London 4.5 days - Advice on itinerary
 

Background info: first time to Europe. Sense of directions non-existent and map reading skills low :-) Aiming for an overview type of visit - covering enough grounds without being exhausted, and looking for places we want to return to for more in-depth visits. We want to do the tourist thing and take enough pictures. No shopping planned this time. Not huge museum fans.

We are flying out of LAX, arriving in Heathrow at 11AM on a Tuesday. Then we have Wed, Thurs and Fri available, before joining an organized tour on Saturday. On Saturday the organized tour already include the following:

<<Morning sightseeing: the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace. A visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and Changing of the Guard, if held>>

Right now the plan looks like this:

Tuesday: explore London via Hop-on-Hop-off type of bus. Maybe Tower of London, Thames cruise.

Wednesday: Evan Evans day trip Windsor-Stonehenge-Bath

Thursday: you may think we are crazy but I'm thinking about a day trip to Edinburgh. Take 7AM train out and 5:30PM train back.

Friday: Oxford day trip and explore more in London, maybe.

Please, suggestions and comments welcome :-)

I meant 3.5 days in London :-)

I would look at London Walks. They have a good selection, and I think it helps to have a local lead you around. I did 4/5 of them last trip. I liked their Hampstead tour and went back for the Hampstead Pub Tour.

I might add Covent Garden to your plan. Does the booked tour stop at all those places or drive by? From Covent Garden you could walk over to Trafalgar, down to Westminster, up and arouind to Buckingham.

Any interest in museums?

Where are you staying?

Michel-Paris,

I'll look at London Walks.

The booked tour might be doing drive-bys because the brochure says morning tour.

Have not booked a hotel yet. I guess I need to decide on where I'm going first :-)

With just 4 and a half days, counting the day of sighseeing in London once you join the tour there is no way you can see London properly. You need to deceide what sights are the most important to you. Remember, London is a big city and traffic even at the best of times isn't good, it takes time to get from A to B (even by tube) and the tourist sights are spread around the city. If you want to explore and see London don't make any day trips. London has lots to offer and there's plenty to keep you busy for 4.5 days.

That is a long haul up to Edinburgh for such a short time, but it's not the weirdest plan I've ever heard. Would you consider York instead? It's only a couple of hours by train, giving you more time to explore.

On your Friday, I would suggest a stop by Borough Market on the South Bank, and perhaps a walk around that area (Southwark Cathedral, the Monument across the river).

Right now you really just have two days in London, half of which you will be on a tour of some sort (counting the HOHO bus). If that's enough for you, fine, but here's what I love that you don't have on your list:

- West End shows
- Are you actually visiting Westminster Abbey or just driving by it? Both it and St Paul's are worth a visit.
- The London Walks tours are very, very good, to second Michel.
- London Eye
- Ceremony of Keys at the Tower
- the parks (Regent's is my favorite, but any of them)
- free lunch concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square
- at least one museum - not the National Gallery, since it's the most museum-y of the bunch, but check out what's available at the Victoria & Albert or the British Museum. They have very cool things.

Thx everyone!

Westminster Abbey is a drive-by, I just talked to the tour. So, more things to cover in London, but so little time. I'm really hoping not to cut the days trips~~~

In booking, also look at B&Bs. I've stayed at a few in the Bloomsbury area.

FYI...you arrive on a Tuesday and get on a bus....zzzzz.... I would walk as much as possible on the first day.

You have the HOHO, and then another bus tour via your tour. One too many?

Two day trips...London has lots to see, but if those other locations are "always dreamed of going"... As it is, you have one full day in London before tour.

