JoeTro

I'd recommend an Oyster Card, and I'm glad you will be able to see the Tate Britain. It's a really great museum that is undervisited, IMO.

I love having lunch on the steps leading from National Gallery to Trafalgar Square fountains. It's beautiful and if you pick the right spot you can see Big Ben/Parliament.

I generally grab sandwiches at a nearby place called EAT. It's basically like Pret.

Ness_07

Thanks Joe. I had previously thought the oyster card was a less favourable option for those travelling only for three days. I guess I'm seeking the best option that will allow travel around London on days one and three and also travel to Salisbury on day two. I realise out of London I'll need to purchase tickets for the local buses etc...

JoeTro

The Oyster is good because you get cheaper fares and it automatically caps your daily spending if you've reached the max whereby a travelcard would be cheaper. It costs 3 pounds but you can get your money back once you turn it in or keep it for your next visit.

dgg

So much to do and so little time. Sorry to be a buzz-kill, but I think you are seriously overestimating what you can see in London in 1 1/2 days, which is realistically all you will have after you do Stonehenge/Salisbury on an overnight trip. This is especially true if you are coming from the US and are jet-lagged.

Crowds at the Tower and Westmister Abby will be thick and you will probably need to wait in line just about everywhere you go. Pick 3 - 4 major things you want to see and fill in with secondary things as time permits. The department stores close at 6:00 or 7:00 so keep that in mind. You can see the Magna Carta at the British Library in London too.

I like ethnic food in London, especially the Indian food which is not in plentiful supply in Texas.

I hope you accomplish all of your sightseeing wishlist and have a great tour of Europe.

dgg

Don't know how I missed your revised itinerary. It looks much better and the extra half day on the tail end of your trip will help. Have fun!

UdderlyHopeless

We (me and 3 co-workers) spent three full days in London last month, and thanks to the helpful Fodorites, here's what we managed to do:

Arrival: afternoon, took London Eye for over-view, early dinner, early to bed.

Day 1: Started day with pictures in front of Buckingham Palace. Walked to Westminster, went in soon as it opened. Didn't take a tour, but we had London guidebooks to give us info (I used "Eyewitness"; others had their own books). Took pictures around Big Ben and Parliament.

Lunch. Then, to the National Gallery.

Evening on our own. Two people went to a play. I had a nice leisurely dinner and early to bed again (I like my sleep).

Day 2: Started with Tower of London, Saw crown jewels first, then rest of Tower. Toured Tower Bridge.

Lunch. Then, visited St. Paul's Cathedral. After, we walked across Millenium bridge and visited Tate Modern. We originally planned to see Globe Theatre, but after more research (and recommendations to see Tate), we chose Tate at the last minute. We probably could have fit in a visit to Globe, but the two people who wanted to visit there were the ones who saw a play the previous evening, so we skipped it.

Evening: Keys ceremony at the Tower (another Fodorite recommendation).

Day 3: Started at the British Library (yet another Fodorite recommendation) and then the British Museum. Remainder of afternoon/evening was free for us to do our own thing (some people went shopping).

Next morning - early flight out.

We didn't take a day out for Stonehenge, but I thought I'd give you some idea of what you can accomplish in 3 days.

Hope you have a good trip.

UdderlyHopeless

Oops. I wanted to add that we never felt overly-rushed, given all that we saw in only 3 days. I originally planned to do a lot less, with maybe one location on my "list" for the morning and one in the afternoon. But it turned out we could fit in more than that. Yet, it still didn't feel like a rushed itinerary. It was my first time to London so I didn't know what to expect.

Ness_07

Thanks for that. We are actually flying from Australia so it is an extremely long haul flight! Still, I wanted to be optimistic and as long as these key things are seen:
Salisbury/Stonehenge (and catching up with a good friend there)
Westminster Abbey
Tower of London
Tate Modern

I'll be happy. Anything else is a bonus but I want to be prepared for best case scenario!

JoeTro

I think you'll have time for more than that. Nonetheless, have a good trip.

Fairway

We just returned from London yesterday - and while I think your first day itinerary is ambitious - you will be excited. We managed to stay awake without a problem for a few hours before leaving for Cotswolds. But - Please don't just walk by St. Paul's Cathedral - it's so beautiful inside and we happened to hear the pipe organ - gave me goosebumps! Take the local busses (also double decker) around London for much cheaper (2 pounds) and they go right past or very close to the major attractions - at least #11 did - can't speak for the others.

LuiseB

For 3.50 GBP (I think that's what it cost), purchase the audio tour at Westminster Abbey. That way you can get there whenever you want, go at your own pace, skip over parts if you like (although I'm sure you won't, it's all fascinating). It was well worth the few pounds. St. Paul's is absolutely breathtaking as well, do go inside and up to at least the Whispering Gallery, if not all the way to the top for the view.
I would definitely do the Beefeater Tour at the Tower. Our guide was funny and knowledgeable and we got so much more out of our visit instead of wandering ourselves reading a guidebook. Make sure when you buy your tube ticket you buy a day pass for 5GBP. One way tickets cost 4GBP per person. The pass is good for all of zone 1 after 9.30am, and it sounds like all of your destinations are within the central zone.
Good luck and have a fantastic trip...

LuiseB

Sorry, just saw that you are buying a 3 day tube pass, disregard my comments regarding that!!!