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UK Survival Guide

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1. UK Travel Guide

1Cover’s UK Survival Guide is packed full handy hints and tips from those in the know to keep you safe on your travels in Blighty.

While it may be a small island compared to Australia, the UK sure packs a punch with its vibrant cities, green countryside and rich history, it’s a fascinating place to visit. 

Our guide takes you through where to go, what to do, how to keep safe and prepare yourself for your UK adventure. Enjoy!

 

 

2. The Best Of The UK

 

 

  • Castle
  • Take In Some Culture 

    The UK is steeped in history with hundreds of cultural sites and activities you won’t see in Aus. Take a tour around a medieval castle, go to a museum or visit a cathedral - there are tons to choose from and many of them are free.

  • woods

  • Explore The Outdoors 

    The UK countryside has an abundance of National Parks such as the Peak District in the North of England and Cairngorms in Scotland. There’s no excuse for not leaving the comfort of your hotel and exploring the outdoors. 

  • Queen
  • Visit The King

    If your in London, take a trip to Buckingham Palace to visit his majesty. It isn’t always open to the public but there are other royal residences around the UK including Windsor Castle, the Palaces of Holyrood house in Edinburgh or Hillsbourough castle in Northern Ireland.

  • beer

  • Grab A Pint At A Traditional Pub 

    No trip to the UK would be complete without visiting a traditional pub and having a beer with the locals. We love London's famous pub the Prospect of Whitby which dates back to 1520  - you'll really feel like you're going back in time. 

  • Festival
  • Go to A Festival

    During the summer months the UK comes alive with hundreds of music and art festivals. Glastonbury music festival and Notting Hill Carnival are the two largest festivals in the UK, but if you know where to look, you can find anything from druid festivals, cheese rolling, to hardcore dance festivals. The British love to party!

  • beach

  • Head to the Beach (Yes Really!)

    The perception of UK beaches may be one of pebbles, stones and murky water, however there are some beautiful beaches to visit. Get yourself to Newquay or Sandbacks and you'll feel like you'e in Sydney. 

3. Know Before You Go 

i. Visas & Entry

Being refused entry to a country can have ramifications for your future travel, so it’s best to know before you go.

 

AU Citizen If you're an Australian citizen and are visiting for less than 6 months as a tourist you do not need a visa. 

Visa However, if you have a criminal record or have previously been refused entry into the UK you may need to apply for one.

UK Entry requirements can change at any time, go to Check UK Visa for up-to-date information.

 

Be careful what you bring into the country too - UK customs allow you to bring in a max, per adult, of: 

Alcohol Limit 16 litres of beer or 1 litre
of alcohol.

 

Cigarette 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

 

Perfume limit A reasonable amount of perfume.

 

 

You can find more information of what you can and can’t bring to the UK at Duty Free Goods

 

 

iI. Sim Cards & Dialling Home 

telephone

 

The major national operators in the UK include: 

EE  -  Three  -  O2  

 

Calling Australia From The UK

 

00 - 61 - Area Code - Land phone number.

00 - 61 - Nine digit mobile phone number.

 

00 - Exit code for dialling international numbers from the UK.

61 - Country Code of Australia.

Area code - 1 of the 19 area codes in Australia e.g. 02 = NSW and ACT region.

 

telephone

Calling The UK From Australia

 

0011 - 44 - Area Code - Land phone number.

0011 - 44 - 11 Digit mobile number.
 

0011 - Exit code for Australia, and is needed for making any international call from Australia.

44 - Country code for the UK

 

UK Important Phone Numbers

  • siren Emergency Services
    999

police Police (non-emergency)
101

health National Health Service
111

commission Aus. High Commission
+44 20 7379 4334 

 

 

iII. At The Airport 

 

Taxi ranks can be found outside all airports in the UK and many airports will also have coach services like the National Express. However trains in the UK are cheap, very reliable and more comfortable than the bus. Heathrow has three train services that will take you into London.    

Heathrow Express 


This is the quickest and most comfortable way of getting into central London, taking only 15 minutes to get to Paddington station. It is, however, the most expensive. Check out Heathrow Express for full details. 

Heathrow Connect 


This train service will take you to destinations in West London and terminates at Paddington Station, taking around 30 – 40 minutes, and is slightly cheaper than the express. Check out Heathrow Connect for full details. 

London Underground


Heathrow has tube stations at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 which will take you into the city. You will have to change tubes to get into zone 1 (central London) and this can take up to an hour. 

 

Top Tip: 

Always book your train tickets online as far in advance as possible, and travel during off peak periods. Train tickets are not set prices, and can vary enormously. 

