Helpful
Tips and Reminders
A few tips to
ensure a happy holiday:
- Always keep an
eye on your bags and keep them with you.
- Keep your valuables
close to you in crowded areas where pickpockets might function such
as the tube or busy shopping street.
- Don’t walk
down badly lit streets.
- Be careful that
you put your money away carefully after taking it out of a cash point
or changing it at bureau de change.
- Don’t forget
that traffic travels on the left hand side of the street, so you will
need to look right before crossing.
- Do not jump off
a double decker bus until it has stopped.
- Do not give money
to people in the street as this shows people where you keep your money.
- Do not accept
or buy drugs, if offered.
- In the worst
case scenario:
The police, ambulance and fire brigade can be reached by dialling
999 on any public phone.
Women travellers
London is a safe
place for women travelling alone. But just to be sure:
- Don’t walk
down dimly lit streets or wander the parks or canal towpaths alone
after dark.
- Don’t accept
the offer of a lift from a minicab in the street. either hail a black
cab or ask the hotel/restaurant to book a mini cab for you. If you
travel on public transport, make sure you are in a carriage with other
people.
- Many London hotels
try and give women travellers a room on upper floors by a lift in
the most brightly lit areas.
- It is common
for women to be out on their own in cafes, bars and restaurants. Sometimes
it is less comfortable in a pub, but you will be able to judge quite
easily.
Tipping and Service
charges
Tipping is not common
in the U.K. as compared to other countries; for instance, the Unites
States. However, there are situations where you should give a tip.
Most restaurants
add service charge to your bill. This varies from 10% to 17%, but 12.5%
is most common. This is discretionary and you are entitled to have it
removed if you did not enjoy the service. However, this would be an
unusual occurrence. If service is not added to your bill, you should
leave approximately 10%.
IMPORTANT:
Always check the "Emergency Numbers" for the area you are
in; and add them to your address book. When roaming with a GSM mobile
phone in the European Union, use 112 for emergency services.
Travellers cheques
/ credit cards
US dollar travellers cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial
banks and authorized money changers. Travellers cheques in other currencies
are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail.
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