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©2013
TeaInLondon.com
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Travel Tips
Before you leave:
Brush up on the magnificant history of England and the monarchy. It will give you an added appreciation for some of the sights we will be visiting.
The Internet is an unbelievable source of information. Use it!
Travel books such as Fodor's London 2013 [link] , Tea in the City: London [link], London for Dummies [link] and The Great Tea Rooms of Britain [link] would be great resources on your trip.
Take a photo of your bags in case the airlines lose it, and put your London itinerary and contact info inside in case it doesn't arrive with your flight and the airline needs to get in touch with you.
Batteries for your digital camera will be very expensive in London so purchase them in the States before you leave. Bring extra! When you get back, you will wish you had taken twice as many pictures.
Plastic. If you remember only one word in your packing efforts, this is the one. And here's why: friction causes wrinkling, plastic reduces friction - it's that easy. The best way to utilize this basic plastic physics is with dry-cleaner bags. All hanger items should be packed in individual bags (one outfit per dry-cleaner bag). Clothes arrive in a perfectly preserved state. Really!
Another great plastic tip: Ziplock bags. Use these for shoes (place the shoes inside old socks first), shampoo bottles, or anything else you want to isolate from your good clothes.
You will need a warm, comfortable, weatherproof coat, as well as hat, scarf and gloves, and a small umbrella that will fit in your purse. Jeans are popular in London and are perfectly acceptable for sightseeing and informal dining. Sturdy but comfortable shoes are a must. Something a bit more smart will be necessary for tea at The Ritz.
Don't forget prescription medicine (to last a few days longer than the trip - just in case); your favorite headache tablets; camera; journal/small notebook and pen; sunglasses (you never know - we just might see the sun!); address list for sending postcards home. Keep medication, glasses/contact lens and important papers in your carry-on bag. You may also want to think about including a fresh change of clothes as bags tend to get delayed or sometimes even lost on long haul flights.
Bring with you: Patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor! Leave at home: Your worries. This is a holiday and time to relax.
For the most favorable currency exchange rates, change money through banks. Although ATM transaction fees may be higher abroad than at home, ATM rates are excellent because they are based on wholesale rates offered only by major banks. You will not do as well at exchange booths in airports, hotels, restaurants or stores. To avoid lines at airport exchange booths, get a bit of local currency (through your bank) before you leave home. Traveler's checks are widely accepted, but they must be in Pound Sterling and you will have to show your passport every time you use them, which can be a bit of a hassle.
If you do not already have one, you may want to consider getting a [free] air miles card. Even if you never fly again, you can donate the air miles you accumulate on this trip to a worthy charity such as the American Red Cross; Breast Cancer Research Fund; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Unicef; and others.
Flight Day:
DON'T FORGET YOUR TICKETS AND PASSPORT and some form of photo ID. Make two photocopies of the data page of your passport - one for someone at home, and another for you, carried separately from your passport.
Speaking of passports, check it RIGHT NOW. If you don't have enough blank pages in your passport, or if it expires in six months or less, some immigration officials won't let you in. Please note that currently there are LONG waiting periods for passport renewals. Don't procrastinate!
To avoid delays at airport security checkpoints, try not to wear any metal.
Human beings were not designed to fly halfway around the world. All you can really do is not drink alcohol on the plane, keep hydrated (bring a couple of bottles of drinking water), and get in synch with the new time zone as soon as you can (that's why we hit the ground running upon our arrival).
Thick, comfortable socks or slippers are great to relax in, and air travel is always a great way to catch up on your reading, so bring along your favorite book!
Go out and buy a big box of antibacterial wipes in travel-size packets, and then put some in your luggage. These will come in VERY handy in your day to day travels around London.
Once onboard, get out of your seat every hour and move around the cabin to stretch your legs.
When you deplane, WALK FAST! Passing 10 people during the long trek to the immigration checkpoints can spare you at least five minutes of waiting in a tedious line.
While in London:
Always keep your passport with you.
The rules for safety in London are the same as in any big city. Use common sense. In London, nobody will raise an eyebrow at tourists studying maps on street corners, and do not hesitate to ask directions. But exercise general caution in other areas (such as around the hotel, after the theatre, etc.)
Be aware of pick-pockets. Signs will be posted in extremely well-worked areas.
If you carry a purse, to prevent theft choose one with a zipper and a thick strap that you can drape across your body (or beneath your coat); adjust the length so that the purse sits in front of you at or above hip level. Store only enough money in the purse to cover casual spending. Distribute the rest of your cash and any valuables among deep front pockets, inside jacket pockets, and a concealed money pouch.
No fanny packs, please! - They shout: 'Tourist'.
Always visit 'the Ladies' (restroom) when you are in a restaurant, shop or museum because public 'loos' can be difficult to find when out and about. And carry change, as there may be places where you will have to pay for the convenience.
London is definitely a walking city, so be prepared and in shape to WALK!
Credit cards or debit cards will get you cash advances at ATMs ('cash point machines') which are widely available in London. To make sure that your card will work in London, check with your bank. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere in London.
The British sales tax (V.A.T., value-added tax) is a whopping 20%!! The tax is almost always included in quoted prices in shops, hotels and restaurants.
Many restaurants will automatically add a 10%-15% service charge to your bill, so always check if tipping is necessary before you hand out any extra money. Washroom attendants may display a saucer, in which it is reasonable to leave 20p or so. Here is a brief guide for other tipping situations:
Restaurants: 10%-20% of the check for full meals if service is not already included
(if paying by credit card, check that a tip has not already been included before you fill in the total
on your credit slip), a small token if you are just having coffee or tea.
Taxis: 10%-15%, or perhaps a little more for a short ride.
Doormen: £1 for hailing a taxi.
DVDs purchased in England usually will not work on American DVD players.
Remember to save some British currency to use at your airport's duty-free shops
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