Transportation:

Central Edinburgh is mostly accessible by walking if you live in the university accommodation. However, if walking is not your cup of tea, the main transportation around Edinburgh city are the Lothian Buses. Tram stops are limited to a few and they are mostly not in the city.

Obtain the Student Ridacard

Being a student in a student friendly city has its perks. If you are required to travel a lot, get the Student Ridacard after you get your matriculation card from the university. The Student Ridacard provides many different concessions which suit your travelling needs at lower prices. The Student Ridacard provides unlimited travel on Lothian Day and Night Bus services, trams to the Airport and Airlink100.

Flying Chalks’ tips: If you are living in the university accommodation, it may not be feasible to get the Student Ridacard as most places in the city are walking distance. Get a day ticket or single ticket on the bus instead. Prices of single or day tickets are under Lothian Buses down below!

You may purchase your Student Ridacard at any one of the travelshops in Hanover Street, Waverley Bridge or Dalkeith.

To find out more about the Student Ridacard, click here.

1. Lothian Buses

The Lothian buses operate over 70 services in Edinburgh and is the easiest way for getting around besides the Taxi. The bus timings are usually shown on a digital screen and are pretty accurate. Try not to rely on the timetable shown on the board. Offer the exact fare to the bus drivers as no change will be given.

Fares:

• Single Adult £1.60
• Adult Day ticket £4

*If you have the Student Ridacard, bus rides are unlimited! Just tap your Ridacard on the machine with your photo facing up so that your bus driver is able to ensure that the card is yours.

Flying Chalks’ tip: Commuters in Edinburgh are rather courteous. Greeting the bus drivers when getting onboard and thanking the bus drivers after your ride are the norm. Allow passengers to alight the buses before boarding them as there are only 1 door on every bus.

Start planning your journey with Lothian buses here.

2. Tram

Trams are another mode of transport if you are planning to head out of the city. Edinburgh trams mainly services the Airport and have few stops in between.

3. Taxi

Taxis are plentiful around the city area. They are clean and safe as well!

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Download Gett, an UK ride sharing app which provides cheaper rates than a hailed Taxi. Look out for coupon codes available which gives you dollars off your first ride!

4. Uber

Another favoured transport in the UK is Uber as they are safe and reliable! Drivers usually have an uber sticker outside their cars so remember to check that your Uber driver has that! Fares are usually estimated but Uber is priced relatively cheaper than a hailed cab.

Use this fare estimator to find out the estimated cost of your ride.

Flying Chalks’ Tip: Use promo code “FreeRideUK” to get your first ride for free. UK only. Valid on first ride up to £15 GBP. Expires 2/1/20.

Estimated Taxi Fares (as of August, 2017)

5. Train

If you are planning to head out of Edinburgh, to other parts of UK, take a look at the train at Waverley station as ticket prices for trains may be relatively cheaper than flight if you purchase them early. There are no luggage restrictions on the train unlike on a flight which is fantastic for those of you who are planning on carrying more than 1 luggage. 

Flying Chalks’ Tips:

• If you are planning to take a day trip out of town, travel during non-peak hours e.g. 10am-4pm, and get your tickets from the counter at the Waverley train station. If lucky, you will be able to snatch up tickets at less than half the price!
• Get a 16-25 rail pass if you are a full time undergraduate at only £30. Enjoy 1/3 off rail fares when you travel by train to other parts of Britain. Get your rail pass here.
• If you are travelling with a buddy but not a full time student, you can obtain the travel together rail pass with the same benfits here.

6. Buses out of Edinburgh

If trains are not within your budget and you have some time to spare, check out buses instead! Hop onto a night bus to London for a weekends of shopping. This even saving you a night of acoomodation. There are various bus services bringing you to all over the UK and sometimes even to Europe. Book them early to get the cheapest price.

Flying Chalks’ recommendation:

• GoEuro
• Megabus

Banking services:

The University of Edinburgh has a Santander at Bristo Square. It opens from 10AM-5PM daily and has an ATM machine located outside.

To set up a bank account in the university’s Santander, you would require a:

• Valid passport
• Student Pass

The bank will take at least a week to process your account. An ATM (Cash) card and a debit card will be sent to you separately via mail to your accommodation.

