Our Greater London Megathread

Lapin · 02-12-2014 8:16pm

maximo31 wrote: »

Should I book train / tube tickets in advance?

Definitely book the Stansted Express. You'll save almost £10 per ticket by booking more than seven days in advance and time queueing at the ticket desk in Stansted which is always busy. Don't worry about booking tube tickets in advance and don't buy an Oyster card at the airport. They charge more for them there.

maximo31 wrote: »

Would we need to leave much time for the return journey?

I'd aim to be walking out the hotel door around 13.15. This will get you to Liverpool Street in good time to catch the 14.10 train to the airport which arrives at 14.55 giving you plenty of time to check in and relax.

maximo31 wrote: »

Would an Oyster card be handy for us for the 2 day trip?

Probably the handiest method to get around. Buy them at the ticket office in the tube station at Liverpool Street. They cost £5 (returnable deposit). So I'd just throw a tenners worth of credit on to it there and top up as I go along for the next day or two.

spurious · 02-12-2014 9:50pm

Was recently in London and found the easyjet buses to and from Gatwick (we used them to Earl's Court/West Brompton tube) seriously good value.

Lapin · 02-12-2014 11:11pm

spurious wrote: »

Was recently in London and found the easyjet buses to and from Gatwick (we used them to Earl's Court/West Brompton tube) seriously good value.

They're good value but tediously slow in my experience and an awful waste of precious time if you're only going to be in London for a couple of days.

Took us two and and half hours to get to and from Gatwick to VCS earlier this year. Never again after that.

spurious · 02-12-2014 11:35pm

Lapin wrote: »

They're good value but tediously slow in my experience and an awful waste of precious time if you're only going to be in London for a couple of days.

Took us two and and half hours to get to and from Gatwick to VCS earlier this year. Never again after that.

Yes, I suppose if you're in a rush they can take a while. We took 75 minutes in (leaving airport 10am) and 80 minutes out in rain (leaving Earls Court 9.30am).

Lapin · 03-12-2014 1:52am

spurious wrote: »

Yes, I suppose if you're in a rush they can take a while. We took 75 minutes in (leaving airport 10am) and 80 minutes out in rain (leaving Earls Court 9.30am).

Mind you, 75 mins to Earls Court is actually quite good from Stansted, especially for someone like Maximo31 a few posts back with a hotel Near Gloucester Road. Worth considering.

Although for such a short stay, I'd still recommend the reliability of the train. Especially for the journey back.

maximo31 · 03-12-2014 8:46am

Thank you all for your advice here. Very helpful! Now to get booking....

rockwell · 16-12-2014 10:17am

All

I've two return tickets for the Stansted Express train that I'm willing to give away free

My travel arrangements have changed and these tickets are non-changeable. The outbound journey must be made tomorrow 17th Dec. The return journey must be made within 30 days of the outbound travel date. PM me your email and I'll send them on.

Phantasos · 17-12-2014 3:36pm

Hi all,

I plan on going to London via Knock in January for 3-4 days, and will be going via Stansted. I will probably take the train into Liverpool Street. It's my first time in London, and I'm alone, so I'd like to stay in a relatively cheap hotel somewhere on the tube line that is within easy access of the sights and nightlife.

There seems to be a few different tube lines from Liverpool Street, but I am clueless about the best location to look. I'm a mid-20s male, if that makes any difference.

who the fug · 17-12-2014 3:39pm

Phantasos wrote: »

Hi all,

I plan on going to London via Knock in January for 3-4 days, and will be going via Stansted. I will probably take the train into Liverpool Street. It's my first time in London, and I'm alone, so I'd like to stay in a relatively cheap hotel somewhere on the tube line that is within easy access of the sights and nightlife.

There seems to be a few different tube lines from Liverpool Street, but I am clueless about the best location to look. I'm a mid-20s male, if that makes any difference.

Just get something in Zone one or two, you should be fine after that

Phantasos · 17-12-2014 3:45pm

who the fug wrote: »

Just get something in Zone one or two, you should be fine after that

I know my question is like London 101 for Dummies, sorry! Are the Travelodge/Premier Inn type hotels the best value one can hope for in those zones? Should I expect to pay ~€100/night?

who the fug · 17-12-2014 3:53pm

Phantasos wrote: »

I know my question is like London 101 for Dummies, sorry! Are the Travelodge/Premier Inn type hotels the best value one can hope for in those zones? Should I expect to pay ~€100/night?

