Climate

Climate:
Owing to it being an island, the UK is subject to very changeable weather. Extremes of temperature are rare but snow, hail, heavy rain and heatwaves can occur.

Required clothing:
Waterproofing throughout the year. Warm clothing is advisable at all times, and is essential for any visits to upland areas.

Airports:

• Aberdeen Airport
• Belfast City Airport
• Belfast International Airport
• Birmingham International Airport
• East Midlands Airport
• Edinburgh Airport
• Glasgow Airport
• Inverness Airport
• Leeds Bradford International Airport
• London City Airport
• London Gatwick Airport
• London Heathrow Airport
• London Luton Airport
• London Stansted Airport
• Manchester Airport
• Newcastle Airport
• Southampton International Airport

Departure tax: None.

Internal Travel

Air, Sea, Rail and Road are the modes of transportation used within Great Britian.The country is well connected by road and rail is the most popular mode of transportation with UK.

Travel Times

From Birmingham to Amsterdam is one hour 15 minutes; to Dublin is one hour five minutes; to Düsseldorf is one hour 20 minutes; to Frankfurt/M is one hour 40 minutes; and to Paris is one hour 10 minutes. From Glasgow to Paris is two hours 50 minutes via Birmingham. From Manchester to Amsterdam is one hour 25 minutes; to Brussels is one hour 35 minutes; to Dublin is one hour; to Düsseldorf is one hour 25 minutes; to Frankfurt/M is one hour 50 minutes; to Milan is two hours 25 minutes; to Nice is two hours 20 minutes; to Paris is one hour 30 minutes; and to Rome is two hours 55 minutes. For approximate durations of international flights from London, see the Travel – International section of the destination country

Tunnel

Eurotunnel or the Channel Tunnel:
All road vehicles are carried through the tunnel in Eurotunnel shuttles running between the two terminals, one near Folkestone in Kent, with direct road access from the M20, and one just outside Calais, with links to the A16/A26 motorway (Exit 13). Each shuttle is made up of 12 single- and 12 double-deck carriages, and vehicles are directed to single-deck or double-deck carriages, depending on their height. There are facilities for cars and motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft). Bicycles are provided for. Passengers generally travel with their vehicles. Heavy goods vehicles are carried on special shuttles and drivers travel in a separate carriage. Terminals and shuttles are well equipped for disabled passengers, and Passenger Terminal buildings contain a variety of shops, restaurants, bureaux de change and other amenities. The journey takes about 35 minutes from platform to platform and about one hour from motorway to motorway. Services run every day of the year, and there are between two and five an hour, depending on the time of day. There is a reservation system and a turn-up-and-go service. Motorists pass through customs and immigration before they board the shuttle without further checks on arrival. Fares vary according to length of stay, time of day and time of year and whether you have a reservation or not. The price applies to the car, regardless of the number of passengers or size of the car. The fare may be paid in cash, by cheque or by credit card.

Eurostar

The Eurostar:
The direct Eurostar train runs through the Channel Tunnel between London and Brussels, Lille or Paris. Eurostar is a service provided by the railways of Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, operating direct high-speed trains from London (Waterloo International) to Paris (Gare du Nord) and to Brussels (Midi/Zuid). Due to the opening of Stage 1 of a new high-speed rail line in September 2003, it currently takes two hours 35 minutes from London to Paris and two hours 20 minutes from London to Brussels. Trains depart up to 18 times a day from Waterloo to Paris, and up to nine times a day from Waterloo to Brussels. Work on the UK section of the high-speed rail line is being done in two stages. Stage 1 (from the Channel Tunnel through Kent to the outskirts of London) has been completed. Stage 2, to be completed in January 2007, will take the route to a new terminal at St Pancras. When it is completed, the transit times between London St Pancras and Brussels will be just two hours and between London St Pancras and Paris just two hours 15 minutes.
The Eurostar trains are equipped with standard-class and first-class seating, buffet and bar, and are staffed by multi-lingual, highly trained personnel. Pricing is competitive with the airlines, and there is a large range of different tickets and prices. Children aged between four and 11 years benefit from a special fare in all classes. Children under four years old travel free but cannot be guaranteed a seat. Wheelchair users and blind passengers together with one companion get a special fare.

Public Holidays 2005

Public Holidays 2005:
Jan 1 New Year’s Day.
Mar 25 Good Friday.
Mar 28 Easter Monday.
May 2 May Day Bank Holiday.
May 30 Spring Bank Holiday.
Aug 29 Summer Bank Holiday.
Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Dec 26 Boxing Day(forwarded to Tuesday).