Practical Info A-Z

Great Britain uses plug type G — three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. German plugs (type C/F) do not fit!

You need a travel adapter (also called "UK adapter"):

• Buy at home: Electronics store or Amazon from €3–5
• At the airport: In Heathrow, Gatwick, and Edinburgh at kiosks (5–10 £)
• In the hotel: Many hotels lend adapters at the reception

Voltage: 230V, 50Hz — identical to Germany. Only the plug is different. No danger to devices.

Special feature: British sockets have a switch — sometimes you plug in the adapter and nothing happens. Flip the switch!

German Embassy London

• Address: 23 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PZ
• Phone: +44 20 7824 1300
• Web: london.diplo.de

Consulate General Edinburgh

• Address: 16 Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5DG
• Phone: +44 131 337 2323

Austrian Embassy London

• Address: 18 Belgrave Mews West, London SW1X 8HU
• Phone: +44 20 7344 3250

Swiss Embassy London

• Address: 16–18 Montagu Place, London W1H 2BQ
• Phone: +44 20 7616 6000

Since Brexit (January 1, 2021), new entry rules apply for EU citizens:

Important Rules

• No visa required! EU citizens, Swiss, and EEA citizens can enter as tourists for up to 6 months — without a visa. This is more generous than the Schengen Area (90 days)
• Passport recommended: Since October 2021, ID cards are no longer accepted — you need a valid passport! Exception: Those with EU Settlement Status can enter with an ID card until 2025
• eGates: EU citizens aged 12 and over can use the automatic passport control gates (eGates) at most airports — faster than manual control
• ETA (from 2025): The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, similar to the US ESTA) will be gradually introduced for EU citizens from 2025 — apply online before traveling, small fee. As of 2026: Check the current rules on gov.uk
• No right to work: As a tourist, you are not allowed to work. For work, study, or longer stays, you need a visa

The Pound Sterling (£, GBP) is used throughout Great Britain. As of 2026: £1 ≈ €1.15–1.20.

Payment

• Contactless: Great Britain is one of the most cashless societies in the world. Almost everywhere — even in small pubs, buses, and markets — you can pay contactless (up to £100 without PIN). Apple Pay and Google Pay work everywhere
• Credit cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere. American Express less so
• Cash: Becoming less necessary, but still needed for some small shops, market stalls, and tips. ATMs (Cash Machines) are everywhere — look for "free cash withdrawals" (no fee)
• Note: Scottish banknotes (Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank) look different from those of the Bank of England and are sometimes viewed suspiciously in England — but they are valid currency everywhere!

Tipping

• Restaurant: 10–12.5%. Many restaurants automatically add a "Discretionary Service Charge" (12.5%) — check the bill to avoid double tipping
• Pub (Bar): No tip! For table service: 10%
• Taxi: Round up to the nearest pound
• Hotel: £1–2 for porters

Great Britain has one of the best public health systems in the world with the NHS (National Health Service). However: Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have automatic entitlement to free NHS treatment (the EHIC card still applies for emergency treatment under the UK-EU agreement, but travel health insurance is strongly recommended).

• Emergency number: 999 or 112 (both work)
• Pharmacies: Boots and Superdrug are the largest chains. Many medications (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, antihistamines) are available over the counter — often cheaper than in Germany
• No vaccination protection needed (standard vaccinations sufficient)
• EHIC/GHIC: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) entitles you to medically necessary treatment in the NHS. However: Repatriation and private treatment are NOT covered
• Travel health insurance: STRONGLY recommended! Costs: from €8 per trip. Covers private treatment, repatriation, and dental care

Throughout Great Britain, left-hand driving is the norm. As a pedestrian, this is just as relevant: LOOK RIGHT FIRST when crossing the street, then left. At many London crosswalks, "Look Right" is painted on the ground — it saves tourists' lives.

The most important rules for drivers

• Book automatic: The gear stick is on the left — automatic eliminates confusion
• Roundabouts: Clockwise! Traffic from the right has the right of way. There are mini roundabouts (a white dot on the road) and magic roundabouts (several roundabouts in one — Swindon has the most famous, a nightmare for tourists)
• Speeds: In miles! 30 mph in urban areas (48 km/h), 60 mph on country roads (97 km/h), 70 mph on motorways (113 km/h)
• Congestion Charge London: £15/day, Mon–Fri 7:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 12:00–18:00. ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone, all of London): £12.50/day for older cars. DO NOT drive into London!

The Oyster Card is a rechargeable plastic card for the entire London public transport system (Tube, Bus, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth Line, Tram, some train routes). It is cheaper than single tickets and has a daily price cap (Daily Cap).

Oyster Card vs. Contactless

For several years, you can use a contactless credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or your smartphone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) instead of the Oyster Card — same prices, same Daily Cap. For most tourists, the contactless credit card is the most convenient option: no deposit, no top-up, no return.