Flying Chalks’ tips: As exchange students do not have a long term student visa, it will be difficult to set up a bank account with other banks outside of the university. The Santander in the University is possibly the only bank that will help you with setting up an account.

For International Students:

Each bank has different requirements on opening a bank account, with differing minimum balances and service charges. Do visit the British Bankers’ Association (International Students) (BBA) for more information or download the BBA International Students guide to help you choose the bank that is most suitable for you!

Flying Chalks' tips:

1. It is recommended that you make an appointment to open an account with the bank, especially with popular banks like HSBC as they get very busy during the September-October period.
2. Even if you make an appointment, be prepared for a 1-2 weeks’ wait as all international students will be setting up their accounts at the same time
3. Make sure you bring sufficient cash to tide you through the first 2-3 weeks in London. Setting up a UK bank account and transferring money can take more time than expected.
4. Bank branches are very specific about the format of the documentation they will accept, so check with them the exact requirements so you will not make a wasted trip

For Singaporeans:

Alternatively, you can choose to set up your UK account in Singapore via HSBC at least 1.5 months before departure. Do note that a processing fee will be involved and this process takes at least 4 weeks hence do check with your preferred bank for more details!

Procedure

Before going to any of the following banks, obtain an introductory letter from the University of Edinburgh. Get your introductory letter here.

To set up a bank account in these banks, you would require a/an:

• Valid passport
• Student pass/ proof of enrolment
• Visa
• Introductory Letter
• Formal document with the address of your UK residence

Major banks in Edinburgh:

1. Barclays Bank

Homepage: Barclays International Students Account
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact Barclays Bank

2. Lloyds Banking Group

Locations: Locate a Branch
International Students Guide
Customer Service: Contact Lloyds Bank

3. HSBC

Homepage: HSBC Student Banking and Basic Bank Account
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact HSBC

4. NatWest

Homepage: Banking for International students
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact NatWest

5. The Royal Bank of Scotland

Homepage: Banking for International students
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact RBS

6. Santander

Homepage: Banking for International students
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact Santander

Flying Chalks' tips:

• All major banks in the UK share the same ATM machines (also known here as cash points) and will not charge you additional fees should you use your card to draw money from another bank’s ATM. Do note, however, that some ATMs (especially those in news agents) will charge a small fee for withdrawing cash.
• The biggest denominations dispensed by ATM machines are £20 notes. Should you need to withdraw a significant amount of cash for travelling, you can get your £20 notes changed to £50s at the bank.
• We recommend that you create a bank account in Lloyds, HSBC or NatWest as the services are very good. The banks are usually opened from 9AM- 5PM on weekdays. Each bank has different opening hours during the weekend.

Currency Exchange

The most convenient place for currency exchange is at the Edinburgh Airport at the International Currency Exchange (ICE). Most currency exchange in Edinburgh charges commission for currency exchange. Before heading over to ICE, get discounted rates on selected foreign currencies with no commission if you print the voucher from here. Alternatively you can head over to any post office to change your currency. However, the rates are usually similar across the whole of Edinburgh.

Flying Chalks’ tips: If you are Singaporean, it is best to change your currency at home as the rates are much more competitive than the ones in Edinburgh. Anticipate where you will be travelling to and try your best to get the currencies in Singapore. If you are planning to travel to Europe, do note that not all European countries recognise Singapore Dollars.

Post-office services:

The most accessible post office in Edinburgh is at Waverley mall.  Find out the locations of other post offices: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder

Flying Chalks’ tips: Find out more about the pricing here.

Medical services:

Medical

The University Health Centre is located a Bristo Square and opens from 8AM-6PM.

Dentist

You can find your local dental clinic here.

Medicine

The pharmacy in the university is located on the 1^st floor of the Richard Verney Health Centre, 6 Bristo Square. Operating hours are:

Monday- Friday (term-time) 8.45am - 5.45pm

Monday- Friday (holiday-time) 8.45am - 5.00pm

Pharmacies can also be found in most major drug stores, such as Boots.

