Pat_in_Mich

Relatives are planning a visit to London next month and staying at the Holiday Inn in Bexley (in zone 6 !). Way too far out IMO and I'll post asking for some suggestions for better options if they are open to it, I'm waiting to hear back from them on that.

Anyway they asked me what their most cost effective transit option would be given that they are there for 3 days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and have 2 adults, a 16 year old, and a 9 year old. Last time I was there was in 2010 and someone gave us 2 oyster cards and we just added funds as needed so I didn't look at other options. Any help would be much appreciated!

jamikins

For 3 days that is likely the most convenient and affordable way to go for the 3 over 16s. Just each get an Oyster and load up some cash.

Or if they want to use the www.daysoutguide.co.uk to get 2for1 discounts they can buy a 1 day unltd travel card at the Bexley national rail station when they head out each day.

The 9 year old travels free with an adult.

You can see the prices here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14416.aspx

jamikins

Honestly - they really should stay WAY closer in. They are going to spend so much time and money commuting...Bexley is not where I would send a tourist!

jamikins

Here are some ideas:

I composed this for a friend a few weeks ago:

There are several great choices at Premier Inn (basic chain hotel, very clean, but no charm in the hotel – we have stayed at this chain many times and really like it) although don’t be tempted by the really cheap ones out of centre!!! The ONLY ones I would recommend are: http://www.premierinn.com/en/london-...|match|e|plid|
o Country Hall – excellent location right on the river from Westminster (Big Ben) and on the same side as the Eye
o Victoria – near to Buckingham Palace and easy transport to Gatwick if you are coming in from there
o Southwark (Borough Market) – in our favourite area of town, if you are coming in from Gatwick take the train to London Bridge and take a taxi as it’s a very short drive but will be a trek with bags over cobblestones etc
o London City (Tower Hill) – on the far eastern side of zone 1-2 right by the Tower. A bit of a trek if you want to see most sites on the western side of the city
• Other good affordable options are Ibis, again ONLY these locations: http://www.ibis.com/gb/booking/hotels-list.shtml
o London Blackfriars – close to Southwark station so a taxi from London Bridge makes sense if you are coming from Gatwick
o London Southwark Rose – again a short taxi ride from London Bridge from the airport
• Or Novatel – ONLY these locations http://www.novotel.com/gb/booking/ho...pMiddleContent
o London Blackfriars – close to the Ibis London Blackfriars
o London Waterloo
o London City South
o London Tower Bridge
• Holiday Inn – ONLY these locations: http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/...d=1935&dp=true
o London – Mayfair
o London – Southwark
o London – Victoria
o London – Oxford Circus
o London – Regent’s Park (Probably not the most convenient for transit)
o London – Bloomsbury
o London – Kensington Forum (great if most sites you want to see are west London)

jamikins

Sorry meant to add - if you add up the cost of the transit and the time you waste, and the fact that you cant run back to your hotel to change for dinner etc I think staying in central london wins every time. Especially since they are only going to be here for a few days!

janisj

They need to cancel and change hotels.

Their only option really is the train to London bridge or Waterloo East and tube from there. The hotel is half a mile from the station so that is another hassle, plus zone 6 will more than double their transit costs .

It will basically take them an hour to get to most any of the sites in London. It is a terrible place to stay IMO.

janisj

I didn't see any of jamikins' posts.

PLEASE convince them how awful that location will be.

Pat_in_Mich

Totally agree jamikins!

This is my brother and his family and SIL is doing the planning. My opinion wasn't asked until yesterday and only for the transit options. I sent a tactful email this morning offering to help find something closer in and asking for their specific travel dates. If the offer is accepted I'll post here asking for suggestions.

Thanks for the help!

Pat_in_Mich

Thanks for the hotel suggestions as we11 jamikins!

Thanks for your comments too janisj. We'll see if they're open to changing.

PalenQ

I always stay in Eltham not far from Bexley and it is only about a 25-minute Overground train ride to central London - you could have Tube rides of the same length even from places in London proper and I enjoy a more real neighborhood than I find in sterile central London where foreign tourists seem to outnumber locals.

It ain't all bad plus they orbably save a ton of money being out there then in a similar Holiday Inn type place in London itself.

jamikins

Good luck - that really is a terrible location that I bet they chose because of budget. But the savings arent really there when you add in the cost of transit (check out the prices on the tfl website I provided above) and the time wasted! Not to mention the atmosphere...I really hope they change hotels!

PalenQ

! Not to mention the atmosphere..>

that is subjective - I and perhaps others prefer the atmosphere of a real neighborhood with all the usual neighborhood accoutrements like local pubs, Chinese take-outs, Indian-run newsstands, huge supermarkets, etc. I find central London cold and sterile compared to suburbs and 25 minutes commute can be fun people watching other commuters as well and relaxing - yes there are many cons but there are pros as well.

Bexley ain't the pits some make it out to be and probably have never ever ventured out there.

jamikins

PalenQ - how many times have you been to London?

I am guessing more than once. For a first time visitor that is way too far out and doesnt have the atmosphere of a central London location in my opinion. I think someone that is a frequent visitor or has been several times has a different take on things than someone visiting for the first time and will likely be more comfortable making the educated choice of staying out in Eltham or Bexley.

But to each there own.

jamikins

BTW - I live in Woolwich and have been to Bexley MANY times.

janisj

Pat: are they arriving at LHR? If so that is one hellacious transfer!

PQ: a holiday inn hardly constitutes a 'neighborhood atmosphere'.

Pat_in_Mich

I think they're arriving at Gatwick.

janisj

If it is LGW - then it will be train to London Bridge, different train to Bexley, half a mile to the hotel.

PalenQ

But to each there own.>

yeh like the French used to say 'A chacun son gout' - each to their own taste - and I agree with you that a first-time visitor would much more enjoy being in the heart of things - like in walking distance from the West End theatre district, Covent Garden, the Thames, etc.

Yes I have been to London every year at least once since 1969 with a few gaps so yes I fall into the more real London type - but I agree central London is what most new visitors would like.

Just saying Bexley ain't the 'pits' as janisj claims it is.

janisj

>>Just saying Bexley ain't the 'pits' as janisj claims it is.<<

WHERE did I call it the pits? I said it was a terrible <u>location</u> to <i>stay</i>. And it is.

You really do need to get off the paint - we worry about you . . .

PalenQ

I note that that Holiday Inn is a **** rating and thus expensive - so wondering why if not for economics anyone would stay in a place that 'is the pits'?