Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

London trip report

Search

London trip report

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2nd, 2012, 06:10 AM
  #41  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
scotlib: CityMaps2Go is the app you want. it was pretty good, even when the GPS didn't work the first day. (probably my iPhone's fault) i practiced alot with it when in the US and it didn't disappoint. I'll be doing a full review of it on here btw sometime soon.
tailsock is offline  
Old May 2nd, 2012, 07:50 PM
  #42  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tailsock...when you bought your tickets from waterloo to clapham junction did you buy a round trip ticket that would cover your entire stay in london (i.e. did you pick an outgoing leg on the first day of your london visit and then the return leg to coincide with your last day in london so that your ticket would be good for the entire time you were in london and thus be good each day for the 2 for 1 deals)? I thought the tickets had to be going to london to be valid...but I guess not. This would be much cheaper than buying a travelcard each day! When you say waterloo did you mean the waterloo station near the london eye? is the ticket waterloo to clapham junction the shortest ticket you could find? thanks for answering all of those questions. I couldn't find a way to private message you.
bwage30 is offline  
Old May 2nd, 2012, 10:59 PM
  #43  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bwage30 technically you are correct, they are supposed to be going to london...but it depends how closely the person checking looks. When I went to the tower they were ver diligent about checking that so it can be a gamble!
jamikins is offline  
Old May 3rd, 2012, 10:46 AM
  #44  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bwage30: i told the lady we wanted round trip tickets covering the days we were looking at. The first was Clapham Junction to London and vice versa for the 2nd. I assumed we'd receive two tickets but we got four. two for the trip in and two for the trip out.

information on the absolute cheapest tickets for this was next to impossible to find on the web. Everytime i'd try the search results would be from online agencies offering the BEST prices on train travel in Europe. It was really annoying. That said, i'm sure there are a few that might be a little cheaper. I too am in the same mindset to let Oyster handle the travel while the paper rail tickets handle our 2for1 discounts. It worked well for us

And yes, i meant waterloo station near the London Eye
tailsock is offline  
Old May 3rd, 2012, 11:54 AM
  #45  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That makes more sense tailsock - your tickets were to London and then back to Clapham Junction! That will definitely work!
jamikins is offline  
Old May 3rd, 2012, 11:08 PM
  #46  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,924
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For train tickets, use www.nationalrail.co.uk. AFAIK there is no price variation on commuter services like Clapham Junction to Waterloo, no need to spend too much time trying to game it; but the National Rail website will make that all clear.
PatrickLondon is offline  
Old May 4th, 2012, 09:51 AM
  #47  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Belgium trip report is up BTW
tailsock is offline  
Old May 4th, 2012, 11:16 AM
  #48  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tailsock, if you're going to post each country's instalment as a separate thread (instead of all of them on one thread as some posters do), it will be useful to readers if you posted a link to the new thread on your previous threads related to your trip, like this one.
Those in the know will know to otherwise click on your name to see all your threads and find what they want. Others may not know to do this.

Thanks and looking forward to reading about Belgium.
Mathieu is offline  
Old May 4th, 2012, 11:36 AM
  #49  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
oh okay, good idea Mathieu

www.belgiumtripreport.blogspot.com
tailsock is offline  
Old May 4th, 2012, 12:00 PM
  #50  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great Pics and thx for the report London is next on my must visit list
Todd_Jenkins is offline  
Old May 4th, 2012, 12:31 PM
  #51  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I loved seeing my city from a tourist's point of view and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.
gertie3751 is offline  
Old May 5th, 2012, 04:30 PM
  #52  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Everyone,
My family will be visiting London for only 4 days and I am trying not to overdo the many things to do in the city...we would like to take an excursion out of the city to take a break from the fast pace and see abit of the countryside..so here are some thoughts: (Stonehedge and Bath,) (Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover), (Warwick Castle) or (Stratford & Oxford). Would love to hear your thoughts and should we take a bus, rent a car or go with a tour group? Thanks for all your advice.
Nhgirl3G is offline  
Old May 5th, 2012, 07:38 PM
  #53  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Nhgirl3G,
You should start a new thread to ask for the info you require.
Besides it having nothing to do with Tailsock's thread about his trip report and having your information mixed in with his, more people are likely to see your questions if you start your own thread, thereby getting you more responses. Pick a pertinent title too and you'll increase your chances for success.
Mathieu is offline  
Old May 6th, 2012, 12:18 AM
  #54  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BTW, it's a "henge" not a "hedge".
http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/
Hooameye is offline  
Old May 6th, 2012, 12:36 AM
  #55  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great fun, great pix!! Thank you!!!!
As someone who used to live in London, and loves returning, i enjoy so much reading first impressions!!
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 6th, 2012, 07:20 AM
  #56  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i'll never forget my first impression... it wasn't when we landed in Heathrow or even took our first tube ride..(subway stations and airports aren't terribly different from each other) it was getting off at marble arch station. I can't wait to go back but it'll probably be a few years
tailsock is offline  
Old May 6th, 2012, 09:41 AM
  #57  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@Mathieu, you are so right, will start a new thread with my questions.....thanx
Nhgirl3G is offline  
Old May 10th, 2012, 03:16 PM
  #58  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tailsocks,
What a great trip report! The pictures were awesome and the report entertaining!
Question for Sarah -- Did she get 2 tickets for Les Msierables in the stalls for 72 pounds EACH? Or were both tickets together 72 Pounds?
If the latter, HOW THE HECK DID SHE DO IT?
We will be in London May 30,31, and June 1 and would LOVE to see Les Miserables!

We are always looking for a great deal!
nannibray is offline  
Old May 11th, 2012, 08:49 AM
  #59  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
it was together... we didn't find it online, we showed up at the TKTS booth and found out about the discount there. stay away from other booths advertising half off shows or 50% off. TKTS is what you're looking for
tailsock is offline  
Old May 11th, 2012, 10:19 AM
  #60  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
nanibray...Les Miz is one of those shows that is often available at TKTS but not always; depends on how crowded the city is withtourists at the particular time, some times being easier than others. Hard to predict on availability.

You might want to look at broadwaybox.com and press the London button at the top whihc lists all discounts available in advance for all shows. Again some shows always have discount tickets, others sometimes, others never.

If you use TKTS, this warning has not been out there before. You get off at Leicester Square station of the Picadilly or Northern line. As you exit the station, you will see a pedestrian only street. Walk down that pedestrian only street and you will see several ticket brokers claiming to be official half price ticket agents. Ignore them. Keep walking till you get to Burger King which borders on what seems to be a little park (it's been under construction in preparation for the Olympics). At the rear of the park you will see a free standing structure with the letters tkts. Join the queue and you will see both an electronic sign with prices and caqrds in slots indicating which shows are available for that day. They take mc and visa but not amex. Should be something on the board you'll like!
xyz123 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -