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Unicorne Mar 19th, 2017 03:33 AM

London Itinerary - 4.5 days
 
Hi Experts!

I need help in planning an itinerary for our (couple) London trip and I have listed the places we are keen on visiting. Kindly help to build an itinerary. :)

We will be arriving in Gatwick airport at 12.30pm on a Wednesday and leaving on Monday at 11am. So that gives us 4 full days and one less than half a day on the day of arrival. On the last day we don't want to do any sightseeing as we would just like to have a good breakfast before heading to Belgium.

We will be staying in the Bermondsey area, London Bridge station is 20 mins of walking from the apartment and Bermondsey Station takes 10 mins of walking. C10 bus stops right in front of the place we will be staying at.

There are the places we are interested in seeing:

Tower Bridge
Tower Of London
Borough Market & The Shard (Not going to climb it as we will be going to sky garden instead)
Monument (Not intending to climb)
Sky Garden (Needs to be pre booked)

St Pauls Cathedral (Instead of paying full price to see the cathedral we would like to attend evening evensong)
One New Change (View St Pauls)
Tate Modern
London Eye (If the weather is great we will hop on it, if not a picture in front of the giant will do)
Big Ben / Elizbeth Tower
Westminster Abbey
Houses Of Parliament
Buckingham Palace (Changing of guards)
Piccadilly Circus
Trafalgar Square
Cleopatra's Needle

Natural History Museum
British Museum

Are they too many places? or can I any more to this? or is there any must see that I have not listed?

Please do help them to group them together so we don't have to rely too much on taking trains or buses. Greatly appreciate your valuable feedback!

bilboburgler Mar 19th, 2017 05:03 AM

ok, some of these are walkbys, so Houses of P and Big Ben and the Eye are all within 800m of each other.

Tower and tower bridge are v close.

Just pull up google maps and draw a few circles.

The Natural History Museum is fine, but the V&A is far more significant.

Changing of the guards is "a time vampire" as someone recently put it, nothing happens and you just wait, and then you can't see it because everyone is in the way. Avoid

Looks good, you might also like to do a trip on a boat as part of your access from one site to another

You might also like Greenwich (the original)

Unicorne Mar 19th, 2017 06:17 PM

<Just pull up google maps and draw a few circlea>

Great idea, I will do that.

<The Natural History Museum is fine, but the V&A is far more significant.>

V&A has really good online reviews. Would love to check that out too!

No changing of Guards? I have always wanted to see that. So I will have to do that at least once.

I had Greenwich in mind initially but thought against it since I had too many lined up. Will def include it if time permits.

Thank you bilboburgler!

Gyhtson Mar 19th, 2017 09:38 PM

You won't be able to avoid seeing the Shard from Bermondsey! It looms over you, and makes for great photos combining the old streets of Bermondsey with the super-modern shard.

texasbookworm Mar 20th, 2017 02:54 AM

You can't see London without using public transport...and your feet. Seems to me once you get to your apartment you will be able to rely on the Tube to get you to/near where you want and then walk/use Tube. (I'm not a bus fan, so don't use those, but many do quite successfully. But the Tube you must "master"!)

See the TfL (Transport for London)website to help you plan journeys.

Just use a map and group things by neighborhood. which you sorta almost already have.

I think you have time to add a few things. Just put the major 2-3 things you want to do, in the general same area, each day and add the "if we have time" ones.

The British Museum is a must, for me. Much more than the Natural History Museum--and these two are not near one another at all. But you may have time for both (and the VandA which is near the N.H.M)

The Changing is up to you, but it will eat up many hours.

St. Paul's for evensong is lovely--but you don't get to see much. I've done that with students. This June with students we're paying so we can look around (and climb the dome).


You might add the National Gallery, a park (Hyde, Green, St.James), Churchill War Rooms.

Unicorne Mar 20th, 2017 10:05 PM

<<You won't be able to avoid seeing the Shard from Bermondsey! It looms over you, and makes for great photos combining the old streets of Bermondsey with the super-modern shard.>>

Yes! That was my plan. Lunch at Borough and take cool pictures of the Shard from there!

Thanks Gyhtson!

Unicorne Mar 20th, 2017 10:26 PM

<<I think you have time to add a few things. Just put the major 2-3 things you want to do, in the general same area, each day and add the "if we have time" ones.>>

Great idea will do that.

