UNITED KINGDOM. Travel Documents, Health Care, Vaccinations, Electricity, Telephones and Internet, Money and Banks, Shopping, Typical Products

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR A TRAVEL TO UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Travel Documents: You need a valid national passport or other equivalent official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality. If you aren't a citizen of Britain or a European Economic Area (EEA) country, you may also need a visa (entry clearance certificate).

Health: If you become ill while visiting Britain, you are eligible for free emergency treatment in the Accident and Emergency departments of National Health Service hospitals. However, if you are admitted to hospital as an in-patient, even from the accident and emergency department, or referred to an out-patient clinic, you will be asked to pay unless: You are a national or resident of the European Economic Area or You are a national or resident of countries which have reciprocal health care agreements with the UK. You are strongly advised to take out adequate insurance before travelling to Britain.

Pharmacies: Pharmacies are usually open from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays and limited availability on Sundays.

Telephones: Country Dialing Code 0044.

Numerous are the public payphone, they can often offer a lot more than simple telephoning services including email, mobile phone text messaging, and internet services. Most payphones accept 10p, 20p, 50p & £1 coins. Some payphones accept £2 coins. Some payphones accept 50c, 1 Euro and 2 Euro coins. Major credit/debit cards and country calling cards can also be used from most payphones.

Mobile Telephones: Most dual and tri band mobile phones that have GSM 900 or 1800, will work via roaming in UK.

Mobile Telephone Companies: Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, Orange, 3.

Internet: The internet is widely available in UK and you can often log on from your hotel, which may have connection in the rooms or a computer suite offering access to guests. Alternatively, you can use one of the many excellent internet cafés in UK.

Money and Banks: Britain’s unit of currency is the Great British Pound (sterling) GBP.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, post offices, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are found at international airports and most city centres.

You’ll find Automated Teller Machines (ATM) at most banks, high streets and shopping centres. You can use international credit cards, debit cards and bank cards at ATMs providing they have a four-digit PIN encoded.

All credit cards that bear the Visa, MasterCard or American Express logo are widely accepted in UK.

Banking Hours: Banks are generally open from 09:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. Some banks are open on Saturdays and a few are open for a few hours on Sundays.

Electricity: Voltage is 240 volts AC at 50HZ. Appliances generally use standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.

Shopping hours: Opening times for businesses and services can vary hugely, the usual opening times are: 10-18,30 Monday-Saturday 11-17 Sunday. Larger shopping areas and centres may stay open later, sometimes up to 22, especially in busy periods like Christmas.

Post Offices: are generally open from 09:00-17:30, Monday to Friday and main post offices are also open from 09:00-12:30 on Saturday

Cuisine: The English cuisine has not a good reputation. The real English cuisine is rather simple and traditional. Between meat dishes is the famous roast beef. Legendary is the English Breakfast, a very substantial dish, perfect for the beginning of a day. Another tradition of cooking is English afternoon tea. BRITISH CUISINE RECIPES.

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