London Travel Tips

Nescell Williams

Pre-Departure

Passport, VisaInsurance CoverageMoney, Traveler Checks, Credit CardsMapReview Travel Itinerary

Things to do on the Plane

SleepHomeworkRead a bookPlay CardsListen to MusicWatch the Movie

Money Conversion Current Exchange Rates As of Feb 25, 2003, the

exchange rates are:0.6353 United Kingdom Pounds per United States Dollars 1.5738 United States Dollars

per United Kingdom Pounds

                                                                                                             

Money (exchange, commission)

Exchange and commission rates vary considerably so it pays to shop around and even bargain where necessary.

Commission is sometimes charged for cashing travelers' checks in foreign currencies, but not for sterling travelers' checks, provided you cash the checks at a bank affiliated to the issuing bank (get a list when you buy your checks).

Commission is charged if you change cash into another currency. You always need identification, such as a passport, when exchanging travelers' checks.

Phone

Public Phone Booths still exist taking us back the wonderful British TV series of Dr. Who and the infamous Daleks.Most operate on phone cards rather than coins. The cards can be purchased at most high street confectionary stores.

Transportation

Airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London Luton.

Rail: Paris, Lille and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel. London is also well served by British road and rail networks.

Public: – Tube trains travel to all parts of the city – traditional London buses, easy to identify, as they

are painted red. – Open-top buses provide a way of sightseeing whilst

traveling and boats along the Thames are also a more unusual way to make a journey.

Taxi’s (Black)

Black Cabs– The most famous are the black cabs and the

others are minicabs. If you do take a minicab make sure you get the price to your destination before you get into the cab. Black cabs run on a meter but there should be a a clearly visible fare structure in the cab.

– Black cabs, of course, can roam the city looking for business.

Taxi’s (Mini)

Mini Cabs– Mini cabs are just people with cars that work through

an agency. The attraction of a minicab is that they can be cheaper. However, they are not required to be licensed, unlike black cabs, and are not required to pass 'the knowledge' which proves they know their way around the city.

– Minicabs are not allowed to solicit business. In other words, you have to actively call them or go to their office to order one.

Business Tips

Dress Code

– For business meetings, both men and women wear suits. Socially, the British tend to have an informal yet presentable dress code. It is, however, advisable for men to bring a jacket and tie for dining out at exclusive restaurants where more formal dress may be required.

Greeting

– As in most countries a brief but friendly handshake is the customary greeting. It is unusual to address a new acquaintance by a Christian name. If, however, first name terms are required, it is likely to be clearly established. It is advisable to simply be attentive and relaxed.

Business Tips (cont.) Business Hours

– Business hours in the United Kingdom vary from one industry and sector to another but in general, most office environments will operate between 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday. The majority of London banks are open between 09.00 and 16.00, Monday to Friday with some of the larger banks probably also be open on Saturday mornings.

Smoking– The British have neither a positive or negative

attitude towards smoking. Some restaurants may have a 'No Smoking' policy but most tend to have areas catering for both those who want to smoke and those who do not. As far as social etiquette is concerned, although the issue is far less important than it is in the United States, it is still best to smoke in like-minded company.

Arts and Events

The Lord Mayor's Parade, the Promenade concerts and Notting Hill Carnival are just a few of the great number of spectacular events that compliment this most famous capital city.

London's West End 'Theatreland' is, along with Broadway, the world's most famous theater district and the home of spectacular musicals and events.

Dining

It is hardly a revelation to announce that one of the best loved cities in the world is home to an enormous variety of excellent restaurants, with the finest global cuisine offered in a multitude of highly original, imaginative venues. However, it might be a pleasant surprise to learn that traditional English cooking is as popular here as its international counterparts. Today's English restaurants are run by talented, creative chefs with flair and enthusiasm. A properly prepared roast beef or a succulent flaky John Dory are as delicious as any of the world's 'cordon bleu' cuisine. Organically produced vegetables are sweet and succulent whilst warming English 'puddings' are unique, divine creations that were probably designed centuries ago as an antidote to the not so 'warming' English weather.

Restaurants and Shopping

http://www.bigcity2day.com/Archive.aspx?Section=1

http://www.london-tourist-information.com/shopping.htm

Tipping

Tipping in the United Kingdom is discretionary.

Taxi drivers will happily accept a ten percent gratuity.

One or two pounds is the standard tip for hotel service personnel such as luggage handlers and door attendants.

Service charges are included in some restaurants and is clearly stated on menus. However, in most London restaurants a gratuity of 15 percent is the norm.

Weather in London

http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/london/weather.shtml

British weather is rarely extreme. Temperatures and cloud coverage change frequently, often daily, sometimes even hourly and there are few rules that dominate the weather system. Summers tend to be moderately warm with occasional hot days and less rain than other seasons. Winters are usually gray and wet with some wonderful cool, crisp clear days in between. Snow is infrequent. In London there is sometimes thick fog that rolls up the River Thames and hangs over the city making it very damp and cold. Visitors are advised to arm themselves against sudden downpours.

Attractions

British MuseumNational GalleryTate BritainTate ModernMuseum of LondonNational Portrait GalleryLondon EyeBuckingham Palace

Things to Pack (Do’s)

Electrical ConverterPlenty of film and batteries

Things to Pack (Don’t)

Over pack

Sources

http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/london/index.html

http://www.london-travel-tips.com/http://www.bigcity2day.com/default.aspxhttp://www.london-tourist-

information.com/

you could have something on coverting money (should people do it here, there, use travelers cheques, etc?). In restaurants, do people tip or is it included in the bill? Should people buy phone cards in the U.S. if they want to call home or should they buy something there? Are there conversion charts (British shoe sizes are different from U.S.; they are on the metric system, etc.) people might find useful? Can you get a sense of the weather in March in England? Should people avoid taxis? Is there a fixed fee on taxis or should people negotiate? Did you find any stores or restaurants you'd recommend? Can you explain the VAT (the value-added tax) and how people go about getting a refund?