Our Greater London Megathread

Mebuntu · 08-05-2015 10:23am

Anyone planning to to travel to/from Gatwick by train should note that this Victoria-Brighton rail network which serves Gatwick is falling apart and completely unreliable. Three times in the past few weeks the entire network has been brought to a complete standstill with hundreds of cancellations and long delays lasting many hours and a whole day running into the next on one occasion. During yesterday's latest, at Victoria station at about 1pm I was told by an official that the entire signalling system from London to Brighton was broken and nothing would be running until further notice. It was partly back by about 7pm but the station was in chaos with hundreds of people, commuters and bag-laden air travellers alike, charging along concourse and platform hellbent on getting on board the next train to be announced and then packed in like sardines in a tin.

There seems to be no plan B and all the signalling must be run off the one plug. Even a breakdown of one train causes massive backlogs.

Make sure you have an alternative planned and leave yourself plenty of time. On a previous occasion I joined forces on the spot with three others for a taxi to Gatwick that cost £125 but two of them missed their flights.

The Gatwick Express service itself seems to always be affected at weekends with the trains running only every 30 minutes instead of 15 mins due to railworks and often takes longer than the advertised 30 minutes.

I believe there is a National Express bus service but in rush hour this can take a long time to get there.

londonbus · 08-05-2015 7:28pm

Louche Lad wrote: »

I've been on several in the past few months, mostly the 38 to Hackney. I like that there's more than one entry point so you can get on quickly if there are people in front of you. But whether they're worth all the extra money, I'm doubtful.

Awful vehicle. Waste of public money.

minstral · 15-05-2015 9:33pm

Hi,
Can anyone give me some help. Have just booked to bring my 11 year old son to a match in Chelsea in August. We will have 2 full days in London. he wants to go to Legoland as well.
I have never been to London so I havent a clue if this will be do-able.
Could anyone also recommend somewhere to stay for 2 nights - I will be on my own with him so dont want to end up anywhere dodgy or miles away from where we are going.

Thanks in advance!

cardinal tetra · 15-05-2015 11:11pm

Yes. Easy.

It will be quite difficult to get tickets to a game in august though.

There is usually only 2 league games and chances are one will be away. The league opener is usually the second week in august and as Chelsea are champions, there match will be televised so the game will be moved to Sunday more than likely. The sky TV schedule usually comes out about 3 weeks after the fixtures. The last week in august is usually international fixtures so no games on.

If you are flying in sat morning and out Sunday night, it is possible to go to the 4pm game and get the 10pm flight from Heathrow but its very rushed and you won't enjoy the post match atmosphere. Your kid will prob want to get a glimpse of the players coming out after the match too so time would be tighter.

I'd recommend flying in and out of Heathrow as it is the right side of the city for both legoland and Stamford bridge.

You could spend a whole day at legoland and have worn out dad and son so no way in hell you can squeeze not in in one day.

Ticket wise, you may find them hard to come by. Local supporters clubs are good to acquire tickets or viagogo.com but I think Chelsea have their own version set up on this now.

As for accommodation. La reserve hotel is outside Stamford bridge. Can be pricey around game weekends but isn't bad. The ibis in Fulham is close and affordable for London. If you want to stay in central London, the Bloomsbury is adequate. Cheap is the imperial hotel. Its just a giant of a place with a bed and a toilet. Buffet breakfast and tailored towards London tourist bus and central location. Anywhere around earls court will also set you up nicely for the tube.

You can't go wrong really in London. Its a great place. Expensive though!!!!

If you are thinking of getting a flight to stansted, just remember its a 40 minute train ride to Liverpool street from there costing about 10ew I think and then a tube ride to where you need to go. A 20pound flight instantly becomes a 50quid travel expense. Still can be worth it but you need to know if the stansted express goes that early in the morning or late in the evening to get out to stansted again.

You could spend a year in London and not see everything.

