Useful Edinburgh Visitor Info

Useful Edinburgh Information for Visitor to the city

The city's main Tourist Information Centre is at 3 Princes St, on top of Waverley Market, Tel: 4733800, Fax: 4733881, http://www.edinburgh.org Open Apr and Oct Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1100-1800; May and Sep Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1100-1900; Jun Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1000-1900; Jul and Aug Mon-Sat 0900-2000, Sun 1000-2000; Nov-Mar Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1800. It gets very busy during the peak season and at festival time, but has the full range of services, including currency exchange, and will book accommodation, provide travel information and book tickets for various events and excursions. They also stock a wide range of guides, maps and leaflets covering all of Scotland. There's also a tourist information desk at the airport, in the international arrivals area, Tel: 3332167. It's open Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 0830-2130, Sun 0930-2130; Nov-Mar Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 0930-1700.

Another useful tourist information resource is the Backpackers Centre, 6 Blackfriars St, Tel: 5579393 next to Haggis Backpackers. They provide information about hostels and tours and will book coach and ferry tickets. The City Council has produced a free map of the different bus routes around Edinburgh. This is available from the TIC or from the LRT ticket centres at 31 Waverley Bridge, Tel: 2258616 (open Easter-Oct Mon-Sat 0800-1800, Sun 0900-1630; Nov-Easter Tue-Sat 0900-1630), or 27 Hanover St, Tel: 5556363 (open Mon-Sat 0830-1800). Both offices sell travel cards. Traveline runs a public-transport information service for Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian: T0800-232323 (local calls) or Tel: 2253858 (national calls), Mon-Fri 0830-2000. Their office is at 2 Cockburn St, near Waverley Station.

Below are few of the esstential informations which a visitor may know

Age Limitation

In order to drink in bar and clubs you require to be 18-years-old, but in few of the bars and clubs one needs to be over 21. The authorised legal age limit for diving is 17, while most of the car rental firms don't hire their cars to below 21s.

Etiquettes

Though at large Edinburgh is not that formal city, but still few high-end restaurants have a dress code. You may require to wear a jacket or jacket and tie, to avoid any hassles do enquire by calling in advance.

Credit Payment

Iy you have paid via credit card and you wish to cancel the payment or are willing to get reimbursed in some case. Go to, The Citizens Advice Bureau and the local trading standard office at the advice shop.

Drugs

Regardless confussion over cannabis reclassification as a class C drug early in 2004, soft drinks and hard drinks are illegal in UK.

Embassies & Consolates

To find the list of the consolates and Embassies in Edinburgh click here

Emergencies

In case of some untoward incident like fire breakout or accident call at 999 and inform about the incident and ask in case you require any ambulance or police help.

Gay and Lesbian

There are list of offices of several campaign groups relating to gays and lesbians. Stonewall Scotland (557 3679), Equality Network (07020 93352), [Edinburgh Gay Wommen's Group it runs social nexsus from 8.30pm every Wednesday, Gay Dads Scotland.

Health

The National Health Service (NHS) treatments are free to all UK residents, EU nationals and students. If you wish you can register yourself with the general practitoner (GP) no fees or charges are levied for all emergency and accidents cases. But if you are not eligible to consult the NHS doctor you will require to pay the charges of the medicines prescribed. For further informations contact NHS Lothian Primary Care Service 537 8400.

For Help

For various helps visit:-

Alcoholics Anonymous(0845 769 7555) Childline 0800 1111 Gamblers Anonymous Victim Support (0845 303 909090) Edinburgh Women's Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre

Identity Proof

You will require your passport or drivers licence if it has a photocard, for changing money and also for collecting cheques.

Internet

To stay connected with the outer world via internet in Edinburgh you are left with many options. There are a lot of public internet access in Edinburgh, majority of the cafes and bars offers free Wi-Fi internet access. For wireless access via a paid for subscription you have Starbucks. Also you can get computers for hire if you are not carying your laptop with you. Edinburgh Internet Cafe 98 West Bow, Old Town (226 5400) daily open from 10am-11pm. Wired Cafe 1a Brougham Place, South Edinburgh (659 7820) daily open from 9am-9pm.

Luggage Left

There is service provided for left luggages at the check-in-area [[www.edinburghairport.com | Edinburgh Airport. If you require locker facility you can avail that in the St Andrew Square Bus Station and Waverley Station 558 3829.

Legal Help

In case you require any legal help do contact your embassy, consulate or high commission. TheCitizen Advice Bureau can lend you advice for such matters. Imigration Advisory Service will help you regarding matter related to visas and immigration.

Money

Pound Sterling (₤)is the currency of Britain, one pound equals 100 pence (p). The paper notes are issued by the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Clydesdale Bank.

Banks

Usually banks opearte from 9am-4pm (Mon to Fri)few of the banks also remain open later. The ATM's are mostly loacted outside the banks and give 24-hrs cash access. Majority of these ATM's also offers you to draw money on a credit card tied to international network like Cirrus or Plus.

Loss of Credit Cards

If you somehow loose your credit card or it gets stolen, do inform the police and also inform your bank by phone and in writing. Do also call the below mentioned numbers round the clock. American Express (0800 587 6023) Dinners Club (0870 190 0011) Master Card (08900 964767) Visa (0800 891725)

Police

If you need to report any crime on you or any other, do report to the nearest police station, or make a call from the police directory.

Smoking

Smoking is banned from all public places including restaurants and pubs.

Telephones

The area code for Edinburgh is 0131, from outside the UK, dial the international access code (001 if you are in the US), later dial the country code (44 for the UK)then the area code omitting the first 0 and the the rest of the number.

Timings

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) functions in Edinburgh, clock go forwad to run on British Summer Time (BST) at 1am on the last Saturday in March and returns to GMT on the last Saturday in October.

Tipping

Tipping is normal in Edinburgh, tipping upto 10-15% is a familiar routne in hotels, restaurant bars and taxis. While some bars and restaurant do add this in your bill itself.

Visitors Information

In order to provide visitors the right information, Edinburgh and Lothian Tourist Board runs the main tourist office at the east end of the Princes Street.

When to visit

The main attraction in Edinburgh is its cultural festival which starts in the month of August. So those who would love to be a part of the rich cultural and festival facet of Edinburgh August is the best time to visit. During this period the city remain buzzing with festivity and celebrations.

But it is advisable that in winters try to avoid visiting here, as weather remains quite chilly and snowfall disturbs the travel routes and mode of transportations. Summers are quite pleasant and one of the best time to visit here.