 

 

 

 

iV. Money 

 

Money Exchanges 

The UK might be part of Europe but don’t go changing your Dollars into Euros. The UK’s currency is the Great British Pound. 

 

What To Do At Money Exchanges

  • Try getting your dollars changed into smaller notes, £50 notes are not accepted at all shops. 
  • Avoid getting your money changed at the airport, the rates are often not competitive and you will always have to pay a fee. 
  • Don’t use a money changer with an advertised rate which is better than any other in that area. (If the rate is too high it’s probably too good to be true).

cash

 

  • Make sure you go to an authorised exchange to avoid getting ripped off. If a place looks sketchy, it's best to avoid it!
  • Make sure you count the money that is given to you and check you haven’t been short changed.
  • Exchange your money earlier rather than later, you may need some loose change for a cab

v. Adventure Activities 

 

The UK is a great destination for activities such as cycling, surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing and many more.

Always take the right precautions and make sure that you know what activities you’re covered for before you go.  

 

Some Activities That Are Covered

Ziplining

Zip line

Windsurfing

Windsurfing

Kayaking

Kayaking

Gorge Walking

Gorge walking

Yachting

Yachting

Wakeboarding

Wake-boarding

canoeing

Canoeing

Swimming

Swimming

Abseiling

Abseiling

Some Activities That Are Not Covered

(By Pretty Much Any Insurer Because Of The Risk!):

Base jumping

Base
jumping

professional sports

Professional
sports

parachuting

Parachuting

hang gliding

Hang
gliding

open water sailing

Open water sailing

mountaineering

Mountain-eering

hunting

Hunting

*Without an Australian licence.
 

4. Is The UK Safe? 

i. Australian Government Travel Warnings

The Aussie Government issue travel warnings for destinations depending on the security issues at hand. You can find them at Smart Traveller

 

Stats and Facts

Overall the crime rate in the UK is pretty low so as long as you use common sense and don’t take risks you wouldn’t normally take at home your trip should be trouble free. Be more wary in big cities like London as petty crime is more common in these areas.

 

taxi Make sure you only chose licensed taxis. Go for a black cab or book a taxi in advance. 

 

walking at night

When exploring new places, try to stick to busier areas and avoid walking around alone at night. If somewhere doesn’t look or feel right, avoid it.

 

drink spiking Make sure to watch your drink on a night out to avoid it being spiked. Never leave it with strangers or people you have just met.

 

transport at night

  • When travelling home late at night, think about getting a taxi over public transport, especially if you are in a new or unfamiliar area. It may be more expensive but definitely worth the extra money to make sure you’re safe.

 

 

iI. Families In The UK

 

The United Kingdom is a great place for a family adventure with loads of activities suitable for all ages.
When taking your family out for the day, its best to plan ahead, a little bit of preparation can go a long way!

 

Family Friendly Tips:
 

holiday parks

Do Your Research

Pick family friendly hotels or holiday parks. This will ensure there are plenty of things to keep the whole family entertained and some will offer kids clubs or crèches.

booking

Book In Advance

Save money on attractions by getting family tickets to places like theme parks and zoos. 

Museum

Explore

Visit museums, beaches and national parks with the kids. They will have a great time exploring and many are completely free!

 

changing rooms

Changing Rooms

Baby changing rooms are often only available in female toilets. 

high chair

Be Prepared

Not all restaurants will have high chairs so it’s a good idea to bring a pram.

budget

Budget Wisely  

Childcare does not come cheap in the UK. So if you are thinking of hiring a nanny expect to pay similar prices as you would
at home.

 

III. Culture And Customs

 

Our pommie cousins may speak the same language as us, but the UK is steeped in tradition and custom. Most Brits pride themselves on being culturally sensitive, and the formality of their conversations will depend on how well you know them. When you're travelling you want to avoid
foot-in-mouth moments as much as possible, so make sure you are in the know to avoid any embarrassing situations. 

Top Tip:

Be warned some places add a service charge that can be either discretionary or mandatory (usually for larger parties). So make sure you check your receipt before leaving a big wad of cash for your waiter or waitress. Tipping your taxi driver a few pounds is also okay but not expected. 

 

sarcasm

 

Sarcasm

British people are known for their sarcasm - which basically means being rude is paying someone a compliment. Sarcasm is a way of being friendly in the UK so don’t get offended as the person is probably just trying to make you laugh.

tips

 

Tipping

It is a situation every tourist dreads when away on holiday. You don’t want to offend but you don’t want to pay too much if it’s not necessary. In the UK tipping is not expected but it is always nice to show your appreciation for good service. It’s usually around 10 percent at restaurants and it is not customary to tip in bars. 

different people

 

There Is A Difference

Just as Australians don’t like to be confused for New Zealanders, the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh don’t like to be confused for each other either. Nothing will rile up a Scotsman, Irishman or Welshman more than being called English. To avoid any awkward situations, and maybe starting a civil war, make sure you know the difference. 

