Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
21
for tabloid enthusiasts only. For comprehensive arts and entertainment listings and
reviews of local shows, buy
The List
magazine, which is published every other
Wednesday—and weekly during the Festival.
Metro,
a free daily (Mon-Fri) available on
buses and in train stations, also gives listings of daily events.
Passports
See p. 23 in chapter 3.
Police
See “Emergencies” above.
Public Toilets
Usually costing 20p at rail stations and free in department stores. A
few public toilets, often marked
WC
, are still found in Edinburgh and Glasgow. They're
safe and clean but likely to be closed late in the evening.
Smoking
In April 2006, a ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces—including
business offices, restaurants, and pubs—went into effect. Smoking was already prohib-
ited on all trains and buses.
Taxes
A consumption tax of 17.5% is charged on pretty much all goods and ser-
vices. It's called VAT (value-added tax) and given the U.K.'s budget woes, it may go
up after 2010. Tourists from outside the European Union are entitled to a refund, how-
ever, VAT is nonrefundable for services such as hotels, meals, and car rentals.
Telephones
Both cities still have pay phones that accept coins and credit cards.
Time
Scotland follows Greenwich Mean Time, which is five time zones ahead of
Eastern Standard Time in the United States (8 hours ahead of the Pacific Coast). So,
when it's noon in New York, it's 5pm in Glasgow. The clocks are set forward by 1 hour
for British summer time in late March, which expires at the end of October. The high
latitude blesses the country with long days in the summer, with sunset as late as 10 or
even 11pm. But the opposite is true in winter, when the sun sets as early as 3:30 or
4pm.
Weather
For weather forecasts and severe road-condition warnings, call the Met
Office
&
0870/900-0100.
An advisor will offer forecasts for the entire region and
beyond.
AIRLINE, HOTEL & CAR-RENTAL
WEBSITES
MAJOR U.S. AIRLINES
(*flies internationally as well)
American Airlines*
www.aa.com
ATA Airlines
www.ata.com
Continental Airlines*
www.continental.com
Delta Air Lines*
www.delta.com
Northwest Airlines
www.fl ynaa.com
United Airlines*
www.united.com
US Airways*
www.usairways.com
MAJOR INTERNATIONAL
AIRLINES
Air France
www.airfrance.com
Air India
www.airindia.com
Alitalia
www.alitalia.com
American Airlines
www.aa.com
British Airways
www.british-airways.com
Continental Airlines
www.continental.com
Delta Air Lines
www.delta.com
