Exchange Rate
The United Kingdom is one of the few countries within the European Union that retains its original currency; thus, the British Pound (£) is still in use. One pound equals 100 pence (p). The main denominations of banknotes are £5, £10, £20, and £50. Scottish banknotes are also legal currency but are now rare. The main denominations of coins are £2, £1, 50 pence, 20 pence, 10 pence, 5 pence, 2 pence, and 1 pence. Most establishments also accept euro payments. There are no restrictions on the inflow and outflow of foreign or local currencies in England. Foreign currencies can be exchanged for pounds at airports, banks, currency exchanges, and major hotels, though hotel exchange rates are usually low.
Banks and airports offer the best exchange rates, but travelers should be aware of the commissions they charge. It is advisable for travelers to exchange enough cash for 1 to 2 days upon arriving at the airport, but it is unnecessary to exchange large amounts of cash beforehand.
ATMs are widespread, and travelers can withdraw pounds using their home country's debit and credit cards. This is currently the best method for exchanging currency while traveling, as banks usually use commercial rates, ensuring that travelers do not pay excessive fees for ATM withdrawals. Visa cards, American Express cards, Diners Club cards, and MasterCards are widely accepted in England.
Bank Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, some banks operate normally on Saturday mornings.
Voltage
Standard voltage: 230 volts/50 hertz.
Time Zone
The United Kingdom is generally 7 hours behind China during Daylight Saving Time and 8 hours behind during Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Saturday in October, with the remainder of the time being Standard Time.
Telephone
UK country code: 0044
Tax Refund
Tourists from non-European Union countries may receive a tax refund (Value Added Tax) if they leave the UK within three months of purchasing items (the VAT rate for most goods is 17.5% of the purchase price). Tourists needing a tax refund must fill out the VAT 407 refund form at the designated store and have it stamped by customs upon leaving the UK. The form will be sent back to the store, and the refund amount will be credited to the tourist's credit card.
Shopping Center Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, most cities' shopping centers operate normally on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Emergency Assistance
General emergency number: 999
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Kingdom Address: 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD, Phone: 02079228426
Customs and Etiquette
1. The British are known for their relaxed and down-to-earth character. When travelers interrupt someone on the street to ask for directions, it is polite to say “excuse me” first, followed by “thank you.”
2. The British are often perceived as serious. In contrast, they are actually particularly friendly and cheerful toward strangers in need of help, although initiating deep and meaningful conversations may be difficult during first encounters.
3. It is considered very rude not to say sorry when passing someone on the street, and queue-jumping is equally frowned upon. Furthermore, if you see someone approaching you, both parties should typically step aside to avoid forcing each other off the pathway. When hiking or walking, it is customary to greet others with a “hello.”
4. In conversations, British friends often use the term “mate,” and even locals use it when addressing strangers; it merely indicates friendly communication and does not imply kinship.
5. Most restaurants in England welcome casually dressed diners; if there are dress codes, they will usually be clearly displayed. Dress codes typically require men to wear jackets and ties and women to wear formal attire.
6. Traditional dining etiquette has mostly fallen out of use. Nowadays, three knives and three forks are rarely placed before diners, elbows can be placed on the table, and beer may be consumed instead of tea. However, eating with fingers, speaking with food in one’s mouth, or speaking loudly while eating remain considered rude behaviors.
7. Regarding tips, restaurants typically include a service charge of 10% to 15% in the bill; if not included, it is generally appropriate to leave an additional 10% tip. However, if the service is unsatisfactory, there is no obligation to tip. A common tip for taxi drivers is around 10%. In bars, tipping is usually not required; if given, it may draw attention.
Safety Guidelines
★ Customs and Airports: 1. One piece of checked luggage is limited to 20 kg free of charge. Overweight luggage will incur additional fees. If you need to carry items such as small knives, nail clippers, or liquids/creams (e.g., moisturizers, toothpaste), please place them in your checked luggage. Clearly label your checked luggage with your name (in both Chinese and English), address, and contact details for easier retrieval in case of loss. Only one piece of carry-on luggage is allowed, with dimensions not exceeding 56cm×23cm×36cm.
