London - Sightseeing etc...

[Ollie_07]

Thinking of popping to London early December to have a look round, stay for 2 nights, go on the london eye, have a look at the usual tourist attractions and all so was after a bit of advice. Ive not been there in around 10years so no doubt all has changed?!

I cant be ar$ed with the hassle of driving in London so will probably stay in a hotel near Heathrow then get the Tube into Central London.

I will only have 1 full day to actually look round so want to cram as much in as possible, defo want to go on the london eye and have a look round shops like Harrods, but are there things people would really recommend me seeing and also what things to avoid?

I checked fares and other tariffs for an "Oyster card" and also a "Travelcard" and it confuses the **** out of me!!

Basically i (think i) want some sort of unrestricted card/pass which lets me jump on the tube at any station for the whole day! is that possible?

All you Londoners on here, any help/advice would be really appreciated!:thumbsup:

[Bear]

Travel card will do that, but only from 9:30 am. Oyster card is better if you're gonna spend more than a few days in London, you put money on it to start with and then it takes money off whenever you travel.

I would do the London Eye, from there you can see Big Ben and Parliament, then have a stroll down the South Bank to the Tate Modern, cross the river to look at St Paul's, and maybe the Gerkhin if that's your thing. The museums in South Kensington are good too: Natural History or Science, they're in thee region of Harrods too, so you could combine one with the other

[Mike2165]

You want a Travelcard, Oyster cards are for regular long term users I think. Also, I've stayed at Excel at the sunborn yacht hotel, look on lastminute.com, its normally around £79 - £99 a night, but is very nice and roomy. Also right next to the DLR which you can use a travelcard on. Have a nice time, if you're staying over night, go into Leicster square where you can get half price tickets for shows too, if thats your thing.

[Kinvig]

pretty sure that anyone can pick up an oyster card now - with no extra id etc...

They're normally cheaper than a travel card.

There's an exhibition of King Tut at the dome at the moment, not bad - but a bit $$$ esp the shop afterwards, "King Tut's Emporium"

[metalmonkey]

Dude I would really suggest staying somewhere central, Heathrow isn't very central and cen be a mission to get to and from by train espically if the tube goes tits up and it often does. One of mates lives out that way its at least 1 hour in and out.

It depends on what you wanna see really, and what kind of things you want to shop for as to where you go. I haven't lived here long, some of city guys will now the best places....I wouldn't shop in harrods any way, been turned away from there casue I wasn't dressed right!

+1 for travel card, you don't oyster card to visit, if its w/end it will be cheap rate all the time anyway.

TFL web site http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en

I have been to go some musems,, with some of the expos, haven't around to it yet....Oh Camdam is fun if that your kind of scene! If your down on a Friday night drop by a say hi to the Soho Massive!

Well if there is anything else, you want know just ask I'll try to help....Enjoy the city!

[Fizzy Fish]

pretty sure that anyone can pick up an oyster card now - with no extra id etc...

They're normally cheaper than a travel card.

There's an exhibition of King Tut at the dome at the moment, not bad - but a bit $$$ esp the shop afterwards, "King Tut's Emporium"

they can indeed. you can even get a souvenir one with pretty pictures on it cos tourists tend to go for that sort of thing ;) best just to go to the ticket window at the tube station nearest to where you're staying, explain your situation and they'll come up with the best option for you.

there are often special offers for attractions, etc for people travelling with Oyster cards: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/oysteroffers/

some more useful travel stuff incl maps and info specifically geared up for visitors to London can be found here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/

I'm actually off to see the King Tut exhibition myself next week - looks pretty good. I'd agree that the Eye is worth a visit (on a good weather day though), also check out Parliament and St James' Park/Buck Palace are a short walk away.

TBH it depends on what you're into really - try the Visit London and Time Out London websites for more ideas.

hope you enjoy your stay!

[Demonz]

I would recommend the big red sightseeing buses too - they take a few hours to get around but its informative and you will see the main sites/sights. Then go back to whatever you drove past that took your interest.

[Pedro68]

I used to commute regularly from West Drayton (a few stops closer to London than Heathrow), and it used to take me about 1 - 1.5 hours on a good day to get into Bank (just round corner from St. Pauls). I know they have a Heathrow Express which doesn't stop at as many stations, and I think it takes you straight into one of the mainline stations, but I'd try and get a bit closer ... believe it or not, there are some very very reasonable offers for some of the central London hotels ... definitely worth checking it out.

Visit London and the TFL websites are both excellent ... esp. the TFL site ... you stick ya start n finish points in, and tell them HOW you wish to travel ... by train/boat/walk/cycle, and they'll tell you the best route - it will even give you several routes with differing change-overs and walking time between stations as well as even how long it will take to reach the platform from the escalators!!

