I will be in London January 22-25 and have several questions that I would greatly appreciate any advise or answers on: <BR>1) Tickets to shows (The Lion King or Mamma Mia) - how much of a hassle is it to try and buy tickets the day of the show (We don't want to spend all day doing it) or are we better off buying them ahead of time and paying full price plus a service charge? If buying the day of - what's the best way? 2) Haven't been able to find alot of good information on a multi-day pass for riding the Tube - any suggestions? <BR>3) The London Eye - is it worth trying to get tickets for? <BR>4) Suggestions on what to see (and the best way to do so) given only two full days available for adventuring. <BR>5) Shopping - not a primary focus, but would be interested in any suggestions on non-touristy places to go <BR>All suggestions and London experiences are appreciated!!!! <BR>

Answer to # 4, only: We did the hop on hop off bus tour the first day. The commentary on our bus wasn't great, but it took us around the city and gave us some perspective. It was also fun being on/in a double decker bus. January weather may make that less exciting, though! Although what you should do depends on what you like, IMO the Tower of London is a must. Go before the gates open to avoid lines. My other generic "must see" would be a London Walk (of your choice and interest) but, again, your weather may make this difficult or less enjoyable.?

In your case I would buy the Tube passes by the day, althoug they do also sell three-day passes. You can stand in line for a pass at the ticket window or take a minute or two to read the instructions on one of the ticket vending machines and be on a train before you'd ever get through the line. The vending machines are not nearly as complicated as they might appear at first glance. <BR> <BR>Most of the stuff you'll want to see are in Zones 1 & 2, but if you have questions JUST ASK one of the folks in the bright green vests, Underground employees, they're a wealth of information and generally seem please to help. Remember that your Tube pass is also good on city busses. <BR> <BR>London life is seen best, I think, in the pubs. No, you don't have to drink beer or spirits to hang out in a public house. They serve tea, coffee and soft drinks as well. You'll be able to spot the tourists pubs as opposed to the "real" ones, generally located off the more beaten path. Pubs are nice in the mid-afternoon, when the neighborhood folks are about. Strike up conversations but of course, don't be pushy. If nothing else, the English are polite people, yes, even in London. <BR> <BR>I agree that the Tower is a good place to visit. As far as museums go, I would advise you to visit the Victoria-Albert over the British Museum. Also, hang out for a spell in Trafalgar Square and watch the people. In the Square you are mere feet from St. Martin's In The Field and the National Gallary, both worth seeing and easy to access. The Tate Gallery is also worth the journey and is easily accessible by Tube. If you're there on a Saturday take the Tube to Notting Hill and walk down to the mother of all flea markets on Portabello Road. Food, clothes, antiques, jewelry, junk from all corners of the Earth are for sale here. <BR> <BR>If I can answer specifics, e-mail me. I am afraid that I'm of little or no help with the theatre end of your question but I'm sure there will be other postings. <BR> <BR>The London Eye IS worth seeing, but don't be broken hearted if it doesn't happen for you. Chances are you'll be back to London someday. It tends to have that effect on people.

I sort of doubt if you will be able to get tickets to Mamma Mia or Lion King but you never know (I order mine 6 mo. in advance so I don't worry about last minute tickets). You might get some at the box office the day of the show but with your limited time in London I'd find a better use for my time then standing in line and maybe not getting anything. Try TicketmasterUK, FirstCall, Albemarle and Global (Edwards & Edwards) ticket agents - all have web sites. I buy via Ticketmaster all the time and their charges are in line with what I pay right in my home town even with the service charge, for STalls (Orchestra) seats. <BR> <BR>For the tube you'd be best with daily passes, they are good for buses too. If you are there over the weekend you can get a weekend pass. <BR> <BR>London Eye - I think it is worth it, we enjoyed it very much. If you can get tickets do so, otherwise don't fret about it, there are many more sights to see! <BR> <BR>I'd take a 1/2 day sightseeing bus tour (even tho I am not a tour type person) because of your very limited time. You will get an overview that way of the major sights. The Tower is worth a visit for sure as is Westminster Abbey. Take a look at Buckingham Palace and Big Ben too! <BR> <BR>Shopping - lots of stores along Oxford St. and the locals shop there too. All the big dept. stores along with various other shops. Covent Garden has lots of shops but is touristy in my estimation. <BR>You won't have time to go to far afield anyway. If you are there on a Thurs. the stores are open late (in case you don't get theater tickets)!