Play around here for the best deal, they are all handy for what you want

Louche Lad · 17-12-2014 4:02pm

Phantasos wrote: »

I know my question is like London 101 for Dummies, sorry! Are the Travelodge/Premier Inn type hotels the best value one can hope for in those zones? Should I expect to pay ~€100/night?

Could look at Airbnb or similar. I've used services like Airbnb about 20 times in London to date, and all but one have been good experiences. (The only one that wasn't good, was OK - room hadn't been swept.)

spurious · 17-12-2014 7:06pm

Phantasos wrote: »

I know my question is like London 101 for Dummies, sorry! Are the Travelodge/Premier Inn type hotels the best value one can hope for in those zones? Should I expect to pay ~€100/night?

Look at Hotel Lily in Earl's Court. VERY basic, but can have deals. Got it for £65 in November, for a double room, including a cooked breakfast.

RnR · 28-12-2014 9:39pm

Hiya,

I'm planning a trip for October 2015.
Two children with two adults.

Aer Lingus is €754 r/t Heathrow
Ryan Air is €283 r/t Gatwick

Has anyone any advise re Gatwick?
How long is the drive likely to be arriving on a Thursday morning? Contemplating renting a car....

Thanks

mfceiling · 28-12-2014 10:40pm

RnR wrote: »

Hiya,

I'm planning a trip for October 2015.
Two children with two adults.

Aer Lingus is €754 r/t Heathrow
Ryan Air is €283 r/t Gatwick

Has anyone any advise re Gatwick?
How long is the drive likely to be arriving on a Thursday morning? Contemplating renting a car....

Thanks

You're €471 up in profit. Will easily cover your hire car and at least a night or 2 in a hotel. Roads are good in England so i'd take the extra money even if it takes an extra hour's drive!!

purple cow · 28-12-2014 11:03pm

RnR wrote: »

Hiya,

I'm planning a trip for October 2015.
Two children with two adults.

Aer Lingus is €754 r/t Heathrow
Ryan Air is €283 r/t Gatwick

Has anyone any advise re Gatwick?
How long is the drive likely to be arriving on a Thursday morning? Contemplating renting a car....

Thanks

Hi,

Went with 3 kids and 2 adults in August. Flew to Gatwick with Ryanair. No problems. Rented a car in Gatwick. We went from the airport to the hotel. Hilton St. Anne's Manor. That drive took about an hour at 5pm on the M25. Hotel to the park is about 15 mins. Booked the hotel through Legoland holidays website. Got a free days entrance to the park by doing this. Kids eat dinner free at the hotel. Overall the whole trip went without a hitch. Kids loved it

RnR · 29-12-2014 12:52am

Hiya,

Thanks for the Gatwick info. Will also look at Hilton St. Anne's.

Just realised Legoland to Luton is 45 min drive (according to LL website) so may book that route. Slightly cheaper.
Car hire is €220 for the week!

31-12-2014 2:10am

Hi, I'm flying into Gatwick airport in January for 3 nights in London.
I intend to get the train from the airport to the city, Victoria I think?
I'm just wondering where the best place to stay is? I'm thinking around the Paddington or Kensington, Hyde park areas? Is this sensible?

I'm a solo female so want to stay somewhere safe, easy to sightsee, and reasonable, I would hope to get somewhere for 100 euro or less a night.
Or would I be safe enough to get a cheaper private room in a hostel? I'm not really looking to hang out with others & I'm in my late 30s, so not looking for wild nights. Just somewhere safe and easy to go to see all the sights?
Any recommendations appreciated.

HeidiHeidi · 31-12-2014 11:10am

bubblypop wrote: »

Hi, I'm flying into Gatwick airport in January for 3 nights in London.
I intend to get the train from the airport to the city, Victoria I think?
I'm just wondering where the best place to stay is? I'm thinking around the Paddington or Kensington, Hyde park areas? Is this sensible?

