Useful Information for visitors:

Banks:
Hours are generally Monday – Friday, 9.30 am – 4.30 pm with some opening Saturday mornings. (However it is advisable to check as some banks may differ slightly)
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 (Freephone UK)

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
Belfast BT1 1EA
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9024 3233
Open Monday – Saturday to visiting browsers, with a spacious and well-stocked reference section.

Disability Access:
Belfast Buildings are more accessible to wheel-chair users than ever. The following websites and contact numbers provide detailed information:
• http://www.disabledgo.info (this site contains a wealth of detailed information which is specific to many buildings, businesses and properties)
• Disability Action: Tel. +44 (0) 28 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: +44 (0) 28 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 most electrical suppliers. A transformer will step up or step down electrical voltage.

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: Dial +44 (0) 845 600 8000

Internet Cafes:
• Internet Cafe at the Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast BT1 5AD. Tel: +44 (0) 28 9024 6609
• Revelations, the Internet Cafe, 27 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast BT2 7DB. Tel: +44 (0) 28 9032 0337
• Megabite Business Centre, 77, Dublin Road, Belfast BT2 7HF. Tel: +44 (0) 28 9032 2272
• Nogeeks, Kiosk 1, Castle Court, Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1DD. Tel: +44 (0) 28 9031 5450

Lost Valuables:
Police Lost Property
Tel: +44 (0) 28 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 (Freephone UK)

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, BT1 2HB and St. Peter's Cathedral (Roman Catholic) on Derby Street, BT12 4BU.
This site has a listing for a number of places of worship under the heading: Things to Do / Religious Services

Postal Services:
Post Offices and red post boxes are all over the city; Main Post Office is at 26 – 32 High  Street, BT1 2BD and late mailings are accepted at Royal Mail, Tomb Street Sorting Office, BT1 3AS.
Small books of UK stamps are available in most convenience stores and petrol stations.

Pub and Bar Hours:
Generally Monday – Saturday, 11.30 am – 11 pm, Sundays, 12.30 pm – 10 pm. Many bars in Belfast have later opening hours on Thursday – Saturday nights.
Children are not permitted on licensed premises. By law no alcohol may be served to children less than 18 years of age.

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

Shopping Hours:
City Centre Shops generally open
• Monday and Tuesday: 9.30 am – 7.00 pm
• Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30 am – 9.00 pm
• Saturday: 9.30 am – 6.00 pm
• Sunday: 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm.
• Neighbourhood stores and garage forecourt convenience shops often open much longer - 24 hours in many cases.

Smoking:
A smoking ban has been implemented in all Northern Ireland's workplaces and enclosed public spaces, including pubs, cafes, clubs and restaurants, busses and trains as of April 2007.

Taxis:
'Value Cabs' collect at airports and will also collect and drop to order, operating 24 hours. Tel: +44 (0) 28 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 1.00 pm 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 an obligatory 10 or 12.5 per cent service charge on large group bookings.