I don't know your arrival details but you probably wouldn't be able to actually start seeing anything, after collecting bags and transport from LHR to ? and checking in and all that, until near 2? So that doesn't leave you with tons of time. London is huge and transport takes time. I would not suggest a bus tour that day. Going to the Tower might work--you'll be foggy probably but it will be a walk which is good and you wouldn't have to rush. Then see what you feel like for the evening. A day trip to Oxford will be fun. I don't think you're crazy for thinking of day trip to Edinburgh but I think you should stay in London in between your other 2 day trips. Go into Westminster Abbey or to British Museum (it
is beyond amazing) or along the Southbank or see the different Parks or---list goes on and on. I think you'll be so tired you won't remember anything about London and you won't enjoy the other 2 day trips, or your tour, as much. Think "next time."

Just a few things to think about (and I haven't read every word of the other posts so someone may have mentioned some of these already)

• I would NOT take the hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Your first day of the organized tour is basically the same thing -- <u>except</u> you don't get to hop off anyplace other than at St Paul's. If you take two bus tours-- well you spend about one full day just riding cooped up in a bus.

• You really can't manage the Tower of London on Day 1. W/ an 11AM arrival you won't get to your hotel until probably 2PM, or likely later. By the time you get checked in and freshened up it will be too late to squeeze in The Tower. Plus you will have been up for probably 24 hours by then and heavy sightseeing will be difficult. (assuming LHR but LGW would be about the same).

• Your organized tour will be hectic enough -- don't plan all these out of town tours --and <u>especially</u> not Edinburgh. And especially ESPECIALLY <B>ESPECIALLY</B> not 3 out of town trips on consecutive days.

What else does your tour include -- maybe give us a link so we can see what is/isn't included.

My first trip to London we had 3 1/2 days. We were checked in to our hotel and ready to see the sites by early afternoon. We grabbed a quick lunch, hopped a city bus and headed toward Trafalgar Square, From there we walked to Leicester Square, Big Ben, London Eye, Westminster Abbey and then a strolled down Whitehall. We didn't stop for long at any of the places but it was a good way to get a feel for the city and keep ourselves awake. By early evening we were ready for dinner and an early night. Our first full day we took the train to Windsor and spent the day. We were still a bit jetlagged and didn't have to fight crowds. it was a very relaxing day!! Our final 2 days we were ready for anything, seeing and doing as much as possible...obviously didn't see it all because we are heading back to London for 5 days this summer!!!

I am not sure I would go all the way to Scotland! You will have plenty to do in London?

Have fun!

Great trip report and wonderful photos!!!! Thanks for sharing your London and Paris trip with us!!

Thursday - you are crazy. :) I like lennyba's suggestion if you must leave town. I wouldn't leave town, though. Why not visit the north parts of London instead? Hampstead, etc. Or visit Greenwich.

Jent - love the name HOHO bus! haha

I can't praise London Walks enough. Do one on your arrival day, then relax the rest of the evening. Perhaps take in a late museum opening, depending on the day you arrive.

http://www.lates.org/home

My last trip to London I did one London Walk per day. I'd suggest more than one if you can fit it in. I'd much rather do that than leave town.

The organized tour starts in London and after Saturday we are departing to Belgium and other countries.

Walking instead of getting on some kind of moving transportation on the day of arrival sounds good! Is London Tower doable? Someone said yes and someone said no. We'll also look into other places to walk.

I grew up in big cities and I'm not too into the city scene. So I must cut something, I prefer to cut London time. But if Edinburgh sounds too unrealistic, we might cut it this time.

The notion of a trip to Edinburgh on that timetable is daft. Spend 8+ hours in transit for less than six hours in the city just to point at the Castle and check a box on a list? Go to Scotland on another trip and spend some time there. And Edinburgh's best store has a branch in London. Just google Royal Mile Whisky.

The HOHO bus is a waste of money, take the 9 or 15 or 136 and you'll see alot while similarly stuck in traffic, but for far less money.

The Tower isn't a "maybe" for someone who's never been to London. Ditto the Abbey.

Getting moving the day of your arrival is a good plan.

