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U.K. Travel Tips
 | When traveling to U.K., just carry enough cash to meet your immediate requirements. You may exchange currencies at banks, travel agencies, big post-offices and exchange bureaus. Variable rates and service charges apply. Travelers checks are widely accepted in U.K and so are credit cards, especially Visa and Master. ATMs' are another option to avail cash. Do carry change. |
| Since British weather is slightly unpredictable, do carry all kinds (summer, winter, rainy) of apparel and do not forget to include a comfortable pair of walking shoes. |
| Buy yourself the Great British Heritage Pass, a discount ticket for free entry to all the must-see attractions including castles, stately homes etc. in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Individual passes to these attractions is extremely expensive, but with this pass you save several pounds even if you have limited places to visit in your itinerary. Buy it before coming to UK. |
| If you are planning to cover several regions in UK, avail the BritRail Pass. Train traveling within UK is cheaper, faster and easier than road traveling. The BritRail Pass is a prepaid train travel ticket allowing unlimited traveling within UK for a stipulated time period. This pass has to be availed before you arrive in UK. |
| You may also opt for Megatrain, which offers extremely inexpensive train travel to top UK destinations such as Bath, Salisbury etc. for fares as low as 1 pound and a booking fee of merely 50 pence. If you have time and have a flexible schedule, this is one of the cheapest mode of transport within UK. |
| Buses and coaches are by far the cheapest mode of travel and fairly comfortable. Unless you are covering the length of the country, it would take approximately 2 hours from one important destination to another. |
| Avoid using unlicensed "minicabs" in UK as they may be potentially dangerous. It is always recommended to travel in licensed cabs within UK. |
| In case you are traveling to U.K. on a long term basis (as a student) and need a bank account, you will require your passport, student ID, university/school letter and of course the deposit money. |
| When you visit as an enrolled student in a U.K. university/school, get yourself an International Student Identity Card. That is the only acceptable proof of your being a student there. You would save some precious pounds on accommodation and travel and also gain free entry to galleries, museums and other entertainment places. Either the student union or the local student travel office will furnish you with this card. |
| In case of medical emergency treatment shall be absolutely free regardless of your nationality or residential address, provided it is rendered at:
a) a hospital emergency room
b) a walk-in center with similar services of an emergency room
c) a GP's office or
d) primary care facility.
But, on admission, you shall have to pay in full for any treatment you seek. |
| In UK, most hotels located within the city or a town are comparatively expensive. Get prior information on the feasibility and convenience of the public transport system and book a hotel in the city outskirts. You will in all likelihood get a satisfactory bargain. |
| Most pay phones in U.K. accept the calling cards, which are available in certain stores. Some of these booths will accept coins- a minimum denomination of 10/20 pence. You may also buy a pre-paid or "pay-as-you-go" sim card while in U.K. |
| In UK, you drive on the left side, so if you are not used to it, do not rent a car straightaway from the airport and drive into the busy city streets. First get used to the concept of driving on the left and practice on the country roads. The motorways have a speed limit of 70 mph and on countryside it is down to 40-50 mph. Be careful and maintain the limits as nowadays you have speed cameras fitted all over the country. If you spot a camera on a yellow signboard, be extra cautious as your speed can be monitored from a distance of about 200 yards. |
| If you are used to automatic transmission, ask for one when renting a car in UK, as most UK drivers and cars run on standard or manual transmission. |
| Be extra cautious of hiding your pin numbers while using ATMs and during internet banking in public cafes. |
| South of England and London are comparatively more expensive than the rest of U.K. Plan accordingly. |
| A norm of 10 per cent tipping to taxi drivers, hair-dresser, waiters and porters is practiced in U.K. |
| Before you buy electrical products in U.K., find out whether they would work in your country. |
| In emergency, call 999. |
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Also Read
| U.K. Travel Guidelines to get information on visa, baggage, permitted/ prohibited items and important custom laws. |
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