I'm a solo female so want to stay somewhere safe, easy to sightsee, and reasonable, I would hope to get somewhere for 100 euro or less a night.
Or would I be safe enough to get a cheaper private room in a hostel? I'm not really looking to hang out with others & I'm in my late 30s, so not looking for wild nights. Just somewhere safe and easy to go to see all the sights?
Any recommendations appreciated.

Try this site

http://www.universityrooms.com/en/city/london/home

I've used it before, but during term holidays - we got rooms for half nothing in Imperial College in Sth Kensington - you couldn't beat the location! Depending on when you're travelling you'll have more or less choice of locations - but it's cheap, cheerful, very safe, and for London it's incredible value.

keano25 · 01-01-2015 11:37pm

I'm going to bring herself to London for a weekend.

Neither of us have ever been, can anyone recommend things to do?

And if possible places to stay?

Thanks

coylemj · 02-01-2015 1:45am

There's a vast amount of things to do and see in London but if you're asking for recommendations then you really need to say what things you're interested in - theatre, music, science, sport??????

ProudDUB · 02-01-2015 3:09am

The hop on hop off tour buses are a good thing to do for someone making their first trip to London imo. They aren't cheap, but they cover a lot of ground & most of Londons tourist hot spots in a relatively short amount of time. You can then decide for yourself where you want to get off and spend more time.

But yeah, as coylemj says, you aren't giving us much to go on as to the kinds of things you are into. Do you want to shop, take in a West End show, a Premier League game, see the traditional touristy things like Madame Tussauds & the Tower of London etc etc. You can probably get more useful info, if you aren't so vague as to your intentions. It's a very large & varied city.

Richard tea · 02-01-2015 8:32pm

Im going to book legoland soon. It will be 2 adults and 3 kids (3,7 & 8 ). Im liking the suggestions so far. Flying to luton or gatwick seems right up my street with car rental. As far as I know summer holidays start on the 11 th of july over there so I want to travel by the end of june or start of july.

Never rented a car before so im apprehensive about this. How do you go about it? Also what would be the average cost for say 5 days rental?

purple cow · 03-01-2015 11:46am

Hi Richard Tea,

I hired my car through Ryanair when I was booking flights to Gatwick. We had the car (a Ford Focus) for 2 days. That cost £79.

Car hire is all fairly straightforward - just don't forget to bring your drivers licence!

Richard tea · 03-01-2015 12:52pm

purple cow wrote: »

Hi Richard Tea,

I hired my car through Ryanair when I was booking flights to Gatwick. We had the car (a Ford Focus) for 2 days. That cost £79.

Car hire is all fairly straightforward - just don't forget to bring your drivers licence!

Thanks Purple cow. Its just that I have read some horror stories about car hire places. As in your given a price but its nearly double that when you go to finalise things. I will need 2 booster cushions and 1 booster seat so I know this will add to the cost. That seems a good price from ryanair:)

Stojkovic · 04-01-2015 12:23am

Phantasos wrote: »

I know my question is like London 101 for Dummies, sorry! Are the Travelodge/Premier Inn type hotels the best value one can hope for in those zones? Should I expect to pay ~€100/night?

Travelodge in Covent Garden.
€80 per night double that on a Sat night.
Basic but safe and clean.

Went to the Imperial War Museum just Sarf of the river few months a go which was fantastic. Allow 3-4 hours.

Lilywhite21 · 06-01-2015 3:13am

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out. I'm goin over to London for a weekend in March, flying into stansted but don't know what area in London I should be booking to stay. I would love to be as close to some of the tourist attractions as possible but don't mind a bit of travel. What area would be best and cheapest?? Any help is really appreciated. Thanks.

