Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tipping in
restaurants
is standard practice, as long as no automatic service charge is
added to your bill. Leave 10% to 15% if you were happy with your server. However, be
aware that a small number of places do not distribute these tips to staff as perks, but use
them to pay their wages. This practice is only possible if you pay by credit or debit card,
and unfortunately is perfectly legal. Ask who gets the tip, and if you're unhappy about
paying the management's wage bill, have any automatic service charge removed and
leave cash for your waiter or waitress to pick up. Earnings usually go into a communal
pot to be shared among everyone from the kitchen porter to the sommelier, so no need
to leave more than one tip per meal.
There's absolutely no need to tip the drivers of
black taxicabs:
They charge you extra
for each item of luggage, and for standing in traffic. However, if the driver is especially
helpful, add a pound or so to say thanks. Minicab drivers, on the other hand, generally
earn less, and are always grateful if you are able to top up their rates, provided you're
happy with the service.
Tipping in
bars
and
pubs
is practically unheard of, but if you receive table service in an
upscale nightclub or wine bar, leave a couple of pounds.
In upscale
hotels
, porters expect around £1 per bag, even if you have only one small
suitcase. Leave your maid £1 per day if you're happy with the cleaning, but only tip the
concierge if they have performed something beyond the call of their regular work. In a
bed-and-breakfast, you may ask that 10% be added to the bill and divided among the
staff—but that certainly isn't expected.
Tour guides
may expect £2 for a job well done, although it's not mandatory. Theatre
ushers don't expect tips.
For help with tip calculations, and more, download our convenient Travel Tools app for
your mobile device. Go to
www.frommers.com/go/mobile
and click on the Travel Tools
icon.
Toilets
Also known as “loos” or “public conveniences,” these are marked by
PUBLIC
TOI
-
LET
signs, and are usually free. You also find well-maintained lavatories in all larger public
buildings, such as museums and art galleries, large department stores, and railway sta-
tions (although the latter generally impose a charge). It's not always acceptable to use
the lavatories in restaurants and pubs if you're not a customer, but we can't say that we
always stick to this rule.
VAT
See “Taxes,” above.
Visas
No E.U. nationals require a visa to visit the U.K. Visas are also not required for
travelers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the U.S. For nationals of, or visitors
from, other countries, see
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa
.
Visitor Information
The U.K. has made huge investments in placing comprehensive,
up-to-date, and inspirational visitor information online, so the Web is the place to begin
your research. Try
www.enjoyengland.com
,
www.visitwales.co.uk,
and
www.visitlondon.
com
, although almost any city or region has its own site. And, of course, there's plenty
more—including features and updates—at
www.frommers.com/destinations/england
.
Wi-Fi
See “Internet & Wi-Fi,” above.
Women Travelers
First and foremost, lone women should never ride in
unlicensed
taxicabs,
especially at night. Recent high-profile cases have seen this method used by
predatory sex attackers.
Journeywoman
(www.journeywoman.com) is the best source of
tips and ideas for women travelers.
20
For general travel resources for women, go to
Frommers.com
.
