Our Greater London Megathread

Mzo1978 · 15-01-2018 1:41pm

I'm looking to book some flights to London for husband and son for a game at the Emirates stadium. He's travelled to all the London airports on previous occasions and seems like they are all pretty easy to travel from but where's the best location to stay. My son has never been so id say husband would like to show him a bit of london. Would it be hassle if I booked central as opposed to somewhere near the stadium or would I be better booking the other way around.
Thank u.

Roaster · 15-01-2018 1:53pm

I found this

Mzo1978 · 15-01-2018 2:59pm

Roaster wrote: »

I found this

That's brilliant thank u.

schemingbohemia · 16-01-2018 1:37pm

Mzo1978 wrote: »

I'm looking to book some flights to London for husband and son for a game at the Emirates stadium. He's travelled to all the London airports on previous occasions and seems like they are all pretty easy to travel from but where's the best location to stay. My son has never been so id say husband would like to show him a bit of london. Would it be hassle if I booked central as opposed to somewhere near the stadium or would I be better booking the other way around.
Thank u.

Just one thing to be aware of, matches can change times and days so, for example if it's a match in April the times are not definitely set yet. With matches on from Friday to Monday it can be a risk booking flights before times are set.

I think times are only set as far as the end of February/early March yet. There's a Soccer Tickets & Travel forum that would have more info on that than me.

Dcully · 19-01-2018 10:52am

Two adults 3 children heading over for Harry Potter tour in April and seeking advice on getting to the Warner Bros. Studio from Luton airport [our hotel is close by]

Car hire is an option but id rather not if i can avoid, anyone have experience here and maybe some advice please?

exiledelbows · 19-01-2018 12:30pm

Dcully wrote: »

Two adults 3 children heading over for Harry Potter tour in April and seeking advice on getting to the Warner Bros. Studio from Luton airport [our hotel is close by]

Car hire is an option but id rather not if i can avoid, anyone have experience here and maybe some advice please?

I've done a quick look, and its only half an hour (20 miles) in a car, so you may have to do it this way.

Google Maps suggest you can get to Watford Junction in 2 buses - and then there's a short shuttle bus from there. But it looks like the changeover station is a little hut on the side of a very busy dual carriageway. I'd avoid with kids.

If you really don't want to drive, get the Thameslink train into St Pancras (30 mins), walk to Euston (10 minutes) and get the train out to Watford Junction (20 mins). This has the added advantage of being able to stop by Platform 9 3/4s in Kings Cross. Tickets for this off peak are £32 for 2A3K, which isn't bad.

Taxis might be a good shout too. Harry Potter is well worth it, but much easier from town than Luton!

Dcully · 19-01-2018 1:09pm

Thanks for that, i see there 321 - Sapphire - Luton - Watford and has a stop very close to our hotel.
Just need to get a shuttle from airport to Luton Interchange which is close by airport.
Probably taxi to Harry Potter the next day.

I always hire a car on holidays in spain ,i still might opt for car hire , im guessing Watford will be very busy on the day we arrive, Watford play Crystal Palace around our arrival time.

exiledelbows · 19-01-2018 1:30pm

That game's in April so time hasn't been set for it yet. 3pm is just the default. Either way, I wouldn't worry too much about it, Vicarage road is the far side of Watford from Harry Potter and Luton.

Vic_08 · 19-01-2018 2:23pm

Dcully wrote: »

Thanks for that, i see there 321 - Sapphire - Luton - Watford and has a stop very close to our hotel.
Just need to get a shuttle from airport to Luton Interchange which is close by airport.
Probably taxi to Harry Potter the next day.

I always hire a car on holidays in spain ,i still might opt for car hire , im guessing Watford will be very busy on the day we arrive, Watford play Crystal Palace around our arrival time.

321 from Luton to Watford Junction Station and the WB/Harry Potter shuttle bus from there.
Max cost for 1 adult, 3 children would be £19.60 for 4 Arriva day tickets and £10 for return tickets on the studio shuttle.

