Useful information
British travel essentials, from money to travelling with pets
From bringing goods into the country to what to do in an emergency, you’ll find plenty of useful information for travelling to Britain here. Do you know what plug adaptor to bring? What time zone you’ll be in? Or if it’s safe to drink the tap water? Read on – we’ve got you covered.
Money
Britain’s national currency is pound sterling (symbol: £), which is sub-divided into 100 pence (symbol: p). Notes come in denominations of £50, £20, £10 and £5, and coins in £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p.
You can get British currency in banks, travel agents, post offices and bureaux de change (found on high streets, airports and at major railway stations).
Rates of exchange vary at different bureaux de change so it’s always worth shopping around. Travelex have branches throughout Britain, while Marks & Spencer (a popular department stores in Britain) has bureaux de change in over 100 of its stores. Many Post Offices also offer bureaux de change services.
Scotland and Northern Ireland issue their own pound sterling notes – they look different but have the same value as English notes. You can use English and Scottish money (apart from the Scottish £1 note) anywhere in the UK, but Northern Irish cash can only be used in Northern Ireland.
Tipping is not expected in Britain like it is in some other countries. Workers do not have to rely on tips to live and all staff must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. It’s not necessary to tip but it’s polite to do so if you’ve had good service, and it’s always appreciated. Some bars and restaurants will automatically add a tip or service charge to bills.
It’s normal to tip taxi drivers and it’s customary to round the fare up to the nearest pound. If you choose to tip your taxi driver, a 10-15 percent tip is a nice gesture.
In restaurants, an optional service charge is sometimes added to your total bill (this will be noted on your bill). You can choose whether to pay it or not. If nothing is added and you are happy with the service, a standard tip of between 10-15 is well received.
In hotels, if a porter takes luggage to your room for you, it is customary to tip them approximately £2. If you order room service during your stay, you can leave a tip at your own discretion.
If you are in any doubt, a tip around of 10 percent is always be appreciated.
Credit, debit, contact payment and contactless payment cards are widely used throughout Britain, as well as digital wallets on smart phones. Visa and Mastercard are the most common type, while American Express and Diners Club are only sometimes accepted.
Some small shops, markets and cafes may not accept card or digital payments, or may stipulate a minimum spend. Accepted cards are usually displayed in the windows so check first, or ask the owner whether they take card or digital payments, beforehand.
You can withdraw cash from ATM (automatic teller machines) commonly called ‘cash points’ from all over Britain and Northern Ireland. Almost every bank has a cash machine while many more can be found in supermarkets, petrol stations, train stations and high streets. Some charge a small fee for cash withdrawals. You should note that foreign cards will incur a currency exchange fee to withdraw money. Check with your bank for details before you travel.
As a security measure, let your bank know you are travelling overseas.
If you run out of funds, it’s possible to have money wired from your country to the nearest British bank. Branches of Travelex will also do this for you. North American visitors can get cash dispatched through Western Union to a bank or Post Office – you’ll need your passport as proof of identity.
Time
During the winter months (between late October and late March), Britain operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is around five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 10 hours behind Sydney.
During the summer months, the clocks go forward one hour to British Summer Time (BST).
You can normally find the time easily enough, especially with a smart phone in our pocket, but if you’re really caught short, then you can dial the Speaking Clock on 123 (but there’s usually a charge for this).
Opening hours can vary depending on the attraction, shop or restaurant you want to visit; however many businesses are open between the core hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday. You can usually find details of opening times on the website of each business. Larger cities tend to have later closing times and more staff than smaller places. Sunday opening hours are reduced to six consecutive hours for shops, usually between 10am and 6pm.
While shops in Britain aren’t required to close on public holidays (also known as bank holidays), banks and offices are closed. Some shops, restaurants, attractions may operate with reduced opening hours on public holidays, and some transport options may offer limited services.
According to Gov UK, large shops (anything over 280 square meters) must close by law on Easter Sunday and Christmas day, with the exemption of some stores; including airport, railway or service station outlets.
Check to see if there are any public holidays planned before you begin your holiday. There tends to be all sorts of fun events lined up for this time across Britain to enjoy.
Phone and internet access
Most towns and cities offer some form of public access to the internet, whether that’s hotel WiFi or complimentary internet access at a café. WiFi is often available at libraries, pubs, museums and even during some longer-distance train journeys.
Britain and Northern Ireland uses the 900 or 1800 GSM system, so visitors from the United States (where the system is 800 or 1900 MHz band) will need to get a tri or quad-band set. Contact your service provider for more details. Britain also has 4G and 5G though the LET bands might be different to where you are travelling from.
Depending on your network provider, you may be charged for the calls you make and receive, as well as any texts you send and internet you use. It’s perhaps easier and cheaper buy a British SIM card and top it up with credit. This will allow you to use the local mobile networks, though you can only do this if your phone is not locked to a specific network.
Health and security
Dial 999 to reach the police, fire and ambulance departments in an emergency. Along coastal areas, this number will also put you in touch with Britain’s coastguard rescue service, the RNLI.
Use 101 when you need to contact the police for matters that do not require an immediate response, for example your car has been stolen or you’d like to give information about a crime you have witnessed.
If you would like advice on minor injuries and illnesses that aren’t life threatening, call 111, the national non-emergency medical number - there is usually a bit of a wait for a call back.
The emergency services in Britain are: Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Coastguard.
Police men and women (affectionately called bobbies) were once a common sight patrolling the streets, but less so now. They can deal with anti-social behaviour, provide directions, and information. You can find often police stations in cities, towns and some villages.
