Travel Information
Bank HolidaysIn addition to national holidays like Christmas and Easter there are “Bank Holidays” which vary by region. These often fall on Mondays to extend the weekend.
Overview: National Holidays and Bank Holidays.
Overview: National Holidays and Bank Holidays.
Congestion Charge Since the introduction of the congestion charge in February 2003, all vehicles traveling through central London have to pay a fee of £ 8,00 per day. Buses with 9 seats and more will be exempt from paying by registering prior to departure. Standard forms available at www.cclondon.com.
CurrencyThe sole currency in the United Kingdom is GBP. Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes look different but are still Pound Sterling. The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro.
CustomsThere are no limits on what you can buy and take with you when you travel between EU countries, as long as it is for personal use and not for resale. Travelling within the EU also means that there is no duty-free shopping, as all of the EU is one single market. Find more information at www.businesslink.gov.uk.
Disabled Travelers
Free information about accommodation and mobility at:
Holiday Care Information Unit
Tel.: 0044 – 854 – 124 9971
Fax: 0044 – 845 124 9976
Mail: holiday.care@virgin.net
Homepage: www.holidaycare.org.uk
Holiday Care Information Unit
Tel.: 0044 – 854 – 124 9971
Fax: 0044 – 845 124 9976
Mail: holiday.care@virgin.net
Homepage: www.holidaycare.org.uk
ElectricitySupply voltage is 240V/ 50 Hz alternating current. The sockets require three-pole adaptors, available in department stores and electrical shops. There are no sockets in the bathroom for health and safety reasons.
Embassies
German Embassy in England
23 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PZ, England
Tel.: 0044 – 20 – 7824 1300
Fax: 0044 – 20 – 7824 1449
23 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PZ, England
Tel.: 0044 – 20 – 7824 1300
Fax: 0044 – 20 – 7824 1449
German Embassy in North England and Scotland
16 Eglington Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5DG, Schottland
Tel.: 0044 – 131 – 337 2323
Fax: 0044 – 131 – 346 1578
16 Eglington Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5DG, Schottland
Tel.: 0044 – 131 – 337 2323
Fax: 0044 – 131 – 346 1578
German Embassy in Ireland
31 Trimleston Avenue, Booterstown, Blackrock/Co. Dublin
Tel.: 00353 – 1 – 26930 11
Fax: 00353 – 1 – 26939 46
31 Trimleston Avenue, Booterstown, Blackrock/Co. Dublin
Tel.: 00353 – 1 – 26930 11
Fax: 00353 – 1 – 26939 46
Swiss Embassy in England
16 – 18 Montagu Place, London WH1 2BQ, England
Tel.: 0044 – 20 – 7616 6000
Fax: 0044 – 20 – 7724 7001
16 – 18 Montagu Place, London WH1 2BQ, England
Tel.: 0044 – 20 – 7616 6000
Fax: 0044 – 20 – 7724 7001
Austrian Embassy in England
18 Belgrave Mews West, SW1X 8HU London, England
Tel.: 0044 – 20 – 7344 3250
Fax: 0044 – 20 – 7344 0292
18 Belgrave Mews West, SW1X 8HU London, England
Tel.: 0044 – 20 – 7344 3250
Fax: 0044 – 20 – 7344 0292
Emergency Telephone Number 999Allows to contact with one number (free of charge!) ambulance, fire brigade and police.
Hotel RatingsHotels are rated by stars. The number of stars reflect facilities such as lift, restaurant and room service.
In hotels you will find double rooms with one queen/king-sized bed and twins with two separate beds.
In hotels you will find double rooms with one queen/king-sized bed and twins with two separate beds.
InternetInformation about
Information about
Low Emission ZoneSince February 2008 the London Low Emission Zone is in operation. Vehicles affected by the LEZ are heavy vehicles like lorries, buses, coaches, minibuses. Euro standards (Euro III) define the limit for exhaust emissions. Coaches first registered as new on or after October 2001 will meet the standard. Please double check if your coach is older. Important: Registration in advance is required for foreign coaches from July 2008 on.
More information at www.tfl.gov.uk.
More information at www.tfl.gov.uk.