Taxi would be about £30 each way.

isotonicdrink · 20-01-2018 6:48pm

Hey, heading to London in April. Flying into and staying around Gatwick on the Saturday and then plan on getting the Gatwick Express train into London on Sunday evening and exploring the city on Monday/Tuesday and flying out of London City Airport on Wednesday.

My better half is looking to do the usual excursions (Madame Toussads etc.), which I know you can buy 1 ticket, get 1 free with a valid rail ticket. My question is, as we will only be getting a single trip train, would I still be able to get the buy 1 get 1 free for excursions on the Monday? If not, what other options are there? (Apart from paying full price) Cheers!

highlydebased · 28-01-2018 11:05pm

isotonicdrink wrote: »

Hey, heading to London in April. Flying into and staying around Gatwick on the Saturday and then plan on getting the Gatwick Express train into London on Sunday evening and exploring the city on Monday/Tuesday and flying out of London City Airport on Wednesday.

My better half is looking to do the usual excursions (Madame Toussads etc.), which I know you can buy 1 ticket, get 1 free with a valid rail ticket. My question is, as we will only be getting a single trip train, would I still be able to get the buy 1 get 1 free for excursions on the Monday? If not, what other options are there? (Apart from paying full price) Cheers!

Don't know about the excursions, but don't bother with the Gatwick Express. Just pay for the regular Southern train from Gatwick, it costs a fair few bob less and takes virtually the same amount of time!!

isotonicdrink · 29-01-2018 10:51pm

highlydebased wrote: »

Don't know about the excursions, but don't bother with the Gatwick Express. Just pay for the regular Southern train from Gatwick, it costs a fair few bob less and takes virtually the same amount of time!!

Appreciate the reply and tip! Anybody else able to offer any insight into my query?

Vic_08 · 30-01-2018 12:32am

isotonicdrink wrote: »

Appreciate the reply and tip! Anybody else able to offer any insight into my query?

The previous post is spot on, Gatwick Express is a waste of money for no extra benefit. It will be cheapest for you to use Oyster or contactless credit card for the single trip from Gatwick.

The 2for1 offer requires 2 tickets valid on the day you avail of the offer.

You could buy paper travelcards and use them for your travel as well as the 2for1 entries but they are now much more expensive than the day caps on Oyster/contactless if you are staying in zones 1-5. If you are going to be travelling to zone 5 or 6 on the same day as visiting an attraction and not travelling before 9.30 am it may be cheaper and simpler to use travelcards as they are valid for 2for1, if you do this they must be bought from a National Rail ticket office, not Underground to be eligible for 2for1 entry.

Most likely you won't be going beyond z5 so it will be cheaper for you to use Oyster for travel and buy 2 rail tickets for each day you want to use the 2for1 offer.

The cheapest rail ticket that would be good for the offer would be Vauxhall - London Waterloo single at £3.10 each, you can reduce this to £2.05 each by adding a railcard discount. (you don't have a railcard but as you won't be using these tickets to travel that doesn't matter) You will need to buy 2 of these for each day you want to visit an attraction with the 2for1 discount. You will also need to buy these online and pick-up at a railway station ticket machine, Gatwick Airport would be fine for this.

this is a link to the type of tickets you need, obviously you need to pick the correct dates, the time on the ticket doesn't matter.

https://ticket.southernrailway.com/journeys-grid/VXH/WAT/2018-03-26T11:30//2//2TRx1?departNow=no&realTime=no&searchPreferences=%2C%2C%2C&showAdditionalRoutes=no&showCheapest=no&smartcard=no&tocSpecific=no

https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london best to read the details/prices carefully and check on the attraction's own websites that there aren't any other offers available that beat the 2for1 price.

mfceiling · 30-01-2018 8:38am

isotonicdrink wrote: »

Appreciate the reply and tip! Anybody else able to offer any insight into my query?

