|
|
|
|
There are several very useful Tourist
information Centres around London,
the main ones are:
London Tourist Board Information
Tel: 0207 971 0027
The British Tourist Authority
Provides 0207 provides information on
London and the rest of Britain. www.visitbritain.com
Many information bureaus are
located at main airports and train
stations.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Safety
Like most major cities take the usual
precautions. Beware of pickpockets,
keep valuables safe, park and walk
near well lit areas.
Electricity
Standard voltage in the UK is 230v
50hz supply. 3 pin plugs are
standard in Britain.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed on trains,
buses, planes and is becoming
more in decline in public areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The main bank holidays in
Britain are:
2005
3 January – (for) New Years Day
25 March – Good Friday
28 March - Easter Monday
2 May – May Bank Holiday
30 May – Summer Bank Holiday
29 August – August Bank Holiday
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Banking
In London most of the major banks
are open from 9.30 – 15.30 Monday
to Friday and 9.30 – 12.00 on
Saturday and closed on Sunday
(check with individual banks for
extended opening times). All the
banks provide business banking
services, currency exchange, money
transmissions and foreign currency
exchange.
Most have ATM machines for 24hr
withdrawals.
Hotels and Foreign Currency
Exchanges also offer most services,
though commissions may be slightly
higher.
Postal Services
Mail can be sent from all main Post
Office and the bright red post boxes
around the city. Normal opening
hours are 9.00 – 17.30pm Mon – Fri
and 9.00 to 12.30pm Saturday.
Trafalgar Square is open longer
8.00 – 20.00 Mon – Sat. For full
post details visit www.royalmail.com
Medical Services
Emergency medical treatments and
doctors visits are provided free of
charge on the National Health (this
applies to European Union and
commonwealth citizens). London
has several hospitals. Prescribed
medicines by GPs (General
Practitioners) are dispensed at a
fixed fee of £***
Private Doctor
services are available, which are
useful in an emergency, they do
charge a callout fee.
Dental treatments on the NHS
incur standard fees.
Accidents & Emergencies
If you do have an emergency and
need to call the ambulance, fire or
police services, dial 999, after giving
your phone no you will be connected
to the relevant service.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shopping
If you enjoy shopping then you’ll love
London! Apart from the main
department and high street stores,
there a number of unusual shops
offering something for everyone. The
main shopping centres are Oxford
Street, Regent Street, Covent
Garden and the fashionable Sloane
Square and Kings Road. Shops in
the main tourist areas are open later Thursday & Friday.
Many shops offer duty free shopping.
Eating Out
There are over 8000 restaurants in
London offering all major cuisines!
Tipping
Tipping has become a common
custom in the UK and most
restaurants include a service charge
of 10-15%. If no service charge is
included, expect to tip that amount.
Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10%
and hotel porters £1 per bag or
thereabouts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Parking
There are several multi-story car-
parks, but much of the city operates
parking meters. Permits are
required for most residential parking
areas and wardens are very keen –
you have been warned!
Driving
We drive on the left in Britain and in
London too (allegedly). Like any
major city, driving around the capital
can be challenging.
Congestion Charge
The Congestion Charge was
introduced to reduce the amount of
traffic into the City. The cost is £5.00
per day. For areas where the charge
currently applies visit www.cclondon.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Airport
Network: London has 5 main airports:
Heathrow is 15 miles (24km) west
of Central London and is one of the busiest in the
world. You can reach Heathrow by train (Heathrow
Express from Paddington),tube (The Piccadilly Line)
and by bus Airlinks and National Express.
Gatwick is 27 miles (43km) south
of Central London. You can reach Gatwick by train
(Gatwick Express from Victoria) and bus or coach
Flightline hourly from Victoria Station and Speedlink.
Stansted is 34 miles (54km) north
east of Central London. You can reach Stansted by
rail (Stansted Express from Liverpool Street), and
bus and coach from Victoria.
London City Airport is 6 miles
(10km) east of Central London. Get to London City
Airport by shuttlebus from Liverpool Street or pick
up the airport’s shuttlebus from Canary Wharf or
Canning Town (both accessible via the Jubilee line
& DLR)
Luton Airport is 30 miles (48km)
north west of Central London. You can reach Luton
Airport via the Shuttle from St Pancras (next to
Kings Cross) or via the Greenline Bus from Central
London and The West End. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Railway Network
The Railway Network is still reasonably good. Most major
towns and cities are serviced via the key train services for
enquiries on prices and times call National Rail Enquiries
Tel: look out for special offers on key websites.
Main Stations include: Euston, Victoria, Paddington, Kings
Cross, Waterloo.
London Buses
A familiar site around London, the red buses offer a good
alternative for getting round the city (and a better view).
The 168 is a particularly good route from Hampstead to
Waterloo – at £1.00 – great value. Short journeys cost 70p
to £1.00 and an all-day pass costs £2.50 from any Tube
Station.
London Underground - The Tube
More often known as The Tube. The Tube covers all
of central London and many of the main London suburbs.
It is reasonably reliable and the quickest way to
get round London. A single tickets for central London
is £2.30 and £4.30 for an all day pass in zones
1 and 2. Weekly travel passes can be purchased for
The first tubes start normally at 6.30am and the
last tube 12.30am. For full information visit www.londontube.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
TOURIST INFO: