London..where to start?
Nov 1st, 2006, 08:19 AM
#21
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Loisco,
People have given you some great advice here.
My husband and I just returned from a week in England, mostly in London. I agree in particular with Robespierre about using buses. The Tube simply is too expensive: the equivalent of about $6 for a single ride. We took lots of buses; we bought single-day tickets for 3.50 pounds and hopped on and off at will. The bus maps are very complex but easy to follow, and once you figure out the system of buying the passes, reading the maps at the stops, etc., you're good to go.
We always stay in Bloomsbury because of the proximity to the British Museum and some of our other favorite sites, but I like the suggestion of Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square. You could easily walk to many theaters from there, or even take a short cab ride. The National Gallery (art) is right there, as is the National Portrait Gallery. Westminster Abbey also. The Cabinet War Rooms/Churchill Museum isn't far. You can easily hop on a bus there and take it to St. Paul's, as we did.
We typically search the theater reviews and schedules months ahead and choose one play that we want to buy full-price tickets for. Then we pick up the other ones at the TKTS booth or at the box office. We bought tickets to see Derek Jacobi in "Voyage Round My Father" ahead of time, tickets for a drawing-room comedy at the TKTS booth, and same-day tickets for Mary Poppins at the box office (luckily, there were some returns).
You can go to TKTS as early as 10 a.m. There are some other "half-price" shops in Leicester Square; I have no experience with any of them.
When you choose your hotel, make sure you get a bathroom with your room ("en suite"
, and try to use a hotel that includes full English breakfast in the price. We would load up on cereal and eggs and tea and toast, grab a little snack mid-day, and then get a big dinner. We tend not to eat English food other than fish and chips, unless it's pub food, mainly because we like the Indian food in London so much.
I hope this all helps!
People have given you some great advice here.
My husband and I just returned from a week in England, mostly in London. I agree in particular with Robespierre about using buses. The Tube simply is too expensive: the equivalent of about $6 for a single ride. We took lots of buses; we bought single-day tickets for 3.50 pounds and hopped on and off at will. The bus maps are very complex but easy to follow, and once you figure out the system of buying the passes, reading the maps at the stops, etc., you're good to go.
We always stay in Bloomsbury because of the proximity to the British Museum and some of our other favorite sites, but I like the suggestion of Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square. You could easily walk to many theaters from there, or even take a short cab ride. The National Gallery (art) is right there, as is the National Portrait Gallery. Westminster Abbey also. The Cabinet War Rooms/Churchill Museum isn't far. You can easily hop on a bus there and take it to St. Paul's, as we did.
We typically search the theater reviews and schedules months ahead and choose one play that we want to buy full-price tickets for. Then we pick up the other ones at the TKTS booth or at the box office. We bought tickets to see Derek Jacobi in "Voyage Round My Father" ahead of time, tickets for a drawing-room comedy at the TKTS booth, and same-day tickets for Mary Poppins at the box office (luckily, there were some returns).
You can go to TKTS as early as 10 a.m. There are some other "half-price" shops in Leicester Square; I have no experience with any of them.
When you choose your hotel, make sure you get a bathroom with your room ("en suite"
, and try to use a hotel that includes full English breakfast in the price. We would load up on cereal and eggs and tea and toast, grab a little snack mid-day, and then get a big dinner. We tend not to eat English food other than fish and chips, unless it's pub food, mainly because we like the Indian food in London so much.I hope this all helps!
Nov 1st, 2006, 08:35 AM
#22
"<i>There are some other "half-price" shops in Leicester Square; I have no experience with any of them.</i>"
It is a good thing you have no experience w/ them. They are NOT 1/2 price ticket sellers. They are ticket re-sellers (like ticket brokers/scalpers in the States) For the vast majority of seats you will pay MORE than face value - not 1/2 price. When you come out of the Leicester Square tube station - these "half price" store fronts are the first thing you see. <b>Ignore</b> them and walk into the square proper. There you will find the stand-alone TKTS kiosk.
And as mentioned previously, you really don't need to get there at 10 a.m.. It is better to go to TKTS a bit later in the day if it fits in your schedule.
It is a good thing you have no experience w/ them. They are NOT 1/2 price ticket sellers. They are ticket re-sellers (like ticket brokers/scalpers in the States) For the vast majority of seats you will pay MORE than face value - not 1/2 price. When you come out of the Leicester Square tube station - these "half price" store fronts are the first thing you see. <b>Ignore</b> them and walk into the square proper. There you will find the stand-alone TKTS kiosk.
And as mentioned previously, you really don't need to get there at 10 a.m.. It is better to go to TKTS a bit later in the day if it fits in your schedule.
Nov 1st, 2006, 08:46 AM
#23
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Here's a link to a site that describes the TKTS booth, with pictures of it and of its position in Leicester Square. The other booths are quite garish - and you are likely to pass several on the way to the official booth.
Nov 1st, 2006, 02:47 PM
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I just spent four days at the K&K George Hotel in London, a 3-star boutique hotel. I was very pleased with it--my room was small but well-appointed and an extensive breakfast buffet was included in the ~$200 USD I paid. (You might be able to get a better deal on Priceline--I was traveling on business and just booked the up-front rate.) I didn't see any particularly interesting-looking restaurants in the area, but the hotel is literally a 2-minute walk from the Earl's Court tube station. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that station has a lift (in case your husband can't deal with a lot of stairs)--you should be able to confirm that on the Transport for London website (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/). Have a great trip!
