Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some general advice about traveling to London over the Christmas holidays this year. I will be going alone and while I've traveled in the states by myself this will be my first trip overseas alone.

I'm a working graduate student, so funds aren't plentiful, but am willing to spend decently for a nice (safe) hotel and area. Last (and first!) time I was in London it was right after Christmas 2003 and we stayed until New Year's 2004. We had an awesome location in Piccadilly, but the hotel was a little more than a hostel. (St. Regis? I believe it's closed now). I would love to stay in the area as a base since it's comfortable for me (and for my first solo trip, having the comfort of at least knowing the area I'll be staying in is a plus!)

Any advice on where to stay and anything I should absolutely do while there would be much appreciated! I'm excited about this adventure but could definitely use some tips! Thanks in advance!

For budget (but safe and centrally-located) accommodations, look into the university dorms, such as LSE. Some are available for rent all year round, some are available during school breaks. Many of them include breakfast, and some of them are ensuite. Single rooms are available in some. I've personally stayed at the Northumberland dorm.
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/

DO NOT arrive in London on Christmas Day. Public transport is not available on that day. If you want to go to London, arrive Dec 24 or Dec 26, not Dec 25.

Many, many museums in London are free, so that is definitely a huge benefit. Here is a thread about watching your budget in London:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...of-england.cfm

And here's a thread on budget dining in London:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...impossible.cfm

It's not that hard to enjoy London on a budget!

It is worth searching Fodors about things to do in London over christmas, even free things. The country kinda turns off for 5 to 6 days so having a plan makes for a good trip and many people have done so and left records on this database

Cannot stress too strongly to check out what is open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day - so you don;t find your self with no place to eat and no way to get around. (Eating in your hotel is best on Christmas if it has a restaurant.)

it isn't just the arriving on Christmas Day that is the issue. It is being anywhere in the country on Christmas Day. There is essentially no public transportation between late Christmas Eve and Boxing Day morning. So you won't have the buses/tube/trains and few if any cabs.

Everything is closed Christmas Day except for a very few ethnic restaurants (though maybe none w/i walking distance of wherever you end up staying). Most sites are also closed Boxing Day

If you have flexibility - landing on the 26th or 27th would be better than the 24th or 25th.

Treat anything you find open on Christmas Day as a bonus as basically the UK closes down for the day. And from about 5:00pm on Christmas Eve you'll find very little open and public transport will be closing by 9:00pm

You should be able to get a Christmas Lunch - but you'd have to book in advance and it will have to be within walking distance of where you are staying as taxis will have to be prebooked and will be charging at least double of normal

This has come up before but I would endorse the arriving on 26th or 27th December particularly as you are travelling alone. Museums, as well as many other attractions and most large stores will be closed on 26th December. If you are planning for 2009 then Monday 28th is also a public holiday because Boxing Day (26th Dec.) is a public holiday and time off work is given on the Monday because the majority of people don't work on Saturday. Shops may open earlier because of the economic recession. The sales start (except for Harrods) when they re-open after Christmas. You may need to plan ahead if you want to eat on New Year's Eve too, this is more because restaurants can get booked up.