Practical Information and FAQs

Bristol Airport 

Bristol Airport serves the entire region and access to the urban centres of Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare is easy via regular shuttle bus services or taxi. Private coaches can pick up close to the terminal building by prior arrangement. Major car hire firms are based on-site, at the Silver Zone parking area with regular shuttle buses from the Public Transport Interchange. See our 'How to get to Bath and Bristol' page for further details. 

Currency 

Pound Sterling is used throughout the UK. There are currency exchanges within the city centre areas and at Bristol Airport. All major credit cards are widely accepted and increasing numbers of businesses can accept Apple Pay, Alipay and others. For the latest currency conversion rates, see xe.com 

Electricity 

The standard electrical current in the UK is 50Hz 230 volts. Some appliances may require a converter. Plug adaptors are readily available in retail outlets and many hotels offer USB charge points. 

Emergency Services 

Dial 999 to access Police, Fire, Ambulance and Coastguard emergency services. Accident and Emergency (ER) hospitals are located in Bristol and Bath city centres and are clearly signposted. 

Health 

For non-emergency health advice, visit a pharmacy or telephone NHS Direct on 111. 

Population 

Bristol is the largest city in the West of England with a population of around 495,000 in the city boundaries, but approximately 726,000 in the wider metropolitan area. Bath has around 95,000 residents and Weston-super-Mare has 85,000. As a whole, the West of England region has around 1.2million residents. 

Retail opening hours 

Shops in the UK tend to open between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Larger shops, like supermarkets, and shopping areas like retail parks tend to have extended hours sometimes opening as late as 10pm. On Sundays, shops tend to open for shorter periods, or some shops won’t open at all. 

Sales Tax 

VAT is charged on all non-essential items and services at a rate of 20%. Prices quoted to consumers usually includes VAT, such as on menus in restaurants, bookable tours and experiences, priced items in shops, etc. 

Smoking 

Smoking has banned in enclosed public areas in the UK since July 2007. Many hospitality venues offer a designated smoking area outside. 

Visa requirements 

Some of the rules on entering the UK have changed in recent years, including the introduction of an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) which allows travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to six months at a time. 

Read more on the Gov.uk website about visiting the UK: Visit the UK - GOV.UK or on our Travel Information page. 

Do I need a visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK? 

This will depend on your nationality, where you are travelling from and the purpose of your visit. You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you’re from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries. Check if you need an ETA or visa to come to the UK. 

What is the quickest way to travel between Bristol and Bath? 

The quickest method to travel between the two cities is via the Great Western Railway (GWR) train using Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa railway stations. This can take as little as 12 minutes, services run frequently with multiple departures every hour. Read more on our Travel Information page. 

Where can I find trade-ready product information? 

The Visit West Travel Trade website features a supplier directory which breaks the trade-ready products in our region down into four categories: Accommodation, Things To Do, Food and Drink and Ground Handlers. Each product in these categories have their own website listing which includes trade-specific information about the product. 

What services does the Visit West Travel Trade team offer? 

The Visit West Travel Trade team can support destination enquiries by providing direct introductions to attractions, hotels, activity providers in the region, providing itinerary support and sense checking, promotional materials for our region such as images, visitor guides, destination text and maps. These services are complimentary, see our Tools & Resources section for more information.  

Where can I meet the Visit West Travel Trade team in person? 

The Visit West Travel Trade team attend and exhibit at multiple travel trade events every year. As members of UKinbound and the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), Visit West tend to have a presence at Britain & Ireland Marketplace (BIM), The UKInbound Convention, Global European Marketplace (GEM) and World Travel Market (WTM) amongst other events and VisitBritain trade missions. For a full list of upcoming events, please see here. 

Please also feel free to contact the team to discuss the potential of an in-person meeting.  

Does Visit West Travel Trade organise familiarisation trips? 

Visit West Travel Trade supports multiple familiarisation trips every year for travel trade buyers to visit and experience our region. In some cases, support can be provided for organisations who are visiting on an individual basis. If you are interested in visiting Bristol, Bath & beyond for a familiarisation trip, please contact the Travel Trade team.