Greenwich for a morning trip?
 

Still in the depths of my planning frenzy for our upcoming first trip to London! (Jan 18-22). We want to make the most of our last day..we don't need to be at Heathrow until 1 pm. Depending on the day's weather, I was wondering if a morning tour of Greenwich is manageable. Taking the faster Tube as opposed to the ferry, and leaving the hotel at 8 am, I was wondering if 3 hours in Greenwich would be an adequate first taste or too much of a rush?<BR><BR>If the weather isn't cooperative, we would substitute Madame Taussauds and/or the Planetarium, which is closeby to our hotel.<BR>Any input?

Teddie,<BR>We travelled to Greenwich using the Light Rail and then returned by boat when we visited in September. You could easily do it using the train both ways -but I would think 'doing' something closer to your base in London might be more enjoyable and certainly easier on the nerves if there happened to be a breakdown with the train or something like that.

Thanks, Prue<BR><BR>I guess I just really want to get to see Greenwich! But I don't want to rush a round, either..we're doing some intense touring for our trip, so a local last morning may really be considered...not sure just yet

Greenwich deserves much more than 3 hours, but you would be able to experience some of it. However, take into account getting back. When I was there in November, they had a train problem and so I had to get off and take a shuttle bus and get on another train a few miles up the road. I had no plans in London that night, but it did put me into London about an hour later than what I had planned. This isn't normal, but take into account that transportation doesn't always go as planned. Do you want to risk getting to the airport late?

If you really like to go, it is still doable since the major sites in Greenwich are all within 10 minutes walk of each other,including the market. 2-3 hours would be a little rush, but at least it would be an very interesting and memorable 2 hours.<BR><BR>I am afraid to me,M.T.is the most expensive and worst tourist trap in London.

Don't worry too much about transportation, there is always taxi in the worst situation.<BR><BR>I have taken trains to Heathrew to catch afternoon flights seperately from Cornwall, Devon,Lake District,Wales,Druham,Bath, Paris and Lyon, few times encountered strikes, flood and train broken down,but(touch wood) haven't missed a flight yet.

OK!<BR>Thanks, everyone. I now feel that it's do-able should we be so inclined--and I'll stash some extra cab $$$ should all hell break lose with buses, railways, and undergrounds. The Wax works have been very iffy all along, and thanks in part to this board, I dumped the London Dungeon from the itinerary (ignorance is not bliss!)

Hate to be negative but I don't think you will be able to see Greenwich in the time you plan - unless all you want to do is stand astride the PM. Yes, you can get there but you will be very, very rushed. I would suggest finding something in London (or Windsor) for that last day.<BR><BR>One question as well, what will you be doing with your luggage - hauling it all over Greenwich?<BR><BR>Now don't get me wrong, I love Greenwich. Try to get there at some point on your trip, but the last day probably isn't the best.<BR><BR>john<BR>www.appleberryroad.com

I am not sure where you are starting but places usually do not open until around 10am, such as the Royal Observatory<BR><BR>http://www.rog.nmm.ac.uk/visitors/times.html<BR><BR>

I don't think a trip down to Greenwich on the day you must be at LHR by 1PM makes any sense. Why don't you do Greenwich on one of the earlier days and do something closer to central London or better yet - Windsor.<BR><BR>The travel from Greenwich is daunting - even if you fall back on catching a cab, the mid-day traffic will be horrible and there could be stoppages on the tube. Since Windor opens at 10AM in the winter you could be ther at opening time and be only 10-15 minutes from LHR.

Is your flight at 1 or do you have to be there at 1 ??? Either way, I would not chance it, but I suppose anything is possible. If you really want to do Greenwich I'd do it on a day I don't have a plane to catch, surely there is something in London you could see/visit and not risk missing your flight.

Ok, and thanks everyone for the ongoing posts on this topic; you've been most helpful.<BR>We've already set aside the Greenwhich plans for another day; we've managed to get theatre tickets (My Fair Lady) for the night before we leave, and that will nicely round out things for us...so, for our last morning, we'll sleep a bit later, and stay local around our hotel. For the record, our hotel would hold our luggage, and our ride will meet us at the hotel. The flight is not until 4 pm, but we figured to leave the hotel by one pm. (Is this too early?)Thanks again; I'm really jazzed for this trip!!

No - 1 PM is not too early - in fact it is probably too late. Most airlines recommend being at LHR 3 hrs before the flight. So if your flight is at 4PM you should plan on being at the airport by 1:30 at the very latest. You should probably plan on leaving your hotel by noon.

Totally agree with Janis<BR><BR>The traffic from central London out to Heathrow (and around the airport itself) is busy ALL DAY - leave as much time as possible to get to the airport - the queues and security checks mean that you will need to be there about 1.30ish at the latest (same for either terminal 3 or 4)<BR><BR>Don't worry tho, there's lots and lots of shops in both terminals...!<BR><BR>By the way - Must agree with Judy - MT is RIP OFF BRITAIN AT ITS WORST!! Avoid it at ALL costs!!!<BR><BR>Hope you have a truly memorable and enjoyable trip.<BR><BR>Rae

Thanks, everyone. I've already forgotten any ideas to visit Greenwich in the tiemframe I have available..I guess I'll just have to come back :)<BR>We've also changed our Heathrow transfers to pick us up at 12 noon for our 4 pm flight. I really appreciate the help--we'll be leaving this Friday morning.

Hi fodorites, I have a question. I went to Greenwich two years ago by taking the boat near the tower of London. I didn't really enjoy the boat ride because of the lousy weather. This month I'm going back to London but only for a couple of days and since time is sort of the issue I was wondering what the fastest way to Greenwich is. My hotel is near the High Street Kensington tube...do you think it is wise to take the Jubilee line from Westminster until Canary Wharf and there take the Docklands Railway to Greenwich? How does this Raiwaly work? Do they have a fixed schedule? Can I use my weekend travelcard for it?<BR>Lastly, I think I missed some pretty good things on my last trip..so what do you think are the best places to visit in Greenwhich? (no museums please... except for the Royal Observatory)<BR>What about a nice place to lunch??<BR>Thanks for your help !!

Enjoy GREENWICH (if I could spell, I would be dangerus)

The DLR works with tube passes and stations -- if you aren't paying attention, it seems just like any other line in the system but wiht snazzy new stations. <BR><BR>Cutty Sark (and I think the other Greenwich stations) are Zone 2.

Thanks for your orientation folks. I guess the tube and train are the best way to go then.. I'll find out more in the web site you mentioned.