MealsBreakfast - English or continental
English breakfast includes coffee, tea, juice, bread, toast, jam, cereal or cornflakes along with warm dishes such as fried eggs, scrambled eggs, sausages, beans and mushrooms. This offer may vary depending on the hotel.
Continental breakfast for healthy taste consists of tea, coffee, bread or toast and jam. Many hotels offer additional components like yoghurt or fruit.
English breakfast includes coffee, tea, juice, bread, toast, jam, cereal or cornflakes along with warm dishes such as fried eggs, scrambled eggs, sausages, beans and mushrooms. This offer may vary depending on the hotel.
Continental breakfast for healthy taste consists of tea, coffee, bread or toast and jam. Many hotels offer additional components like yoghurt or fruit.
Lunch
Due to the rich breakfast the typical English lunch is light, consisting of salad, soup or sandwiches.
Due to the rich breakfast the typical English lunch is light, consisting of salad, soup or sandwiches.
Dinner
English cuisine will be scrumptious! Enjoy traditional poultry, fish or pork dishes along with potatoes and fresh vegetables as a side dish.
English cuisine will be scrumptious! Enjoy traditional poultry, fish or pork dishes along with potatoes and fresh vegetables as a side dish.
Medical Treatment Citizens of EU and Switzerland will receive free-of-charge medical treatment in case of an emergency at all NHS (National Health Service) doctors and hospitals. Since 01.04.2008 EU citizens who are in need of medical treatment must present a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You can either find this card at the back of your national medical insurance card or request it with your medical insurance company. For names and addresses of doctors or hospitals visit www.nhs.uk or dial 100 (toll free). In urgent cases call the emergency telephone code 999.
There are various “Medicentres” in central London. These private practices offer treatments and issue prescriptions subject to charges. For more information call 0870 – 600 0870.
Over-the-counter medicines are available at pharmacies and chemists (e.g. Boots).
There are various “Medicentres” in central London. These private practices offer treatments and issue prescriptions subject to charges. For more information call 0870 – 600 0870.
Over-the-counter medicines are available at pharmacies and chemists (e.g. Boots).
Metric ConversionsLength, distances Volume Weight
Inch = 2,54 cm Pint = 0,57 l Pound = 453,59 g
Foot = 30,48 cm Gallon = 4,55 l Ounce = 28,35 g
Yard = 91,44 cm
Mile = 1,609 km
Money ExchangeThere is no need to exchange money when travelling to Ireland as Euro is the official currency.
Great Britain is not a member of the Eurozone. GBP (Pound Sterling) is the official currency. Large hotels and shops will accept the Euro but they usually charge high fees and offer non-favourable exchange rates. Therefore you should pay by credit card or exchange your money at a bank before travelling. There are also exchange offices at UK airports, travel agencies and post offices. Please be aware that they charge commission which varies. Alternatively you can withdraw money at cash machines with your cash- or credit card.
Great Britain is not a member of the Eurozone. GBP (Pound Sterling) is the official currency. Large hotels and shops will accept the Euro but they usually charge high fees and offer non-favourable exchange rates. Therefore you should pay by credit card or exchange your money at a bank before travelling. There are also exchange offices at UK airports, travel agencies and post offices. Please be aware that they charge commission which varies. Alternatively you can withdraw money at cash machines with your cash- or credit card.
Bank opening hours:
- vary depending on bank and location. Core times: Mo – Fr 09:30 – 16:30
- partly opened during Saturdays (mostly during morning in shopping centres)
- all banks will be closed on Bank Holidays
- 24h-service will be partly available at some airports
- partly opened during Saturdays (mostly during morning in shopping centres)
- all banks will be closed on Bank Holidays
- 24h-service will be partly available at some airports
Opening hoursShops:
- Mo-Sa 09/10:00 - 18/19:00
- opening hours may extend till 8pm on certain weekdays and before Christmas
- large shops and chains such as Salisburys and Tesco normally open on Sundays from 10/11:00 for a maximum of 6 hours.
- Mo-Sa 09/10:00 - 18/19:00
- opening hours may extend till 8pm on certain weekdays and before Christmas
- large shops and chains such as Salisburys and Tesco normally open on Sundays from 10/11:00 for a maximum of 6 hours.
