Top tips for visiting Belfast

• By: Eanna
• On: 30/Jun/08
• In: Belfast Travel Tips

· Currency/Money/Banks

The currency in Belfast is the British pound or the Pound Sterling (£). ATM machines are scattered all over the city and are a great way of accessing sterling using your credit card.

There are also plenty of Bureau de Change where you can convert your cash into sterling. They are mainly found at banks, large hotels, tourist information centre, travel agencies and the Belfast Welcome Centre.

Banks are opened from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday with some opened on Saturday mornings.

· Tipping

Tipping in restaurants is at ones own discretion but it's usually between 10 –15 % of the total bill. (Always  check your bill to see if a service charge is included in the price).

· Shopping hours

Shopping hours are generally between 9.30am – 5.30pm Monday – Saturday. Some shops have late opening until 9pm on Thursdays and some bigger stores/shopping centres are opened from 1pm-5pm on Sundays.

· Pub hours

Pubs and bars in Belfast are usually opened from 11.30am to 11pm on Monday to Saturdays and from 12.30am to 10pm on Sundays. Some bars have late opening at the weekends.

· Smoking

Belfast has a no smoking policy which is enforced in work places and enclosed public places like pubs, bar, restaurants, nightclubs etc

· Phone numbers

If phoning Belfast you need to add the prefix (028) followed by 90 followed by a six digit number.

To call America or Canada dial 001 followed by area code and number. Generally the cheapest time to make a phonecall is between 8pm and 8am and at the weekends.

· Electrical Equipment

Sockets have three rectangular pin holes with a voltage of 230, so if you're coming from America/Canada you may need a converter.

· Public Toilets

In central Belfast you can find public toilets on Arthur Lane, Church Lane, Winetavern Street, Bankmore Square  (opened 24 hrs), Hope Street (opened 24 hrs),
Custom House Square (opened 24 hrs), and Lombard Street (opened 24 hrs).

· Public car parks in Belfast city

Read Car Parks in Belfast city

· Emergency numbers

For police, ambulance or fire brigade dial 999.
If you loose something phone the Police Lost Property Department on 028 90650222

Book a Belfast hotel  now.

Hope you find these tips helpful. If you've any more to add to the list, please feel free, via the comment box below.