janisj

It is on the back side of Euston station and about a 10+ minute walk from Kings Cross where you'd get off the train from LGW.

It is on a small garden park and near the British Library and walking distance to Regents park. Euston is about the same as the Hampton Inn convenience-wise (they are both on the same leg of the Northern Line which crosses the middle of London). But by walking up to Kings Cross you can catch 6 other tube lines and get just about anywhere.

mcolon80

We reserved the Thistle Euston Hotel because of the location and good reviews. Now the fun begins of planning an itinerary and figuring out transportation Very exciting. Thanks again!

Dukey1

I am interested in which airline you are using from Florida that lands at Gatwick.

PalenQ

1st thing to do IMO - orient yourself to London by taking the London Eye (Eye Over London?P Ferris Wheel that sits in the Thames right by the Big Ben area (in front of County Hall) - and it will give you a quick orientation to London as signs in each gondola point out major landmarks - London looks huge from the air and is but tourist London is actually a rather compact few-square mile area.

My advice:

Take in at least one West End theatre experience

Take a boat ride on the Thames

Walk the South Bank promenade between the London Eye and the newer Tate Modern Gallery and cross the tilting bridge to St Paul's - a few mile walk that passes many famous places

Do a pub lunch

check on the Oyster Card - a no-brainer for most and the 2 for 1 offers at many places charging admission - need a paper train ticket or Travel Card (hard to explain here but can save tons of money if going to the Tower of London and other paying attractions - but many museums are free in London (thanks to the national lottery I think) too so you have to know what you're doing. Valid also at the London Eye and Hampton Court Palace ( a wonderful place - a fairly short train ride from London - Henry VIIIs stomping grounds and just an amazing place.)

https://www.londontoolkit.com/blog/t...train-tickets/

On Sunday afternoons check out one of London's unique sites - Speakers Corner at Hyde Park Corner - on Sats and Sundays check out the sweet open-air markets like Petticoat Lane, Camden Lock or Portobello Road.

For a great view of London climb to the top of St Paul's Cathedral!

Greenwich makes a nice excursion by boat on Thames one way and train back - see the stately old Royal Naval College buildings and Observatory where time is kept - cross between the eastern and western hemispheres!

London so many things to do so little time.

mcolon80

British Airways has a direct flight out of Orlando that lands at Gatwick Airport.

Thank you so much for the great suggestions! So excited to explore It's funny, Orlando just opened the Orlando Eye last year and it was great. Can't wait to do the London Eye.

Question- is Madame Tussauds worthy? There's one in Orlando, but I'm sure London's is better.

janisj

>>I'm sure London's is better.<< I'm sure too But that doesn't mean it is 'worth' visiting. Nothing at all wrong w/ going there . . . But honestly in your short visit there are so many other/better sites/attractions I wouldn't.

(Full disclosure -- I've been to Mme Tussauds 3 times over many years and actually enjoyed it. But I still wouldn't recommend it unless 1) one was in London at least 2 or 3 weeks or 2) had been to London several times previously)

nanabee

janisj >>Fly into which ever airport gets you the best fare/schedule. Which airport makes no difference at all.>>

This is true. Heathrow is closer and Gatwick much further out.

BTW mcolon -- I just saw tickets on Norwegian Airlines for under $600 (one way) from LAX direct to Gatwick. You might check it out. I've flown them before and can recommend them.

Tickets on American Airlines were almost double (around $1250) but flew into Heathrow.

Janisj, would you recommend the Chelsea area as a good area for being in the heart of the tourist activities?

nanabee

Opps, the price I quoted is from LAX to Gatwick.

I just noticed you are flying from Florida. Norwegian flies out of Ft. Lauderdale/Miami and Orlando and the prices are around 300 Euros.

janisj

>>This is true. Heathrow is closer and Gatwick much further out. <<

While LGW is farther, transit into London can be faster. The tube from LHR to most places in central London - just plan on it taking 60 minutes. LGW to say Victoria is about 30 minutes (and the HEX from to Paddington doesn't really count - sure it 'only takes 15 minutes' but then you are only as far as Paddington).

>>Janisj, would you recommend the Chelsea area as a good area for being in the heart of the tourist activities?<<

Chelsea is a VERY nice, upscale area but one has to be careful when booking a place 'in Chelsea'. Some bits -- near Sloane Square, or on the northern edges near South Kensington are good - convenient tube stations at South Kens and Sloane Sq.. But most of Chelsea has no Underground service at all. So as long as you know exactly where a particular property is -- Chelsea can be great . . . or not.

mcolon80

We got hotel and flight package that seemed to be a pretty good deal. How long will it take to get from Gatwick airport to Euston station?

We were looking at the 6 day London pass with the Oyster card. Can someone whose used this explain it a little better and also is this a good way to go in terms of seeing the attractions and getting around? Will this pass include the travel from the airport and to Wembley Stadium or will we have to purchase a separate ticket?

I was also reading that we are going to be in London the last week that the Buckingham Palace is open for tours. How is that experience? Not to be missed?

Thanks

janisj

>>We were looking at the 6 day London pass with the Oyster card.<<

nooooooo! NO! <B>NO!</B> (clear enough ) The London Pass is a rip off and the transport option is even worse. What you want to do is Buy a round trip ticket for the train at Gatwick to Kings Cross and back (don't pre-purchase this ticket -- you need an actual paper ticket not an on-line printout). That ticket will qualify you for 2for1 discounts at just a TON of sites. https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london

Then at Kings Cross buy an Oyster card with a 7 day zone 1-2 travelcard loaded on it -- plus a little additional pay-as-you-go ££ to cover any trips outside of zone 1 or 2.

You will take the train from Gatwick to Kings Cross. then it is a 10 or 15 minute walk to Euston

>>I was also reading that we are going to be in London the last week that the Buckingham Palace is open for tours. How is that experience? Not to be missed? <<

The experience is fine -- very interesting if you are interested in the Monarchy/Royal family. For some it is not to be missed -- for some it would be meh. (I've been three times - twice during the regular summer opening and once an evening champagne tour in the Spring . . . so for me it is no longer a <i>must</i> )

mcolon80

Thanks! Will definitely look into the Oyster Card.