Standbridge Hotel

Pound Sterling, GBP

Use high-street banks or post offices for exchange; avoid airport or tourist bureaux as their rates are poor.

Contactless and chip-and-PIN widely accepted; mobile pay common in most shops, cafes and restaurants.

Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service not included (check bill). Taxis: round up or add £1-2. Hotel staff: £1-2 per bag for porter, no tip expected for housekeeping.

A black filter coffee from a supermarket café or chain costs around £1.50-2.00.

A sandwich or jacket potato from a supermarket café or chain pub lunch special costs £5-7.

A main course at a pub or street-food stall costs £10-14.

Birmingham city centre (15-20 min train) has Balti Triangle and Digbeth Dining Club; locally, markets sometimes have burger or fish-and-chip vans.

Common budget supermarkets: Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl.

Sutton Coldfield town centre has high-street chains like Primark and M&S; Birmingham Bullring has more budget options.

Bus day pass £4.50; from Birmingham Airport, take bus X1 or X2 to city centre (£2-3 single), then train to B72 (£3-4 off-peak return).

Use a railcard for train discounts if travelling often; buy lunch meal deals at supermarkets (e.g. sandwich+snack+drink for £3-4); avoid eating in the main tourist zone of central Birmingham for cheaper options.