Glasgow, Scotland Hotels and City Guide

Glasgow - Travel Tips

Visas and Entry

Visa regulations are subject to change, so it is essential to check with your local British embassy, high commission or consulate before leaving home. Citizens of all European countries - except Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Slovak Republic, Yugoslavia and all former Soviet republics (other than the Baltic states) - require only a passport to enter Britain and can generally stay for up to three months. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or the USA can stay for up to six months, providing they have a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover their stay. Citizens of most other countries require a visa from the commission or consular office in the country of application. The Foreign Office's website provides details of British immigration and visa requirements.

Money

The British currency is the pound sterling (£), divided into 100 pence (p). Coins come in denominations of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. Bank of England banknotes are legal tender in Scotland, in addition to those issued by the Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank. These Scottish banknotes (bills) come in denominations of £1, £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100.

Credit cards and ATMs

Most hotels, shops and restaurants accept the major credit cards (Access/MasterCard, Visa and Amex), though some places may charge you for using them. You can withdraw cash from selected banks and Automatic Telling Machines - ATMs, or 'cashpoints' as they are called in Britain - with your cash card. Your bank or credit card company will be able to give you a list of locations where you can use your card. Visa cardholders can use the Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland and TSB ATMs; Access/MasterCard holders can use the Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale; Amex cardholders can use the Bank of Scotland.
If you have an account with a high-street bank in England or Wales, you can use your cashpoint card in Scotland. Bank of Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland accept Lloyds and Barclays cash cards; Clydesdale accepts HSBC/Midland and National Westminster cards. Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale and most building society cashpoints are part of the Link network and accept all affiliated cards.

Travellers' cheques

The safest way to carry money is in the form of travellers' cheques. These are available for a small commission from all major banks. American Express (Amex), Visa and Thomas Cook cheques are widely accepted and are the most commonly issued by banks. You'll normally have to pay commission again when you cash each cheque. This will usually be one percent, or a flat rate. No commission is payable on Amex cheques cashed at Amex offices. Note that in Britain travellers' cheques are rarely accepted outside banks, so you'll need to cash them in advance and keep a good supply of ready cash.

Banks and bureaux de change

Bank opening hours are Monday-Friday from 0930 to between 1600 and 1700. Some larger branches may also be open later on Thursdays and on Saturday mornings. Banks are usually the best places to change money and cheques. Outside banking hours you'll have to use a bureau de change, which can be found in the city centre and also at the airport and train stations. Some bureaux charge high commission rates for changing cheques. Avoid changing money or cheques in hotels, as the rates are usually very poor.

Cost of living/travelling

Glasgow needn't be an expensive city to visit. Cheap accommodation is available in hostels or B&Bs, transport is relatively cheap and you can get by on £20-25 per day if you eat in cafés, pubs or cheap restaurants. Also, most of the museums and galleries are free. If you want to enjoy the city's better restaurants and go out at night, then you'll need at least £50-60 per day, without being extravagant. Single travellers will have to pay more than half the cost of a double room in most places and should budget on spending around 60% of what a couple would spend.

Health

No vaccinations are required for entry into Britain. Citizens of EU countries are entitled to free medical treatment at National Health Service (NHS) hospitals on production of an E111 form. Also, Australia, New Zealand and several other non-EU European countries have reciprocal health-care arrangements with Britain. Citizens of other countries will have to pay for all medical services, except accident and emergency care given at Accident and Emergency Units at most (but not all) NHS hospitals. Health insurance is therefore strongly advised for citizens of non-EU countries. Pharmacists can dispense only a limited range of drugs without a doctor's prescription. Most are open during normal shopping hours, though some are open late, especially in larger towns. Local newspapers will carry lists of which are open late. Doctors' surgeries are usually open from around 0830-0900 till 1730-1800, though times vary. Outside surgery hours you can go to the casualty department of the local hospital for any complaint requiring urgent attention.

Useful Information

Electricity
The current in Britain is 240V AC. Plugs have three square pins and adapters are widely available.

Emergencies
For police, fire brigade, ambulance and, in certain areas, mountain rescue or coastguard, dial 999.

Time
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is used from late October to late March, after which time the clocks go forward an hour to British Summer Time (BST). GMT is five hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time and 10 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Hotels in Glasgow, Scotland