Prices (Oyster/Contactless, Zone 1–2)

Note: Paper tickets (single tickets at the machine) cost £6.70 for Zone 1 — more than twice as much as with Oyster/Contactless. ALWAYS use Oyster or contactless!

Tip: The Tube runs until about 00:30. On Friday and Saturday, the Night Tube operates continuously on some lines (Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly). Buses run 24/7.

Since Brexit, EU roaming is no longer automatic in Great Britain! The situation:

• Many German providers (Telekom, Vodafone, O2) have voluntarily included the UK in their roaming zone — so you often surf without extra charges. BUT: Check your tariff BEFORE the trip!
• Some tariffs (especially cheap third-party providers and prepaid) charge roaming fees in the UK. In the worst case: up to €1.99/MB — the holiday photo on Instagram can cost €20
• Local SIM: Three UK, EE, and Vodafone UK offer prepaid SIMs at the airport (from £10 for 30 days, 20 GB). Three-minute activation
• WiFi: Free in hotels, cafes, pubs (yes, even pubs!), and many trains. Quality varies
• Mobile network: 4G/5G excellent in cities. In the Scottish Highlands, Lake District, and parts of Wales, there are dead zones — download offline maps!

• Shops: Mon–Sat 9:00–18:00 (large chains and shopping centers until 20:00–21:00), Sun 10:00–16:00 (legally restricted — large shops can only open for 6 hours on Sundays!)
• Supermarkets: Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA: Mon–Sat 6:00–23:00, Sun 10:00–16:00. Tesco Express / Sainsbury's Local (Convenience Stores): until 23:00 even on Sundays
• Pubs: Since the Licensing Act 2003 theoretically 24/7, practically: 11:00–23:00 (Mon–Thu), 11:00–00:00 (Fri–Sat), 12:00–22:30 (Sun). Many pubs with Late Licence until 1:00–2:00
• Restaurants: Lunch 12:00–14:30, Dinner 18:00–22:00 (kitchen closing)
• Museums: Mostly 10:00–17:00/18:00, many free museums in London open daily. Some close on December 24–26
• Banks: Mon–Fri 9:30–16:30. Most have ATMs 24/7

The British weather is mild, wet, and unpredictable. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, temperatures are rarely extreme (winter rarely below 0 °C, summer rarely above 30 °C — although heatwaves are becoming more frequent). But: Rain can come at any time, even in midsummer. "Four seasons in one day" is no exaggeration.

Packing List Essentials

• Rain jacket: MANDATORY. A good waterproof jacket with a hood (Gore-Tex or similar) is the most important investment. Umbrellas work in England (less wind than in Ireland/Scotland), but on the mountains and coast, they are useless
• Layers: T-shirt + fleece/sweater + jacket. Morning 10 °C, afternoon 22 °C, evening 14 °C — all possible on the same day
• Hiking boots: Even for light walks — British paths are often muddy
• Sunscreen: Underestimated! In clear weather (it happens!), UV radiation is strong
• Midge spray: For the Scottish Highlands (May–September), mosquito spray is essential. Midges (tiny biting insects) are the worst plague of the Highlands — Avon Skin So Soft is the unofficial Scottish standard

What you DON'T need

• Flip-flops — except for Cornwall in August
• Formal clothing — Great Britain is casual. Clean jeans and a neat shirt are sufficient even in good restaurants
• Ski equipment — Snow sports are available in Scotland (Cairngorms), but that's a niche interest

British holidays are called Bank Holidays — because banks are closed (and with them many shops). England/Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have partly different holidays!

On Bank Holidays: Many shops closed or reduced hours. Tourist attractions, pubs, and restaurants usually remain open. Public transport runs on a Sunday schedule. Hotels and popular places (Cotswolds, Lake District) are very busy — book in advance!

Since Brexit, new customs rules apply between the UK and the EU:

Import to the UK (from the EU)

• Personal use — no specific quantity limits for clothing, electronics, etc.
• Food: Some restrictions (no meat, no dairy products!)

Export from the UK (to the EU)

• Alcohol: 4 liters of spirits, 18 liters of wine, 42 liters of beer
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco
• Value limit: €430 for souvenirs

British Souvenirs

• Scotch Whisky: Single malts from the distillery — often exclusive bottlings only available there
• Tea: Fortnum & Mason, Twinings, Yorkshire Tea — a classic souvenir
• British Jam & Chutneys: From Wilkin & Sons (Tiptree) or from the farm shop
• Tweed: Harris Tweed from the Outer Hebrides is handwoven and protected
• Books: Great Britain is a paradise for book lovers — antiquarian bookshops in Hay-on-Wye, Cecil Court (London), and Daunt Books
• London Vintage: Portobello Road Market, Camden Market — unique finds