Traveling to the UK post-Brexit? Here’s what you need to know before you go – USA TODAY

Rick Steves, Special to USA TODAY Published 7:00 a.m. ET Feb. 11, 2020 | Updated 7:45 a.m. ET Feb. 11, 2020

Brexit has officially happened, the UK is now no longer part of Europe, and when it comes to traveling not much is going to change at first. Buzz60

Britain, even while engulfed in Brexit politics, is constantly investing in renovations and first-class exhibits to share its heritage and, in so many ways, Britain's heritage is linked to ours.

While many travelers are understandably curious about how Brexit is affecting tourists, from my experience. it isn't, at least not yet. But even if Britain ends up taking an abrupt exit from the EU, I don't expect American travelers to face any significant disruptions. The only impact I've found is that the country is cheaper for visitors (with the pound weaker than it's been in a while) and that the tourism industry seems to appreciate visitors even more than usual. (And, for those who like to talk politics, the topic is a fascinating conversation starter.)

Here's a rundown on the latest for travelers going to Britain in 2020:

Timed-entry tickets and advance reservations are becoming increasingly popular throughout Europe, as popular sights grapple with growing crowds. Britain is no exception. Book early for anything involving the royal family, like the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey.(Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)

Timed-entry tickets and advance reservations are becoming increasingly popular throughout Europe, as popular sights grapple with growing crowds.

More than ever, it's worth considering booking advance tickets especially in peak season for some of London's top sights: theChurchill War Rooms,Houses of Parliament,St. Paul's Cathedral,Tower of London,London Eye, any West End play you're set on seeing, and the newest addition inside Westminster Abbey, theQueen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries(which offers nice views of the nave and a small museum with objects from royal ceremonies).

If you want to see Stonehenge, plan ahead and book tour tickets in advance.(Photo: Aijaz Rahi/AP)

Beyond London, it's also good to book ahead for visits toStonehenge,Tintagel Castle, theLennon and McCartney homesin Liverpool, and anyEdinburgh Festivalperformances.

Kensington Palace, where current royals like Prince William and Duchess Kate lay their heads is the site of some construction work. The famous tea service has been moved from the Orangery (which is undergoing a multi-year restoration) to the Palace Pavilion.(Photo: TonyBaggett/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Several London sights are temporarily closed for renovations this year. The Orangery at Kensington Palace is undergoing a multi-year restoration. During this time, its famous tea service will be hosted at the equally elegantKensington Palace Pavilion.

The Courtauld Gallery, which exhibits medieval to Post-Impressionist paintings, will remain closed until 2021.

Dove Cottage, the Lake District home of English poet William Wordsworth's home, will reopen asWordsworth Grasmerethis spring to mark his 250th birthday.(Photo: AndyRoland/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

TheMuseum of the Home(formerly known as the Geffrye Museum), which covers the history of making, keeping, and being at home over the past 400 years, will reopen this summer after a thorough renovation.

In England's idyllic Lake District, poet William Wordsworth's home Dove Cottage is currently closed for restoration. It will reopen asWordsworth Grasmerethis spring, marking his 250th birthday, with updated museum exhibits.

Elsewhere in England, several big sights are undergoing changes. AtCanterbury Cathedral the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion a new welcome center complex, with an info desk and viewing gallery, is set to open this spring. But in 2020, visitors are still likely to see scaffolding and some missing stained glass, as the church's multiyear structural restoration isn't due to wrap up till next year.

A new steel footbridge joins the two parts of Cornwall's Tintagel Castle, which is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur.(Photo: Fonrimso/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Cornwall's dramaticTintagel Castle, where King Arthur was supposedly born, now requires timed-entry tickets, which are best booked ahead at busy times. The castle also has a new steel footbridge that spans the chasm between the two parts of the castle (once joined by a natural land bridge that collapsed several centuries ago).

Visitors using London's underground will notice construction for Crossrail, the first new line since 1999. However, the new line's debut has been pushed back to 2021.(Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The big transportation news in London is the construction of the first new underground line since 1999: the 73-mile longElizabeth line, a.k.a. Crossrail, which promises to relieve congestion on some of London's main Tube lines, while providing a faster public-transit option to Heathrow Airport. This year travelers will see plenty of construction underway, but no new trains the project's completion has been pushed back (again) to next year.

And a promised improvement in international train travel direct Eurostar train service from Amsterdam to London is also delayed beyond 2020. (Until then, travelers need to change in Brussels for passport control.) At least travelers going in the other direction,from London to Amsterdam, do already have direct-train options (three direct trains per day).

Scotland's second-biggest city, Glasgow, is making its city center including the shopping thoroughfare of Sauchiehall Street friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists with wider sidewalks, bike lanes and seating. But to help cut back on traffic, parking and bus routes are being reduced on some streets.(Photo: blackjake, Getty Images)

Scotland is also busy spiffing up its sights. TheScottish National Galleryin Edinburgh is currently undergoing a major renovation. A new main entrance recently opened, and construction on a bigger and better gallery space for its core collection of Scottish art is in the works.

Scotland's second city of Glasgow is working on improvements to its city center. For instance, Sauchiehall Street, a shopping street that cuts through the heart of the city, and a few surrounding streets have been revamped with wider sidewalks, more trees and seating, and improved bike lanes to make them more cycle- and pedestrian-friendly. To help cut back on traffic, parking and bus routes are being reduced on some streets.

An interesting side effect of Brexit is a renewed push in Scotland to consider a future apart from England (as Scotland was overwhelmingly in favor of remaining in the European Union). It's a good idea to read up on all of this before traveling to Scotland so you'll be able to keep up with potential pub mates.

In Britain, as anywhere in your travels, if you equip yourself with good information and then use it, you'll get more out of your vacation time and money. That's especially true in 2020.

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Traveling to the UK post-Brexit? Here's what you need to know before you go - USA TODAY