UK & Ireland Travel Tips

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About UK & Ireland

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland both operate on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

English is the principal language across the UK and Ireland, though Gaelic is still spoken in some rural areas of Ireland.

The United Kingdom’s unit of currency is the Pound Sterling, divided into 100 Pence.

In the UK, travellers cheques are sometimes accepted as payment but can be easily converted into local currency at banks. Hotels, shops, restaurants and many other venues accept all major credit cards (including American Express) and ATM access is widespread.

In the Republic of Ireland, travellers cheques are sometimes accepted as payment but can be easily converted into local currency at banks. Hotels, shops, restaurants and many other venues accept all major credit cards (including American Express) and ATM access is widespread.

Exchange currency only at authorised outlets such as banks and hotels, and exchange only what you think you will spend in-country. Coins cannot be reconverted on departure.

Save all receipts from any currency exchange transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency.

Tipping in the United Kingdom:
- An amount equivalent to approximately £30 per full day of sightseeing is suggested as a tip for your local guide(s), with £20 suitable for your driver. For half-day excursions, equivalents of £20 and £10 are appropriate for guide and driver respectively. Transfer drivers should be tipped at a rate of about £8 per service, transfer rep at your discretion. For driver-guides, equivalents of £40 for full day or £20 for a half day of service. These suggestions are per service.
- Hotel porters will expect the equivalent of about £1.50 per bag. Tips to hotel maids and other hotel staff are at your discretion.
- Taxi drivers would hope for a tip of approximately 10% of the fare.
- A charge for service is often added to restaurant bills but, if it’s not, a typical gratuity would be equal to 10 - 15% of the total. In pubs, tipping lounge staff is at your discretion.

Tipping in the Republic of Ireland:
- An amount equivalent to approximately €40 per full day of sightseeing is suggested as a tip for your local guide(s), with €25 suitable for your driver. For half-day excursions, equivalents of €25 and €15 are appropriate for guide and driver respectively. Transfer drivers should be tipped at a rate of about €5 per service and transfer rep at your discretion. A driver-guide should be tipped €30 for a full day or €20 for a half day of service. These suggestions are per service.
- Hotel porters will expect the equivalent of about €0.50 per bag. Tips to hotel maids and other hotel staff are at your discretion.
- Taxi drivers normally receive 10% of the fare. (It is customary to step outside the vehicle to pay rather than pay from the back seat.
- A charge for service is often added to restaurant checks but, if it’s not, a typical gratuity would be equal to 10 - 15% of the total (excluding Value-Added Tax). In pubs, tipping lounge staff is at your discretion.

Conservative “smart casual” clothing will be most useful for daytime touring. While jeans are acceptable, “smart casual” attire in Britain often means stylish slacks or skirt outfit for women and a shirt with collar and slacks for men. Cotton and other light fabrics are comfortable choices for summertime. Spring and autumn temperatures dictate medium-weight clothing selections.

Everyday street wear in Ireland tends to be somewhat less formal than in other European countries. Cotton and other lighter weight fabrics are comfortable choices for summertime Ireland. Spring and autumn temperatures dictate medium-weight clothing selections.

When dining at country house hotels, better restaurants and especially at private homes, dress is more formal. For gentlemen, a “jacket and tie” standard is appropriate (although not always required), with an equivalent standard of eveningwear for ladies.

Bring comfortable walking shoes with low or no heels. An umbrella or light raincoat may come in handy. Pack a swimming suit, as some hotels have pools.

For up to date information on latest health and vaccination recommendations, please contact your doctor.

Electrical service throughout Great Britain and Ireland is supplied at 220 volts/50 hertz.