Page 360 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

358  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

London has responded well to the demands are good mid-range and budget options
of modern tourism. The range of facilities on (see pp284–7). You need not spend a lot
offer to travellers, from ATMs and medical on food, if you choose carefully and make
clinics to boutique hotels and late-night the most of the range London has to offer;
transport, continues to expand. Whether for the price of a single meal at some
you find London an expensive city will West End restaurants, you could eat
depend on the exchange rate between the enjoyably for several days (see pp308–11).
pound and your own currency. It is known The following tips will help you make
for high hotel prices, but even here there the most of your visit.

UK government website, gov. Examples of amounts usually
uk. The UK is not signed up to accepted are: up to 800
the Schengen open-borders cigarettes and up to 90 litres
agree ment operated by most of wine. For travellers arriving
EU countries. Hence, visitors from outside the EU, stricter
arriving from France or any allowances apply. Visitors not
other Schengen country must resident in the EU can reclaim
still pass through immigration the Value Added Tax (VAT) on
checks when entering the UK. many goods when they leave
Travelers from the USA, Canada, Britain, but note that the items
Australia, New Zealand and a must have been bought from a
few other non-EU countries shop operating the VAT Retail
entering the UK for tourism, as Export Scheme. Ask the retailer
well as business or study trips of for the correct form, which has
Crossing the Millennium Bridge less than six months, don’t need details on how to obtain your
a visa, but the UKVI advises that refund; these can also be found
When to Go you bring the documents on the “Tax-free Shopping” page
London’s weather is changeable, needed to apply for a visa, to of the gov.uk website.
but in general it is chilly from show to officers at the UK
November to February, and border (more details on UKVI Tourist Information
warmest from June to August web pages). Citizens of most
(see p63). It can rain at any time other non-EU countries will and Tours
of year. Extremes of temperature need a visa depending on the Visit London is the city’s central
are rare, so there is no time of reason for the trip, in keeping tourism service and is a key
year when London closes down with the points-based source of infor mation. Tourist
and everyone goes on holiday. immigration system. Infor mation Centres can be
Many concerts and exhib itions found all over
take place in winter and spring, Travel London (www.
but there are plenty of events visitlondon.com
during the summer too, such as Safety has a full list). The City
the BBC Proms and open-air Visitors can get of London Information
theatre seasons (see pp60–63). up-to-date travel Centre, located by
safety information St Paul’s Cathedral,
from the Foreign and Signpost provides leaflets on
Visas and Passports Common wealth attractions, tours,
Citizens of European Union Office in the UK, the museums, walks and
countries may enter the UK for State Depart ment in the US public transport. Others can
an unlimited period with a pass- and the Department of Foreign be found at main rail stations.
port or national identity card. Affairs and Trade in Australia. The centres sell travel cards
Visitors from the USA, Canada, and London Pass (see p359)
Australia and New Zealand need discount cards, provide currency
only a full passport for tourist Customs Information exchange and dist ribute Visit
and business stays of up to six EU residents may carry any London’s handy free monthly
months, but on arrival they must amount of goods between EU magazine, London Planner.
fill in an Immigration Card, which countries without paying duty, For comprehensive listings
is given out on incoming flights. as long as the goods are for their information – including art,
Citizens of some countries may personal use. Customs officers cinema, music, theatre and
require a visa; details can be may question whether large nightlife – visit the websites
found on the UK Visas and amounts of any item are of LondonNet and Time Out
Immigration (UKVI) pages of the genuinely for your own use. London, London’s leading
The London Eye reflected in a heritage Routemaster bus

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