Useful Information for visitors:

Banks:
Hours are generally Mon-Fri, 9.30am - 4.30pm with some opening Sat mornings. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) dispense cash at hundreds of locations - banks, garages, and shopping centres. Using a credit card in an ATM is an easy way of obtaining sterling if you are travelling from the Republic of Ireland or from abroad. Bank of Ireland, a corporate partner of BVCB, has 47 branches across the province.

Bureau de Change are in larger bank branches, travel agencies, the Belfast Welcome Centre, some other Tourist Information Centres, big hotels and a few visitor attractions.

Cars-Breakdown:
Automobile Association Emergency
Tel: 0800 88 77 66

Cars-24 hour petrol:
A number of petrol stations with extended hours are on major roads to Belfast, usually with mini-markets attached.

Car Parking:
Multi-storey and off-street car parks have hourly tariffs dependent on location. On-street pay and display zones are clearly marked. Pay heed to restriction notices drawing attention to morning and evening rush hour clearways and bus lanes when in operation.

Central Library:
Royal Avenue
Tel: 028 9024 3233
Open Mon-Sat to visiting browsers, with spacious and well-stocked reference section.

Disability Access:
Belfast Buildings are more accessable to wheel-chair users than ever. Disability Action: Tel. 028 9049 1011

Shopmobility Belfast operates out of  Westgate House, Castle Court  and Forestside Shopping Centres. Shopmobility Belfast offers a Mobile unit service, which can be hired to bring Shopmobility facilities to other areas such as exhibitions and centres without mobility schemes.
for more details contact: 028 9080 8090 or visit www.shopmobilitybelfast.co.uk

Electrical Current:
The standard electricity supply in Belfast and Northern Ireland is 240 volts. Visitors from some countries may require a transformer and a plug adaptor. A plug adaptor is necessary for visitors to convert 2-pin plugs to the standard 3-pin plugs and can be bought at any electrical supplier.

Euro Friendly
Most large stores will accept Euro currency, however please enquire first to confirm if there will be a charge attached to this service and to confirm exact rate.

Emergencies:
Police, ambulance, fire service, or coastguard: Dial 999
For non emergencies: Diall 0845 600 8000

Internet Cafes:
Internet Cafe at the Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast. Tel: 028 9024 6609
Revelations, the Internet Cafe, 27 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast. Tel: 028 9032 0337
Megabite Business Centre, 77, Dublin Rd, Belfast. Tel: 028 9032 2272
Nogeeks, Kiosk 1, Castle Court, Royal Avenue, Belfast. Tel: 028 9031 5450

Lost Valuables:
Police Lost Property
Tel: 028 9065 0222 will put you in contact with the nearest police station.

Medical & Dental Services:
Advice on medical and dental emergencies- Health Information Service.
Tel: 0800 665544

Mobile Phone Chargers:
Over 60 Quickie Media mobile phone fast charging units are located at points across the city including: Belfast Welcome Centre, Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, Central Railway Station, Laganside and Europa Bus stations, The King’s Hall Exhibition Centre, Belfast International Airport and Belfast George Best City Airport as well as in many bars, hotels and public spaces.
The powerful charge means a mobile typically receives enough charge to last up to 8 hours for just £1 and can accommodate most handsets.

Newspapers:
Belfast is unusual in having three dailies, Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and Newsletter, as well as the Sunday Life. All have daily entertainment listings. The free monthly tourism newspaper "Northern Ireland Travel News", obtainable in Ports, Tourist Information Centres and travel agencies etc., has pages on current attractions and events. The monthly events guide 'Whatabout?' provides a detailed definitive guide to the city, and is available in all airports, ferry terminals, bus & train stations, hotels and from the Belfast Welcome Centre.

Passport and Visa Requirements:
For UK nationals a passport is not strictly necessary but photographic identification is required. Check with your airline/ferry company as requirements vary. Other nationals - a valid passport or national identity card is required. (Passports are not required for travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic). Citizens from Europe and most other western countries - visas not usually required. Further information is available from the British Embassy in your country of origin, call: +44 (0) 870 606 7766  or visit www.ukpa.gov.uk.

Places of Worship:
Main Sunday services of major Christian denominations are advertised in the Saturday edition of the Belfast Telegraph. Places of worship for most faith communities are listed in Yellow Pages. The two cathedrals in central Belfast are St. Anne's Cathedral (Anglican/Church of Ireland) on Donegall Street and St. Peter's Cathedral (Roman Catholic) on Derby Street.

Postal Services:
Post Offices and red post boxes are all over the city; Main Post Office is at Castle Junction and late mailings are accepted at Tomb Street Sorting Office. Small books of UK stamps are available in most convenience stores and petrol stations.

Pub Hours :
Generally Mon-Sat, 11.30am-11pm, Sundays, 12.30-10pm. Many bars in Belfast have later opening hours on Thurs- Sat nights. Children are not permitted on licensed premises. No alcohol may be served to under 18s.

Public Toilets :
Click here to get further information on public toilet facilities provided by Belfast City Council.

Shopping Hours :
City Centre Shops generally open Mon- Sat, 9.30am-5.30pm (Thurs. until 9pm).Some larger stores open Sun 1-5pm. Neighbourhood stores and garage forecourt convenience shops often open much longer - 24 hours in many cases.

Smoking:
No smoking applies on public transport or in most public buildings. More and more restaurants have a no-smoking policy; most have a smoke free area.

A smoking ban is to be implemented in all Northern Ireland's workplaces and enclosed public spaces, including pubs, cafes, clubs and restaurants as of April 2007. Many have already introduced restricted smoking policies ahead of the ban and it is not allowed on buses or trains.

Taxis:
'Value Cabs' collect at airports and will also collect and drop to order, operating 24 hours. Tel: 028 9080 9080

Telephone codes:
To call Northern Ireland from abroad, dial 00 44 + area code (without 0) + local number. To call Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland, dial 048 + area code (without 0) + local number. To call Northern Ireland from elsewhere in UK or to make an internal call, dial area code (with 0) + local number. To call the Republic from Northern Ireland, dial 00 353 + the area code (without 0) + local number.

Tours/Tour Guides:
See 'Tours' section of 'Transport & Tours'/'Sightseeing Tours'.

Travel Agencies:
Most UK/Irish Travel Agencies and Tour Operators are represented in Belfast. Some locations may close at 1pm on Saturday.

Tipping:
It is now a generally accepted practice in restaurants to leave a gratuity of 10-15 per cent for good service. Some restaurants may add on a obligatory 10 or 12.5 per cent service charge on large group bookings.