UK Business Travel Guide

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The UK Business Travel Guide provides a range of valuable travel information to assist business travellers. The guide contains facts on the United Kingdom, visa information, business customs, useful tips and other resources. An understanding of other cultures, languages, customs and etiquette can be of great importance to business travellers and give a real advantage to ensuring a successful business trip.

The UK has an advanced and developed economy with a number of business opportunities. Major trading partners include neighbours France, Ireland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and the USA. The UK has historic and cultural ties with members of the Commonwealth and has a long history as a major player in international business, trade and politics.

The UK is a member of key international institutions including the EU, UN security council and NATO. The UK is a multicultural, multiracial country and home to a number of ethic groups. The country has a variety of landscapes including beaches, mountains, lakes, moorland and a range of flora and fauna. Famous attractions include The Tower of London, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Palace of Westminster in London, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Snowdonia in Wales, the Scottish Highlands in Scotland and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.


UK Guide

UK Quick Facts
Visa Requirements
Business Customs and Etiquette
Travel Advice and Tips
Public Holidays
UK Map
UK Weather & Climate



UK Quick Facts

Country: United Kingdom

Capital: London

Currency: Pound Sterling (£); 1 pound = 100 pence

Population: 62.8 Million (UN, 2012)

Area total: 242,500 sq km

Languages: English, Welsh, Gaelic

Time Zone: GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Daylight Saving Details: Starts in late March until late October

Electricity: 240V 50Hz

Dialling Code: 44

GDP: USD 2.521 trillion (World Bank, 2013)

Religion: Predominately Christian (Anglican, Catholic, Methodist) with Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish minorities.

Political System: Constitutional monarchy

Internet Domain: .uk


Visa Requirements
No visa requirement for national of EU member states. No visa need for US and Canadian nationals for visits less than six months. Visa requirements are subject to change with changes in requirements and rules for further information please see: UK Visas

Business Customs and Etiquette
Business dress is widely observed with conservative suit colours the norm. Punctuality is important for meetings and greetings for business usually consist of a handshake, business cards are usually carried and exchanged. Personal space is deemed as important in the UK over friendly actions should be avoided.

Having business lunches are an accepted way of doing business, business dinners would normally be held at restaurants rather than private residences. Business practices are similar to those in Western Europe and North America.

Travel Advice and Tips
Most trips to the UK for both business visitors and tourists are likely to pleasant and incident free. In order to keep it that way it is always wise to be careful and vigilant of your surrounds and environment. Big cities such as London can be crowded especially on public transport, ensure valuables are not on show and are put away. Beware of pickpockets and especially so in crowded public places.

Travel Checklist: See our Travel Checklist containing useful tips and reminders to ensure you have everything you will need on your trip.

Travel Vaccinations: It is recommended you check with your GP whether you require any travel vaccinations up to eight weeks before you travel. For more information and advice on travel vaccinations please the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Tipping: If service charge is not included, it is usually around 10%

Public Holidays

Public Holidays (2015):

January 1: New Year's Day
January 2: New Year Holiday (Scotland)
March 17: St Patrick’s Day (Northern Ireland)
April 3: Good Friday
April 6: Easter Monday
May 4: Early May Bank Holiday
May 25: Spring Bank Holiday
July 13: Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (Northern Ireland)
August 31: Summer Bank Holiday
November 30: St Andrew’s Day (Scotland)
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day


UK Map


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UK Weather & Climate

The UK's location means it has four seasons (summer, winter, autumn and spring) and has a temperate weather climate, the country rarely has extremes in heat or cold conditions meaning the UK can be visited throughout the year. Within the UK there are regional variances, Scotland has the coolest weather, with England having warmer maximum and minimum temperatures through the year. Visitors should note whilst extremes in temperature are a rare occurrence, there are some periods of snow, heat waves and heavy rain.

Lightweight can be warn in the summer with layers and warmer clothing need in he other seasons. The weather is famous for its unpredictability and visitors can see elements of all four seasons in one day; therefore it is advisable to have waterproof clothing, umbrellas, raincoats and warm clothing at all times.









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Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
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