Just home from London on Sunday. Used southern rail for the journey in and out. £71 for 2 adults and 3 kids return on an open ticket. Gatwick express isn't really worth the extra cost.
Make sure and have an oyster card...really handy and cuts the cost of public transport down.

Did the London dungeon on Saturday morning. Really good. Did the London Eye after and it was ok. A long queue but moved fairly quickly.

schemingbohemia · 30-01-2018 11:48am

You don't actually need an oyster card anymore, your debit card will also work though additional costs will arise. Revolut might work out cheaper.

Fred Swanson · 30-01-2018 12:08pm

This post has been deleted.

schemingbohemia · 30-01-2018 12:31pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I know with AIB you can notify them of travel plans but not sure if they'd be aware enough to know that it's being used instead of an oyster.

Fred Swanson · 30-01-2018 12:41pm

This post has been deleted.

Vic_08 · 30-01-2018 4:39pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

That's not how it works. The travel authorisation is done offline with only a check against internal systems done at point of use. The central TfL system collates the day's usage and issuing a single daily charge overnight. Even though usage is not authorised in realtime they maintain a blacklist so any card that does not validate will at worst give a day's use max.

Online authorisation at ticket gates would be way to slow for the throughput needed to keep the passenger flow at busy underground and rail stations so it was never a possibility.

Fred Swanson · 30-01-2018 4:50pm

This post has been deleted.

mfceiling · 30-01-2018 10:58pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

Interesting as my debit card only can do online authorisations. In any shop it is tap and wait for authorisation. It doesn't do the Irish thing of tap and gone in a second.

My wife's oyster card had a zero balance and we never copped it. I used my contactless card on the bus and it literally beeped within a second.

schemingbohemia · 08-02-2018 3:55pm

Question for anyone who's gone to Wembley for a match - realistically how long has it taken you at full time to get from your seat to Wembley Park Station? I do realise this is quite open as it will depend greatly on which stand you're in. Google Maps is suggesting a 10 minute walk but obviously getting from your seat to outside the stadium can take a while.

rainbow kirby · 08-02-2018 6:18pm

A lot more than 10 minutes. It can be worth walking to Preston Park station on the Metropolitan line (about 1.5km) to get on before the masses.

Vic_08 · 09-02-2018 2:23am

schemingbohemia wrote: »

Question for anyone who's gone to Wembley for a match - realistically how long has it taken you at full time to get from your seat to Wembley Park Station? I do realise this is quite open as it will depend greatly on which stand you're in. Google Maps is suggesting a 10 minute walk but obviously getting from your seat to outside the stadium can take a while.

Wembley Stadium station on the Chiltern line is closer, particularly if you are in the south stands, direct connections at Marylebone aren't great but it is only a 5 min walk from Baker Street, they usually stop additional trains there at game times.

Alternatively Wembley Central is a bit further walk.

It really depends on where you are going and what teams are playing, Unless I was in a rush to get somewhere I would look at going the opposite direction to the masses and finding a different route.

schemingbohemia · 09-02-2018 11:27am

Thanks, i'd already booked a weekend in London when Manchester City qualified for the League Cup Final - flying out of London City at 2020, game kicks off at 430 - it's not really a runner I know. It's against Arsenal.
I reckon getting to London City by 1940 would be ok as it's usually very quick to get through security but that means hoping there's very little to no injury time and doing a runner on the dot of the final whistle.
Probably best to stick to a pub sadly.

10-02-2018 1:52am

Hi all

Wondering if you could advise me. On Sunday, March 4th, I'll arrive into London Gatwick (from Geneva, Easyjet) North Terminal at 7:45pm. I think I'll then need to collect my bag and proceed to the South Terminal.

I then have my connecting flight to Dublin (Aer Lingus, South Terminal) at 9:15pm.

Do you think I'll be ok timewise for this flight? Any way I can get my back sent to Dublin from Geneva via some sort of Aer Lingus / Easyjet partnership? (wishful thinking?)

