What items should be carried when sitseeing in London?
 

The forum didn't post my question. I was wanting to know what items I should carry when siteseeing in London (camera, passport, etc.) I heard that pick-pocketing occurs there. Also, I do not want to carry a purse, so what would be the best carry-on item to use? <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>

I carry my passport, money, credit/ATM cards in a wallet I wear around my neck, underneath my coat or sweater. I have a small backpack (bought it in the children's department) in which I carry my camera, film, small phrasebook (if in a country whose language I don't speak), and a city map/directory. <BR>A good alternative to the backpack (which I do NOT carry on my back; it's either slung over a shoulder or carried in front) is a shoulder bag with a flap with a clasp and an inside zipper, worn bandolier-style with the flap against your body. <BR>I try to carry about $10 in local currency in an inside pocket so that I can buy something on the street without opening up my neck wallet (I try to do that in a restaurant or store, not out on the street). Oh yeah if you're planning to return late to your hotel, bring along a little mini flashlight. Sometimes the entrance is not well lit, and it makes finding either the buzzer or keyhole much easier.

<BR>sorry to state the obvious, but don't go without an umbrella and a map.

I carry a purse exactly as described above, but the knapsack would be good too. Besides a camera and map, I would carry a good guidebook and a folding umbrella. When we were in London it rained at least once a day.

<BR>I travel with my Travel Smith "healthy backpack bag". It's a larger size purse/shoulder bag, but designed so that the zipper is close to your body & is not easily accessible by others. You'll find it in many travel oriented catalogs, besides the Travel Smith, but they provide a nice assortment of colors. I've got both a small & medium size. You can stuff a bunch into the medium and even the small will accommadate a point/shoot camera, guidebook, passport, etc. It's a great bag as you can you can actually use your luggage lock to secure the zipper (it has not one, but two of those "runners", so you can zip in either direction). And finally, as to what you should stash INSIDE? I never leave home without my travel kleenex! If you're used to American toilet paper, (and especially used to have it always be available in the stall), then it'll come in very handy.

Small underground route map you get when you buy the travel card. <BR> <BR>BT phone card.

An A to Zed book that can be bought most places in London such as news stands and even most tourist shops. It has an underground (subway) map. It is used when you want to find how to get somewhere you look up the street name and it either tells you the nearest tube(subway) station or refers you to a map inside that will show you the nearest one. Even Londoners use these books.