2. Please keep passports, tickets, cash, and other valuables or items you need to use handy in your carry-on luggage. By regulations, it is strictly prohibited to bring flammable, explosive, or other dangerous items, as well as prohibited items specific to the destination country onto the plane. Due to the low compensation offered by airlines for lost luggage, and because airlines will not compensate for damage caused when baggage is handled if it does not hinder usability, our company advises against carrying valuable checked luggage.
3. UK customs regulations prohibit items including firearms, drugs, and pornography. Tourists aged 17 and older from non-EU countries may bring the following duty-free items: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits with alcohol content over 22% or 2 liters of sparkling wine; 2 liters of still wine; 50 grams of perfume; and gifts or souvenirs valued not exceeding £145. There are no quantity restrictions on taxable items brought from EU countries. Please adhere to the laws of each country; prohibited items from each country are forbidden, and repercussions will be borne by the individual.
4. From July 1, 2005, our country reinstated the declaration system for inbound and outbound travelers; customs will ascertain the value of items based on purchase invoices. All travelers entering or exiting our country, except for those entitled to exemption and travelers aged 16 and under accompanying adults, must fill out the “Declaration Form for Luggage and Goods of Inbound/Outbound Travelers” of the People's Republic of China Customs. Customs regulations allow each person to carry up to 20,000 RMB or 5,000 USD out of the country; amounts exceeding this must be declared. Cameras and long-lens cameras must be declared when going out and brought back in as original items; if a traveler brings back additional items totaling over 5,000 RMB in value from abroad or Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan regions, customs must collect taxes based on regulations. For details of other items requiring declaration, please refer to the “Declaration Form for Luggage and Goods of Outbound Travelers of the People's Republic of China.”
5. Unforeseen events often occur with checked luggage; travelers are especially reminded not to place cash or valuable items in checked luggage. When retrieving checked luggage, please inspect carefully; if luggage is lost or damaged, immediately notify the tour leader to assist you with the related procedures.
★ Hotels: 1. Please pay special attention to water temperature adjustment when using the shower in hotel bathrooms to prevent scalding, and ensure appropriate non-slip measures are taken, to safeguard personal safety. Pull the shower curtain and close the door while showering to prevent water from soaking the indoor carpet, as the hotel may charge over 200 euros for damages.
2. Upon checking into hotels, please first inspect the items in the room; if there are any missing or damaged items, please promptly contact the tour guide or leader for assistance in communication.
3. Smoking is prohibited in rooms. European law does not permit smoking in enclosed environments, and violators may face fines from authorities.
4. Upon check-out, please check carefully to avoid leaving items behind, and return the room key to the hotel front desk. When requesting assistance from the bellhop for luggage, it is customary to pay an additional tip of 1-2 euros per item. All items within the hotel are valuables; please do not take or damage them.
5. Cold water in European hotels is generally drinkable (depending on the country, please inquire specifically before consuming), but hot water should not be consumed directly. If you require hot water, please bring an electric kettle to heat it. Due to varying water qualities in different countries, please travelers should choose carefully to avoid illnesses such as diarrhea caused by unfamiliar water.
★ During the Journey: 1. Please strictly adhere to the designated time for group departures, as well as assembly times during the overseas itinerary. This is to protect the interests of the majority of tourists and avoid impacting the itinerary due to a small number of late arrivals. If a few travelers do not arrive at the designated meeting place as specified, the tour leader or guide will depart on schedule with signatures from other group members. Any losses incurred by late travelers (e.g., taxi costs to the next destination or airfare to the destination and all related expenses) will be borne by the late travelers.
2. The primary mode of transportation for the inland segments of the journey is a tour bus (with a professional driver), typically using one vehicle throughout the trip, so please pay attention to maintaining cleanliness inside the bus. Smoking on the tour bus is prohibited at all times, and it is not allowed to eat ice cream or bring fruit peels.
3. Group activities are the safest way to travel; please do not leave the group to act independently. If free sightseeing and free shopping are arranged, be sure to remember the time and meeting place. If you need to leave the group for a restroom break or other matters, you should notify the tour leader, guide, or fellow travelers. Remember the tour leader or guide's phone number; in case of emergencies, contact them promptly for assistance.
