lehcar

I've been debating whether to stay a couple of nights in Manchester or London after my visit to Lancashire during Autumn, before I fly back home. I've visited both cities already. I think I've seen just about everything in Manchester and don't feel like coming back. As a lone lady traveler who was looking to hang out a nice spot during the evening, I didn't find much. However, I'm considering Manchester just because it's more practical with the commute and hotel prices are reasonable.

On the other hand, there are still a lot of things I haven't done or seen in London. Though it's not the most convenient for me in terms of commuting and staying at hotels near the Paddington Station are indeed pricey (so I can easily catch the Heathrow Express). My gut feeling is that I will find something enjoyable to do as a single traveler in London, but don't know what to expect staying between Bayswater to Marylebone.

Am I missing something about Manchester or do you think London offers so much more?

MmePerdu

I think, more to the point, you're missing something about transportation to Heathrow. Anywhere on the tube along the Piccadilly line is as convenient and likely more interesting than staying in Bayswater. I like the area close to the British Museum where there are budget options for hotels. Have your 2 nights in London.

Do a search of this site ("Search the Forums" above") for budget hotels and you'll find a number of suggestions.

lehcar

Thanks MmePerdu for you input. I was getting the impression from past postings that taking the tube takes a long time to get to Heathrow from central areas in London. I like your suggestion staying near the British Museum, since it's on my to-do-list.

MmePerdu

The tube does take longer from central London but worth it, I think, to stay in a more interesting place. I compensate by booking flights out in the afternoon instead of morning, so no rush.

Bamaman

I always stay around Bayswater and Kensington Palace. Though really popular and trendy, not all accommodations are terribly expensive.

Getting to Heathrow's not hard from there--requiring one transfer on the subway.

janisj

>>staying at hotels near the Paddington Station are indeed pricey (so I can easily catch the Heathrow Express)<<

First, I'm not clear -- are you flying home from MAN or form LHR? I don't get the 'commute' bit - do you mean traveling to London and then commuting back to Manchester to fly home? If so, why is Paddington/HEX even in the discussion.

Paddington isn't a very nice area, and isn't convenient to most of central London - Plus the Heathrow Express is very expensive.

Plus . . . Trains to/from Manchester airport go into Euston Station making Paddington doubly inconvenient.

Go to London - stay someplace nice. Then either the train back to MAN (if you are flying out of MAN) or the tube or a car service to LHR (if you are flying out of LHR)

lehcar

janisj - I'm flying into MAN for my stay in Lancashire and been considering flying out of LHR to get back home in the States.

For folks wondering why I found it easy to commute in Manchester - upon arrival at the Manchester Piccadilly Station, I could take the free city bus that had several convenient stops near hotels and main parts of the city. The day of departure, catching the city bus to the train station was easy and it was a quick train ride to MAN.

I'm convinced with London. I think it will be worth the extra time on the train from Lancashire and it seems like I can find a nice place to stay along the Piccadilly line without rushing on my day of departure. I wonder if my Oyster card will work from 8 years ago?

nyse

Yes, it will. Just add a few pounds if your balance is low.

janisj

Well - if you are flying out of LHR it would seem a no brainer to stay in London. You can take the train to Euston and then the tube or a cab to anywhere. Or if you stay around Russell Square/Bloomsbury and don't have masses of luggage, you could walk it.

(I think that may be the first time [ever] I've seen Bayswater described as 'trendy )

MmePerdu

"(I think that may be the first time [ever] I've seen Bayswater described as 'trendy )"

Was thinking the same thing. Then I thought, maybe SO trendy I didn't recognize it. Or maybe not.

janisj