Whether the Tower is doable depends on how long it takes you to get from LHR to your hotel to drop off bags, eat lunch, etc. If you carry on your luggage and don't have to wait in a long immigration line, find your hotel, eat and get Oysters quickly, you might could do it. You don't say when the trip is - the Tower closes at 4:30pm in the winter and 5:30pm in the summer. I would allow at least three hours to see it. If your trip is in the winter, I would not attempt it. If your trip is in the summer, and you're motivated to fit it in that day, you might be able to do it.

Re: Edinburgh: The trip is 4.5 hours one way. You'll be spending nine hours of your day on a train and will have about five hours in Edinburgh, some of which will likely be spent eating. I wouldn't do it but it's your call. If you do it, buy tickets in advance; those can get pricy if you wait.

London is the least big-city big city that I've been in. Certain things (like the Tube at rush hour) excepted, it's much less crowded than other large cities, in my experience. Lots of green space, polite people.

Should have said - "whether the Tower is doable *on your arrival day* depends on" the other things. Absolutely fit in the Tower during your visit.

If you can make it to Edinburgh, trust me you won't be dissapointed. When we were there, there was bagpipers playing on the streets and you can hear them echo throughout the city as your walking around. It was surreal. But 4 and half days is really crunching your time even with all the stuff you already listed. I don't think your going to feel relaxed. I lived in Bath for a short while and that isn't super close to London. Technically in American terms it is close but with all the stuff your doing I am not sure how you will find the time to even sleep. I would deffinately cut your list a little shorter so you have time to breathe and enjoy everything and not feel rushed. Like the person who listed earlier, I would pick what interests you the most. And yea a lot of it is interesting and hard to resist but you'll enjoy your trip more if you take it at a slower pace. That way you can end your day at one of the pubs with a nice pint(if your a drinker) I am not a drinker but still like to try different beers when I am traveling. If you do go to Edinburgh check how long it takes by train to get there because you may only have two hours to explore and then get on the train again. That is almost a wasted day. Good luck its an experience you'll never forget.

OK. London Tower is in but not on the day of arrival. It seems we need at least 2-3 hours there and we probably won't make to our hotel until 2PM. Too rushed.

Looks like Scotland is probably out.

oh one more thing get a britrail pass. Best investment for getting around.

http://www.britrail.com/?gclid=CIn53...FQyPgwodD1T_Rg

Actually I don't think you need a Britrail pass for this trip. It sounds like the only train trip you'll be taking is to Oxford, and those tickets are not expensive.

.....From Covent Garden you could walk over to Trafalgar, down to Westminster, up and arouind to Buckingham........

It is Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.
In London, you really need to be particular about "Street", "road" "square" etc.
I can't imagine anyone directing you to Trafalgar, but if you asked how to get to Buckingham, they might well advise you to take a train.
There was a cautionary tale on this forum of a poor soul who was told to go to Ipswich from Liverpool Street Station and he actually ended up in Liverpool.

"<i>oh one more thing get a britrail pass. Best investment for getting around.</i>"

That is only true for <i>some</i> folks on lengthy trips around the UK. Not for someone w/ 4 days in London before going on a guided coach tour.

You absolutely, definitely, 100% (is that clear enough :) ) DO NOT want/need a Britrail Pass. Trust us on that one. . . .

"<i>London Tower is in but not on the day of arrival. It seems we need at least 2-3 hours there and we probably won't make to our hotel until 2PM. Too rushed.</i>"

You are a quick learner! ;) Definitely go to the Tower of London -- but go at opening time on one of your other days in the city

And if you decide to keep Oxford in your plan you might look at taking a coach instead of train; reasonable prices, pay as you board, drops off in middle of town, a little closer to "stuff" than the train station. Google Oxfordtube or OxfordEspress to see this option.

Texasbookworm,

I need to cut things but I'm definitely keeping Oxford. Will look into bus options. How much time should I budget for Oxford? Half a day or a whole day?

All day!