Pharmacists in Britain are highly trained professionals who can offer advice on minor ailments and well-being as well as dispense medication where necessary.
You can find pharmacies all around Britain and Northern Ireland, including well-known brands including brands like Boots Pharmacy and Lloyds Pharmacy. You can also buy over-the-counter drugs as well as other healthcare and beauty products.
For advice on minor injuries and illnesses that aren’t life threatening, call 111 (the national non-emergency medical number).
The water supply in Britain is ranked as some of the highest quality in the world according to GOV UK. Tap water in Britain is monitored regularly and is considered clean and safe to drink. Tap water from the bathroom is generally safe to drink if it is from the same supply as the kitchen tap, but if you are in a public toilet and there isn’t a sign letting you know that it is drinking water then do not drink it.
Yes, there are public toilets across Britain, most of which are free to use, except for some which may have a small fee. There are public toilets with baby changing facilities, accessible toilets and Changing Places toilets with changing beds and hoists. RADAR Keys are available for independent access to over 10,000 accessible toilets across Britain (order online at Blue Badge Company, Age UK and Disability Rights UK).
What to bring
The voltage in Britain is 220/240 AC, 50Hz and electrical plugs (plug type G) have three rectangular pins and take fuses of 3, 5, and 13 amps. For any electrical equipment brought into Britain, you’ll probably need an adaptor. Most hotels will have two-pronged European-style sockets for shavers only.
If you’re not fluent in English, it might be worth making sure you have a translation app on your phone. These handy apps can translate words and phrases using text, voice commands and can even translate text in photographs. Newer Apple devices come with a Translate app as standard, while Android users can download Google Translate.
There are several apps that are useful for visiting Britain. National Rail’s app offers train times and journey planning. Google Maps offer route planning, places of interest, food and shopping options.
For step free travel around London, check out the TfL Go app, while AccessAble on iOS offers information on step free routes and navigating attractions across Britain. Other useful apps include The Refill app, which details over 30,000 water re-filling station across Britain. There are several toilet-finder apps as well, such as Flush Toilet Finder on iOS and Android. The Toilet Map website is another a useful tool.
Due to its geographical location, Britain typically experiences all four seasons within one year – spring, summer, autumn and winter. The weather in Britain can range from minus temperatures with frost and snow in the cooler months to blue sky and bright sunshine in the summer. No matter the season, rain can also be a regular feature, so it’s always wise to pack an umbrella and raincoat.
The weather in Britain can be quite temperamental, so no matter what time of year you visit, it’s a good idea to bring something warm. It’s also worth packing a waterproof jacket – it can rain a lot in some locations. If you’re planning to do a lot of walking or hiking, a good, sturdy pair of walking shoes is an essential piece of kit.
Bringing goods into UK Customs
You can bring some goods into Britain without having to pay tax or duty, if they’re for your own use or you’re planning to give them as a gift. Others you will have to ‘declare’ at the airport. You can find more on the GOV.UK website.
GOV UK explains that visitors to the UK are allowed to bring in a personal allowance of goods into Britain for your own use or to gift. This includes restricted amounts of alcohol, tobacco and goods such as perfume and electronics up to £390. You must declare goods if: you go over the personal allowance; if items are banned or restricted (certain food or plants); or if you plan to sell or use the goods for business purposes.
There are several types of food that you are not allowed to bring into Britain, this depends on where you are travelling from. The list of items includes restrictions on dairy, meat, fish and animal products, and restrictions on fruits vegetables, nuts and seeds. Gov UK has a complete list of restricted food items.
Visitors to Britain are allowed to bring with them goods such as perfume and electronics up to a value of £390. This limit is £270 if arriving by private plane or boat. You are allowed to bring separate allowances of tobacco, alcohol and some food produce, though goods must all be for personal use or gifts, and you cannot combine allowances with others.
Travelling with pets
Travellers to Britain can bring pets when visiting but they must comply with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) according to GOV UK. Rules for bringing pet dogs, cats and ferrets include being vaccinated against rabies, they must be microchipped and have a valid pet passport or health certificate. The rules are different for other animals. You can find out more about bringing pets to Britain on the GOV.UK website.
Britain is generally dog friendly with plenty to keep you and your furry friend happy. With some dog-friendly cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and shops. If you are unsure if dogs are welcome, it’s always best to ask. There are specific dog areas on beaches and in parks, with Britain’s 15 National Parks welcoming careful dog owners to walk and hike the trails. Visitors must respect the countryside code, ensuring dogs are under control in sight or on a lead (dogs must always be on a lead around any livestock).
Food and Drink
You must be age 18 or older to purchase alcohol in Britain. Staff in bars, restaurants and shops also have a ‘Challenge 25’ policy where they can ask to see a valid form of photo ID from anyone who looks younger than 25. This is to ensure that no one under the age if 18 is sold alcohol.
Yes, it is easy to find gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian food in Britain. Most restaurants clearly mark gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options on menus, and supermarkets have a great range of options for all diets. Most supermarkets even have specific aisles dedicated to gluten and/or dairy-free products.
Studying in the UK
There is an abundance of study options in the UK. Study UK helps to provide you with practical information, scholarship and funding options as well as advice about moving to the UK.
There are several requirements to study in the UK, including an offer from a university along with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter, proof of English language proficiency, proof of funds and a student visa. Documents required to apply vary on the type of course being applied for and also age. GOV UK has a full run down of requirements for student visas.