If I remember correctly the day travelcard is only good after 9AM. You might want to verify this. Must see's, <BR>Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower, Science museum, V&A, Covent Garden, British museum and for food, Fornum and Mason

A minor point--I'm unclear about the references to "standing in line" at the box office to buy tickets. There are seldom if ever lines at the box office to Mama Mia or Lion King, except maybe for pick-ups just before a show. We got tickets to both on day of performance--both great house seats within the first 5 or 6 rows center. There were no lines. The lines are at the unofficial "half-price" booths near Leicester Square where you will likely be sold inferior tickets at inflated prices. However, some people claim to have gotten really good seats at hot shows there at face value. You will have a difficult time getting tickets to either of your two shows at this late date. Perhaps you can pick some up through a wholesaler, but I think your next best bet would be to stop by the actual box offices on the day before or day of the performance and see if there are any returns or cancellations. Be prepared to pay cash for these. <BR>I personally would not waste valuable time during your brief stay by visiting the London Eye. <BR>For shopping, you might want to browse the shops of the arcades along Picadilly (the Bulington arcade is one), and no trip is complete without at least a pass through Fortnum and Mason's--to me far more interesting than Harrod's, and great for food gifts.

Fodors <BR> <BR> 5) Shopping - not a primary focus, but would be interested in <BR> any suggestions on non-touristy places to go <BR> <BR>Oxford Street for the central shopping district. But where tourists don't go is the suburbs. For a shopping mall, Brent Cross (it's on the tube). For streets with shops, Richmond (on the District Line), and Croydon (15 minutes from Victoria or London Bridge). <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to London. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines

I would wake up early, do as much as you can and sleep on the way home. Remember it will be getting dark at around 4 30 pm at that time and it won't be the best of weather. <BR>I would try to get tickets for the London Eye. You can do so by the website, I think, or by phoning a special number. However, according to reports on this site and in the U K press, it wasn't the easiest way of obtaining tickets. It offers a half-hour trip in large glass pods that cling to a huge big wheel. The views are stupendous, as is the engineering. Mind you, it might be raining.... <BR> <BR>Day Travelcards are valid from 0930 and you can use them on Tubes, buses, overland trains and light-rail within whatever zoned ticket you buy. 1 and 2 are sufficient for most tourists. Buy them here as they will be cheaper. Currently, a daily card costs £3.80, but this could rise by 20p or so in the New year. Good value and convenient. There are also family cards and weekend versions of both standard and family cards. Just ask the person behind the counter what is best for you. <BR>I would also recommend the Tower of London, which is a bit pricey at £10 or so a ticket, but there is such a lot of history. (It works out at about $1.37 per century!) Get there early (before 10) to avoid queues. <BR>

Hi, <BR> <BR>for shopping, buy a copy of the Time Out Shoppers Guide - you can get it at most any bookseller there. If you are looking for something specific, it is really helpful. <BR> <BR>I really liked Greenwich. I don't know if the Time exhibit is still on at the Queen's House, but it was very interesting. And go up and check out Flamsteed house, stand over the Prime Meridian, and before you go buy a copy of "Longitude" by Dava Sobel - it's a short (170 or so pages) and interesting read on the race for figuring out longitude... <BR> <BR>Try to see the V&A Museum, and, I especially liked the Courtauld Institute. If it is not too cold out, try walking everywhere instead of only taking the tube. <BR> <BR>have fun! It's a wonderful city... <BR> <BR>Beth

Hi <BR>I have a file on sightseeing in London; if you would like to see it, email me. <BR>You will need a good map, and a guidebook. <BR>If you want to see a specific show, I also think it would be worth the time and money to bite the bullet and secure them in advance through a broker. You don't have time to spend waiting in line.

I'd bet you could still get tix to either Lion King or Mamma Mia either by same-day returns at the box office, by using an online service like Albemarle (I had one disappointing problem with them when I tried to book a show this past October, but they got me Mamma Mia tickets in February when it was 'sold out'), or by going to the Leicester Square "unofficial" ticket booths. It's true that many of these are dicey, but we got pretty decent seats for MM in October (my friend wanted to see it and I was only to happy to see it again) for face value from one of them. A hint in dealing with these stands: bring a seating map of the theater in question (you can print them out from the Web) and a list of corresponding ticket prices (again, print out from the Web). Then you'll know whether you're being offered good seats and if the price is fair. <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

Couple of tips. The British Museum is opening its "Greatcourt" development in about a week. The inner courtyard, dominated by the former British Library's famous Reading Room, has been cleared of all the bookstacks and turned into a covered public square (the size of a football field) with a show-offy Norman Foster glass roof. In addition to finally being able to go in the Reading Room, the development will make the place such an easier place to get around! Even more reason not to miss the BM. <BR> <BR>Another tip: don't spend half an hour lining up at the Tower. You can buy your entry ticket at any London Underground ticket window, and sail right in. <BR> <BR>In terms of walks, I can't imagine a better one than along the South Bank, from Tower Bridge to Westminster, taking in the new buildings like Tate Modern, the Globe, and the London Eye, by way of some of the city's oldest, like Southwark cathedral and the ruined remains of Winchester palace. Great views of the City over the river. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR> <BR>