Robespierre

p.s. Here is a map of the area around the National Gallery:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...quare-2262.pdf

Your best bet is probably bus stop <B><RED>C</B></font>, because both the 24 and 29 stop there.

jent103

Honestly, you can just walk to Leicester Square station from the National Gallery. It is not far at ALL (assuming you have no mobility issues), straight up Charing Cross.

There is no "kiosk" that offers the 2 for 1 discount. You just buy a paper travelcard at a rail station, which you can do very easily when you arrive at St Pancras from Paris. Or, if you're OK with buying two full admissions to the Tower in exchange for just not worrying about the whole thing, then do what Robespierre said.

janisj

"<i>From the National Gallery, get a 24, 29, or 176 bus to Leicester Square</i>"

Why would one want to do that? By the time you queued up for the next bus and waited to board, you could have already walked to Leicester Sq. The two places are practically next door neighbors.

Robespierre

You and I could walk it easily, but as a noob, OP probably shouldn't attempt figuring out the street signs when she has a train to catch. One wrong turn, and sayonara, Eurostar.

tatdenning

Another question...I have seen a reverse itinerary proposed in another guide book and wanted to get some opinions on it if everyone would be so kind again...

It starts off at Westminster Abbey, next going to Houses of Parliament/Big Ben, followed by a look down No. 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, Covent Garden, The Mall/Buckingham Palace, and lastly the Tower of London.

Any thoughts on this order of things? And how would this best be navigated?

I appreciate all thoughts!

yk

I agree with walking from National Gallery to Leicester Sq tube station. Charing Cross road is so congested all the time (1 lane each direction) that it's usually faster to walk than wait and ride the bus.

janisj

"<i>as a noob, OP probably shouldn't attempt figuring out the street signs when she has a train to catch</i>" That makes just no sense IMO. It isn't more than a 5 minute walk - and one doesn't even have to cross anything other than one very small street. It is VERY well sign posted. If one can't find Leicester Sq from the National Gallery -- well, they'd certainly have trouble the entire day and probably shouldn't be out on their own.

janisj

and yk is right - sometimes vehicles sit through entire signals w/o moving - plus the zebra crossings stop traffic too.

Robespierre

If you want a twofer, don't get the Oyster on the train. Get One-Day Travelcards for Zones 1&2 at St. Pancras. If your train is on time, you'll start before 9:30, which means you'll need the Peak period flavor, which costs &pound;7.20

By the way, here's an area map of Leicester Square that OP can to use to decide whether to walk or ride from Trafalgar Square:

http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/Dow...sterSquare.pdf

tatdenning

Any thoughts on the alternative itinerary I'd listed above - the order of things being reversed?

Thanks!

yk

tatdenning -

What time do you arrive in London from the Eurostar?
Westminster Abbey opens at 9:30am. The Tower opens at 9am.

jent103

In an earlier post the OP said they arrived around 8:30, so heading straight to the Tower might make better use of your time.

janisj

Not to beat a dead horse (but why not - Robes beats more dead horses than just about anyone) - even TFL's very own journey planner lists walking as the fastest option for Trafalgar Square to Leicester Square Underground station.

I plugged in various times of day and the four bus options take 2 minutes longer mid morning, 4 minutes longer at 5 PM and 7 minutes longer in the early evening when the OP would be doing this.

Tatdenning: "<i> . . . .Westminster Abbey, next going to Houses of Parliament/Big Ben, followed by a look down No. 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, Covent Garden, The Mall/Buckingham Palace, and lastly the Tower of London.</i>" doesn't make too much sense to me.

You'd be doubling back to Buck House after Covent Garden. If you start at Buckingham Palace (remember it is just a walk by) it is a short walk to the Abbey. Then basically across the street Big Ben/Parliament, up Whitehall past No 10 (you won't be able to see anything there BTW), then Horse Guards and Trafalgar Sq. From the National Gallery is is a short-ish walk to Covent Garden. From there you can head to the Tower w/o having to back track.

Most of us recommend doing the Tower first thing in the AM to beat the crowds and because most folks spend 3 or 4 or more hours there. But in your case w/o the luxury of that much time, hitting the Tower later in the day works. Late afternoon the crowds thin out so it is actually a decent time to visit.

If you do that you will have some free time after the Tower closes at 5:30 when you can do a bit of wandering around. You could visit Covent Garden if you didn't get there earlier in the day, have a nice dinner, walk along the river - something like that.

Robespierre

<I>If one can't find Leicester Sq from the National Gallery -- well, they'd certainly have trouble the entire day and probably shouldn't be out on their own.</i>

Maybe they <U>have</u> been having trouble all day. We can't assume what pathfinding skill they possess. OP's party has been up since oh-dark-thirty getting to London. They've been struggling with navigation and cultural conventions (and yes, even language) all day. They're not in top shape. Getting out of the National Gallery or Portrait Gallery and headed up Charing Cross Road is not straightforward, and if they screw up, they could miss their train. This hazard doesn't exist during the rest of the "entire day." Getting the bus right on the edge of the Square carries less risk.
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Going to the Tower straight away is a good strategy, as it avoids the buildup of crowds later in the morning - and if you have any interest in seeing the Crown Jewels, go to the Jewel House first to beat the logjam. Then you can double back and join a Yeoman Warder's Tour near the front gate.

Robespierre

No personalities, okay, cupcake? Just present the facts and let others decide.

janisj

Like I said lots of dead horses get beaten around here . . . .

(BTW - w/ tatdenning's new ideas, there is no need to go anywhere near Leicester Sq tube station . . . . . . . )

Robespierre

<I>Most of us recommend doing the Tower first thing in the AM to beat the crowds and because most folks spend 3 or 4 or more hours there. But in your case w/o the luxury of that much time, hitting the Tower later in the day works. Late afternoon the crowds thin out so it is actually a decent time to visit.</i>

No, it's not, for the simple reason that you can't predict how long lines will be and how long you'll want to stay. You might either have your fill and be left with useless time on your hands, or have to cut your visit short to get to the train. Get it done first, and you can fill the afternoon with the other places that don't take as long (and don't cost &pound;20).

tatdenning

Hi guys,

I just want to thank everyone for their helpful posts! I think we will start with the Tower and go from there.

I appreciate all of the help!

Looking forward to my trip:}

CAPH52

tatdenning, I have to tell you you're giving me hope. If you can do all of this in one day, we just might manage to squeeze in most of our wish list in three full days!

Have fun and let us know how it works out!

janisj

"<i>Just present the facts and let others decide.</i>"

I did - >>I plugged in various times of day and the four bus options take 2 minutes longer mid morning, 4 minutes longer at 5 PM and 7 minutes longer in the early evening when the OP would be doing this.<< From the horses mouth as they say - TFL recommends walking that route.

Tatdenning - have a great trip!! --

Do keep a plan B in the back of your mind just in case you hit really nasty weather and don't want to be outside all day, or a tube line shuts down, whatever. Learn the tube map like the back of your hand so you can figure out alternative routes.