Cost of health care:

All students studying more than 3 months are eligible for NHS in Scotland and do not have to pay for medical treatments. In order to qualify for NHS, you have to register with a General Practitioner (GP) after you have checked into your accommodation. You may be able to register with the University Health Centre if you are staying near campus. For students who live out of campus your GP must be in your local area. You can find the nearest GP here.

Medical history:

Should you wish to register yourself with a doctor, you will have to provide the following information for you and your family (if they are coming with you):

• Details of any past illnesses requiring medical treatment
• A full record of past immunizations

Flying Chalks’ tips:

• If you are on medication, ensure that you bring along sufficient medicine to cover your first few weeks of school.
• Bring along your medicine or its container on your first appointment with the doctor.

Telecommunications:

There are 16 mobile network providers in the UK. Most students in the UK subscribe to the pay-as-you-use monthly service. This is a cheap option that provides much flexibility, as students can suspend their line anytime. It is best to check which network offers the best coverage in your area when deciding which network to subscribe to. This website shows you the coverage of each network.

Some telecommunications companies may require a credit check before providing you with a mobile contract. They would expect you to have a credit history (eg. live in the UK for at least 6-months) and would require documents such as a UK bank account and proof of residence in the UK. This option is not recommended for students who have just arrived, or are only staying for a short while.

Here are some of the biggest telecommunications companies in the UK:

1.  Vodafone

Vodafone UK offers “Vodafone Free SIM” with “Big Value Bundles” that allows you to top-up, earn reward points, and cancel at any time! It functions like a “pre-paid” SIM card.

Another option is the “SIM-only Bundle” that requires you to pay monthly. You can only choose from a 30 days or a 12 months contract.

“Suggested” 30 day Contract Options
Monthly Cost	£11.50	£14	£17	£19	£25
UK Data	250 MB	500 MB	1 GB	5 GB	10 GB
UK Minutes	250	500	100	500	500
UK Texts	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

“Suggested” 12-Month Contract Options
Monthly Cost	£9.50	£12	£15	£17	£18	£22	£23
UK Data	250 MB	500 MB	1 GB	5 GB	2GB	4 GB	10 GB
UK Minutes	250	500	1000	500	Unlimited	Unlimited	500
UK Texts	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

**Do note that not all available contracts are shown in the tables above. Do check their website for more information.

 

2.  O2

O2 UK also offers “Pay as you go SIMs” with “Big Bundles”

	£10	£15	£20	£25
UK Data	500 MB	1 GB	2 GB	4 GB
UK Minutes	250	750	1500	3000
UK Texts	1000	2000	4000	4000

O2 UK offers “Pay Monthly SIMs”. You can only choose from a 30 days or a 12 months contract.

30-DAY Contract Options
Monthly Cost	£12	£14.50	£17.50	£20.50	£24	£30
UK Data	250 MB	500 MB	1 GB	2 GB	4 GB	8 GB
UK Minutes	250 min	500 min	1000 min	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
UK Texts	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

12-Month Contract Options
Monthly Cost	£10	£12.50	£15.50	£15.50	£22	£23
UK Data	250 MB	500 MB	1 GB	2 GB	4 GB	8 GB
UK Minutes	250 min	500 min	1000 min	1000 min	Unlimited	Unlimited
UK Texts	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

 

3. EE

EE UK offers plans ranging from “Pay as you go Data Plans”, “Pay as you go Plans”, “Monthly/Pay as you go SIM only” and “Pay as you go packs”

30 Days Pay as you go Data Plans (No calling / texting) Options
Price	£2	£5	£10	£15	£20	£30
Data	100 MB	300 MB	1 GB	2 GB	4 GB	10 GB
Speed	4G	4G	4G	4G	Double 4G	Double 4G

30 Days Free Pay as you go EE SIMs
Price	£10 (Everything Pack)	£10 (Talk & Text Pack)	£20 (Data Pack)
Data	500 MB	-	1 GB
UK Minutes	150 min	250 min	50 min
Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	50

There are 3 types of Pay as you go packs: “Everything Packs (30 days talk text and data)”, “Talk and Text Packs (7/30 days talk and text)” and “Data packs (7/30 days Data, talk and texts)”

30 Days Monthly EE Phone SIMs
Price	£12.99	£15.99	£17.99	£20.99	£24.99	£27.99
Data	250 MB	500 MB	1 GB	2 GB	4 GM	6 GB
UK Minutes	250	500	1000	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Speed	4G	4G	4G	Double 4G	Double 4G	Double 4G

 

4. Three Mobile 

There are 44 SIM only plans available at Three Mobile. These plans provide users with unlimited texts, 4G at no extra cost, hotspot allowances and usage abroad at no extra charges!