<St. Paul's for evensong is lovely--but you don't get to see much. I've done that with students. This June with students we're paying so we can look around (and climb the dome).>>

If I get the London Pass I will def put aside time for this. I will be there in June too! Maybe we will pass each other. :)

<<You might add the National Gallery, a park (Hyde, Green, St.James), Churchill War Rooms.>>

Oh yeah, I have forgotten about the parks. Will schedule some time for it too.

Thank you texasbookworm!

jamikins Mar 21st, 2017 02:03 AM

London Pass is usually a waste of money. Be sure you look at what you want to see and add up the costs. Definitely DONT get the transit option.

eastenderusvi Mar 21st, 2017 03:48 AM

I am not an expert, but we found the bus system easy to navigate and infinitely more interesting than the tube, as you actually can sight see on your way.

suec1 Mar 21st, 2017 09:30 AM

I really thought the reconsturcted Globe Theatre was a "must see" - not for a play, but just one of the daily guided tours. Very interesting and iconic London. Also a cruise on the Thames. Enjoy your stay!

janisj Mar 21st, 2017 02:09 PM

>>If I get the London Pass I will def put aside time for this.<<

Please PLEASE do not get the London Pass. Huge extravagance. Instead use paper travelcards (purchased from any train station - London Bridge is closest to where you are staying). These will be instead of Oyster cards for transport around London.

That will let you get 2for1 discounts at the biggies like the Tower, St Paul's, Hampton Court etc . . .

https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london

BigRuss Mar 21st, 2017 02:10 PM

Don't get the London Pass. Waste of your money.

The ones in italics are FREE to see without the pass.


<i>Tower Bridge</i>
Tower Of London
<i>Borough Market & The Shard (Not going to climb it as we will be going to sky garden instead)
Monument (Not intending to climb) - if not climbing</i>
Sky Garden (Needs to be pre booked)

St Pauls Cathedral (Instead of paying full price to see the cathedral we would like to attend evening evensong)
One New Change (View St Pauls)
<i>Tate Modern</i>
London Eye (If the weather is great we will hop on it, if not a picture in front of the giant will do)
<i>Big Ben / Elizbeth Tower</i>
Westminster Abbey
<i>Houses Of Parliament
Buckingham Palace (Changing of guards)
Piccadilly Circus
Trafalgar Square
Cleopatra's Needle

Natural History Museum
British Museum</i>

For most of the rest, there's a deal somewhere (like 2for1 for the Tower).

And yeah, the Changing of the Guards is a boring bit of suck. If you want to see an interesting changing of the guards, go to Arlington Cemetery for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Unicorne Mar 23rd, 2017 12:10 AM

Thank you for your feedback everyone.

Woke up to see London attack all over social media. It is upsetting to think there are people among us who are crazy enough to harm fellow beings for their beliefs.

Prayers to all affected by this tragedy. :(

Unicorne Mar 24th, 2017 03:05 AM

Many of you are against buying the London Pass so I made a comparison between 2 For 1 and London Pass.

2 For 1

Tower of London– 28 (Gate price, online it is cheaper but for 2 for 1 I will have to get the tickets directly)

London Eye – 24.95
Westminster Abbey – 20
Thames River Cruise – 13.15
Greenwich Royal Observatory – 9.50


Total – 95.60 Pounds

Travel card costs 12.30 per day per person. If I get a 7 days pass then it would cost 33 per day per person.

So in total it would cost 120.20 with one day travel card. If I am able to see all the attractions listed in one day then this will be the cheapest option.

If not buy another travel card and it would cost additional 24.60. If I get a 7 day pass it would cost 161.60! But I will have the flexibility of using unlimited transportation.

Pros: Slightly cheaper and more relaxed sightseeing (Only if I purchase 7 day pass)
Cons: Limited number of exhibitions

London Pass (Listing it as an itinerary as a schedule is needed to make full use of the pass)

2 day pass costs 85 Pounds

Day 1 - Will activate the pass on Day 2

Less than half a day so British Museum and catch a play?

Day 2

Shakespeare’s Globe - 16
London Bridge Experience – 19.95
Lunch at Boroughs Market
Tower Bridge Experience - 8
Tower of London – 28
Cruise – 16.65 (Hop on Hop off)


Day 3

Royal Observatory Greenwich & Cutty Sark – 16.80
Cruise – 16.65
Westminster Abbey - 20
Big Ben
Hop on Hop off Bus – 25
Trafalgar Square

Day 3 total cost – 103.40 Pounds per person

Day 4 & 5

Free days to visit free attractions such as Buckingham Palace, Museums, Sky park, One new change Mall for the view of St Pauls and attend evening Evensong etc.

