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Transportaition

Air Travel

LONDON has 5 airports:

• Heathrow: 4 terminals. 15 miles west of London
  Train to London Paddington in 15 minutes.
  Underground: Piccadilly line, approx. 50 minutes to Central London
  Buses, car rental & taxis also available.
  
• Gatwick: 2 terminals, 30 miles south of London
  Train to London Victoria in 30 minutes.
  Coaches to Victoria Coach Station, taxis & car rental are also available.
  
• Luton: 35 miles northwest of London
  
• Stanstead: 38 miles northwest of London
  
• London City: 6 miles to the East of London financial centre (The City)
  

OTHER MAJOR REGIONAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

• Birmingham International Airport
  
• Manchester International Airport
  
• Glasgow Airport
  
• Edinburgh Airport
  
• Cardiff Airport
  

MAJOR UK AIRLINES

• British Airways
  
• British Midland
  
• Air UK

ALSO

• Easyjet
  
• Virgin Atlantic Airways
  
• Etc…

Train Network

Operated by British Rail and several private companies.

London Stations linked with different areas:

North & Central Britain:

Euston, King's Cross, St Pancras Stations

West Country, Wales,South Midlands:

Paddington,Waterloo Stations

The East, East Anglia, Essex:

Liverpool Street, Victoria, London Bridge

The South:

Waterloo, Charing Cross, London Bridge, Victoria

EUROSTAR:

Train service to Paris, Lille and Brussels operates from Waterloo International

Tickets can be bought at the station, by telephone or over the internet.

Around London:

Travel after morning rush hour is cheaper.
Train tickets can be combined with travel on bus or underground.

Useful telephone numbers:

Rail Enquiries: 0345 48 49 50
Eurostar: 0345 30 30 30

Buses

Are slightly cheaper than the Underground, but often slower.
Tickets can be bought on the bus, and you must keep your ticket during your journey.
Timetables are placed at the bus stop.

Various operators operate local buses.

National Express Coaches and Euroline link London with other cities in the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe.
Most depart from Victoria Coach Station

Underground

The London Underground or Tube is the main transport system in London, and probably the fastest.

Tubes run from approximately 5:30am to 11:30pm. There is a reduced system on Sundays and bank holidays.

You can purchase your ticket at the ticket window in any Tube station, or from a ticket machine.
The Underground system is divided in 6 travel zones, and fares are based on the distance travelled. As long as you don't leave a station, you can use the same ticket. Single or Return tickets are available.
After 9:30am, you can purchase a travel card which gives you unlimited use of the tube and bus system.

Underground maps are available free from most tube ticket windows.
Each line has a name and is colour coded. Directions are indicated by North, South, East or West. There are distinctive symbols for interchange stations and connections with National Railways.

Taxis

Black cabs are found in London and other major cities.
They are controlled strictly by law and within London are regulated by meter. Tipping is expected: between 10% and 20%.
You can hail them as long as the "for hire" sign is illuminated.

Mini cabs use ordinary cars, and have no meter. Only use the service that has been recommended to you.

Most towns and villages run one or more taxi service. If they have no meter, agree on your fare when you hire a taxi.

Driving in Britain

Before beginning to drive in Britain, you should purchase and read The Highway Code, which outlines the British driving regulations.

As in any big city, traffic and congestion are problem In Central London, and petrol is expensive.
Parking is limited to car parks and meters. In some areas, parking is only possible if you are a resident and hold a resident's permit. You can apply for it at your local Council. You must have paid the Council Tax and provide proof of identity, residence and show your car documents.

a)Driving licences

If you have a valid driving licence from any European Economic Area Country, you can drive in the UK.

If you have a driving licence from any other country, 12 months after taking up residence, you must hold a valid British driving licence, and therefore take a driving test.

b)Insurance

Third party insurance is compulsory. For newer cars, it is advisable to have a full comprehensive insurance.
"No claim" reduction is available. You should bring a letter, in English, from your previous insurance company as proof that you are entitled to it.

c)Road Tax

Road tax has to be paid every year for each car. The "tax disc" you will receive, will have to be displayed inside the windscreen.
Annual renewal forms are sent to you, and can be obtained at post offices.
To obtain a tax disc, you need to provide your car papers, insurance certificate and when a car is older than 3 years, a MOT certificate.

d)M.O.T.

Cars over 3 years old must have a yearly M.O.T. test. Many garages are licensed by the Ministry of Transport to carry out the test.

e)Importing a vehicle to the UK

A vehicle, which is permanently imported for use in GB, must be registered and licensed as soon as possible.

Application for registration should be made to your nearest Vehicle Registration Office (VRO).

If you are importing a brand new vehicle, it must:

• be registered within 14 days of collection or first use abroad
  
• only have reasonable delivery mileage
  
• not have been previously "permanently" registered.
  

You will have to submit the following documents at the VRO:

• completed application form V55/5
  
• a £25 registration fee (if applicable)
  
• the required fee for the licence
  
• a current British certificate of insurance
  
• Foreign registration documents
  
• Evidence showing the date the vehicle was collected (normally the invoice from the supplier)
  
• Evidence of type approval (European certificate of conformity)
  
• Appropriate Customs & Excise form (if applicable)
  
• A current British MOT certificate (for car more than 3 years old)
  
• A declaration of newness (if applicable)
  

Provided you produce all required documents, it takes a minimum of 5 working days to get the car registered.