Cultural Orientation – Part 2

2. Cultural Orientation – Part 2 How to get around London Where to go for help (e.g. banking, travel etc.) • 6.00pm Salsa & food ULU Venue Tomorrow • 9.25am Meet group outside Byron Academic Area Tour • 10.30am Academic Orientation

3. What you will know after this session • Transport in London • Banking and Finance in London • London Survival Tips • Fun Stuff at NYUL

4. An Introduction to London Transport

5. London Transport Guide • The Underground (tube) • The quickest way of travelling long distances • Buses • Extensive network, many routes run 24 hours • Taxis • Convenient and safe but expensive • ALSO • River Boat Services • Useful but limited service • Suburban Rail • Trains throughout South-East England • Docklands Light Railway (DLR) • Driverless overground train network in East London

6. The London Underground

7. The London Underground • Twelve lines, plus the DLR, divided into six zones • Journeys are priced on how many zones you travel through • NOT a 24 hour service- generally most trains start between 5.00am – 5.30am Mon to Fri and an hour later on weekends and public holidays. • Last trains in Central London depart around 12.30am – 1.00am. • Many lines are part-closed at weekends – check before you travel on https://tfl.gov.uk/ • Tips: • Stand on the right of escalators or walk on the left • Keep your belongings with you at all times • Mind the Gap!

8. London Buses • Comprehensive and cheaper alternative to the tube • Ideal for getting your bearings! • Many routes run 24 hours (an “N” before the route number signifies a night bus route) • Most night buses start at Trafalgar Square • Routes 9H and 15H are heritage routes, meaning you can catch the distinctive open-ended routemaster buses • 9H runs between Trafalgar Square and Kensington and 15H runs between Trafalgar Square and Tower Hill

9. What is an Oyster card? • You should have all received an Oyster card • Your key to London transport throughout your stay • “Pay As You Go” ticket allows you to add value as suits your needs • Valid on the Tube, DLR, London buses, over-ground rail (zones 1-2) – but not taxis. • Keep it safe. You will need to buy your own, should you lose it! • Register your card online at www.oystercard.com to protect your funds against loss and theft

10. Oyster Card Tips • You MUST touch in and touch out at the start and end of every tube journey, else you will pay the maximum fare • You must also touch in at the start of every bus journey (careful- inspectors about!) • Oyster Cards can only be used on National Railservices between Zones 1-6 • You can top up your Oyster Card online, or at the machines in stations

11. What is the Student Oyster card? • Valid from September 2nd 2013 to any 18+ student in full-time education at a registered school (e.g. NYU-London) • Gives 30% saving on any period ticket (i.e. not PAYG). • Apply via www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets . You will need: • A colour digital photo to upload • Your NYU student ID (e.g. NXXXXXXXX) • UK address (use the NYU Academic Centre) • Your course start and end dates • A credit or debit card to pay the £10 fee • Card takes between 1-2 weeks to arrive to UK address given.

12. Some Prices Peak hours are Monday – Friday, 6.30am – 9.30am and 4.00pm – 7.00pm (excluding public holidays). Oyster PAYG fares into Zone 1 in the evening peak are charged at the off-peak rate.

13. London’s Taxis • All black cabs are licensed by the police • The famous “black cabs” now come in a variety of colours • Cabs can be hired in the street when their sign is lit; look out for taxi ranks in busy areas • Can be very expensive, but take up to 5 passengers • Tip around 10% or round up to the nearest pound • A minicab should NEVER be hailed on the street but booked in advance • Text CAB to 60835 to get the numbers of one taxi and two licensed minicab firms in the area you are texting from. • Download the “Hail O” app which will help you to flag cabs (in your vicinity) that are registered to the scheme.

14. Banking Credit Card Chip & Pin vs. Signature Traveller’s Cheques Cash Check charges (commission) and exchange rate Wiring money Take care when using ATMs Bank letters

15. Opening a Bank Account • Bank letters • Choose a branch (address) • Complete a form • Collect Bank letter You will need: • Passport • Bank letter (addressed to bank/branch) • Patience • Monthly charge You will get: • Debit card/ATM withdrawals • No overdraft • Minimal interest

16. Finance Budgeting • Walk • Don’t eat out - cook • Plan ahead - set a budget • Food shop with friends - BOGOF • Eat & drink before going out • Hold group meals • Student Offers

17. Survival Tips: Shopping and Eating out Useful Stores • Waitrose (Brunswick Centre) – Upmarket supermarket • Tesco Metro (opposite Russell Square station) – Ubiquitous supermarket chain • Argos- Where you can buy pretty much anything! • Boots – Pharmacy, toiletries and electrical items • Primark – Cheap clothing Eating and Going Out • Always bring your ID with you (driver’s licence, not passport) • For cheap theatre tickets try tkts in Leicester Square or check directly with the theatre on the day of performance (known as “Student Standby”) • Buy Time Out magazine or check their website • Many chain restaurants offer special meal deals- register with the website or check vouchercodes.co.uk • Toptable.co.uk and lastminute.com also offer deals Hints and Tips

18. Survival Tips: Shopping and Eating out Opening Hours • Shops & amenities generally open 9:00am – 5:00pm • Supermarkets generally stay open until 10:00pm • Larger shops have limited trading hours on Sunday • Banks and Post Offices generally open 9.00am - 5.30pm and 9.00am - 12.30pm Saturdays • Pubs close at 11:00pm, clubs at 2:00-4.00am Tipping • 10% in restaurants (but check a service charge has not already been added to your bill!) • 10% taxis or round up to the nearest pound • Tipping not expected at pubs/ bars • Sales Tax built into the price. Hints and Tips

19. Break time • NOW- Free time!! • 6.00pm Salsa & food • Friday • Group meet at Byron 9.25am