Page 361 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  359

Tipping
It is usual to tip in restaurants,
hotels, hairdressers and taxis,
but not for bar serv ice in pubs.
Many restaurants add a service
charge – usually 12.5 per cent
– to the bill, in which case an
extra tip is not necessary. Be
wary of places that add a service
charge, then encourage you
to add a “grat uity” when you
pay by credit card. In taxis, tip
around 10 per cent; for hotel
porters, £1 is usually sufficient.
Double-decker sightseeing boat on the Thames
Travellers with
Disabilities
listings magazine. Guided tours combined with a Travelcard.
are an effective way to explore A Lon don Pass can be bought Access to transport and
the city; a trip in an open-top in advance from www.visit attractions, and services for
double-decker bus makes a london.com and mailed to wheelchair users and others with
good introduction. Original your home or collected from mobility problems is continually
London Sightseeing Tours and a tourist centre. improving. The Visit London
Big Bus Tours are the main website has a guide to access
companies offering hop-on, and services. Transport for
hop-off services, with tickets Opening Hours London (TfL) produces a range
valid for 24 or 48 hours. Other Opening times for individual of accessibility guides that can
tour companies include London sights are listed in the Area by be downloaded from the TfL
Walks, which offers over 40 Area section of this book. Core website or obtained free of
different routes, and London visiting times are 10am to 5pm charge by completing the order
Duck Tours, which take in the or 6pm daily; last admission is form on the website’s “Transport
sights on road and by river. To usually 1 hour before closing Accessibility” pages. Artsline
find a private tour guide for a time. Most of the big museums gives information on facilities at
specific interest, contact the have at least one late-opening cultural events and venues.
Associat ion of Professional day each week. Opening hours Nearly all London buses have
Tourist Guides. For river cruises are often shorter on Sundays wheelchair-access ramps, and
and com muter services, see and public holidays. Some all licensed taxis and some mini-
page 65.The major sights are smaller attractions are closed cabs are wheelchair-accessible.
often crowded and have long on Mondays. The task of improving access to
queues. Museums and galleries the entire Under ground net-
get particularly busy at week- work is ongoing and TFL maps
ends and on late-opening Social Customs show accessible stations. Most
and Etiquette
nights, so try to visit midweek. museums and theatres have
Londoners are known for accessible facilities, but hotels
queueing – whether for theatre with fully adapted rooms are rare.
Admission Prices
tickets, taxis or takeaways. Things Disabled drivers with a blue
Admission to the main collec- aren’t quite as genteel as they badge allowing free parking
tions of London’s major public used to be, but in general, any- should note that in four
museums and galleries is free, one barging in will still encounter London boroughs – the City,
but you will pay to see temp- frosty glares. Westminster, Kensington &
orary exhibits. Private museums Casual clothing is accepted in Chelsea, and Camden – it allows
and other attractions have most restaurants, and only a few you to park only in designated
admission charges; they vary upscale establishments still blue-badge bays.
greatly, but for adults most are require men to wear a jacket
between £5 and £15. There and tie.
are often reduced prices for The religious pattern of
seniors, students and children. London reflects the city’s huge
If you aim to do lots of sight- ethnic diversity: all of the world’s
seeing, you can cut costs with major faiths are represented here.
a London Pass, a card that Smoking is forbidden in all
gives you free entry and fast- public indoor spaces. Some
track admission at many hotels still designate bedrooms
attractions. Cards are valid for 1, for smokers, but it’s best to London bus with ramp for easy
2, 3, 6 or 10 days and can be double check when booking. wheelchair access

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