We did the HOHO bus our first day in London; with only 2 1/2 days there, it was a good way for us to get a look at some of the places we wouldn't have time to explore in greater depth. We did get pretty sleepy, though, and had to get off at least once to walk around.

I agree that if you're doing the other bus tour, though, that you don't need to do the HOHO.

Lee Ann

There is so much to see and do in London, you might have a better time if you defer the trip to Edinburgh, and then spend a bit more time in Scotland once you're there. That said, the coach service to Oxford runs like a suburban bus, cheap and frequent, but that's really a full day to do Oxford justice. (And there's always just a risk of something going wrong in inter-city travel: I've been delayed and rerouted on the train to Edinburgh and the coach to Oxford over the years.)

If you're confident about using public transport -- or just asking the station staff what to do -- my cousin and I had a great afternoon taking the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Greenwich -- through the East End, by the Hawksmoor church of St. Anne Limehouse, right through the vast new office buildings in Docklands, and under the Thames to Cutty Sark station. That ship is still under conservation, but there's enough to see in Greenwich -- the old naval college with its chapel and painted hall, the Queen's House and Maritime Museum, the Observatory and prime meridian, the covered market (Wed-Sun), another Hawksmoor church. You can then take a river boat from Greenwich Pier back to London -- if you get off at Bankside Pier, you can look in at the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern art gallery (where the spectacular building is half the show), and then walk over the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral. If you time it right, you can attend evensong there -- it's a lovely service, and you won't be charged admission. From there, the No. 15 will take you down Fleet Street to the Law Courts, the Strand, Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch. Or you could get off on the Strand and wander north through Covent Garden, perhaps to Chinatown. That would take in a lot of London on a single afternoon for the price of a Travelcard and a boat ticket; the Transport for London Web site has a good journey planner.

If you like food markets, the one around Borough Station at the foot of London Bridge is quite impressive (Thurs to Sat, late morning to late afternoon), with plenty of treats to eat on the spot or make a picnic supper.

Now I'm getting flashbacks from the trip to Edinburgh when the train before ours was cancelled (i.e. two trains' worth of people on one, in high summer, and severe delays all the way), and then there were cows on the line in Northumberland on the way back. Don't risk a daytrip to Scotland when there's so much to do in London.

Agree with NOT taking the Red bus on arrival day. You WILL fall asleep. I know. :)( and it was the same schedule) Walk walk walk. I think it's a useful tool to help you become familiar with London, though. But it sounds redundant if you already have a tour planned.

Others have already given great advice on what to see and do. And there is never enough time. I've been several times and still haven't seen it.

I think you would be very disappointed if you went to Edinburgh. You"ll lose time in London, which you need and you will regret having such a short stay in Edinburgh. IMO, Edinburgh is not a day trip destination.

Will echo some things already said here, but why not:

--London is huge with a staggering number of great attractions. I'd definitely save Edinburgh for another occasion (haven't been to Edinburgh, but if you're looking for a day trip, you'll likely be much better off with a destination closer in such as Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford-on-Avon, Windsor, etc.)

--getting to the Tower of London when it opens is a great idea. First thing, head for the crown jewels, as early on there won't be many people there, but as the day goes on, the waits can be very long. I also very much liked the Yeoman Warders tour offered.

--plan to spend a full day in Oxford. Note that the different colleges have unreliable hours, though. Any of them can close last-minute with no warning. And during certain times of the year, all of them are closed (usually around exams and such). Check online for schedules, consider calling ahead, and cross your fingers even if things look like they're a go. That's pretty much true for Cambridge as well. Taking a bus rather than the train to either city is wise, as in my experience, the terminal for the bus was closer to the city center and the buses ran more often.

--do not count on being "sightseeing ready" until several hours after your flight arrives. Expect a very long line at customs, a lengthy tube or cab ride into London from the airport, at least a little time to drop your bags off and/or check in, and likely some travel time between where you're staying and your first sightseeing destination.