ProudDUB · 06-01-2015 3:24am

Have a read of the London Mega thread. Lots of good info there, especially on accommodation options.

ardle1 · 06-01-2015 3:25am

London is in no way shape or form similar to Dublin, so don't be to worried about being to far away from lets just say the West End.. Check out the underground map online, book somewhere within zone 1 or 2 if needs be even zone 3! the transport system is probably the best in the World, so just look for value for money in your choice of accommodation. Don't ever worry about getting lost in London, you could walk for miles and still feel comfortable and safe. Also transport in London is great value.>> http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/tube-dlr-lo-adult-fares.pdf

Lilywhite21 · 06-01-2015 3:40am

Great will do that. Might get a better sense of where im goin with that too. Thanks

bluemartin · 06-01-2015 3:59am

Transport costs in London is not as cheap as it used to be. The cheapest option would be to purchase an oyster card, see more here
You can download an app for the underground on your phone, it will make things a bit more simpler when you are here.

Budget hotels such as the Comfort Inn, Travel Lodge and easy Hotels offer good deals alternatively try here

Like anywhere there are dodgy areas, so keep your wits about you! however, you would be safe enough walking around central London. Enjoy your trip!

Fratton Fred · 06-01-2015 10:57am

And don't forget to stand on the right.

Falcon L · 06-01-2015 11:08am

Fratton Fred wrote: »

And don't forget to stand on the right.

...To allow climbers on the left. I love how everyone just falls into line.

EB_2013 · 06-01-2015 11:18am

Once you are near a tube station you should be okay. It's very easy to get around central London and the trains are very frequent.

Hotels seem to be pricey so maybe take a look at guest houses which might work out cheaper.

Also if you are travelling to and from Stansted and want to save opt for the coach instead of the train. Works out cheaper.

Lucena · 06-01-2015 11:21am

Two different colleagues stayed in this place and found it decent:

http://www.princesshotel.co.uk/

zagmund · 06-01-2015 11:29am

Fratton Fred wrote: »

And don't forget to stand on the right.

And remember dogs must be carried.

z

. . . Paddington film reference for those who are wondering.

grimm2005 · 06-01-2015 4:05pm

Tune Hotels who have 5 hotels around central London, prices starting at £60 a night for a double room (price is per room, not per person) in March in their Paddington and King's Cross branches. I stayed in the one in Liverpool St. in 2012 with a mate in a twin room for a night, cost us £25 each and was very comfortable and clean. They don't really give you anything bar a room with a bed and a bathroom but you can buy a pack with 24 hour Wifi and TV, towels/toiletries/hair dryer and safe for £10. I just got the towel and toiletries for £1.50 as that was all I needed. Perfect if you just want a clean, comfortable, cheap and very central place to stay while in London.

pebbletroy · 08-01-2015 4:39pm

hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has some info/help regarding affordable hotel room near the west end for the beginning of February for a week.
I am flying into Gatwick then onto Victoria Station so I'm open to staying anywhere between Victoria & Covent Garden tube station. I have been searching some site but they are pretty pricey around the 650-800 euro mark when converted!
Also I want to see a couple of shows so what is the best option regarding buying tickets.
Any info much appreciated.

Kerry Gooner · 10-01-2015 5:02pm

pebbletroy wrote: »

hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has some info/help regarding affordable hotel room near the west end for the beginning of February for a week.
I am flying into Gatwick then onto Victoria Station so I'm open to staying anywhere between Victoria & Covent Garden tube station. I have been searching some site but they are pretty pricey around the 650-800 euro mark when converted!
Also I want to see a couple of shows so what is the best option regarding buying tickets.
Any info much appreciated.

If you are not particular about which shows you want, then go to the half price ticket booth at Leicester Square where you can purchase any available tickets for shows that day at a substantial discount

grimm2005 · 10-01-2015 8:26pm

pebbletroy wrote: »

hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has some info/help regarding affordable hotel room near the west end for the beginning of February for a week.
I am flying into Gatwick then onto Victoria Station so I'm open to staying anywhere between Victoria & Covent Garden tube station. I have been searching some site but they are pretty pricey around the 650-800 euro mark when converted!
Also I want to see a couple of shows so what is the best option regarding buying tickets.
Any info much appreciated.

Look at my post above yours, they are all very close to west end, a couple of tube stops at most with the exception of canary wharf which would be about 6 or 7 but still within 20mins or so

anne burnell · 10-01-2015 9:27pm

check out the premier inns... they are super, stayed in one at wembley stadium in september , its on two tube lines, metropolital and central, and the tube station is a two minute walk from the hotel....

