Difficult Airways Society Cheltenham 2010

Passport & Visa

Passports
On arrival in the United Kingdom, you must show a valid national passport or other equivalent official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality.

Visas
You may need to acquire a visa 'entry clearance certificate' before you travel to Britain, if you are not a British citizen or a citizen of one the European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

Nationals from some countries will need a visa whatever the reason they are travelling to the UK, while nationals from other countries may only need a visa for a particular reason; for example, to marry and live with a British citizen.
If you have a valid passport and UK visa, you will normally be granted entry to the UK. When you arrive in Britain your visa tells UK immigrations:

The reason you are travelling to Britain
How long you are allowed to stay
The last day you are allowed entry
Entry clearance follows strict rules and procedures. For full details about visa requirements and application procedures, visit UK Visas (www.ukvisas.gov.uk) (http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/)

Climate & Clothing
Britain enjoys a temperate maritime climate. The weather in Perth during in November is often cold (sometimes -3 degrees C). Warm clothing is recommended.

Currency and Banks
Britain's unit of currency is the Great British Pound (sterling) - GBP. The symbol for the pound sterling is £.

The British monetary system
British money is based on the decimal system - there are one hundred pence to each pound. Coins have the values of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. Notes have the values of £5, £10, £20 and £50. Scottish £1 notes are still in circulation in Scotland.

Bringing money to the UK
If you are an EU citizen and travelling from within the EU you can bring in and take out bank notes, travellers' cheques, letters of credit etc. in any currency and up to any amount.
Please note that from 15 June 2007, if you are travelling to or from a country outside the European Union (EU), you will need to declare any sums of cash of 10,000 Euro or more (or the equivalent in another currency) to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
For information on Currency limits please click here.

Changing money & exchange rates
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. To see today's exchange rate visit the Financial Times currencies (markets.ft.com/markets/currencies.asp) website. http://markets.ft.com/markets/currencies.asp

Shopping
Most shops and department stores are open from 9.00 to18.00 Monday to Saturday with late night shopping on Thursday to 21.00. Sunday opening is 12.00 to 18.00 for most but not all. Shops and Retail stores do not close for lunch. Major credit cards are widely accepted.

Power
Electricity Sockets take 3 prong square-pin plugs. The electrical current in UK is 220 volts, 50 Hz.

Time
Britain is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) which is one hour behind Central European Time (CET) and five hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time.

Language
English is the predominant language in UK and is spoken by all. The congress language is English.

Communications
Public payphones
Wherever you find yourself in the UK, you will never be too far way from a public payphone, and these days 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. Calls are charged to the nearest 10p. Only unused coins are returned so you should avoid using 50p, £1 or £2 coins for short calls.
Some payphones accept 50p, £1 . The exchange rate is 1 Euro = 60p and Euros can only be used for directly dialled calls. Major credit/debit cards and country calling cards can also be used from most payphones.

Payphone charges
Domestic calls - cash calls to domestic numbers cost 30p for the first 15 minutes, then 10p for every 7.5 minutes after that. If you use a credit or debit card, the minimum fee for domestic calls is 95p. Calls to premium-rate numbers, mobile phones or calls made via the operator are £1.20.
International calls - the minimum fee is £1.20
Internet Access - £1 for the first 15 minutes, then 10p per 1.5 minutes
Web based email - £1 for the first 15 minutes, then 10p per 1.5 minutes
Text messages - 10p per standard 160 character message
Instant email - 20p per message

Mobile phones
Most dual and tri band mobile phones that have GSM 900 or 1800, will work via roaming in Britain. Check with your mobile phone provider before you leave that the 'roaming' function is activated on your phone. You can buy a British prepay mobile phone including phone number and SIM card for as little as £30 in many high street shops. You do not need to provide identification to purchase a prepay phone, but you will need to provide identification and proof of address in Britain to set up a mobile phone contract.

Useful numbers & codes
999 - Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)
100 - Operator (for help with calls locally, nationally and to Britain)
155 - International Operator (for help with international calls or calls to a ship)
118 500 - Directory Enquiries (can supply phone numbers for individuals and businesses in Britain if given name and location)
118 505 - International Directory Enquiries (as above but for overseas individuals/businesses)
Special prefixes & city codes
(0)500/(0)800 - free numbers
(0)845 - Local call rate
(0)870 - National call rate
(0)207 - Inner London
(0)208 - Greater London
(0)151 - Liverpool
(0)161 - Manchester
(0)191 - Newcastle upon Tyne
(0)117 - Bristol
(0)113 - Leeds
(0)114 - Sheffield
(0)115 - Nottingham
(0)116 - Leicester
(0)131 - Edinburgh
(0)141 - Glasgow
(0)28 - Belfast
(0)1504 - Londonderry
(0)29 - Cardiff
Please note: When you call from outside the UK you do not use the first 0. For example, to call Inner London from Spain you should dial +44 207 followed by the local number.

Personal safety & tips

How safe is Britain?
By international standards, Britain is a safe country with low rates of street crime and violence. Use this general guide to help you maximise your personal safety during your trip. Most of these tips are common sense, and you probably practise them in your own country, but they can make a real difference.

Emergency situations
In an emergency that requires ambulance, police or fire services dial 999 from any telephone. In the case of a non-emergency crime you should contact your local police station.

Insurance
We strongly advise that you take out adequate insurance before you leave to cover you for any health and medical issues, and also for theft or damage to your belongings.

Tips to help you stay safe
Using public transport & taxis

Avoid waiting alone at bus stops and on train platforms.
On a double-decker bus, sit downstairs where the driver can see you.
Avoid sitting in an empty carriage on trains and the Underground.
Check the time of the last train, bus or tube back to your accommodation.
Walking near railway lines can be very dangerous; never touch them.
Always use a licensed taxi - check the back of the taxi to ensure it carries an official licence plate.
Minicabs that stop in the street may be cheaper, but they are not as safe as those you arrange over the phone.
If you need immediate assistance when travelling on a bus or train you can call the British Transport Police free on 0800 40 50 40.

Be safe on the streets

Stay on the pavement walking towards oncoming traffic.
Look both ways when you cross the street - remember cars drive on the left in Britain.
Never carry large amounts of money with you, but always make sure you have enough for a phone call and a bus or taxi home.
Keep your handbag and belongings close to your body and wear them in front of you.
Avoid using cash machines at night or in isolated places, and always be aware of people around you.
Try not to display expensive items like laptops, mobile phones and jewellery.
Avoid confrontation - if you are harassed, try to remove yourself from the situation.
If you think you are being followed, find the nearest public place and ask for assistance.

At your accommodation

Avoid leaving valuables in your room.
Make sure your room door is locked when you leave.
All paid-for accommodation has to have a working smoke detector and alarm.
Make sure you turn off all gas and electrical appliances (except the refrigerator) when you go out.
When you arrive at your accommodation, familiarise yourself with the fire exits, assembly points and the location of fire extinguishers.
Make sure your accommodation provider supplies you with information about the procedures for emergency evacuation.
For more information on personal safety when visiting the UK see the Metropolitan Police (www.met.police.uk/) website.