DIRECTORY A–Z - London - page 341

time of writing, £1 was worth $1.60, €1.20, C$1.80, A$1.70, NZ$2 and ZAR18. For the
most up-to-date exchange rates, visit www.xe.com .
Credit/debit cards are by far the most convenient way to carry your money, and most ho-
tels, shops and restaurants in London accept the major brand cards. There are ATMs all
over the city and every area has a branch of at least one of the big-four high-street banks
(NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds and HSBC); opening hours are generally Mon-Fri
9.30am-4.30pm. Outside banking hours go to a bureau de change ; these can be found at
train stations and airports and in most areas of the city centre.
The high cost of accommodation, food and drink make London a very expensive place to
visit. Staying in a budget hotel and eating takeaways, you'll still need in the region of £50
per person per day. Add in a restaurant meal and tourist attraction or two, and you are look-
ing at £75-100.
OPENING HOURS
Generally speaking, opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9am or 10am to around 6pm
and Sundays noon to 6pm. Some places in central London stay open until 7pm, and later on
Thursdays and Fridays (around 9pm).
PHONES
Public payphones in London are iconic, ubiquitous and little-used. Most take coins from
10p upwards - the minimum charge of 60p will get you thirty minutes. Paying by credit
card is expensive (20p a minute). Discount phonecards with a PIN number, available from
newsagents, are the cheapest way to make international calls.
If you're taking your mobile / cell phone with you, check with your service provider
whether your phone will work abroad and what the call charges will be. Unless you have a
tri-or quad-band phone, it's unlikely that a mobile bought for use in the US will work in
London. Mobiles in Australia and New Zealand generally use the same system as the UK
so should work fine.
POST
The only (vaguely) late-opening post office is at 24-28 William IV St, WC2N 4DL, near
Trafalgar Square ( 0845 722 3344; Mon-Fri 8.30am-6.30pm, Tues opens 9.15am, Sat
9am-5.30pm); it's also the city's poste restante collection point. For general postal enquir-
ies phone [phone] (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-1pm), or visit
www.royalmail.com .
SMOKING
Smoking is banned in all indoor public spaces including all cafés, pubs, restaurants, clubs
and public transport.