Remember me · 16-01-2015 4:32pm

I am hoping to go to Legoland from Ireland this Summer so any tips for me would be great. My boys are 6 and 1.
What airport is the best to fly into location wise?
Also, on their site there is offers of free places etc but (now this is probably just me!!) but I cant seem to find these offers as they are for certain dates but cant see what dates they refer to!

Thanks!

Charliebull · 16-01-2015 4:50pm

Remember me wrote: »

I am hoping to go to Legoland from Ireland this Summer so any tips for me would be great. My boys are 6 and 1.
What airport is the best to fly into location wise?
Also, on their site there is offers of free places etc but (now this is probably just me!!) but I cant seem to find these offers as they are for certain dates but cant see what dates they refer to!

Thanks!

its a fantastic experience,

your 1 year old will not get on all the rides due to height restrictions so bring your partner

if you can go outside english school holidays, if you go during english school holidays then buy the little add on (cant remember name) to skip the que's, its well worth the money
also get to car park early as its crazy exiting or else hang back for half hour after closing
bring a packed lunch

if you go off peak stay in the hotel

heathrow is closest airport

we flew into bristol but were staying that side of reading so it suited

RoryMurphyJnr · 16-01-2015 4:57pm

Excellent holiday.

Wife and I took our 6 year old a couple of years ago. He and I are huge Lego fans.
If you can, stay in the hotel itself, everything about it, the rooms, the carpets, reception just adds to the whole excitement and fun.

The restaurant and bar in the hotel are fantastic, great play area in there as well.
You also get to enter the park either 30 or 60 mins before gen pop and from the other side of the park from the public entrance.

Plenty to see and do, great for young kids.

There is a workshop there you can see how they make the models but you need to book in advance.

Take 1/2 day to visit Windsor Castle, brilliant time we had there and the town itself is beautiful.

We flew DUB-LHR taxi was reasonable and quick.

Enjoy
Rory

Remember me · 16-01-2015 5:43pm

Thanks guys!
Rory, how did you find park prices? I see online they are ding deals but cant seem to find the dates they apply to?
Did you book everything separate or though
a company?

Charliebull · 16-01-2015 5:46pm

Remember me wrote: »

Thanks guys!
Rory, how did you find park prices? I see online they are ding deals but cant seem to find the dates they apply to?
Did you book everything separate or though
a company?

we booked separate and the thing i was talking about was the quebot

also pre pay your parking, its handy

RoryMurphyJnr · 17-01-2015 7:33pm

Charliebull wrote: »

we booked separate and the thing i was talking about was the quebot

also pre pay your parking, its handy

Booked everything directly with Legoland. Apart from the flights of course. Check Kellogg's cereal packs I think they sometimes have vouchers.

mel.b · 18-01-2015 10:33am

I'm going over to London in July to see Ed Sheeran play at Wembley and am looking at hotels. Will be flying from Shannon so flight choices are limited which means I'll have Sat in London for shopping before the concert. I'm looking for somewhere that is:
- Close to high st shopping
- close to a safe tube stop for walking back to the hotel after the concert. Don't mind if I need to change tube lines to get to Wembley.

i'll look at hotels up to about £150 for the night but obviously would prefer less.

Any recommendations from where people have stayed before?

Batgurl · 18-01-2015 11:07am

mel.b wrote: »

I'm going over to London in July to see Ed Sheeran play at Wembley and am looking at hotels. Will be flying from Shannon so flight choices are limited which means I'll have Sat in London for shopping before the concert. I'm looking for somewhere that is:
- Close to high st shopping
- close to a safe tube stop for walking back to the hotel after the concert. Don't mind if I need to change tube lines to get to Wembley.

i'll look at hotels up to about £150 for the night but obviously would prefer less.

Any recommendations from where people have stayed before?

Copthorne Tara hotel is just off high st kengsington and is decent. Weekends in July look to be about £120 per night but I dont know exactly when Ed is playing. Tube stop is two mins walk.

Blingy · 18-01-2015 11:13am

Stayed in the strand palace hotel before a couple of times. It's near the west end and covent garden. Not sure if location would suit. Would definitely stay there again.

Our Greater London Megathread

Comments