2 for 1 offers using travelcards:


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...p.By.Step.html

Before you jump on the 2 for 1 offers, you need to figure if you'll actually save money. I believe for travel cards you have to buy a one day or seven daycard. Purchasing a daily travel card can be a hassle and it may end up costing you more by buying a 7 day card than utilizing special rates for families offered at many of the most popular sites. Check out the places you plan to visit and see if they accept 2 for 1 and compare savings with their family rate. I was in London with family for 2 1/2 days this past June and I opted for Oyster cards only. For the short time we were there and with our itinerary, it was easier and a bit cheaper than 2 for 1.

Thanks to all for your time and the benefit of your experience.

If you are using public transit for 5+ days it makes sense monetarily to get the 7 day pass. You will need passport photos if you get the national rail paper cards to take advantage of the 2for1s.

We are only in London 2 days, so I think the Oyster Card might be our best bet.

It looks like with the 4 of us traveling from Gatwick the Express tickets are only about £43 total some kind of group save rate. I think that sounds ok. Our last trip to New York it cost us $100 to get from Newark to Manhattan. Also I'm a little concerned about the luggage situation on the regular trains.

If you do walk down Northumberland Avenue, you could eat at the Sherlock Holmes Pub. Upstairs, there is a glassed-in room complete with Sherlock in his Victorian flat.

If you can get 4 tickets for £43 definitely do that. Regular tickets are in the £15-17 range depending on time. The non 'express' trains only make about 2-3 stops and take maybe 5-10 minutes longer.

While going inside the Globe Theatre would be wonderful, I do think it's worth seeing from the outside if that's all you have time for. And the pathway/embankment that now runs all the way from Westminster to the Tower is a wonderful place to walk and people watch and just 'feel' London. Lots of food trucks and restaurants. In October it shouldn't be too crowded. I was there end of June and it was delightful, then was back again end of July and it was so crowded I couldn't get away fast enough, it was horrible. But that was the weekend of the bike races so maybe that had something to do with it, or maybe it was just July tourist crowds but in June it was very pleasant.

Carolyn- Thanks for the tip.

Nice to hear there is a pathway that goes that whole distance. That sounds like something that might be good to do even after museums and tourist attractions close. I wonder if it is well lit and reasonably safe at night?

As for 14 year olds.. they may enter a pub with adults to eat a meal. however, they usually have to be out by 9 p.m. and of course they cannot be served alcohol. I think that some pubs will only permit adults; you can always walk in an ask before everyone enters.

if the weather is good, I would do a walk and see the Globe from the outside if you think that you will not have time for an inside look on your still unplanned day.

the national gallery is closest to your accommodations, and its free except for special exhibits. personally I prefer to the museums when I am not so jet lagged.

Fortnum and Mason's is also open to 6pm on Sundays If you look at the Penhaligon's website, click on UK and you will see the various store locations in London

Southbank is very well it and safe at night. Unless you mean after midnight! There will be people walking all evening and lots of bars and restaurants etc.

No place you are contemplating visiting will be unsafe at night.

Just the teensiest bit of common sense and you will be fine.

I'm in London right now w/ a friend who can't walk far so just to get the cob webs out/wear myself out a bit to get over the jet lag, last night after he turned in, I topped up my Oyster, took the tube to green park, then walked up Piccadilly, down haymarket, across Trafalgar Sq, a bit up the Strand/Aldwych, through Covent Garden, up Charing Cross rd/Tottenham Court Rd, and to our accommodations near the British museum - don't know for sure but maybe 4.5-5 miles total and totally safe. Tonight assuming I don't go to the theatre I plan a similar walk to include the Southbank.

Yes, I think a walk is a good way to clear the cobwebs and looks like it may be our only viable option after settling in at the hotel. I will keep all of the walks mentioned handy.

We usually make good use of common sense, so no troubles there. : ).

Janisj - if you head out to the theater, please let me know what you end up seeing and your thoughts on it. My husband mentioned trying to see a show while we're there. I'm fairly sure my family's concept of time is somewhat distorted. The list of "I want to sees" is growing rather than shrinking.

It looks like October 10th will look like this and it's not good, kind of spread out everywhere. So any advice on how best to make the day work would be lovely.
Ugly as it is, here goes the plan(?)

Tate Britain- as noted in another post, I have a thing for Pre- raphaelites and this is our only day open to go there.

Wallace Collection- My son is really excited about the armor. He doesn't get excited about museums and his other choice and mine ( Hampton Court) was nixed because we have such a short time in London.

Old Globe- for my daughter as mentioned above. Maybe see the exhibition and take the tour, time permitting.

Cecil Court- I kind of love old things, books, maps, streets and it gives us a chance to wander

Fortnum and Mason for tea(?) and browsing

PenhaligONS- Thank you BigRuss .

Show- for my poor , patient , long suffering husband. He's not usually a theater buff, so I'm not sure why he requested that. Maybe this could be added to the 11th after our tours?

You should be able to do most of that but The Wallace Collection really doesn't fit . . . And if it is armor you want there is just a TON in the Tower of London, including horse armor and Henry VIII's

So get you armor fix at the Tower.

If you go to the Tate Britain, and can break away from the Pre-Rafaelites for a few minutes, try to check this out:

http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-br...s/anwar-shemza

I was completely enthralled. And there was no one, absolutely no one in those rooms with me.

Also loved seeing a play at the Old Globe, do consider seeing a performance there. Maybe your husband will be cool with that as his "show."

While your day is spread out it is doable.. look at the opening and closing times, and see what would suit your family. not everyone can plan on being at a site at the earliest opening time.

the Wallace collection has some really lovely paintings as well as the armor. they also do tea in their café


Does everyone want to do the same things? if not perhaps you and your husband can split up for a bit, and each take a child to see what they want, and then meet up later.


Depending on when your private tour ends and where it ends you may be able to add in something from your list

You can look up what shows will be on in October, and see if they really interest everyone.

I agree with Janis, I think the armour collection at the Tower of London will more than satisfy your son and would stick with that, given your short stay and long list of things to see. While Hampton Court Palace is amazing, it does need the better part of a day, but if your son would enjoy that then he'd likely also enjoy the Tower.

I agree it's always a good idea to consider splitting up. In addition to allowing you to divide and conquer, it makes for better dinner table conversation that night. Certainly you may each want to go your own way at larger museums and the Tower of London, et cetera.

I wouldn't worry about walking along the Southbank (or anywhere else in central London) at night, by myself or with your family. It's a very safe city, with the usual caveats, of course. That's a nice walk along the Southbank, by the way, lots of good views. The terrace at the Founders Arms has a nice view, as does the restaurant upstairs at the Globe (the Swan, I think, and the food was good there, ditto the bar downstairs). Ooops, I already mentioned the Founders Arms. Sorry.

Some of my favourite views and memories of London are from walking home after the theatre. I especially love the views from various bridges.

It's hard when there are more things to see than days in a trip (I think that's true no matter how long your stay in London) but wish you luck with the travel planning.