Thanks in advance

Marcusm · 10-02-2018 11:07am

EasyJet don’t interlink tickets and bags except the “Worldwide by easyJet” which doesn’t include Aer Lingus. There’s a monorail train between the terminals and I would expect you to be ok but no time for hanging around, especially if baggage is delayed.

L1011 · 10-02-2018 2:44pm

I wouldn't even consider this - you could easily be 40 minutes queueing for UK immigration on the inbound. Most Irish passengers have never suffered that due to the CTA and not flying to the UK from outside it. It is a slow process at the best of times, can take 20mins to clear 150 passengers

Bags should be ready by the time you've cleared immigration

Inter terminal transfer will take 15mins or so and you need to check in at a desk in sufficient time due to the hold baggage

highlydebased · 10-02-2018 3:20pm

rainbow kirby wrote: »

A lot more than 10 minutes. It can be worth walking to Preston Park station on the Metropolitan line (about 1.5km) to get on before the masses.

Preston Road!

Preston Park is in Brighton

Locker10a · 10-02-2018 6:26pm

It will be ok if the easyJet flight is on time,and you’re fairly fast through the terminals, Aer Lingus check in closes 45 minuets before departure so you’ll need to be checked in BEFORE 8:30pm for the Dublin flight

10-02-2018 8:48pm

Marcusm wrote: »

EasyJet don’t interlink tickets and bags except the “Worldwide by easyJet” which doesn’t include Aer Lingus. There’s a monorail train between the terminals and I would expect you to be ok but no time for hanging around, especially if baggage is delayed.

Cool - thanks for the info

L1011 wrote: »

I wouldn't even consider this - you could easily be 40 minutes queueing for UK immigration on the inbound. Most Irish passengers have never suffered that due to the CTA and not flying to the UK from outside it. It is a slow process at the best of times, can take 20mins to clear 150 passengers

Bags should be ready by the time you've cleared immigration

Inter terminal transfer will take 15mins or so and you need to check in at a desk in sufficient time due to the hold baggage

Hmm do you think it will be busy Sunday Eve?

Locker10a wrote: »

It will be ok if the easyJet flight is on time,and you’re fairly fast through the terminals, Aer Lingus check in closes 45 minuets before departure so you’ll need to be checked in BEFORE 8:30pm for the Dublin flight

Yeah - can't have any delays...

Thanks for the tips...

Moznips · 21-02-2018 10:56am

Hi All,

My family and i are planning a trip to London (2 adults + 2 young children)
The main reason of the trip is to bring my kids to Harry Potter World (HPW). My son isn't making his communion like the rest of the class and we want to do something special for him that week.

i'm looking for advise on best place to stay and fly into (Gatwich/ Standstead, Luton??)
i don't want to be dragging kids around too much (they're 5+7) so though we could stay near Victoria where the bus departs for HPW.

Would Gatwick be a good airport to fly into?

The plan is to stay for two nights (Thursday/ Friday and return Saturday afternoon)

Thanks,

P

frag420 · 21-02-2018 11:01am

National Express goes to Victoria station from Stansted, takes about an hour. Not familiar with the other airport routes as this is the one I use the most.

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/destinations/london/stansted-to-london

Staying around Victoria could be expensive at a weekend, London is easy to commute around so you could stay wherever in Zones 1-2 and still be no more than 30-40 mins from the Harry Potter bus at Victoria.

Moznips wrote: »

Hi All,

My family and i are planning a trip to London (2 adults + 2 young children)
The main reason of the trip is to bring my kids to Harry Potter World (HPW). My son isn't making his communion like the rest of the class and we want to do something special for him that week.

i'm looking for advise on best place to stay and fly into (Gatwich/ Standstead, Luton??)
i don't want to be dragging kids around too much (they're 5+7) so though we could stay near Victoria where the bus departs for HPW.

Would Gatwick be a good airport to fly into?

