UK Money

Except for some of the smaller businesses, plastic is unlikely to cause too many furrowed brows. If all else fails, an ATM will never be far away and most are linked to major credit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks, but if a machine swallows your card it can be a nightmare. Most banks insist on chopping it in half and sending it back to your home branch - very helpful.

Travellers cheques are only accepted at larger hotels and, thanks to ATMs, hardly necessary these days anyway - but they are safe and widely accepted in English banks.

Currency, Changing Your Money, Money Tips, Price Guide, Tipping

Currency

Name: Pound Sterling
Symbol: £
Notes come in denominations of £5.00 , £10.00 , £20.00 and £50.00 .
Coins come in denominations of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1.00 and £2.00 .

Changing Your Money

If changing travellers cheques or cash from your own country, change bureaus (especially in London) frequently levy outrageous commissions and fees, so make sure you establish any deductions in advance.

Money Tips

England can be extremely expensive and London in particular can be a big drain on your funds. While in London you will need to budget at least £40.00 for bare survival (dorm accommodation, a one-day travel card and the most basic sustenance). Even moderate sightseeing or nightlife can easily add another £20.00 to this. If you stay in a hotel and eat restaurant meals you could easily spend £80.00 a day without being extravagant. Once you get out of the big smoke the costs will drop, particularly if you have a transport pass and if you cook your own meals. You'll still need at least £30.00 a day, and if you stay in B&Bs, eat one sit-down meal a day and don't stint on entry fees, you'll need about £60.00 a day.

Sample Price Guide

pint of beer
£ 2.25
two pints of milk
£ 0.60
loaf of bread
£ 0.45
hire mountain bike per week
£ 60.00
dormitory room in backpacker hostel
£ 15.00
CD
£ 12.00
coffee in basic cafe
£ 0.50
coffee in Starbucks
£ 2.00
litre of petrol
£ 0.80
souvenir t-shirt
£ 10.00
takeaway fish and chips
£ 4.00

Average Room Prices
Low	Mid	High	Deluxe
£10-30	£30-50	£50-120	£120+
Average Meal Prices
Low	Mid	High	Deluxe
£3-10	£10-20	£20-45	£45+

 

Tipping

If you eat in an English restaurant you should leave a tip of at least 10% unless the service was unsatisfactory. Waiting staff are often paid derisory wages on the assumption that the money will be supplemented by tips. Some restaurants include a service charge on the bill, in which case a gratuity is unnecessary. Taxi drivers expect to be tipped about 10%, especially in London. You never tip to have a pint poured in a pub. However, at swank cocktail bars a 10% tip is expected.