So it will be 85x2 = 170 pounds for all the attractions with London Pass. Without the pass it will cost 167.05x2 = 334.10 Pounds

Pros: More attractions, cost saving if seeing many attractions, no need to Queue
Cons: Expensive, rushed itinerary

Is this doable or ridiculously unrealistic?

4 days back there was a promotion and 3 day pass was only 90 Pounds!

Please do share your thoughts.

texasbookworm Mar 24th, 2017 04:04 AM

The travel card for zones 1-2 is 33 for 7 days, not daily. So 2 of those are 66 pounds. For 7 days. Even if you only use for 4 days or 4.5, it's cheaper per day than daily cards. Unlimited travel in zones 1-2.

It's too early to do your math, but... did you use the proper price in your calculations?

I've never seen anyone "prove" the Pass is a better deal.

Unicorne Mar 24th, 2017 04:31 AM

<<It's too early to do your math, but... did you use the proper price in your calculations?>>

Yeah, the prices are based on what I saw in each attraction's official website.

texasbookworm Mar 24th, 2017 04:51 AM

Yes, but I think you factored in way too much for the 7 day card. I imagine your ticket prices are accurate, but I think you didn't calculate this right--

You said--"Travel card costs 12.30 per day per person. If I get a 7 days pass then it would cost 33 per day per person.

So in total it would cost 120.20 with one day travel card. If I am able to see all the attractions listed in one day then this will be the cheapest option.

If not buy another travel card and it would cost additional 24.60. If I get a 7 day pass it would cost 161.60! But I will have the flexibility of using unlimited transportation."

It's 33 per person <b>for the whole 7 days </b>

tailsock Mar 24th, 2017 06:33 AM

a few of my thoughts and suggestions:

-Don't make the mistake of planning too much. I'm a VERY fast paced traveler and zip from point A to B but it can exhaust you especially after a transatlantic flight. Consider, instead, marking zones like Westminster area, Tower of London area, Hyde Park, Canary Wharf, etc. This way you won't feel rushed like Clark Griswold's family when he went to Europe

-The HOHO bus is a great option for your first day or two and pass by many of the tourist attractions. London's tube stations feature escalators that go deep deep DEEP under the ground and suck up time, not to mention tons of walking at some of them. The buses can take a little time to get the hang of and which way they will be headed. I'm not saying don't use public transportation, however. Just a suggestion for the HOHO bus until you get your bearings. You'll spend more money but save time and your feet.

-Also a good idea to have a few attractions penciled in for the hypothetical rain day. The British Museum, History Museum, National Gallery, or Sky Garden are good options and free.

-The Changing of the Guard will suck up your morning and you might not even get a good view depending on how short you are. You can catch a much closer (and unobstructed) view at the Horse Guards Parade instead.

jamikins Mar 24th, 2017 07:06 AM

I would not recommend the HOHO bus in London, especially as a method of transit. It gets clogged up in traffic and is much more expensive than a regular transit pass as texasbookworm states. If you don't want to use the tube, use the regular bus network.

If you have a smart phone, download City Mapper to get your routes.

I have also never seen someone prove out that the London Pass is good value.

BigRuss Mar 24th, 2017 07:18 AM

Your calculations are weird.

Basically, you've figured out that with a 7-day travelcard, the costs will be less than the London Pass (167 quid v. 170). With neither, the costs will be far more.

One thing you have completely FAILED to account for is that with a 7-day travelcard, your public transport on days 1, 4, and 5 are covered; with the LP you're paying separately for those. This adds about 20 quid each to the actual cost of the LP if you maximize pay-as-you-go Oyster card usage (which would max out with about two rides on the Tube). Now your costs are 167 with 7-day travelcards and use of 2-for-1 offers and 210 with the LP. By my count, that's 43 quid, or a couple of good lunches, passel of nice souvenirs, or better part of a good dinner.

Your day 3 is not a feasible use of time:

Day 3

Royal Observatory Greenwich & Cutty Sark – 16.80
Cruise – 16.65
Westminster Abbey - 20
Big Ben
Hop on Hop off Bus – 25
Trafalgar Square

Either you're cruising both days to justify your purchase, or you're wasting time. (Similarly, your "London Bridge Experience" is a choice designed to justify purchasing the LP).

The HOHO bus is irrelevant - you can get where you need to on regular lines and considering London's traffic the HOHO will just drain touring time.

The Day 3 shows why NOT to get the LP - you'd have to go out to Greenwich, see two exhibitions that require a good bit of time, then trek back to central London to go to the Abbey.


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