A Guide to Business Travel in the UK
As the financial heart of Europe, the United Kingdom attracts thousands of professionals each year for various business engagements, including meetings, conferences, and consumer research trips. But when it comes to things like visa requirements, transportation options, accommodation choices, and even cultural etiquette, many Americans find themselves overwhelmed – or at least, initially confused.
Don’t worry. We’re here to help clear up the misconceptions, streamline the process of traveling to the UK, and ultimately enable you to achieve your business objectives.
UK Business Travel Tips for Professionals
If you’ve never been to the UK before, you should go, even if you don’t have business interests there at the moment. It’s never a bad thing to expose yourself to new cultures – and the UK happens to be an area that’s rich with natural wonders, history, and convivial people.
If you are traveling to the UK for business, it’s important to do some prep work.
These tips can help:
- Use the UK’s ETA program. The ETA program is going to be tested in 2023, then fully rolled out in 2024. It’s an electronic travel authorization program designed to make it easier for people to gain authorization to travel to the UK for any reason, including business. Essentially, all you’ll need to do is fill out a few details on an online application, then submit that application for automatic review. Most people will be approved quickly, though some applications will be flagged for manual review and approval. Either way, it’s a streamlined and fast way to get authorized for travel.
- Avoid busy times. If you have the luxury of planning a specific date for your trip, avoid busy travel times. You’ll minimize the cost of the trip while simultaneously avoiding crowds and unnecessary traffic. During your business trip, it’s also important to avoid or plan around rush hour; London and other big cities tend to get congested and difficult to navigate during these busy hours. Always give yourself extra time to get to your destination – and remember that punctuality is very important in UK culture.
- Consider using executive serviced apartments. Executive serviced apartments function as your home away from home. These fully furnished living spaces have everything you need to rest, live, and work between meetings and business arrangements. They tend to be more expensive than a basic hotel room, but if you’re trying to stay productive and appropriately rested, they’re a great investment.
- Get ready for driving differences. Don’t underestimate the difference between driving in the UK and driving in America. You’ll have to do more than simply switch to the opposite side; you’ll need to learn new local laws and ordinances, figure out how to manage roundabouts, and get used to driving etiquette across the pond. Unfortunately, there’s no testing ground, so you’ll need to exercise caution as you flesh out these skills.
- Remember to bring an electrical adapter. Here’s a quick one: bring an electrical adapter. Too often, businesspeople forget that their laptop and phone charging cables aren’t going to work in most other countries. Adapters are cheap, so this should be no big deal.
- Dress conservatively. The UK typically follows conservative dress principles in professional environments. For the most part, this is similar to what you’ve come to expect in the United States. But if you want to make a good impression, err on the side of formality. Nobody is going to think less of you for dressing too well.
- Expect unexpected weather. Brits are known for talking about the weather incessantly, in part because the weather in the UK is so unpredictable. In the span of a given week, you could face massive temperature fluctuations, humidity changes, and the sudden onset of inclement weather. Make sure you pack clothes and accessories to handle this.
- Respect personal space. Most Brits will enthusiastically welcome a firm handshake when making introductions or meeting up with colleagues; like in the United States, it’s a great way to make a good first impression. But you should also remember that people in the UK typically have a greater need for privacy and personal space than their American counterparts. Don’t offer a hug unless you know a person well – and keep your distance otherwise. This is especially important to observe because many British people will be too polite to tell you that you’re violating their personal space.
- Rely on public transportation. Public transportation is incredibly effective in London and most other big cities in the UK. It’s on time, it’s clean, it’s convenient, it can get you almost anywhere, and it’s ridiculously inexpensive. If you’re staying within the city, you should take full advantage of it.
- Mind your safety. The UK is relatively safe, but you should also be aware of risks and dangers. Do your research in advance so you can identify dangerous areas, and be mindful of pickpockets and common scams (especially in touristy areas).
Learning From Experience
As you gain more experience in the UK (and talk to more professionals there), you’ll get a better sense of the etiquette and cultural norms that dictate business interactions. You’ll also become more familiar with public transportation options, navigation, and the environment of the UK.
In time, you’ll start blending right in – and you’ll be in a much better position to market and sell your products to the locals.