We have had a few queries from students curious to know if they can claim back the 20% VAT that is automatically added on to the cost of most goods purchased in the UK. The answer is ‘yes you can!’ BUT there are quite a few restrictions. For example, the type of goods you can claim back on are limited (we can’t imagine that many of you are taking home boats, for example) and you can only claim back the tax on goods purchased in shops that are members of the voluntary VAT Retail Export Scheme, so you need to check that at the point of purchase. There is also a certain amount of paper work to be completed. If you are not deterred by all this – maybe you have ‘unmounted gem stones’ you want to take home! – then click the link here for more information.

The future is now, SU Londoners! A new app available for iPhone users is hoping to streamline the process of hailing a black cab in London.

If you’re roaming the streets of London and need a taxi, the LDNtaxi app – available now in the app store – calculates your position using GPS and alerts the nearest taxi driver that you’re looking to hail a cab. You can then watch in real-time as the cab approaches your location, and a confirmation page displayed in the app proves to the driver that you are indeed the passenger that electronically hailed their cab.

As this app was only unveiled last week, the developer is still in the process of soliciting the participation of more cab drivers – but early response from both passengers and drivers has been very positive.

The app is free at the moment – snatch it up while it’s still a steal!

Just down the road from Faraday House at the Aldwych is Somerset House, home to many open-air events and worth exploring in and of itself. Right now, you can see an exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei – sadly now detained in China. For more news on this exceptional man, click here.

You can currently see an exibition of his Zodiac Heads at Somerset House: here’s what their website has to say:

If you are lucky enough to be here for the summer, why not catch the brilliant Summer Season at Somerset House?! Anyone who is anyone is appearing, including the magnificent Aloe Blacc!

Connecting with Heathrow via Heathrow Connect and (licensed!) Cab services

As well as using the Picadilly Line tube service and the somewhat more expensive but more luxurious and rapid Heathrow Express (from Paddington) to get to Heathrow Airport, you can also use the Heathrow Connect. We have found that many students are unaware of this great service, so we are seizing the chance to tell you about it!

The Heathrow Connect service leaves London Paddington at regular intervals and costs less than half of what it pays to travel via Heathrow Express (£8.50 rather than £18). While it takes twice as long (30 mins as opposed to 15), it is still a generally reliable and comparatively quick way of getting to Heathrow.

If you are going to a different London airport, you can click here to go to a great  website which hosts a wealth of travel information including the Heathrow Connect serice. If you can’t open the link there, copy and paste this to your browser http://www.londontoolkit.com/mnu/london_airports.htm.

 TAXI!!!!!!

If you decide to get a taxi to the airport we suggest a company called Keen Cars.    They offer a slight reduction on rates to SU students. Their number is 020 8299 4455 and the Syracuse code is BAR001.  Their website is http://www.thekeengroup.co.uk/.   Given that they provide a stress free door to door service and that you can split the cost with other students, it might be a rather nice way to start your journey so it wouldn’t hurt to phone for a quote!

You’ll find more information on this and transport options to other London airports on the Transport to London Airports section of our website’s Travel Advice page.