 

 

iV. Getting Around

 

The UK can be travelled by plane, train, car or ferry

The small size of the UK means you can explore England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales with relative ease. To travel across the United Kingdom by car or train is a great way to take in some of the beautiful countryside. 

Public transport is very good especially in the bigger cities which have extensive train and bus services.

 

Top Tip:

If travelling by train remember to book tickets online in advance. It is a lot cheaper than purchasing them on the day which will be very expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

vI. Using The Tube

 

The London Underground or Tube is the fastest way of getting around the capital. But with millions of people using it each day it can be a daunting experience for any traveller. Here are some useful tips when taking the Tube.  

crowd

It’s Crowded

Be prepared for this. Expect pushing and shoving when you are getting on and off trains. Taking a lot of luggage on the tube is not advisable, it will be a hassle.

clock

Avoid Rush Hour

If you don’t fancy being squashed like a sardine in a tin, then avoid travelling at 7.30 - 9.30am and 5.00pm - 7.00pm Monday to Friday. It is also cheaper to travel outside of rush hour!

belonging

Watch Your Things

It goes without saying that large crowds are a pickpockets dream. Make sure you are always aware of where your valuables are on your person when using the Tube. 

oyster

Get An Oyster Card

These re-fillable travel cards can be used on most forms of public transport, and can be topped up online or at any tube station. 

 

ask for help

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

The Tube can be very confusing for first-timers. If you don’t know where you are going, ask a member of staff. They will be more than willing to point you in the right direction. 

ticket

Get Your Ticket Ready

Have your ticket ready before you hit the barrier. London is full of people in a hurry and they are known to be slightly impatient. It will also make you look like you know what your doing (even if you really don’t).

escalator

Stand To The Right On The Escalator

There is nothing that will infuriate a Londoner more than someone standing on the wrong side of the escalator and blocking their path. 

line closures

Check Line Closures Before You Travel

If there is one thing that you can count on when using the Tube is that there will be closures and delays. You can get up-to-date information on train services on the Transport of London website. 

 

5. Street Smarts - Scams and Crime 

Getting scammed can happen anywhere, but when you’re a tourist in a new city you’re often a prime target for scams. Read up on the scams you need to know about and you should be A-OK!

beggars

 

1 Beggars

Beggars are common throughout the UK. 
Whether you choose to give them any or not, always do so politely.
​​​​Be wary of anyone who approaches you, especially at night. 

watch your card

 

2 Watch Your Cards 

Make sure you always cover your pin when using an atm or credit card machine. If possible, use your phone to pay as all payments are encrypted or use a credit card as you can dispute charges easier than on a debit card.

drink responsibly

 

3 Drink Responsibly

The UK has much more relaxed alcohol licensing laws than Aus, but you can still get yourself into trouble. Once venues start closing get straight into a licensed taxi and return to where you are staying. 

 

mugging

 

4 Keep Your Wits About You

 As with any travel destination there are areas to be avoided as they can be unsafe especially for tourists. Inner city areas can often be more dangerous so keep your valuables hidden, especially at night. Be especially wary of those going past on moped as they are often used by thieves to make a quick get away.

ticket

 

5 Ticket Touting

Be wary of event spruikers. There is no guarantee that their tickets are real or that the event they are selling tickets for even exists. If the tickets don’t turn out to be legit by the time you have realised the seller will be long gone along with your money. 

telephone scams

 

6 Telephone Scams 

You’ll receive a text asking you to call a 090 number to claim your prize. This will result in you being kept on hold indefinitely, racking up a huge bill. Sounds silly, but over 1 million people get roped in each year! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Looking After Yourselfman

Sunburn

If it’s one thing Australians know about it’s hot weather. The UK might seem a welcome break from the scorching Aussie sun but be careful. Serious sunburn and sun stroke can still happen even in the UK, especially in June to August. Remember always wear sunscreen when in the sun and stay hydrated.

When the sun is shining in the UK, there is no better place in the world, and you'll notice that suddenly a collective smile is on every local’s face!

 

Cold Weather

If you’re planning a trip in the winter months (December - February) remember it can get very cold and may even snow so make sure to pack plenty of warm clothes.

