guidebook and map for london?
Dec 17th, 2004, 05:35 AM
#1
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guidebook and map for london?
opinions please,
I'm leaning toward lonely planet, but have no clue about a map. I would like to pick these items up before we leave, as I imagine they'll be more expensive once we're there.
My local Barnes and Noble seems to have a reasonable selection of maps and a better than average travel section. It's too late to use amazon I'm afraid.
I'm leaning toward lonely planet, but have no clue about a map. I would like to pick these items up before we leave, as I imagine they'll be more expensive once we're there.
My local Barnes and Noble seems to have a reasonable selection of maps and a better than average travel section. It's too late to use amazon I'm afraid.
Dec 17th, 2004, 05:43 AM
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Best map: Middleditch "London", small gray booklet with London broken into districts, complete with Tube and bus info. about $8
Easy to carry map: Streetwise, about $6, laminated/folding.
Easy to carry map: Streetwise, about $6, laminated/folding.
Dec 17th, 2004, 06:18 AM
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You might want to look at the London Pass. The price includes a 132-page map/guidebook that's quite good.
Of course, you have to decide whether buying the pass will save you any money, and that depends entirely on which sights you want to see and how much they cost.
They frequently run a 2-for-1 offer, so the value for money varies widely.
<b>http://www.londonpass.com</b>
Of course, you have to decide whether buying the pass will save you any money, and that depends entirely on which sights you want to see and how much they cost.
They frequently run a 2-for-1 offer, so the value for money varies widely.
<b>http://www.londonpass.com</b>
Dec 17th, 2004, 06:24 AM
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Get the pocket A to Z guide to London. It is the most comprehensive, easy-to-read map I've ever bought. Size of a small paperback (albeit a bit thick), fits into coat pocket easily, contains tube maps and other info you'll need. All major museums, places of interest located EXACTLY on map.
I have a cute, expensive, "Pop up" type map from Knopf publishers that was small (for the pocket) that was so erroneous I have written the publishers asking for my money back. The others are large for my taste, and not as good as the A to Z. I think airlines should just give those out on planes to London---or sell them!
I have a cute, expensive, "Pop up" type map from Knopf publishers that was small (for the pocket) that was so erroneous I have written the publishers asking for my money back. The others are large for my taste, and not as good as the A to Z. I think airlines should just give those out on planes to London---or sell them!
Dec 17th, 2004, 06:26 AM
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ps. they are expensive--if you buy them in London at a bookshop you'll pay at least $10 us for it, more if you buy it in a train station, hotel, etc. But at $20 us it is still a bargain. Assuming they do not change the location of any streets, it will be the LAST map of London you'll ever buy.
Dec 17th, 2004, 07:06 AM
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HI
London A-Z is excellent if you're planning a long stay, or if you are searching for out-of-the way locations, but for a short trip I don't take mine with me. I do however swear by Streetwise (provide an overview of London which maps in pages don't do, plus it has 90% of what you'll need to find in central London) and by the Middleditch London Mapguide which has more than enough detail for most travelers (and it's quite thin,easy to carry, plus has some basic tourist info).
London A-Z is excellent if you're planning a long stay, or if you are searching for out-of-the way locations, but for a short trip I don't take mine with me. I do however swear by Streetwise (provide an overview of London which maps in pages don't do, plus it has 90% of what you'll need to find in central London) and by the Middleditch London Mapguide which has more than enough detail for most travelers (and it's quite thin,easy to carry, plus has some basic tourist info).
Dec 17th, 2004, 07:19 AM
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km
Another vote for the Middleditch London Mapguide. I have the Streetwise guide as well, but Middleditch, as a previous post said, has more transport information, and it's in a larger format so it's easier to read(!).
I have used the Lonely Planet England guide, but I think the Fodor's London guide is a good overview with lots of practical information.
We also use the Michelin Green Guide for good information on London sites (but it doesn't have hotel/restaurant information).
CW
Another vote for the Middleditch London Mapguide. I have the Streetwise guide as well, but Middleditch, as a previous post said, has more transport information, and it's in a larger format so it's easier to read(!).
I have used the Lonely Planet England guide, but I think the Fodor's London guide is a good overview with lots of practical information.
We also use the Michelin Green Guide for good information on London sites (but it doesn't have hotel/restaurant information).
CW
Dec 17th, 2004, 08:45 AM
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the AAA spiral guides are pretty nifty; very carryable. they have a good spiral map that is pretty good and can be used one-handed as it's a spiral. also it breaks up the city in sections and it helps organization.
Dec 17th, 2004, 10:04 AM
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Elaine is right... if you're just going for a couple of days and only to major tourist destinations, then get the Streetwise. Otherwise, invest in the A to Z (pronounced A to Zed). I bought one 7 years ago and still bring it with me... you can find ANYTHING with it!
Dec 17th, 2004, 10:20 AM
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I've never felt it necessary to purchase a city map separate from that in the guide book. I've been using the same Michelin 1994/1995 edition for ten years now and the map shows the major sights and the tube stations.
You can get a tube map and a bus map in most stations. I suggest you ask for a Tube Access Guide at the tickeet window as well as the pocket size.
You can get a tube map and a bus map in most stations. I suggest you ask for a Tube Access Guide at the tickeet window as well as the pocket size.
Dec 17th, 2004, 11:38 AM
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The A to Z comes in several versions/sizes. The Paperback one costs about £6 (guesstimate because mine is a year 2000 version and cost £4.75) and will more expensive in the States (ex, my £4.75 one cost US$ 11.95 plus tax). There are also smaller and larger editions.
But if you want any UK-published map it will cost considerably more Stateside. If you want to save money either buy after you are in London - or find a suitable US-produced map.
For small maps - less comprehensive than the A to Z, there are several good ones, some already mentioned above. One other useful one is the Let's Go Map Guide. It is pocket-sized, has a waterproof cover, and includes a tube map, maps of all the major parks including Regent's and Hampstead Heath, and about 30 pages of basic sightseeing descriptions/info.
But if you want any UK-published map it will cost considerably more Stateside. If you want to save money either buy after you are in London - or find a suitable US-produced map.
For small maps - less comprehensive than the A to Z, there are several good ones, some already mentioned above. One other useful one is the Let's Go Map Guide. It is pocket-sized, has a waterproof cover, and includes a tube map, maps of all the major parks including Regent's and Hampstead Heath, and about 30 pages of basic sightseeing descriptions/info.
Dec 17th, 2004, 03:53 PM
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They may not be more expensive if you wait until you get there. I bought a Mini London A to Z map, and it's great - about 5 inches tall and 3/4 inch thick. I bought mine from Amazon, but the price printed on the book says 4.25 pounds. I paid about $10 here.
Dec 18th, 2004, 05:18 PM
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I love the Middleditch Mapguide for London - perfect I think. I also use Middleditch for Paris.
Before my first trip to London I spent hours (it seemed) at Barnes & Noble pouring over guidebooks. I bought several (actually, I'm embarrassed to say how many!) but the one I really loved was called "London Guide" by Open Road Publishing. That book was fantastic, and helped tremendously with my trip - great hotels,site descriptions, everything- I highly recommend it. Funny, though,when I was planning my first trip to Paris, I bought the Open Road "Paris Guide", and didn't like it at all. They have different writers for all their book series, and the London ones were right on.
Before my first trip to London I spent hours (it seemed) at Barnes & Noble pouring over guidebooks. I bought several (actually, I'm embarrassed to say how many!) but the one I really loved was called "London Guide" by Open Road Publishing. That book was fantastic, and helped tremendously with my trip - great hotels,site descriptions, everything- I highly recommend it. Funny, though,when I was planning my first trip to Paris, I bought the Open Road "Paris Guide", and didn't like it at all. They have different writers for all their book series, and the London ones were right on.