4. Since a group travel visa is being processed, please hand over your passport to the tour leader or guide for safekeeping upon arrival at the travel destination to facilitate the leader's confirmation of returns flights and hotel check-in.
5. During the trip, travelers are responsible for the proper safekeeping of their belongings carried with them, items placed on the travel bus, luggage, valuables, and tickets, etc. In case of loss, theft, or robbery, please report to the local police station in a timely manner, using the respective safety compensation clauses established with relevant parties (e.g., airline, hotel, insurance company, etc.) and in accordance with the laws of the respective country to resolve the situation. Our company will actively assist travelers with the relevant procedures but will not bear additional compensation responsibilities.
6. Please carry cash with you. There have been cases of cash theft from hotel safes. Travelers are advised not to carry large sums of cash. Europe discourages cash transactions, and our company bears no responsibility for lost cash. It is recommended that travelers use international credit cards! (If a credit card is newly issued, please confirm with the issuing bank whether the card has been activated before departure.)
7. In the event of an accident abroad, do not rashly attempt to resolve it on your own; prioritize your own safety and promptly contact your accident insurance provider for assistance, while also informing the tour leader or guide. If hospitalization is required for examination, please keep the results and relevant documentation. If local police are involved, please request and keep the accident report.
8. Traveling abroad can be exhausting and may easily lead to illness; hence, it is advisable to avoid drinking unboiled water. When tasting local cuisine, please decide based on your own digestive health; avoid overeating and ensure adequate sleep to maintain good health. Regardless of whether you have chronic diseases, be sure to bring necessary personal medications from your home country, and those who are ill should obtain a medical note (written in English) from a doctor to ensure proper treatment abroad if needed.
9. Due to varying beach and sea conditions, our company does not recommend that travelers participate in swimming activities. If travelers decide to swim in the sea independently, they should gauge their physical ability and skill. We recommend that you rent or purchase life jackets and strictly prohibit solo swimming, swimming under the influence of alcohol, and swimming outside of designated areas. While swimming in indoor pools, please avoid diving, and do not eat fruits after swimming.
10. We advise all travelers (especially middle-aged and elderly or those with specific health conditions) to carefully consider their physical condition before selectively participating in attractions. When joining optional activities, it is important to do so within your physical limits, especially for dangerous activities such as diving and mountaineering. If you feel unwell during tourism activities, promptly inform the tour leader or guide, and cease participation in relevant activities. Any consequences and responsibilities arising from health issues during the tour will not be borne by the travel agency.
11. Minors participating in travel activities must have their legal guardians responsible for their safety during the journey. 12. During group travel, special attention should be paid to the following locations where theft may occur:
1) While checking in at the hotel, ensure that you keep a close eye on your personal belongings.
2) Be particularly cautious: thieves in Europe have been known to disguise themselves as hotel repair workers to enter guests' rooms under the pretense of fixing facilities; please do not easily open the door to strangers when resting in your hotel room.
3) While dining in restaurants or hotel dining areas, please keep a special watch over your handbags, avoiding leaving them on tables or hanging casually over chairs.
4) Do not act alone while sightseeing.
5) Carry cash and credit cards with you and do not leave valuables on the tour bus.
6) Avoid conversing freely with strangers and do not allow them to come too close. Be especially cautious of individuals approaching you under the guise of asking for directions or begging (including women and children).
12. To facilitate immediate reporting for reissuance in case of lost passports, please prepare two extra photos and a photocopy of your passport. (Our company will assist in preparing the photocopy of the passport.) During group travel, the tour leader or guide is obligated to help travelers safeguard their passports and tickets. Please carry cash, traveler's checks, and credit cards with you, and do not place them in your luggage. Regarding cash, it is advised that when making payments, only take out a small amount, keeping the rest securely stowed.
13. For credit cards, it is advisable to write down the card number and expiration date to facilitate replacement if lost. Cases of credit card fraud occur frequently in Europe; travelers are advised not to use credit cards randomly in unknown European stores to prevent unauthorized use of their credit card information leading to financial losses.
