I plan to take my daughter to London for 5 nights to celebrate her 16th birthday. I have the following options available:

Depart US Sat.,Nov. 22, arrive London Sun., Nov. 23, Depart London Fri., Nov. 28

Depart US Mon., Nov. 24, arrive London Tues., Nov. 25, Depart London Sun., Nov. 30

Depart US Thurs., Dec. 18, arrive London Fri., Dec. 19, Depart London Wed., Dec. 24

Airfare is close to the same for all dates. I have the Best Western Corona on Belgrave Road booked for all three possibilities, and the price is the same. Once I have my firm dates and airfare nailed down, I will try to see if I can find a bargain at a somewhat better hotel (although cost is a consideration this trip, and I may end up staying with the budget option.)

I assume the airports will be crazy on Black Friday (departure date on option one) and Christmas Eve (departure date on option three.) Or maybe not, I've never flown on either day. The only problem with option two is that my daughter, who attends boarding school, has to go back on Dec. 1, leaving no time for catching breath or doing laundry.

On the other hand, perhaps the week before Christmas would be so festive in London that potential airport hassles would be worth it?

I'm starting to make myself a little nuts, as I'm sure you can surmise from the tone of this post. So, does anyone see any advantages/disadvantages that I don't?

Public transport in London is an ordeal on Chritmas eve (depending when you're travelling0

We did the Dec. 24 departure from London back to US without a hitch. Granted it was 4 years ago.

Option 1 sounds the best. You will want the time when you arrive home to rest. I was always tired the following day and unless school is still out on Monday coming home Sunday might be a drag. Also, there is no Black Friday in England as they don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Most people in the US will be traveling Wed - Sun.

Have a wonderful trip no matter which option you choose.

I think I'd do the last option because, as you say, it would be fun to be in London near Christmas time. Public transport could be a concern, but we were there over Easter weekend and we made it work. Several tube lines were down for repairs and the train schedule was all wonky, but we always found a way to get where we wanted to be. You just might have to do some extra planning.

trvlgirlmq

i was wondering what Black Friday was - thx

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. I think that I am going to go with the departure date of Nov. 22. Good point about Nov. 28 not being a problem with a Heathrow departure. I'm sure that I will be back with many more questions between now and November, but first, I owe a report from my March trip to Paris!