Sources of Information
US Commercial Service Country Commercial Guide - UK Country
Commercial Guide (1134KB)
Department of State website - http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness
American Embassy in the United Kingdom website - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/uk4us.html
Visa
Citizens of the United States do not require a visa to enter the United Kingdom, and you are permitted to stay for up to six months. Persons travelling on a work permit that exceeds six months, will however require a visa. For further information please visit the British Embassy in the United State's website - http://www.britainusa.com.
Travel
Steeped in history, the United Kingdom has long been a popular holiday destination for Americans; and as a leading trading power and a financial center, it is also a favourite destination for Americans travelling on business.
Links:
The British Tourist Authority - www.visitbritain.com
English Tourist Board - www.enjoyengland.com
Northern Ireland Tourist Board - www.discovernorthernireland.com
Scottish Tourist Board - www.visitscotland.com
Welsh Tourist Board - www.visitwales.com
Tourist Information Centres - www.touristinformationcentres.com
Airports (IATA Codes):
Aberdeen - ABZ - www.aberdeenairport.com
Belfast - BFS (Belfast International) - www.belfastairport.com
Belfast - BHD (Belfast City) - www.belfastcityairport.com
Birmingham - BHX (Birmingham International) - www.bhx.co.uk
East Midlands - EMA - www.eastmidlandsairport.com
Edinburgh - EDI - www.edinburghairport.com
Glasgow - GLA - www.glasgowairport.com
Inverness - INV - www.invernessairport.com
Leeds - LBA (Leeds Bradford) - www.lbia.co.uk
London City Airport - LCY - www.londoncityairport.com
London Gatwick - LGW - www.gatwickairport.com
London Heathrow - LHR - www.heathrowairport.com
London Luton - LTN - www.london-luton.co.uk
London Stansted - STN - www.stanstedairport.com
Manchester - MAN (Manchester International) - www.manchesterairport.co.uk
Newcastle - NCL - www.newcastleairport.com
Southampton - SOU - www.southamptonairport.com
Ferry:
The UK has many ports and a comprehensive ferry service. All Ferrys Online provides information on routes and prices - www.aferry.co.uk
Rail:
The UK has a comprehensive rail network. The industry was privatized back in the 1990s, and regions are now run by various rail companies. For complete information on maps, timetables and ticket prices, please visit the National Rail Enquiries website - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Eurostar:
Completed in 1993, the Eurostar provides the UK with a rail link to the rest of Europe. Currently trains depart from Waterloo in London and Ashford in Kent. From November 13 however, they will run from St Pancras in London, and two additional stations Stratford International and Ebbsfleet International. For further information visit - http://www.eurostar.com
Automobile:
The UK has a well developed and maintained network of motorways (freeways). One of the busiest of these is the M25 which circles London and its outer regions. Two sources of routes and traffic information are the RAC's website - www.rac.co.uk and the AA's website - http://www.theaa.com/travel/index.jsp
Time Zone
Greenwich, London is where East meets West at the Greenwich Meridian Line (0° longitute), and it is the home of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) from which all world time zones are based.
To convert U.S. time to UK time:
Eastern Standard(EST): +5 hours
Central Standard Time(CST): +6 hours
Mountain Standard Time(MST): +7 hours
Pacific Standard Time(PST): +8 hours
Alaska Standard Time(AKST): +9 hours
Hawaii Standard Time(HST): +10 hours
NB - British Summer Time and Daylight Saving Time will affect time differences.
Communication
Calls from the United States to the United Kingdom:
Dial 011 + country code 44 + Area Code (disregarding the
initial 0) + number
For Example, for the UK telephone number 020 7894
0419 - dial 011 44 20 7894 0419
Calls from the UK to the U.S.:
Dial 001 + Area Code + number
Emergency Phone Numbers:
For the Emergency Services in the UK (police, fire brigade,
ambulance service and coastguard) you dial
999.
However, dialling 112 anywhere in the EU will
also put you in contact with your local emergency
services.
Cell Phones:
The UK has good network coverage. Your service
provider can tell you if your phone is compatible with
the UK system and offer you alternatives if it is not.
Cellular radio networks operate in one of three bands in the UK;
900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.2 GHz, using two different technologies,
GSM and UMTS (3G).
Network frequencies: GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / UMTS (3G)
2100
Computers & Internet:
UK laptops run on 240 volts, as found throughout
Europe. You will need an adapter to plug your
American computer into a UK electrical outlet.
The Internet is easily accessible in Britain. Most
major hotels offer access from your room or their business
centers, and internet cafes can be found in most
major towns, some offering wireless connection.
Electric Current
The UK uses 240 Volts AC at 50HZ. Most power sockets take 3-pin square plugs. Plug socket adaptors and power transformers are widely available, at most airports and electrical shops.
Common Measurements & Conversions
Kilometers & miles
1 mile = 1.609 kilometers
1 kilometer = 0.621 miles
Liters & gallons
1 gallon = 4.546 liters
1 liter = 0.220 gallons
Kilos & pounds
1 pound = 0.453 kilos
1 kilo = 2.204 pounds
Climate
Britain has a fairly temperate climate. Although famous for its rain and fog, the UK enjoys long summer evenings due to its northerly latitude and periods of fine weather can happen in all seasons. Generally summers (June-August) are warm/hot 14-30 °C, and winters (December-February) are cool/cold 1-5 °C. There can be quite a difference in temperature between Scotland and Southern England. Generally, the further south, the warmer it is likely to be.
Money Matters
ATMs: ATMs are easily found in the UK. They are located at bank branches or stand alones can be found in shopping, tourist and other busy areas. Major credit and debit cards, are universally accepted. Some banks require you to swipe your card to gain access to their ATMs after hours.
Credit Cards: Credit cards are commonly accepted in the UK. Restaurants, hotels, stores, train stations and other places regularly frequented by tourists will almost always accept them.
Tipping: When eating at restaurants, hotels and cafes, you should check that a service charge has not already been included. If it has not, and you are satisfied with the service, the normal amount to tip is between 10-15% of your bill. Unlike America, there is no need to tip in pubs and bars, even if you are eating (unless it has a formal restaurant area, in which case 10-15% applies). For taxis, 10% is a good rule of thumb and for those handling your baggage, £1 per item is adequate.
Hours of Business
Most banks are open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Mondays to Fridays, and some major banks in larger towns, are also open on Saturdays 9.00 am to 12.30 pm.
High street stores are open 10.00 am to 6.30 pm Mondays through Saturdays. Many also open on a Sunday between the hours of 11.00 am to 5.00 pm. Most major grocery stores open seven days a week, 9.00 am to 10.00 pm Mondays through Saturdays, with limited hours on Sunday (10.00 am to 4.00 pm).
Post offices are open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Mondays through Fridays, and half days (9.00 am to 12.30 pm) on Saturdays.
Reclaiming VAT
The UK charges Value Added Tax of 17.5% on most goods and services. UK VAT legislation allows visitors to the UK and some non-EU registered businesses to claim refunds of VAT that they incur in the course of their business. There are rules regarding what can be claimed and there is a time limit for filing refund applications. For further information please visit the following websites:
HM Customs & Excise's traveller's guide
to VAT refunds on shopping in the UK
Repayments of VAT to overseas traders
Contact details for HM Customs & Excise:
HM Customs & Excise
VAT Overseas Repayment
8th/13th Directive
Custom House
Londonderry BT48 7AE
Tel: +44 (0) 2871 376200
Fax: +44 (0) 2871 372520
Web: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk