Boy! London's confusing...help!
 

Greetings Fodorites,<BR><BR>Depending upon your help for an upcoming trip at end of May.<BR>Would someone be kind enough to recommend a good, online reference for locating different locations and getting driving / metro directions in London? <BR><BR>Preferably something like Michelin.com, where you can dynamically put in locations and get driving directions? <BR><BR>My end result is to find out the proximity of Marble Arch / Hyde Park (car dropoff) to my hotel (Belgravia section) but I know I'll need other directions.<BR><BR>Thanks fellow World Citizens!

Try this:<BR><BR>The AA route planner site, it's a bit like mapquest!<BR><BR>http://www.theaa.com/

I strongly suggest you pick up a copy of "London A-Z" - even the people that live in London find it invaluable:<BR><BR>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...577333-7348056

One reason it's so hard to get driving directions for London is thathardly anyone dares to drive in London, other than cabbies! Mapquest can handle Lodon pretty well. Also, the Brit auto association, at www.theaa.com, will also give directions ("routes") and maps.<BR><BR>For tube directions, there is an online trip planner, but I found it very cumbersome to use. I prefer a street map with the tube lines superimposed on it -- I just find my start and end points, and see which stations/lines are closest and how they intersect. Sometimes the old-fashioned ways are better than the computerized ones.

Do yourself a huge favor and get rid of the car asap. The tube is so easy to use in the city and all of the sites are clearly identified. Have fun.

http://www.multimap.com/<BR><BR>Works much like mapquest.

I like www.multimap.com. In GB you can even key in just a zipcode (mailing code) to give you a pretty good idea of where something is located. Driving directions work from zipcode to zipcode too.

Any possibility of dropping the car off at one of the London Airports or some other suburban location? You REALLY don't want to drive in London if you don't absolutely have to! Especially if you don't know where you are going. Do yourself a huge favor and try to make alternate arrangements!

I've been to that rental location and if you're smart you'll drop the car off elswhere! Unless you have driven in London before you'll have a bad time. sorry , but it's the truth . I was with a native Londoner and he had trouble.

Another map website Mappy.co.uk or mappy.fr will get you there. It does most of Europe.

Thanks all for your input.<BR>The popular consensus seems to be DITCH THE CAR and DON'T DRIVE IN LONDON!<BR>I may just take you up on it...

Who you callin Boy?

Hi<BR><BR>When I was young and (more ?) foolish, I commuted into London by motor cycle for about 5 years.<BR><BR>London was built before cars were invented.<BR><BR>It takes a long time to work out the routes, and which lane to be in at the next lights etc. <BR><BR>Of course it is made more difficult by introducing new systems, one way streets etc. every few years. <BR><BR>Even people living 50 miles away try to avoid driving in the centre, except at weekends. It is difficult even if the passenger has an AtoZ open all the time.<BR><BR>These days, I use tube and taxi ........... enough said ?<BR><BR>Use public transport and see the attractions, not the map<BR><BR>Peter<BR><BR>

Tube's a dream — no need for a car. And the people-watching opportunities are a lot richer on the Underground.<BR><BR>Mind the Gap!