The plan is to stay for two nights (Thursday/ Friday and return Saturday afternoon)

Thanks,

P

lorcand1990 · 21-02-2018 11:09am

I flew into Gatwick & it has very good links to the city- regular & not too expensive

I don't know about the bus from Victoria, but if you stay near Euston station, you can get the train to Watford Junction & then a feeder bus to HPW- that's what I did when I stayed there. Just make sure you pick up Oyster Cards for transport

Moznips · 21-02-2018 11:28am

thank you - much appreciated

mfceiling · 21-02-2018 11:31am

Was there a few weeks ago with the kids. Flew into Gatwick and an open return on the train to london bridge was £70 for all of us.
Oyster card is the way to go for getting around the city.

Tilikum17 · 21-02-2018 11:33am

Download he Citymapper app if you’re not that familiar with London.

It’s amazing.

amcalester · 21-02-2018 11:34am

If you're planning to stay near Victoria then I'd fly in to Gatwick and then get the train to Victoria.

The station is in the airport and the travel time is only 30 minutes on the express service.

Gatwick also has an express lane for internal arrivals so no need to queue up for passport control, not sure if this is the case in Stansted.

endabob1 · 21-02-2018 12:05pm

Moznips wrote: »

Hi All,

My family and i are planning a trip to London (2 adults + 2 young children)
The main reason of the trip is to bring my kids to Harry Potter World (HPW). My son isn't making his communion like the rest of the class and we want to do something special for him that week.

i'm looking for advise on best place to stay and fly into (Gatwich/ Standstead, Luton??)
i don't want to be dragging kids around too much (they're 5+7) so though we could stay near Victoria where the bus departs for HPW.

Would Gatwick be a good airport to fly into?

The plan is to stay for two nights (Thursday/ Friday and return Saturday afternoon)

Thanks,

P

Sorry I had typed a long message but your thread was moved and I lost it.

Why not fly to Luton & stay in Watford?

If you are only in the UK for 2 or 3 days, one day will be at HPW, which is just outside Watford, there are shuttle busses to and form the station. 1 day in London, just get a fast train from Watford Junction under half an hour to Euston
Hotel will be cheaper, closer to main attraction, less time travelling to and from hotel/airport.

In other news, if you are planning a visit to any of the London attractions like the aquarium etc.. book them in advance, much cheaper. Oh and bring the kids to the National History Museum, it's great.

amcalester · 21-02-2018 12:29pm

endabob1 wrote: »

In other news, if you are planning a visit to any of the London attractions like the aquarium etc.. book them in advance, much cheaper. Oh and bring the kids to the National History Museum, it's great.

And the Science Museum.

Moznips · 21-02-2018 1:15pm

amcalester wrote: »

And the Science Museum.

ah thanks never thought of that - great idea!

exiledelbows · 21-02-2018 5:22pm

Just to clear up a few things. Don't get the Gatwick express service from Gatwick to Victoria - get the Southern service instead. It's 3 minutes slower but half the price.

Also, National Express from Stansted to Victoria takes 90 minutes minimum I'd say, not an hour. Of the above options, I'd stay near Victoria (via Gatwick) if you can, or near Watford (via Luton) to save money.

frag420 · 21-02-2018 5:30pm

exiledelbows wrote: »

Just to clear up a few things. Don't get the Gatwick express service from Gatwick to Victoria - get the Southern service instead. It's 3 minutes slower but half the price.

Also, National Express from Stansted to Victoria takes 90 minutes minimum I'd say, not an hour. Of the above options, I'd stay near Victoria (via Gatwick) if you can, or near Watford (via Luton) to save money.

Have taken it three times since November, longest was 70 mins and that was because of traffic near marble arch.

PTH2009 · 02-03-2018 2:54pm

been to both places before but different parts and heres my plan and need advice

Im flying from Dublin too London City Airport on the 18th June at 11.50am

I want to visit the London Eye from the Airport (how would i get there ???)

