chancecadecam3

I have been rethinking this trip. Maybe we should just devote the time to London and surrounding areas? We have 1-16 days and a budget of around $7500. Surely we can have a nice trip. We don't drink and aren't foodies. I do need a clean hotel that's something I won't negotiate on. I feel I have so much information but can't gain any ground. Yikes.

chancecadecam3

And what about going to Paris for say 3 days? His choices were:
1. London/England.
2. Edinburgh, Paris.
3. Amersterdamn.

Or a Mediterranean cruise. But I wanted him to experience England and once he researched it he came back and gave me the following options.

So I believe I need to rethink this. London for sure then the train to Paris?

I've started to price specific hotels and there are good deals out there. I need to read more reviews and price things.

Questions, which is best to fly into Heathrow and Gatwick?
What is a safe but economical way to get from either airport to our hotel?

Any helpful info about trains to Paris and where to stay?

I'm not saying we are going to to Paris but I think I need to go over this with a fine comb.

London and surrounding areas.
London and Edinburgh.
London and Paris.

Please share your thoughts.
I would like to stay with a budget of $7500.00 for the 2 of us.
We are flexible to travel from mid June through early August.
We can stay from one day or for 16 days.

Again, thank you all for your patience and help!!!

chancecadecam3

Sorry for the repetitive post.

I meant to say that once my son researched the options he chose to go to:

1. London and England and if possible
2. Scotland, Paris.

I believe for our budget we should stay in London or a short trip to another England village/city.

Or do London and possibly a quick visit to Paris.

janisj

with 16 days you can easily spend a few days in Scotland. One day flying to the UK and one day flying home leaves 14 days to play with. So fly into London, stay 7 or 8 nights -- that will give you time for one day trip out of town by train . . Oxford, or Brighton, or Bath, or someplace else.

Then you could take the train say to York for two nights. (Or Liverpool maybe) Then train to Edinburgh for say 3 nights - fly home.

If you stay in London a week-ish you might want to look at renting an apartment.

janisj

Just checked and these flats have some availability in June . . .

http://www.hamletuk.com

chancecadecam3

As always you all are amazing. I haven't gotten much done in the past few days and will dig back in later today and tomorrow. I will come up with a mock itiniery hotels etc. and if you all wouldn't mind chiming in once I post it we would be grateful. Like I said we don't have any do or die places to see because we believe there is so much to see that we must look at this as the first trip of many and enjoy what we can see. I hope that makes sense.

Lexma90

Sounds like you have a bit of "analysis paralysis" - so many choices and options!

In terms of Paris or Edinburgh, and/or York, etc., any of those would be great choices. If he wants to experience a culture that's more different from London, and another big city, then you might go with Paris. If he wants a smaller city, then Edinburgh.

If you end up staying in London for a longer time period, at a hotel, ask if there are additional discounts for a long-term stay; I've been able to do that. Also, find out what the rates are with or without breakfast. For us, it's usually cheaper to not get the hotel breakfast, but buy food at a nearby cafe (none of us eat large breakfasts).

What are some of your son's interests? That might help guide you in your choices too. If you and he like castles, then Edinburgh is a great option. You could rent a car, or take a day tour from Edinburgh, to the countryside to see any number of castles. One that we like, and was especially atmospheric, is Dunnottar - google it.

In terms of what's best to fly into, Heathrow or Gatwick, either is fine, one's closer than the other, but they both work. Make your decision on what are the better and cheaper flights between there and home. And if you decide to go to Paris, or Edinburgh actually, do open jaws (fly into London, out of Paris / Edinburgh). Will save you time and money.

You can take the tube, I believe, from Heathrow, but it's rather expensive (we've never done that). London is one of the few places that we use a car hire service, JustAirports, they serve Heathrow and Gatwick. For your first trip, it might make your arrival a bit easier for you, and less stressful. The driver would be waiting for you outside arrivals with a sign with your name on it.

janisj

>>You can take the tube, I believe, from Heathrow, but it's rather expensive (we've never done that). London is one of the few places that we use a car hire service, JustAirports, they serve Heathrow and Gatwick. by far the cheapest way to get in from LHR.

A car service ( justairports.com is one of the best ) works from LHR. Costs more than the tube but is door-to-door and no luggage schlepping. But a car service makes no sense from LGW -- it is 30 miles south of London and a car is sloooooow. But there are several inexpensive rail options from LGW.

Which airport makes no difference at all - just use the one that gets you the best fare and/or schedule.

Hooameye

"You can take the tube, I believe, from Heathrow, but it's rather expensive (we've never done that)."

I think that you're getting confused with the Heathrow Express, the tube is cheap.

bilboburgler

My thoughts

London, use the paper card as described by janisj, use the tube and buses (not the hop on hop off tourist one) don't take much gear and take the tube in from LHR. You will not get much out of any train pass, but if you buy your tickets 90 days out you can get some sweet deals.

Use the train to get to Edinburgh, if you want stop for one night in York on the way to see the medieval centre plus a humungus railway museum. Fly out of Edinburgh if you can to avoid London fly out tax.

Paris, I'd do it as a day trip from London by train. Book early for the great price, leave London early arrive in central Paris, do 3 or 4 sites, catch the late train back, maybe even dine in the Bleu Train at Gare du Nord (the Paris station) which is so pretty.

If you decide to do Paris from Edinburgh then you need to go for the night and fly home from Paris.

Most Museums in UK are free, this means you can visit stuff like the V&A as often as you want, however the Tower of London is "payer" go for the early start there again and you will have a great time.

seat61.com really does explain the train system. Get your son to read it and give you advice.

jane1144

If you are looking for accommodation in Edinburgh, consider the University residence which is run as a B&B in the summer, with the most massive breakfast! Look up "Edinburgh First".
Back a bit, you were concerned about luggage costs. You should be able to easily do this trip with carry-on luggage only. There are multiple posts on this forum to give you ideas. (We regularly go away for a month at a time with only carry-on. It is liberating)