Other services
There are also a few other services that you may find useful while visiting Glasgow.
Telephones
There are two types of public telephones in the UK: some are operated with coins, and others with calling cards or credit or debit cards. Both can be used to call direct to anywhere in the U.K. or any country to which Direct Dialling is available.
Pre-paid international calling cards are available from many companies and they can be bought from local newsagents.
Buying a mobile phone in the U.K can be confusing as there are many different competing companies and deals. There are two main types of deals available:
Pay as you go- you can obtain a free SIM card to use with your own phone or purchase a phone with a SIM card which you can 'top-up' as needed with credit to use for calls and texts.
Pay monthly- This is a contract where you are usually offered a free phone as part of the package. There is a set monthly payment covering an established allowance in terms of call minutes, number of texts, and internet access (if compatible with your handset), and the contract binds you for 12-24 months.
Post offices
Post office opening hours are: Monday to Friday, 09:00am till 5:30pm, and Saturday from 9:00am till 12:30pm, but some branches can vary. There is no postal delivery after 1:00pm on Saturday through to Monday morning.
The Post Office offers services including post and courier services, as well as travel money. For sending mail or parcels overseas, postage rates are calculated based on weight, size and service required.
Electricity
The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts at 50 cycles. If you come from a country which operates on a different voltage, you should ensure that you are equipped with the appropriate transformer. Alternatively, you may consider not bringing any electrical appliances if you are unsure, and instead purchasing electrical devices in Glasgow, where you can find a wide range of options to purchase them, from department stores and specialist shops to discount stores.