USEFUL TO KNOW

PARIS
LONDON

 

PARIS

Getting Around
The Paris metro is the quick and easy way to get around Paris, as well as the best value. It has around 300 stations, their entrances marked by a big yellow “M”, and 16 lines, numbered from 1 to 14. Maps are readily available at stations and for an idea of your journey time, allow an average of 2 minutes per station and add 5 minutes for each connection.

The metro operates every day including public holidays from around 6am to 0.30am. Times of the first and last trains vary depending on the point along the line that you are departing from, n.b. Trains are less frequent on Sundays and public holidays. Helpfully, illuminated signs above the platform indicate the length of time until the next train arrives
A single metro ticket costs €1.60, and can get you to your destination including all connections, but not back. White-coloured tickets can be purchased singly or in a book of 10 (“carnet”) for €11.40, at the ticket offices or machines in metro stations, and also in some tobacconists. These tickets are also valid on the buses but if purchasing on the bus, be sure to have the correct change.

Weather
Paris has a temperate climate, between the oceanic one of the west and semi-continental one of the east. Winters are mild and summers gentle. Of course the inner center of Paris is always warmer than the surroundings.
What will the weather be today, tomorrow, after tomorrow? Here is the weather forecast for 3 days…

Currency & Exchanging money
France’s unit of currency is the Euro - EUR. The symbol for the Euro is €.

Your credit card will enable you to withdraw cash in euros 24 hours a day at the hundreds of automatic cashpoints in the city. They often give you the choice of instructions in French, English or other languages. The majority of international cards are accepted by cash dispensers at the principal French and foreign banks. However, not all banks provide a currency exchange service.
In Paris, you will find numerous exchange bureaux in busy tourist areas and they are usually open on Sundays too.

Emergency situations
In an emergency you should dial the following numbers:
Ambulance – 15
Police – 17
Fire - 18
English speaking crisis line - 01 46 21 46 46

French summer time…
French time changes in tandem with British summer time (BST), however more generally throughout the year they remain one hour ahead, so 9am in London is always 10am in Paris

Customs and Immigration
Passports & Visas
On arrival in the France, you must show a valid national passport or other equivalent official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality.  
In fact EU citizens can easily get around as passports are rarely stamped. Non-EU citizens however had best apply for an extended visa before leaving home.

Communications
Nearly all public telephones have switched over from coins to 'télécartes', which you can purchase at any post office or newsstand. If ringing France from abroad, the international dialling code is 33, and drop the first '0' of the number. For international calls from France, dial '00', then the country code and the number (dropping the '0').
You will also be able to find plenty of cybercafés which enable you to go on the Internet at a small charge.
In addition most mobile phones now enable you to text and call abroad, however please check with your tariff supplier for rates and restrictions.

General festivals and events
Beside Bastille Day, another nationally celebrated affair is the Fête de la Musique on the 21st of June. The first three weeks of July are taken up with the Tour de France. Then there's the Fête du Patrimoine, which throws open the doors of usually inaccessible monuments and offers free admission to museums.
Check local tourist office sites for more detailed information or why not have a browse through our trip planner and put together your own itinerary around these events.

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LONDON

Getting around
The bus and the Underground remain the best methods of getting around in London. The Underground offers you 12 lines, 270 stations and 6 zones, the yellow line (Circular) being the most practical. It makes a tour of the centre in both directions. The bus is less costly than the Underground. There are red buses for London only and green buses for London and the suburbs.You also have the automatic above ground train (DLR) and DLR tickets + Rail River Rover boat which allow you to return to the city centre, for example, on the Thames. Of course, you can also get around by taxi and car.

Weather
Ahh, London and its micro-climate! What will the weather be today, tomorrow, after tomorrow? Here is the weather forecast for 3 days.

Currency & exchanging money
Britain’s unit of currency is the Great British Pound (sterling) – GBP. The symbol for the pound sterling is £.

The British monetary system
British money is based on the decimal system – there are one hundred pence to each pound. Coins have the values of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. Notes have the values of £5, £10, £20 and £50.

Changing money & exchange rates
Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, post offices, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks.

Emergency situations
In an emergency that requires ambulance, police or fire services dial 999 from any telephone.

British summer time
British summer time starts on the last Sunday in March when clocks go forward 1 hour at 01:00, and ends on the last Sunday in October when they go back 1 hour at 01:00. The time for the rest of the year is Coordinated Universal Time.  
• 2009 – Starts: 00:01, 29 March. Ends: 00:01, 25 October
• 2010 – Starts: 00:01, 28 March. Ends: 00:01, 31 October
• 2011 – Starts: 00:01, 27 March. Ends: 00:01, 30 October

Customs and Immigration
Passports & visas
Passports
On arrival in the United Kingdom, you must show a valid national passport or other equivalent official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality.
Visas
You may need to acquire a visa – entry clearance certificate – before you travel to Britain, if you are not a British citizen or a citizen of one the European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

Communications
Mobile phones
Most dual and tri band mobile phones that have GSM 900 or 1800, will work via roaming in Britain. Check with your mobile phone provider before you leave that the ‘roaming’ function is activated on your phone. You can buy a British prepay mobile phone including phone number and SIM card for as little as £30 in many high street shops. You do not need to provide identification to purchase a prepay phone, but you will need to provide identification and proof of address in Britain to set up a mobile phone contract.

Utilities & services
Electricity
The voltage used in Britain is 240 Volts AC at 50HZ. Most power sockets are designed for standard 3-pin square plugs. Electrical appliances in Britain generally use the British standard plug with 3 square pins. Plug socket adaptors and power transformers are widely available, you can buy them at most airports, electrical shops and hardware stores.

Oyster & London pass
Any Londoner will tell you that the Oyster Card is an essential piece of London kit – it’s a travelcard that you can use on a pay-as-you-go basis or load up with a 1-day or 1-week travelcard. 


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Visitbritain
For more information about Britain, holiday ideas and practical travel advice, see www.visitbritain.com