London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [231]
If you must apply for a visa in advance, you can usually do it in person or by mail. When you apply by mail, you send your passport to a designated consulate, where your passport will be examined and the visa issued. Expediters—usually the same ones who handle expedited passport applications—can do all the work of obtaining your visa for you; however, there’s always an additional cost (often more than $50 per visa).
Most visas limit you to a single trip—basically during the actual dates of your planned vacation. Other visas allow you to visit as many times as you wish for a specific period of time. Remember that requirements change, sometimes at the drop of a hat, and the burden is on you to make sure that you have the appropriate visas. Otherwise, you’ll be turned away at the airport or, worse, deported after you arrive in the country. No company or travel insurer gives refunds if your travel plans are disrupted because you didn’t have the correct visa.
U.S. Passport Information U.S. Department of State (877/487–2778 | travel.state.gov/passport).
U.S. Passport and Visa Expediters A. Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors (800/806–0581 or 202/388–0111 | www.abriggs.com). American Passport Express (800/455–5166 or 603/559–9888 | www.americanpassport.com). Passport Express (800/362–8196 | www.passportexpress.com). Travel Document Systems (800/874–5100 or 202/638–3800 | www.traveldocs.com). Travel the World Visas (866/886–8472 or | www.world-visa.com).
SAFETY
The rules for safety in London are the same as in New York or any big city. If you’re carrying a considerable amount of cash and do not have a safe in your hotel room, it’s a good idea to keep it in something like a money belt, but don’t get cash out of it in public. Keep a small amount of cash for immediate purchases in your pocket or handbag.
Beyond that, use common sense. In central London, nobody will raise an eyebrow at tourists studying maps on street corners, and don’t hesitate to ask for directions. However, outside of the center, exercise general caution about the neighborhoods you walk in: if they don’t look safe, take a cab. After midnight, outside of the center, take cabs rather than waiting for a night bus. Although London has plenty of so-called “minicabs”—normal cars driven by self-employed drivers in a cab service—don’t ever get into an unmarked car that pulls up offering you “cab service.” Take a licensed minicab only from a cab office, or, preferably, a normal London “black cab,” which you flag down on the street. Unlicensed minicab drivers have been associated with a slate of violent crimes in recent years.
If you carry a purse, keep a firm grip on it (or even disguise it in a local shopping bag). Store only enough money in the purse to cover casual spending. Distribute the rest of your cash and any valuables among deep front pockets, inside jacket or vest pockets, and a concealed money pouch. Some pubs and bars have “Chelsea clips” under the tables where you can hang your handbag at your knee. Never leave your bag beside your chair or hanging from the back of your chair. Be careful with backpacks, as pickpockets can unzip them on the Tube, or even as you’re traveling up an escalator.
TIP Distribute your cash, credit cards, IDs, and other valuables between a deep front pocket, an inside jacket or vest pocket, and a hidden money pouch. Don’t reach for the money pouch once you’re in public.
Advisories U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov).
TAXES
Departure taxes are divided into four bands, depending on destination. The Band A tax on a per-person Economy fare is £12, Band B is £60, Band C is £75, and Band D is £85. The fee is subject to government tax increases.
The British sales tax (V.A.T., value-added tax) is 20%. The tax is almost always included in quoted prices in shops, hotels, and restaurants.
Most travelers can get a V.A.T. refund by either the Retail Export or the more cumbersome Direct Export method. Many, but