The road can get extremely icy and be very hazardous in winter. If you are driving around, be sure to take extra precautions and drive slowly to avoid a road accident. Alternatively, opt for public transport instead.

 

Tap water

Tap water in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is clean and completely safe to drink. 

 

7. Mother Nature

i. Weather

 

The UK has four distinct seasons. It’s hot and sunny in the summer, very cold in winter and generally rains throughout the year. Pack correctly depending of what time of year you are visiting. 

The weather is predictably unpredictable. Just because you are visiting in summer that doesn’t mean you should only pack bikinis or budgie smugglers. Be prepared for it to be a little chilly. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rain 

Everyone thinks it rains in the UK the whole time, however this is not the case. Although due to what the Brits call “Drizzle” i.e. a light rain, and grey skies it can seem like you go days without seeing blue sky! Always have an umbrella or light rain coat handy. 

 

 

iI. Beaches

 

There are plenty of beaches all over the UK and compared to Aussie beaches they are pretty safe. But you should still be aware of the risks. Here are some handy tips when at the beach. 

 

Flags At The Beach 

When it comes to safety on the beaches there are a few things to look out for:

 

Red and Yellow Flags

This flag means the area is patrolled by lifeguards and it is safe to swim. 

 

Red Flags

When red flags are flying you should not enter the water as it means there are strong currents and rip tides that can be very dangerous.   

 

Black and White Chequered Flags 

This flag means that the area is safe for using watercrafts like surfboard and kayaks. It is unsafe for swimming and using body boards.

 

Orange Windsock

This means there are dangerous wind conditions and you should never use inflatables as you could get dragged out to sea.  

 

 

 

8. What To Do In An Emergency 

i. What Do I Do If I Lose My Passport?

Your passport is your ticket to ride so try not to lose it down the back of a couch, or leave it in the back of a taxi. Follow these handy steps if you do lose your passport. 

 

couch

 

Look In The Last Place You Left It!

Seems simple right? But sometimes your passport may have been left at the last place you stayed so call the hotel.

government

 

Report It To The Government ASAP

If you are unable to find it after searching far and wide (or you know for a fact it was stolen) then you need to report it to the government.

document

 

Prepare Documents To Get A New Passport

Things you will need to do to get a replacement passport include: an application form, photos and possibly booking an interview.

 

police

 

Report To The Police Within 24 Hours

Of it occurring. Ensure you get a police report documenting the loss or theft. You will need this report to make a travel insurance claim.

telephone


 

Call Your Travel Insurance Company

To report the claim as soon as you can. That way you can confirm cover and seek advice.

 

Important Contacts

police Non-Emergency Police Number
101

commission Australian High Commission
(44 20) 7379 433

 

 

iI. What To Do If I Have A Medical Emergency?

 

If something serious happens and you find yourself severely sick or injured you’re going to need to get to a hospital, and fast. Always make yourself aware of your nearest hospital, just in case.

reciprocal health agreement Australia and the UK have a reciprocal healthcare agreement which means that you can use the National Health Service, hospitals and GP services for free. 

 

telephone If your condition doesn’t require immediate medical attention but you would like to see a doctor, you can register free as a NHS patient at a doctor’s surgery. 

 

 

medicine If you are prescribed medicine you will have to pay for it at a pharmacy. 

 

computer In the case of a medical emergency the number to call is 999 or you can call the NHS non-emergency line by dialling 101 if your illness or injury is less serious.

 

 

 

iII. What To Do If You're Robbed Overseas

 

 

camera

Keep Your Cool

Don’t panic (and don’t fight back if you are aware of the robbery). Your camera isn’t worth as much as your life so best not to risk it.

 

commission

Get Help

Contact your embassy or high commission office to get assistance if needed, such as if you have troubles with the local police.

 

keys

Report Stolen Keys

Report stolen keys to your hotel. Replacement keys and locks may need to be arranged.

 

credit cards

Cancel Cards

Cancel all credit cards and report them stolen to your bank.

 

 

police station

Go To The Police

Find the nearest police station and report the incident, and obtain a police report within 24 hours.

 

cash

Organise A Money Transfer

If all your cash and access to money was stolen you can arrange for a money transfer from someone back home.

 

bill

Speak To 1Cover

If you need to replace items such as your beloved camera speak to your insurance company to find out what is covered.

 

thumbs up

Stay Positive

Last but not least stay positive. Theft can happen to even the savviest of travellers.

 

Get a Quote for the UK 

Rain or shine, city living or relaxing in the countryside, we hope your trip to the UK is fun and safe! If something goes wrong, we’ve got you covered.

 

 

Buy Now!

 

 

 

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