4 days in London
Feb 16th, 2015, 10:12 AM
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4 days in London
I am a solo female traveler and have four full days in London. I will be in London mid May. I am interested in history, art, music, and nature. I do not want to be rushing around museum to museum, but I do want to fit as much in with the little time I have.
I'd like any suggestions of what you think are "must sees/dos" in London to get the most of the experience.
I am looking at fairly decently priced rental apartments located 30 minutes from central London. Should I book a cheap apartment so far away or look at hostels closer to city center? - I am traveling in Europe for 1 month and I imagine I'll get sick of sleeping in the same room as others, so apartments seem like a good deal to me.
Is getting an Oyster card Or the London pass a good idea?
Thanks!!
I'd like any suggestions of what you think are "must sees/dos" in London to get the most of the experience.
I am looking at fairly decently priced rental apartments located 30 minutes from central London. Should I book a cheap apartment so far away or look at hostels closer to city center? - I am traveling in Europe for 1 month and I imagine I'll get sick of sleeping in the same room as others, so apartments seem like a good deal to me.
Is getting an Oyster card Or the London pass a good idea?
Thanks!!
Feb 16th, 2015, 11:01 AM
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The London Pass is only good if you are going to use it wisely, this generally means rushing from one venue to another, otherwise it can be an expensive mistake.
Decide what you want to do, remember the vast majority of our museums and art galleries are free to enter, there can be charges foe special exhibitions but the majority cost nothing. The National Portrait Gallery, The Wallace Collection might sate your appetite for art, but you might prefer the Tate Modern. One man's art is another man(or woman's) nightmare so read up to see what you want to see.
As regards music, we need to know what you like, is it Gladys Knight or Justin Beiber, both have their followers or is it the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra you are looking for? Check out the listings for The Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall for Classical Music, the o2 centre for rock and pop!
A good way to see London is to take walking tours, have a look at www.walks.com and see if any interest you. There is no need to book in advance, just turn up and enjoy. Not sure what we can offer as regards nature, our parks are pretty good but there is no getting away from the fact that 8 million people live here and you might need in a four day stay to get your nature somewhere else in Europe.
Finally, where are you planning to stay, 30 minutes outside London could be by the river in Richmond, delightful or Barking, far less delightful. Like all big cities there are good and bad so ask before booking.
Decide what you want to do, remember the vast majority of our museums and art galleries are free to enter, there can be charges foe special exhibitions but the majority cost nothing. The National Portrait Gallery, The Wallace Collection might sate your appetite for art, but you might prefer the Tate Modern. One man's art is another man(or woman's) nightmare so read up to see what you want to see.
As regards music, we need to know what you like, is it Gladys Knight or Justin Beiber, both have their followers or is it the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra you are looking for? Check out the listings for The Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall for Classical Music, the o2 centre for rock and pop!
A good way to see London is to take walking tours, have a look at www.walks.com and see if any interest you. There is no need to book in advance, just turn up and enjoy. Not sure what we can offer as regards nature, our parks are pretty good but there is no getting away from the fact that 8 million people live here and you might need in a four day stay to get your nature somewhere else in Europe.
Finally, where are you planning to stay, 30 minutes outside London could be by the river in Richmond, delightful or Barking, far less delightful. Like all big cities there are good and bad so ask before booking.
Feb 16th, 2015, 11:02 AM
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I wouldn't stay 30 minutes away personally.
I think some hostels have private rooms.
Don't think the London pass is worth it, many of London's museums are free. An Oyster card is a good idea for the tube and buses.
What is your nightly budget for accommodation?
I think some hostels have private rooms.
Don't think the London pass is worth it, many of London's museums are free. An Oyster card is a good idea for the tube and buses.
What is your nightly budget for accommodation?
Feb 16th, 2015, 11:16 AM
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Oyster - absolutely. London Pass - probably not.
An apartment does sound great, but personally as a solo female, I'd feel safer staying in a populated busy central area vs a more suburban area that's probably very quiet at night and further from the things you want to do. Plus don't forget to budget in travel to/from the apartment - you'll need to get a Tube pass that covers a larger zone, or budget more per trip, if you stay out in the suburbs. Once you tell us your nightly budget we can make better suggestions, but you might also check londontown.com for budget hotels closer to the center.
An apartment does sound great, but personally as a solo female, I'd feel safer staying in a populated busy central area vs a more suburban area that's probably very quiet at night and further from the things you want to do. Plus don't forget to budget in travel to/from the apartment - you'll need to get a Tube pass that covers a larger zone, or budget more per trip, if you stay out in the suburbs. Once you tell us your nightly budget we can make better suggestions, but you might also check londontown.com for budget hotels closer to the center.
Feb 16th, 2015, 11:25 AM
#5
How 'cheap' is this place, since it would have to be really inexpensive to make up the extra transport costs, plus the time getting in and back out of London. And where exactly is it? Some owners play fast and loose w/ locations and that half an hour may be longer.
Definitely do NOT get a London Pass. But you will want an Oyster.
Definitely do NOT get a London Pass. But you will want an Oyster.
Feb 16th, 2015, 04:28 PM
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Samantha--I assume there's a zero or something missing from "$50" budget--???
