Visitor Information
You can visit the Britain and London Visitor Centre on Regent Street.
Money
The unit of currency in Britain is the pound sterling (£) and there is no area in London unserved by ATM; they accept Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus or Maestro cards, while travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, bureau de change offices, hotels and post offices. Take advantage of tax-free shopping and receive the VAT back for all purchases. Ask for a tax-free shopping form if you are from outside the EU. Global Refund's currency conversion system, First Currency Choice, is the first credit card payment system that allows international customers to pay in their own currency at the point of sale, available in selected shops.
Opening hours
Shop opening hours are generally Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00 - although some central London stores stay open til 19.00, later still on Thursdays - and Sundays from midday to 18.00. Visitor attractions and museums are typically open daily from 10.00 to 18.00 though most close for a couple of days over Christmas.
Visas
Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA are given, at their point of arrival , 'leave to enter' the UK for up to 6 months. However if you are a citizen of the EU you don't need a visa to enter the country. Visa regulations are always subject to change, so please check with the local embassy, high commission, consult ate or at www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
Tipping
Although there are no fixed rules, tipping in the UK has become commonplace. If you've received good service whether in a restaurant, cafe or hotel it is quite normal to leave a tip of 10% of the total bill. Taxi drivers will expect tips of around 10%.
Communications
The minimum amount for a call at a public payphone is usually 20p but some take phonecards - available from post offices and newsagents - and credit cards. Stamps can also be bought at post offices or newsagents. Postcards to the rest of Europe cost 42p; to the rest of the world 47p. Many hotels have Internet access and there are also dedicated Internet cafes throughout the city, as well as payphone booths with this service.
Health
Pharmacies can dispense certain drugs over the counter - Boots being the largest chain. Most are open standard hours although each neighbourhood has a duty chemist open on Sundays/ Most doctors' surgeries have a daily drop-in hour. You can also turn up at the Accident & Emergency department of hospitals for immediate complaints, though you should expect to wait a while longer.
Emergencies
As in all capital cities, be aware of your own personal safety. To avoid being a victim of pick pocketing, keep all bags closed. If you have anything to report you can call the emergency services on 999 for more serious incidents. Be vigilant and never leave baggage unattended.
Travellers with disabilities
Thanks to the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, all new tourist attractions and hotels now make full provision for wheelchair users, and access to other public places has greatly improved. Public transport is also more accessible with 9 out of 10 buses equipped for those with mobility problems. The tube network is catching up and certain stations are now being modernised.
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