Fast Facts

Area Code -- The area code for all of Northern Ireland is 028. Drop the "0" when dialing from within Northern Ireland.

Business Hours -- Banks are generally open Monday to Friday 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 3 or 4pm; they're closed on bank holidays. In Belfast and Derry City, banks tend not to close for lunch. Most shops are open Monday to Saturday 9 or 9:30am to 5 or 5:30pm, with one early-closing day a week, usually Wednesday or Thursday. Shops in tourist areas are likely to be open Sunday and to have extended hours, especially in the summer months.

Currency -- Since Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, it uses the pound sterling, not the euro.

Electricity -- The electrical current (220 volts/AC) and outlets (requiring three-pin flat, fused plugs) are the same in the North as in the Republic. Note that they are not the two-pin round plugs standard throughout Europe.

Embassies & Consulates -- The U.S. Consulate General is at Queen's House, 14 Queen's St., Belfast BT1 6EQ (tel. 028/9032-8239). Other foreign offices include the Australian High Commission, Australia House, Strand, London WC2 B4L (tel. 020/7379-4334); Canadian High Commission, Macdonald House, Grosvenor Square, London W1X 0AB (tel. 020/7499-9000); New Zealand High Commission, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket Sq., London SW1Y 4TQ (tel. 020/7930-8422).

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 999 for fire, police, and ambulance.

Mail -- United Kingdom postal rates apply, and mailboxes are painted red. Most post offices are open weekdays 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Newspapers & Magazines -- For listings of upcoming cultural events throughout Northern Ireland, check the free bimonthly Arts Link brochure, published by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and available at any Northern Ireland Tourist Board office.

Parking -- Because of long-standing security concerns, parking regulations are more restrictive and more relentlessly enforced in the North than in the Republic.

Petrol (Gas) -- Filling up the tank is far cheaper in the Republic, so do it before you cross the border. In the North, the approximate price of 1 liter of unleaded gas is 90p sterling ($1.70). There are 4 liters to the U.S. gallon, which makes the price of a gallon of unleaded gas a whopping £3.60 ($6.85).

Police -- To reach the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), as the Northern Irish police force is known, dial tel. 999 anywhere in the North.

Safety -- Contrary to the media image, the North has one of the lowest levels of crime in western Europe. Historically, the high rate of serious crime such as homicide and robbery has been almost exclusively associated with terrorism and the Troubles. Nonetheless, use care to avoid pickpockets in crowded areas, and follow other basic rules of safety.

Smoking -- As in the Republic of Ireland, smoking has been banned in public places, including restaurants and bars in Northern Ireland.

Taxes -- VAT (value-added tax) of 17.5% is included in the price of almost everything, except B&B accommodations. The percentages vary with the category of the services and purchases. It is usually already included in the prices you're quoted by hotels and the prices you see marked on merchandise tags. VAT is included in the hotel prices we've quoted in this guide. Many shops offer tax-free shopping options, such as "Cashback," and are pleased to explain the details. Vouchers from the North can be presented at the Dublin or Shannon airports before departure from Ireland. For further information, contact HM Customs and Excise, Belfast International Airport (tel. 028/9441-3439 or 028/9442-3439; www.hmce.gov.uk).

Telephone -- To reach Northern Ireland from anywhere but the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain, dial the country code (44) and then 28 (the area code minus the initial 0) and finally the local eight-digit number. From the Republic of Ireland, omit the country code; dial 048 and then the local eight-digit number. From Great Britain, dial 028 and the eight-digit number. For local calls within Northern Ireland, simply dial the eight-digit local number.