Thank you everyone. Great advice!

I have revised the itinerary :)

1. Edinburgh is out
2. Oxford trip all day
3. I'll pick two major sights per day in London, and do some walking around/random sightseeing around those sights.

So right now the plan looks this:

Tuesday: day of arrival, 11AM at Heathrow. WALK WALK WALK (need to figure out where - depending on the hotel area of choice)

Wednesday: all day in London. Tower of London. Need to select a 2nd major sight.

Thursday: Evan Evans tour Windsor-Stonehenge-Bath

Friday: Oxford on our own all day. Need to find something to do in the evening once we return to London.

Saturday: organized tour starts - lots of drive-bys. St. Paul is included as a visit not a drive-by. Free time in the PM. Can selecte another major sight.

Does the itinerary look less rushed? One more thing, would like to check out Topshop (not available in CA) so we need to squeeze that in if possible :-)

That's about 1.5 to 2 days in London. Not getting the need to go to Oxford when there is so much you could see that you won't in London.

Wikideity says there's a topshop on Regent Street. There's just about every other kind of retail on Regent Street too.

Your itinerary is less packed, yes. Two sights per day is a good goal, I think.

You could shop on your arrival day - builds in the "walk walk walk" pretty easily! There are lots of branches around, but if you're interested in more shopping, Oxford Street (between Tottenham Court and Marble Arch) and Covent Garden are the most popular areas for high street stores. You'll find Topshop, Next, H&M, Dorothy Perkins, lots of places.

Wednesday: all day in London. Tower of London. Need to select a 2nd major sight.
__________________________________________________ ___________

Much better itinerary.

The one suggestion I have is- on Wednesday, you might enjoy taking the Thames River hop on and off cruise to Greenwich Pier. You can jump off at London Tower first thing in the am, then head to Greenwich Pier afterward. You'll also have a different perspective of London being on the river.

I am sure you will get a lot of wonderful suggestions on how to spend your time in London. You can't go wrong.


http://www.citycruises.com/riverred.htm

One other thought- depending on where you are staying, perhaps on arrival day you might enjoy walking over to the London Eye. The ride will give a nice introduction to London without falling asleep. :)

Maybe the best plan is to gather the info, and wait till you get there. If tired, if London appeals more to you, you stay in the city.

Something tells me you could fill your days in London :)

Somtimes less...is more. Trying to fit everything in...lessens the experience.

If you're looking for other ways to fill your London-based days on your latest itinerary, there are several options:

--there are scads of wonderful museums, and several have evening hours on certain days, including (last I knew, anyway) the Victoria and Albert, British Museum, the two Tates, and the National Portrait Gallery. That's usually only true one or two days a week, though -- check museum hours online.

--not all the museums in London are art or artifact based, either -- some are historic or scientific in nature. The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms are excellent if this sort of thing interests you. Haven't been to the Imperial War Museum or the Natural History Museum, but these are two other possibilities.

--I would definitely consider Westminster Abbey a must, and luckily some of the other attractions in the general vicinity (such as 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace) are simply walk-bys. The Parliament Building can also be a simple walk-by -- or if they're in session, the House of Lords and House of Commons are usually open well into the evening, and you can go through security and see one or both (note that the Lords chamber is more ornate but the debating is likely to be duller, while the reverse is true at the Commons chamber).

In short, there are a lot of good options available. Would recommend looking through a good guidebook on the city for ideas.

I have a good idea for your first London - lots of walking and will keep you awake. After you check in to your hotel, take the tube to St Pauls, walk around a bit tour the cathedral and then walk across the Millenium Bridge to The Tate Modern, (skip it since you're not into museums) but turn right across the bridge and walk along the Thames to the London Eye. Lot's of interesting shopping along this walk as well as Buskers and street food. Take a ride on the Eye and get a birds eye view of the city and the sights. Have a nice dinner and then go back to your hotel and get some rest, and start the next day fresh.