[kitkat]

me and kids did the touristy london thing in august. it was brilliant. had a half day bus trip which took us to westminster cathedral (brilliant) changing of the guard but not at buckhouse as they only do it on even days during the holidays or something. past downing street, thru trafalgar square. then dropped us at picadilly. we then used our travel card to jump on and off underground all day. we went to london dungeons which was good and then onto madame tussauds for our after 5 spot. it was ok but glad it was a cheap deal.

going to go again next summer and just wander about.

http://www.londontourist.org/beginners.html

http://www.timeout.com/london/features/2253.html

[Ollie_07]

Cheers for all the replies! :)

its not so much a huge difference in cost staying in the centre, its more the hassle of driving, not really knowing where im going, parking, and the dreaded tolls!!

Kitkat - remember how much the travelcard was just so i have a rough idea whats its gonna cost? Thanks! :)

[Rich999uk]

Dont bother with harrods, its crap, i havent even given it a capital letter.

Dont do madam tusuads

Try the big bus company who do a great tour on an open double decker, you can pick them up anywhere and a single ticket it will allow you to drop off at any of the attractions, and jump on the next bus coming for free.
I work in London and was hugely surprised at this, thats a tip for all those in London as well,

Rich xx

[Ollie_07]

Cheers Rich! :)

[lukemillar]

they can indeed. you can even get a souvenir one with pretty pictures on it cos tourists tend to go for that sort of thing ;) best just to go to the ticket window at the tube station nearest to where you're staying, explain your situation and they'll come up with the best option for you.

there are often special offers for attractions, etc for people travelling with Oyster cards: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/oysteroffers/

some more useful travel stuff incl maps and info specifically geared up for visitors to London can be found here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/

I'm actually off to see the King Tut exhibition myself next week - looks pretty good. I'd agree that the Eye is worth a visit (on a good weather day though), also check out Parliament and St James' Park/Buck Palace are a short walk away.

TBH it depends on what you're into really - try the Visit London and Time Out London websites for more ideas.

hope you enjoy your stay!

Don't they charge you 3.50 for the oyster card though?? May be better off with a travelcard if it's just for a day or 2.

I would recommend what everyone has already suggested during the day but also for the evening if you're about....

- Absolut vodka ice bar. You have to book this in advance, but I really liked it. You a get a cocktail in the ticket price and get to hang out in a bar where everything is made of ice (including the glass). Plus when You come out, London feels like a hot country!

- Trafalgar Hilton has great roof terrace bar that overlooks Trafalgar square and give great views over London. Free to get in and they even offer blankets if it is quite cold :)

- Kensington Roof Gardens. Ok, this is a little expensive but I have never been to a nicer bar/restaurant in London. On Kensington High street and features a whole block of roof gardens. Can go for drinks or dinner, but it really is something else -> http://www.roofgardens.com/

- Samuel Smith's pubs in Soho - The Glasshouse Stores on brewer st, john snow on broadwick street etc. They sell there own brand of booze, but have nice 'pub' feel about them and you can still buy a pint for under 2 quid!

- Soho in general - great for a whole load of bars, pubs restaurants and coffee shops and home, of course, to the soho massive!


I could go on forever actually :)

[Fizzy Fish]

Don't they charge you 3.50 for the oyster card though?? May be better off with a travelcard if it's just for a day or 2.


if you return the Oystercard to the ticket office after you've made your last tube journey they will refund your £3.50

[Ollie_07]

Found it may be cheaper to get the train at around 70quid return for 2 people straight to london so next question, anyone know of some decent hotels pref near some of the attractions, or areas to stay away from?

Found millions of websites which differ so much on cost etc for hotels, so are there any you guys/gals can recommend which you have used before?

Cheers!!:D

[lukemillar]

if you return the Oystercard to the ticket office after you've made your last tube journey they will refund your £3.50

Cool!, I didnt know that! :)

[MeridiaNx]

Suppose it would depend on what floats your boat but I've been to stay in London a few times and done different trips on each one:

- Tourist sites: museums, art galleries, aquarium, harrods, leicester square etc. etc.

- Theatre: spent a week with my girlfriend seeing the best shows in town every night and visiting the best restaurants before/after for a glitzy trip (that doesn't mean lots of money btw, you can get tickets on the day dead cheap, and most restaurants have a pre-theatre menu which gives you 3 courses @ some of the best places in London for £15 a head sometimes!!)

- Relax: head out to a few 'experiences' that don't really count as attractions per se but are well worth seeing nonetheless and give a 'vibe' of London rather than the usual Madame Tussauds. In this I would include Highgate Cemetary (West is more interesting than East IIRC), Notting Hill market, Camden Town, Speaker's Corner on a Sunday etc. etc.

Hope that provides some food for thought.

[Ollie_07]

YEah thats good info, thanks matey! :)

Keep em' coming people!!

[Ch00]

have a look at http://www.lastminute.com they have lots of late hotel deals and the like

ch00

[Smudge]

get yourself under the south side of waterloo bridge that will show you what london is about a real eye opener at night

[Demonz]

If you are young and want a bit of "social interaction" stay at a hostel. I'd rate The Generator Hostel is in Russel Square - http://www.generatorhostels.com/London/. They are down a little alley way and have off street area out front you can chain/cover the bike - so reasonably secure parking (othewise secure undercover parking round the back). Mostly international crowd - but dont let that put you off :)