Good advice above.
You will get a different list of "bests" from everyone; here's my top things for a first visit, with the little you have said about interests--NOT arranged in the geographical-area way you will want to group your itinerary:
The Tower of London--be there first thing, allow 3-4 hours
The British Museum--allow 3-4 hours--for a taste
Westminster Abbey--be there first thing and allow about 2-3 hours----then walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square--and National Gallery (and of course this is when before the Abbey you see the Westminster area, bridge, parliament, Big Ben)
St Paul's Cathedral--climb to the top--and walk on Millennium
Bridge to Tate Modern
the parks like Hyde/St James and walk past Buckingham Palace
the whole Southbank area
the British Library
many other museums, places to walk, theater, music opportunities
If you make some choices and have some questions, post again for specific help
Good advice above.
You will get a different list of "bests" from everyone; here's my top things for a first visit, with the little you have said about interests--NOT arranged in the geographical-area way you will want to group your itinerary:
The Tower of London--be there first thing, allow 3-4 hours
The British Museum--allow 3-4 hours--for a taste
Westminster Abbey--be there first thing and allow about 2-3 hours----then walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square--and National Gallery (and of course this is when before the Abbey you see the Westminster area, bridge, parliament, Big Ben)
St Paul's Cathedral--climb to the top--and walk on Millennium
Bridge to Tate Modern
the parks like Hyde/St James and walk past Buckingham Palace
the whole Southbank area
the British Library
many other museums, places to walk, theater, music opportunities
If you make some choices and have some questions, post again for specific help
Feb 16th, 2015, 04:28 PM
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Half an hour from the center of London is still London.
Exactly where is this place you are looking to stay? Nice neighborhood? How close to the Tube (this is what really matters)?
I would definitely find a way to stay right in the center - to ave time and be closer to all sorts of resources (shops, restaurants and sights). And I think $50 is only a hostel - or possibly a room at one of the universities - and pick carefully.
Exactly where is this place you are looking to stay? Nice neighborhood? How close to the Tube (this is what really matters)?
I would definitely find a way to stay right in the center - to ave time and be closer to all sorts of resources (shops, restaurants and sights). And I think $50 is only a hostel - or possibly a room at one of the universities - and pick carefully.
Feb 18th, 2015, 11:27 AM
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<<My budget for accommodation is $50>>
And what are you expecting for that price? Cheap apartments are often really crappy. Don't stay in some council flat type of hole just because you'll get "privacy" - stay closer to the city, it'll probably be safer, and that's important for a solo female traveler.
<<I'd like any suggestions of what you think are "must sees/dos" in London to get the most of the experience>>
Do you have interests of any sort? Texasbookworm listed a bunch of information you could have dug up yourself. But tailoring information to YOU requires disclosure from you - what interests you about London? Telling you that Madame Tussaud's is an overpriced set of stiffs wouldn't help if you're some sort of wax sculpture fanatic. Telling you that the Churchill War Rooms is fantastic won't do much to guide you're a Pat Buchanan level fool who thinks the UK pushed the Nazis to war or a Holocaust-denier like David Irving.
And what are you expecting for that price? Cheap apartments are often really crappy. Don't stay in some council flat type of hole just because you'll get "privacy" - stay closer to the city, it'll probably be safer, and that's important for a solo female traveler.
<<I'd like any suggestions of what you think are "must sees/dos" in London to get the most of the experience>>
Do you have interests of any sort? Texasbookworm listed a bunch of information you could have dug up yourself. But tailoring information to YOU requires disclosure from you - what interests you about London? Telling you that Madame Tussaud's is an overpriced set of stiffs wouldn't help if you're some sort of wax sculpture fanatic. Telling you that the Churchill War Rooms is fantastic won't do much to guide you're a Pat Buchanan level fool who thinks the UK pushed the Nazis to war or a Holocaust-denier like David Irving.
Feb 18th, 2015, 11:35 AM
#10
Today $50 is just a bit over £30. That will get you a dorm room in one of the nicer hostels. So it is doable.
But if your budget is that low, you definitely do not want to stay very far out to get cheap since the transport costs will be a lot higher.
But if your budget is that low, you definitely do not want to stay very far out to get cheap since the transport costs will be a lot higher.
Feb 18th, 2015, 12:20 PM
#12
We spent six days in London in 2013…Here's my report with photos (chapters one through six). This might give you some ideas.
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/england-2013/
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/england-2013/
Feb 18th, 2015, 02:18 PM
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Try this for accommodation:http://www.universityrooms.com/en/city/london/home
At the moment a single room en-suite is £35 a night ($53)
My wife and I stayed at one near Regents Park when we wanted to spend a night in London before a wedding, and didn't want the extortionate cost of a hotel.(It was the day after the Royal Wedding, and accommodation was difficult to find). It was very comfortable.
At the moment a single room en-suite is £35 a night ($53)
My wife and I stayed at one near Regents Park when we wanted to spend a night in London before a wedding, and didn't want the extortionate cost of a hotel.(It was the day after the Royal Wedding, and accommodation was difficult to find). It was very comfortable.
