newtome

i still say troll or 13 year old.

Mimar

Most of the big attractions in London are free. Usually the London pass isn't worth it.

You buy a carnet of 10 tickets for the metro (subway) in Paris. For most of us, that's the best option.

janisj

Definitely do NOT get the London Pass.

It is very expensive. The brochure overwhelms you w/ all the sites it covers . . . However there are not enough (opening) hours in the day to visit enough of the major attractions to make it pay.

It does cover tons of attractions . . . but most folks won't get to more that a small handful of them. They count on that to make a huge profit.

Besides all most of the major galleries/museums are free.

(newtome: for someone who got his/her feelings seriously hurt because you didn't get a 'personal' invitation to a GTG, I'd think you'd be a <i>bit</i> more tolerant?? R2 may be naive but doesn't seem like a troll to me )

R2daO2daZ

Thanks guys London Pass gets a thumbs down from everyone so I will not be reeled in by the appeal.
janisj thanks for the backing but I am focusing only on worthwhile responses at this point. I have neither the time nor energy for sourpusses. Besides, what would be the value of trolling a travel board? I don't get it but ... whatever. Continue to be the troll police if it makes you feel better about yourself.
I hear East London is a hotspot. I've signed up for the Alternative Walking Tour. Any feedback? I've also researched some clubs and pubs for the night time. Any definite do's or don'ts for East London or London in general.
Thanks, all. I really do appreciate the feedback.

jamikins

East London a hotspot? For what exactly? If you are thinking of bars etc you probably mean Shoreditch, Hoxton area...? The area around Old Street station has lots of bars etc. it's not the most convenient place to stay but is an interesting area! Farther east I can't think of any hotspots...can you clarify what you mean so we can give you more info?

alanRow

East London is edgy - which means you have unlimited choice of coffee but will be mugged when you leave the shop

sparkchaser

Best to spend all your cash on coffe then.

R2daO2daZ

jamikins Yeah something I was reading referred to as being a trendy spot for nightlife in particular and yes Shoreditch was most frequently mentioned
Very funny you are sparkchaser ...
Good setup aRow (-;
As far as the walking tour it supposedly showcases more of the graffiti art thats prevalent in that area

Josser

It depends what you like.
If you like modern art, you could visit the Whitechapel Gallery. It had surprisingly good food, last time I was there. Next door is Britain's oldest anarchist bookshop http://www.freedompress.org.uk/news/bookshop/
Somebody tried to burn it down fairly recently, so a lot of the stock was destroyed.

sparkchaser

<i>Next door is Britain's oldest anarchist bookshop http://www.freedompress.org.uk/news/bookshop/
Somebody tried to burn it down fairly recently, so a lot of the stock was destroyed.</i>

I wonder if it was anarchists being ironic.

R2daO2daZ

Thanks Josser LOL I'm done with you sparkchaser

Kate

>>If you like modern art, you could visit the Whitechapel Gallery. It had surprisingly good food, last time I was there.<<

That's because the advisory chef is Angela Hartnett, one of London's best celeb chefs.

sparkchaser

But I'm not done dispensing valuable information!

Be sure to go to a Döner stand for a Döner kebap. You'll thank me later.

For a good pint, look for the Cask Marque logo ( http://www.cask-marque.co.uk/ ) or CAMRA logo ( http://www.camra.org.uk/ )

London has some amazing Indian restaurants. The Gaylord Restaurant on Battersea Rise in Battersea was excellent and not too expensive. there are also several decent pubs nearby.

Benny's Chippy near Clapham Common has amazing fish & chips and the owner is probably the friendliest man in London.

If you're into graffiti, you might want to keep an eye on this page to see if there are any interesting exhibits going on while you're in London: http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/e...lendar#aldwych

R2daO2daZ

Ahhhhh now that may be the ticket since you added that lil tidbit Kate Who doesnt like Celebrity Chef food? YUM!
And sparkchaser dont go getting all serious on me now (-;
Btw I was just monitoring another thread re: Heathrow Express Car Service or Tube from the Airport to the Hotel My hotel is right across from the St Pancreas Station so I would have to exchange at Paddington(yes I used the Transport site - spank you kindly!) if I took the Express Havent checked fares to compare but from the conversation the Express sounded expensive but fast versus the tube The car service sounds lengthy time wise but more convenient with luggage
Feel free to dive right in on the Heathrow transport issue
Also, I found whats called a pre-paid currency card where you can load different currencies and pay in the one that country accepts, use as debit/credit card etc. but I'm skeptical i was considering it as a backup to my ATM just in case something happens Anyone know about the pre-paid cards?
Thanks OneThousand!

sparkchaser

I had an Oyster card and didn't take the express because it doesn't accept it. Sorry.

How much luggage will you have? The tube is completely doable with a backpack and a roller.

Don't use the prepaid currency card. If you want a backup, just use your credit card.

Phil

R2da:

It is St. Pancras station, not St. Pancreas (which is in Lungdon)

Taking the tube from Heathrow is perfectly sensible if you don't lug more than one piece of Luggage, and you should try to avoid the morning rush hour.

Enjoy your trip

Phil.

PatrickLondon

For St Pancras from Heathrow, just get the tube straight through (no changes), unless you've got more luggage than you can get up and down some stairs by yourself: a suitcase on wheels and a backpack should be manageable, though. It's going to take time to get to St Pancras from Heathrow whichever route you choose - in the end, using Heathrow Express wouldn't make a lot of difference timewise.

Mimar

The prepaid currency card is likely to charge you to load it, then charge an excessive conversion rate when you take out money. You lose on both ends.

For emergencies, you can take $200 or so, and only convert it if necessary. Or you can get cash from a credit card. But interest starts immediately.

janisj

The Heathrow Express (or any train to Paddington) doesn't make sense for St Pancras. For that journey the tube is a no brainer. Unless you have too much luggage - and if you DO have too much luggage - leave half of it at home.

R2daO2daZ

I unfortunately will probably be the One who will have too much luggage that will be getting gawked at ))-;
After London I travel to Paris via train then on to Barcelona for a 7-day cruise which is where most of the packing will be geared (climate change plus those dreaded Captain's Dinners ... aaargh!) Okay and I might just want to look stylish *shrugs*
I am trying to wrap my mind around the European way of travel which I understand is light The luggage which just arrived specifically for the trip Im thinking of returning(I dont wanna say it ... a 28incher) YOUCH! So yeah sounds like the tube would not be a "proper" introduction to Lungdon (wink)
I'll work on wrapping my mind around less is more or either prepare to reserve a car service sounds like
and the card yes they do charge a small fee to load but once loaded its supposed to be in the foreign currency already thus no further exchange fees I'll do more checking
THANKS ALL! I 'prociate it.