vcl

I'd budget $10 for lunch. That might be a bit high, but should take care of contingencies.
If she's lucky her hotel room will haved a safe where she can stash her cash -- assuming, of course, she trusts her roommate. That way, she'll be able to take the maximum from the ATM and won't have to visit it too often.

Jayne1973

vcl,

Good idea about the safe. When you say $10, do you means pounds?

vcl

No, I meant good old USD $10. Prepared sandwiches from a supermarket chain are in the 2-4 GBP range, soft drinks about 1GBP or less. If she'll be lunching in sitdown restaurants, I'd suggest an extra $5 or so.
I hope I'm figuring right -- based on our most recent trip in 2002. We'll be back in that neighborhood in April.
Will she have a credit card to use while she's away. If there's time, it might be good to arrange it. Visa is accepted everywhere and would be handy for backup. You can always confiscate it when she comes home.

Jayne1973

I'm sending both a Visa check card and a regular ATM for a backup. You bet I will be confiscating upon return!

Thanks again for all your replies. We sat down and started reviewing the options and she wants to look them up online and print some information out for her friends so they can make informed choices. How sweet to be 16 and touring London with your friends!

highledge

Have you sat down and made out a budget- total and weekly? This might help her with spending decisions! The biggest budget buster will probably buying junk trinkets "because everyone else was buying them." Have her try to figure out ahead of time what she'll want to come home with- a t shirt, book, food,...etc.
Does she understand the exchange rate and different value of the pound vs. dollar? That would help too! That £16 shirt is $31. BIG difference
Have her pack some snacks for the trip- hard candy, granola bars, etc. This will cut down of food costs.

Jayne1973

Good point about the trinkets. We are definitely talking about remembering to basically double the cost of everything when looking at prices. If I can get the food budget nailed down, we can come up with the rest fairly easily. Are both pounds and euros accepted in London?

sundreamer

Euros are sometimes accepted, but i wouldnt always count on it, especially in smaller places. If only visiting London it's not really worth getting Euros as well, stick with pounds!

As for the destinations Harrods is worth a wander, but if she is in a big group of 16 yr old girls she should watch out, they can be quite strict about things like having big bags, wearing the wrong kind of clothes etc. etc. my experience of going even with parents is feeling like im offending people by being there! However its fun to have a look around and wish you could buy anything more than the carrier bags!

As for the museums and galleries they are all interesting, but most definetly depend on taste. some people will find the tate modern boring if they dont like modern art. others may be the reverse!

buckingham palace wont take that long to see (and i dont think is open in march, correct me if im wrong, i think its just some of the summer?) a stroll past the gates and a photo oppurtunity and you get the idea!

Money wise- might want to consider the costs of getting around London, buses are £1 wherever you go and tubes can be £2-3.a travelcard for all day travel is £5. london prices are inflated compared to the rest of the UK (unfortunately) and she shouldnt be surprised if a quick stop at starbucks takes away half her days budget! additionally some cafes/restraunts will only let you sit there if you spend a certain amount, i know i've had this frustrating experience before, especially at peak times of day.

hope her trip goes well!

highledge

Pounds only not euros. Yes there are places that will take euros, but the exchange rate is terrible. WARNING- Upon hearing an American accent Harrods and a few other departmnt stores will now ask : do you want to pay in pounds or dollars?" DO NOT pay in dollars with a credit card!!!! The best rate is the bank rate that will be converted by your credit card company- not the Harrods exchange rate. If I were 16 (if I were only still 16) and I was asked this question, I would proably say dollars! The best rates are with banks via a credit card or ATM.

Jayne1973

Thanks for the money advice. I think we'll just go the ATM route and hopefully the machines we'll be everywhere like they are in the U.S. I bought her a rain poncho today and we are ready to start packing! It should definitely be a spring break to remember!