Im going to an event in the O2 Arena that night and staying in the King William Hotel on Trafalgar Road Greenwich. So I plan on going from the nearest tube station from the London Eye to the nearest to the hotel. Can prob get taxis from hotel to the arena and back

The next morning i want to get from the Hotel to Euston station to get a train to Manchester ???. going to book the train a few days before i leave as its much much cheaper. Is this possible and not too much hassle ???

thanks for the advice

whomitconcerns · 02-03-2018 3:30pm

London Eye from the Airport -
DLR from airport to canning town. Jubilee line from canning town to Waterloo. London eye is outside!

London eye to king william hotel (Why?????) to O2

Jubilee line, waterloo station to north greenwich station. The O2 is right at the station. Then get the 188 or 129 bus from the station, will drop you right outside the hotel.
Hotel to arena is 10mins on bus max.

next day
188 to North greenwich, Jubilee to London bridge and northern line from there to euston.

PTH2009 · 02-03-2018 4:05pm

whomitconcerns wrote: »

London Eye from the Airport -
DLR from airport to canning town. Jubilee line from canning town to Waterloo. London eye is outside!

London eye to king william hotel (Why?????) to O2

Jubilee line, waterloo station to north greenwich station. The O2 is right at the station. Then get the 188 or 129 bus from the station, will drop you right outside the hotel.
Hotel to arena is 10mins on bus max.

next day
188 to North greenwich, Jubilee to London bridge and northern line from there to euston.

Thanks for the advice

cheapest hotel i could get and nearest to the arena

Are buses pay on the it or card only ???

England are playing there first world cup game on the 18th June but kicks off at 7pm and ill prob be in the arena then

whomitconcerns · 02-03-2018 4:19pm

card only on bus. assuming you have contactless

PTH2009 · 02-03-2018 4:21pm

whomitconcerns wrote: »

card only on bus. assuming you have contactless

yeah Visa Debit

isotonicdrink · 05-03-2018 1:27am

Vic_08 wrote: »

The previous post is spot on, Gatwick Express is a waste of money for no extra benefit. It will be cheapest for you to use Oyster or contactless credit card for the single trip from Gatwick.

The 2for1 offer requires 2 tickets valid on the day you avail of the offer.

You could buy paper travelcards and use them for your travel as well as the 2for1 entries but they are now much more expensive than the day caps on Oyster/contactless if you are staying in zones 1-5. If you are going to be travelling to zone 5 or 6 on the same day as visiting an attraction and not travelling before 9.30 am it may be cheaper and simpler to use travelcards as they are valid for 2for1, if you do this they must be bought from a National Rail ticket office, not Underground to be eligible for 2for1 entry.

Most likely you won't be going beyond z5 so it will be cheaper for you to use Oyster for travel and buy 2 rail tickets for each day you want to use the 2for1 offer.

The cheapest rail ticket that would be good for the offer would be Vauxhall - London Waterloo single at £3.10 each, you can reduce this to £2.05 each by adding a railcard discount. (you don't have a railcard but as you won't be using these tickets to travel that doesn't matter) You will need to buy 2 of these for each day you want to visit an attraction with the 2for1 discount. You will also need to buy these online and pick-up at a railway station ticket machine, Gatwick Airport would be fine for this.

this is a link to the type of tickets you need, obviously you need to pick the correct dates, the time on the ticket doesn't matter.

best to read the details/prices carefully and check on the attraction's own websites that there aren't any other offers available that beat the 2for1 price.

Only getting around to thanking you now as I forgot my password and associated email etc. etc. Anyways, mega answer and exactly what I was looking for, appreciate it

Morby · 05-03-2018 7:02pm

Going to London shortly to meet a friend and the weather doesn't look great. Just looking for some ideas as to stuff we can do that will be indoorsy, like museums, Maddam Tussauds and similar, anyone got any suggestions or recommendations please?

Our Greater London Megathread

Comments