Nov 1st, 2006, 05:17 PM
#26
Just one comment - if you or your husband have some mobility issues, I would not stay near Earl's Court.
Mainly because it is farther from the center/most of the sites. Of course you can take the tube and buses - but when I am accompanying older folks to London I find it more convenient to stay in the very middle of things. Areas like Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Victoria, Covent Garden. That way if they tire out we can just hop in a cab for a short trip back.
Mainly because it is farther from the center/most of the sites. Of course you can take the tube and buses - but when I am accompanying older folks to London I find it more convenient to stay in the very middle of things. Areas like Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Victoria, Covent Garden. That way if they tire out we can just hop in a cab for a short trip back.
Nov 1st, 2006, 07:48 PM
#27
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You have received some wonderful ideas...Robespierre has described perfectly the reasons to take the busses. It's fun, you can see more of the city life AND you don't have to worry about STEPS (which I try to avoid). There are lots of escalators getting in and out of the tubes, however you never know when many steps will pop up.
We have stayed in various areas around the city and there are many good ones. As someone mentioned: around Marble Arch there are lots of bus connections, AND the area around Victoria Station is a major beginning point for lots of busses. London is so large! You might want to arrange for some taxis occasionally.
We have never used the hotels with the airline ticket....however I have noticed and done research on some of the hotels that airlines use and I think that might be a VERY good option.
We have stayed in various areas around the city and there are many good ones. As someone mentioned: around Marble Arch there are lots of bus connections, AND the area around Victoria Station is a major beginning point for lots of busses. London is so large! You might want to arrange for some taxis occasionally.
We have never used the hotels with the airline ticket....however I have noticed and done research on some of the hotels that airlines use and I think that might be a VERY good option.
Nov 3rd, 2006, 09:21 AM
#29
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The Covent Garden area would be very convenient for you. There are lots of good places to eat in the area, and check out the pre-theatre and set lunch menus for bargains. For tasty sandwich lunches, try Pret a Manger (everywhere). Covent Garden is close to quite a few theatres. The Picadilly Line runs from Covent Garden Tube Station, and this line goes direct to Heathrow Airport and the South Kensington museums. Most museums and galleries are free, but you pay to see special exhibitions.
If you don't mind cheap and cheerful chain hotels, the Travelodge Covent Garden is good value. It doesn't have lots of facilities, but there is a cafe and bar and the rooms are fine (with en suite bathrooms, TV and tea/coffee making facilities). It is close to tubes, the British Museum and theatres. A double room or family room would be about £95 a night per room, and you can book up to a year in advance. http://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_h...onCoventGarden
The Thistle at Charing Cross has also been recommended. That also has a good location and is more traditional, but I think it's a 4* hotel.
The Strand Palace Hotel is a large traditional 3* hotel, on The Strand and close to Covent Garden. It costs from about £108 with continental breakfast included (Nov 2006).
http://hotel-in-the-strand.co.uk
It is generally easy to access the tube if you can walk, and you should usually be offered a seat. Covent Garden Tube has a lift to the platforms. Don't forget the buses, as they offer great sightseeing opportunities, and you can ask the driver to tell you when the bus arrives at the stop you want. If you buy zone 1 travelcards, you have unlimited use of central buses and tubes. Ask at the tube station for details or check out Transport for London on http://www.tfl.gov.uk.
If you don't mind cheap and cheerful chain hotels, the Travelodge Covent Garden is good value. It doesn't have lots of facilities, but there is a cafe and bar and the rooms are fine (with en suite bathrooms, TV and tea/coffee making facilities). It is close to tubes, the British Museum and theatres. A double room or family room would be about £95 a night per room, and you can book up to a year in advance. http://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_h...onCoventGarden
The Thistle at Charing Cross has also been recommended. That also has a good location and is more traditional, but I think it's a 4* hotel.
The Strand Palace Hotel is a large traditional 3* hotel, on The Strand and close to Covent Garden. It costs from about £108 with continental breakfast included (Nov 2006).
http://hotel-in-the-strand.co.uk
It is generally easy to access the tube if you can walk, and you should usually be offered a seat. Covent Garden Tube has a lift to the platforms. Don't forget the buses, as they offer great sightseeing opportunities, and you can ask the driver to tell you when the bus arrives at the stop you want. If you buy zone 1 travelcards, you have unlimited use of central buses and tubes. Ask at the tube station for details or check out Transport for London on http://www.tfl.gov.uk.
Nov 3rd, 2006, 10:12 AM
#30
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See my previous Email.
Travelodge is a modern 3* and it does some very cheap deals if you check out their saver offers and pre-pay for your room via their website. The price I quoted previously was wrong; if you pre-pay and book well in advance, it is about £26 a night for a family room or double room.
I forgot to say, you can get good deals on other hotels if you shop around - eg try www.expedia.com or www.octopus.com .
Travelodge is a modern 3* and it does some very cheap deals if you check out their saver offers and pre-pay for your room via their website. The price I quoted previously was wrong; if you pre-pay and book well in advance, it is about £26 a night for a family room or double room.
I forgot to say, you can get good deals on other hotels if you shop around - eg try www.expedia.com or www.octopus.com .
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