Two days is not enough to see the United Kingdom, a country of four nations with London as its capital, but it is exactly enough to hit London hard and come home converted. This plan puts both days into the capital: Westminster and Buckingham Palace on day one, the Tower of London on day one’s afternoon, then free world-class museums, the South Bank and a West End show on day two.

Three days is the sweet spot for a first UK trip: enough time for London’s big three (Westminster, the Tower, the free museums) plus one proper train day out, without the multi-city scramble that a rushed 6 or 7 day plan can turn into. This itinerary keeps you based in London the whole time and adds a single day trip to Windsor Castle on day 3. Budget in pounds sterling, not euros, get your ETA sorted before you fly, and pack a waterproof no matter the month.

Four days is enough to do London properly and still get a real taste of Scotland, without ever needing a rental car. This first-timer plan spends two days in London hitting the icons and the free museums, then rides the train north to Edinburgh for the Castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat. The United Kingdom is four nations under one government, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and this route genuinely crosses from one into another.

Five days is enough to do London properly and still get a genuine second city under your belt, no rental car required. This first-timer plan spends three days in London on the icons, the free museums and a big day trip out to Bath and Stonehenge, then rides the train north to Edinburgh for two full days of the Castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat. The United Kingdom is four nations under one government, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with London as the capital; the separate Republic of Ireland, which uses the euro, sits outside this route entirely.

Six days buys you a proper look at both of the UK’s biggest cities plus one genuine push into wilder scenery, and you never need a rental car to do it. This first-timer plan spends three days in London on the icons, the free museums and one countryside day trip, then rides the train north to Edinburgh for the Castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat, before a guided day trip into the Highlands closes out day six.

A week is the sweet spot for a first UK trip: enough time for London properly, a full two days in Edinburgh, and a genuine push into the Scottish Highlands, all without a rental car. This plan spends three days in London on the icons, the free museums and a day trip to Bath and Stonehenge, then rides the train north to Edinburgh for the Castle and the Royal Mile, before a full-day Highlands tour out of Edinburgh on day six.