Top 5 30-days economically friendly plans
Price	£11	£14	£14	£19	£19	£19
Data	500 MB	1 GB	2 GB	1 GB	4 GB	4 GB
UK Minutes	200	600	200	Unlimited	600	Unlimited
Speed	4G	4G	4G	Double 4G	Double 4G	Double 4G

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Unless you use your phone a lot, purchase the Pay as You Go plan (PAYG) from Three mobile as it is cheaper, easier and more flexible! PAYG comes in £10 for 1GB of data and £20 for 12GB of data. Do keep an eye out for promotions for their 12-month contract plans. You might end up saving more.

Other than the service providers mentioned above, you can also consider GiffGaff. It is an online-only provider, which means they do not have a physical store for you to make purchases. Ordering a SIM card from GiffGaff online is simple and fast. They also offer excellent deals. Its plans offer greater flexibility as you are not tied to a 2-year contract.

User Opinions

Flying Chalks’ basic summary of the service providers:

• Vodafone : very popular and offers free streaming services and try-before-you-buy data schemes.
• O2 : Has long-running customer reward schemes and discount offers.
• EE: Has the best coverage in the UK, with 4G speeds up to five times faster than 3G.
• Three : Cheap calls, generous data allowances and free overseas roaming in 18 countries with ‘Feel At Home’ plan; ideal if you are planning on visiting other countries during your time in the UK.

Important numbers:

Flying Chalks’ tip: When you do not have signal on your phone, you will still be able to make emergency calls using other available networks. It is also advisable phones on the roadside if you meet an emergency on the highway.

Embassy:

Here is a list of embassies should you require urgent assistance. The nearest embassy for Singaporeans is in London.

Weather:

The weather in the UK is unpredictable and differs daily. Seasons usually overlap and don’t follow regular patterns. Temperatures and climates vary in the different parts of the UK. You should expect colder and windy weather higher up North and wetter weather in the West.

Spring
Enjoy the blossoming of spring and thaw out the remnants of winter’s cold between March to May. This is also the period where days are stretched longer with unpredictable showers so it is wise to keep an umbrella close to you. Temperatures fluctuate between 9.3^oC – 15.4^oC and daylight lasts between 11-15 hours.

Summer
This is the warmest season in the UK and it takes place between June and August. It is also coupled with the occasional thunderstorm. This is when you lose your coats, bring out your sunglasses, hit the beach and bathe in the sun. Temperatures range between 18.1^oC – 20.6^oC. Daylight normally lasts around 16 hours. Do protect your skin from the harsh UV even though it might not feel humid!

Autumn

This season is usually experienced from September to November. You will observe falling leaves and experience dipping temperatures. Early autumn can sometimes feel warm like summer while it can get very cold in November. Temperatures range from 9.5^oC – 18^oC and daylight lasts between 10-14 hours.

Winter
Temperatures fall in Winter and morning frosts are common. The holiday season begins in December and lasts through February. Winter in the UK is typically wet and windy. This is also the season with shortest daylight hours, lasting between 8-9 hours. Temperatures range from 6^oC to 7.5^oC, sometimes even plunging close to freezing point (0^oC). While snow is not very common, it did snow in some years. Click here or here to find out more. Find out where the 10 best places to visit during winter are.

Flying Chalks’ recommendation:

• It is important to always bring an umbrella with you wherever you go, because it rains very often in the UK. Do consider bringing along a sturdy umbrella that can withstand strong winds. Check the weather forecast on a regular basis.
• Wind conditions are usually not the best in Edinburgh. Make sure you check for storms and hurricane forecast periodically.