Go anywhere with Visa

Question: What is the best way to access cash when I am abroad?

Answer: [Visa expert] With your Visa card you can access local currency from 1.8 million ATMs worldwide – just look for the Visa or PLUS sign. All ATM transactions require a PIN so make sure you know yours prior to leaving on your trip. Your PIN should be 4 digits as many international ATMs do not accept longer PINs. It's a good idea to contact your issuing bank before you leave and ask if your cards have daily cash withdrawal restrictions.

Question: What's the weather like? Does it always rain?

Answer: [Lonely Planet expert] While the UK might not boast the non-stop sunshine and balmy summer temperatures of much of the rest of Europe, that doesn't mean it's all permanent drizzle and pea-souper fogs. In fact, the UK is well down the list in terms of average annual rainfall – it's currently ranked 48th in the world, well behind other countries including Italy at #35, Australia at #24 and India at #9 (although land area and seasonal monsoons might skew the statistics somewhat).

But it's certainly true that the UK's weather is very unpredictable – it's not unusual to find one half of the country drenched with rain while the other basks under blue skies. The same goes for the seasons: UK winters can be mild and dry, while summers can be rather chilly and wet. In general, the best seasons to travel are late spring and early autumn, when the weather is usually at its most settled. But the key advice is to be prepared for all eventualities – a raincoat and umbrella will probably come in very handy whatever the time of year.

Question: Will my electrical equipment work in the UK?

Answer: [Lonely Planet expert] Yes, but UK plugs are different to those used in the USA, Australia and the rest of Europe. UK plugs have three pins, rather than the various two-pin designs used by most other countries. Adaptors are readily available from electrical stores, supermarkets and travel shops.

Question: Can I use Scottish money in England, and vice versa?

Answer: [Lonely Planet expert] Generally speaking, yes. Scotland, Northern Ireland and England all use the same currency (pound sterling), but each of the national banks (as well as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) issue different versions of the main banknotes. These can usually be spent anywhere in the UK, regardless of where they originate, but they are not actually 'legal tender' (only notes issued by a country's own central bank are legal tender). Strictly speaking, this means that English shops could refuse to take Scottish notes and vice versa, but this rarely happens.

Question: How expensive is it to travel in the UK?

Answer: [Lonely Planet expert] The UK isn't a cheap destination, but with a bit of planning and pre-trip research, it's still possible to do it on a budget. Accommodation is likely to be your main outlay – you'll find it hard to find a double room in a city centre for much less than £100 a night (more like £150 in London). Camping, staying in hostels, or renting an apartment or holiday home are good ways to economise, and you'll find discount deals by travelling outside the peak periods around summer and school holidays.

Travel is another major expense: train fares and petrol prices in the UK are among the highest in Europe. To avoid being stung with the highest fares try to book at least a couple of weeks in advance, especially for trains.

Question: If the shopkeeper offers to charge me in my home currency instead of the local currency, is that a good idea?

Answer: [Visa expert] When you travel internationally, some merchants may offer you the option to convert your purchases into your home currency at the register. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and means the merchant — not Visa or your issuing bank — is converting the currency. While you may appreciate the convenience of knowing the exact price in your home currency at the point-of-sale, you should be aware that the merchant may charge you for this service. Visa requires that you be given a choice to either accept or decline DCC. In addition, Visa requires merchants offering this service to inform cardholders of the exchange rate including any applicable commissions or fees being charged. Only agree to do this if you think you are getting a good deal.