Post Office:
- Mo-Fri: 09 - 17:30
- Sat: 09 - 12:30
- Mo-Fri: 09 - 17:30
- Sat: 09 - 12:30
Pubs:
- normally daily from 11:00 till 23:00
- owners can request extended opening hours since autumn 2005
- normally daily from 11:00 till 23:00
- owners can request extended opening hours since autumn 2005
PetsPets travelling from an EU county to UK Great Britain to Ireland
For more details visit www.defra.gov.uk.
For more details visit www.defra.gov.uk.
Postal ChargesSending items abroad from the UK :
- Postcards and letters up to 20g withinEurope : 50 p
Stamps are available not only at post offices but also at smaller shops displaying the red stamp-album.
- Postcards and letters up to 20g within
Stamps are available not only at post offices but also at smaller shops displaying the red stamp-album.
Road TrafficIn the UK and Ireland you drive on the left side! You need a valid driving licence but no special documents such as an international driving license. If you are travelling in your own car you need to bring the international insurance card and the car documents.
Find out more at www.highwaycode.gov.uk.
Find out more at www.highwaycode.gov.uk.
Smoking BanIn July 07 England introduced a new law to ban smoking in all enclosed public places like pubs, restaurants and public transport. Coaches have to display a non-smoking sign during their stay. In Scotland the smoking ban was introduced in 2006 and in Ireland in 2004.
Telephone callsPayphones do accept 10 p, 20 p, 50 p and 1 £ coins and partially credit cards.
Phonebooks and Internet (www.payphones.bt.com) inform about costs of telephone calls.
Telephone enquiries: 118 118 (chargeable)
Country code UK: 0044
Country code Ireland: 00353
Country code Germany: 0049
Country code Austria: 0043
Country code Switzerland: 0041
Phonebooks and Internet (www.payphones.bt.com) inform about costs of telephone calls.
Telephone enquiries: 118 118 (chargeable)
Country code UK: 0044
Country code Ireland: 00353
Country code Germany: 0049
Country code Austria: 0043
Country code Switzerland: 0041
TimeGreat Britain and Ireland are in the Western European Time Zone/Greenwich Mean Time which is one hour behind Central European Time.
TipsRestaurants: bills usually include service charge. If not, you may wish to add 10-15% gratuity to the bill or leave a tip.
Pubs: do not tip cash at the bar of a pub, instead you could offer to buy a drink.
Pubs: do not tip cash at the bar of a pub, instead you could offer to buy a drink.
Travel documentsEU Citizens:
All EU citizens need a valid passport or ID-card. Children should have their own passport. It is in discretion of the immigration officer whether to allow children to enter on parents or guidance’s passport.
All EU citizens need a valid passport or ID-card. Children should have their own passport. It is in discretion of the immigration officer whether to allow children to enter on parents or guidance’s passport.
Switzerland:
If their stay does not exceed 90 days, Swiss Citizens may enter with a valid passport or alternatively with a valid ID card plus “Pink visitor card” which are usually available at the arrival control. Children must have their own passport or ID since January 2003.
If their stay does not exceed 90 days, Swiss Citizens may enter with a valid passport or alternatively with a valid ID card plus “Pink visitor card” which are usually available at the arrival control. Children must have their own passport or ID since January 2003.
Swiss embassy: www.britain-in-switzerland.ch
Non EU-citizens:
Non EU-citizens should check with UK authorities if they need a visa. We recommend that this is done well in advance at “World Bridge Service”, a partner of the British consulate general to avoid disappointment at departure. More information at www.visainfoservices.com.
Non EU-citizens should check with UK authorities if they need a visa. We recommend that this is done well in advance at “World Bridge Service”, a partner of the British consulate general to avoid disappointment at departure. More information at www.visainfoservices.com.
WeatherDespite all the prejudices meteorological studies show that there is less rainfall in London than in most other European cities! In general the climate throughout Britain and Ireland is moderate. It varies from region to region. The East of Scotland is rather consistent, but the weather at the west coast is almost as diversified as its culture. The warm Gulf Stream influences the climate in the southern and especially the south-western parts of England.