting to see them play in person.
It’s one thing to watch your club on TV, it’s quite another to be able to cheer them on from the homestand. If you’re a Brighton and Hove Albion fan, then you’ll know that there’s something truly special about the Falmer Stadium. And if you’re travelling from abroad to see the Seagulls in action, then you’re in for an absolute treat.
However, there are a few things that you should prepare if you’re going to be travelling to the UK this summer or later in the year, and a few things that you should make sure that you don’t miss.
Where are you travelling from?
Let’s start with some basic essentials. If you’re heading to the UK from overseas, then you need to think about how you’re going to get to Brighton from the airport.
The easiest city to get to Brighton from is London. It’s well connected to the capital city by rail, and it should only take you about an hour or so.
If you’re flying into one of the UK’s other major cities, then it’s worth noting that you may have to change trains in London on your way to Brighton, so make sure that you factor this into any travel plans you’re making.
Check the trains and buses
This point is not just for travelling to and from Brighton! The United Kingdom has a lot of public transport options, and it’s generally easiest to travel long distances by train (although you can always opt for a coach if you want to save some money).
Train tickets can be very expensive, so you should try to book in advance if you can. There are discounted fares available for students, children, and people over the age of 65, so check the train website before you buy your tickets.
The main reason why you need to check your trains and buses at the moment is that there has been a lot of industrial action in the UK.
The rail strikes that caused so much chaos over the last twelve months look as though they have finally been resolved, but that does not mean that they won’t start up again.
It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on the news and signing up for updates about the latest changes to train and bus schedules.
Have some indoor downtime options planned
Speaking of delays, there is always going to be a chance that your plane or train ends up running late and that you’ll end up stuck somewhere with nothing to do.
It’s also worth remembering that the British summer weather is not exactly consistent (more on the weather in just a moment, this is an article about visiting the UK after all!), so it makes sense to have some options planned for indoor downtime.
The good news is that you shouldn’t have too much trouble with the wi-fi while you’re over in the United Kingdom, so think about getting some of your favourite shows queued up.
You could also think about playing some online video games. It’s always a great way to disconnect from a long and stressful day of travelling.
You could even think about playing some online casino games to help you add a bit of extra cash to your vacation fund. If you want to play live with free spins, then check out PlayLive casino. They offer live games and a lot of different promotions to make sure that you’re having the best online gaming experience around.
Make sure that you’re prepared for any kind of weather
It’s time to come back to talking about the weather. Generally speaking, you should be able to have some great sunny days at Brighton Beach without having to worry too much about too many serious weather changes.
But the United Kingdom is known for its rain, and it’s definitely worth packing a waterproof coat and an extra pair of clothes just in case the downpours do start. And even though Brighton is in the south of the UK, it’s still probably worth taking a jumper with you too!
However, the United Kingdom has seen its fair share of extreme weather events over the last couple of years, and last summer the temperature rocketed to a record-breaking 40 degrees.
It might not do the same this year, but it’s important to remember that most of the UK is not built to deal with very hot weather. So, if it does get really hot, be prepared for travel delays and a lot of conversation about the temperature!
Travel insurance is still a good bet
The NHS is absolutely invaluable to UK citizens, but if you’re visiting and you need to go to the doctor for any kind of emergency, then you may need to pay a fee.
There’s been a lot of discussion in the UK about healthcare recently, with junior doctors and nurses going on strike over their pay.
If you’re going to be travelling to Brighton, or anywhere in the UK, then it’s well worth making sure that you have proper insurance coverage.
You don’t want to be worrying about whether you’re going to be able to afford treatment when you should be relaxing and enjoying your trip!
Think about heading to pride
Finally, one of the main attractions that Brighton has to offer is its annual Pride festival. It’s held every year in August, so if you’re thinking of visiting the UK for the start of the football season then this should be on your to-do list.
Pride celebrations are held around the country, but there is something very special about the legendary Brighton event. You can see the massive parade and there will be lots of other special events too. It’s estimated that 500,000 people come from around the world to be a part of it, so don’t miss out!