Also if you want something free and fun, the natural history museum and natural science museum are free and amazing. What 11 year old wouldn't be impressed with walking through a giant whales bone structure!!!

minstral · 15-05-2015 11:27pm

Thanks for your reply. I have the tickets already -we are going to the pre season game on the 5th august for his birthday. So we are flying over Tuesday and back Thursday.I have flights booked through Gatwick - i know its not the best airport but was the cheapest.
We want to see central london - probably do a bus tour too but as you say trying to do too much will end up in us being wrecked.
I just to make sure both stamford bridge and the centre are easily accessible from where we stay and as the match is on at 8pm I want to make sure its in a safe place for a girl and child to be getting back to late at night

Wrongway1985 · 15-05-2015 11:53pm

minstral wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. I have the tickets already -we are going to the pre season game on the 5th august for his birthday. So we are flying over Tuesday and back Thursday.I have flights booked through Gatwick - i know its not the best airport but was the cheapest.
We want to see central london - probably do a bus tour too but as you say trying to do too much will end up in us being wrecked.
I just to make sure both stamford bridge and the centre are easily accessible from where we stay and as the match is on at 8pm I want to make sure its in a safe place for a girl and child to be getting back to late at night

Hi Gatwick you can't go wrong with tbh, a train to West Brompton (close to Stamford Bridge) costs around £12 either that or get to Clapham Junction as usually wherever you may decide to stay would be accessible from here, I say this as it could cost up to double for the Gatwick express and doesn't actually chalk to much of your journey. Ibis Earls Court in around West Brompton appears to have a pick up point for Legoland might be worth you investigating.

cardinal tetra · 16-05-2015 1:15pm

minstral wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. I have the tickets already -we are going to the pre season game on the 5th august for his birthday. So we are flying over Tuesday and back Thursday.I have flights booked through Gatwick - i know its not the best airport but was the cheapest.
We want to see central london - probably do a bus tour too but as you say trying to do too much will end up in us being wrecked.
I just to make sure both stamford bridge and the centre are easily accessible from where we stay and as the match is on at 8pm I want to make sure its in a safe place for a girl and child to be getting back to late at night

Ah that's excellent. I assumed you were a dad. Go you

So Tuesday night to Thursday night?

Around Stamford bridge is safe, there is no violent aspect to it, especially for a meaningless preseason game. Its one of the most expensive places in London so you will be fine at the match.

You can't go too far wrong.

That imperial hotel has bus tours outside the door. 2 minutes to the tube and is 15 minute walk to Oxford street if you can't a stroll.

The tube is excellent once you get your bearings..

Again. Plan for Lego land taking a whole day.
And plan for the Chelsea superstore taking a bit of your hard earned crust!!

Check out the tube map. And pick up anand drop off for Lego land and see where best suits for you.

Is thee any attractions you would like to see in London other than those two?
Personally, I love the London eye but it takes a chunk of time and at about 15 quid a pop it might not be your thing. There is the aquarium by there too and the star wars exhibition was on there last time I was over.

I'll check back in if I can be of baby use to you.

chases0102 · 19-05-2015 9:37pm

Hi all,

Myself and a friend of mine will be travelling to London for the FA Cup final next week.

As we are flying out from Stansted quite early on the Sunday morning, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a reasonably priced hotel (won't be seeing much of it, I'd imagine!), perhaps near enough to Liverpool Street in order to get the train to Stansted.

Cheers!

grimm2005 · 19-05-2015 11:59pm

I've stayed in Tune Hotel right by Liverpool St. station once and it was basic but clean and very reasonably priced for central London. Currently about £75 altogether for a twin room for a night so you'd be looking at just under £40 each if you split the cost.

chases0102 · 20-05-2015 1:03pm

Cheers grimm2005, will check it out!

highlydebased · 20-05-2015 5:26pm

If you were willing/able to travel to Stansted the night before I've stayed in the airport Premier Inn for £19 before

Chemical Byrne · 22-05-2015 10:45am

Hello, just looing for some help here.

Me and gf are flying into London Stansted with Ryanair on Saturday (tomorrow) morning and I'm looking for some advice on the best transfer to the city centre.

We depart Cork at 10.15 and arrive Stansted at 11.45.

I have been looking at the Terravision bus transfer from STN to Liverpool Street, which is only 10 mins walk from out hotel.

I'm booking the Terravision bus from Stansted. Transfer time is 55mins from airport to Liverpool Street.

Have any of ye ever used this service? If so, would you have any idea how long it takes to get from terminal to bus pick up point?
Plane scheduled to arrive at STN at 11.45, buses depart at 1200; 1230; 1300. I'm thinking of booking the 1230 one - would that be sufficient time? 1200 one doesn't allow any room for error, even tho we've only cabin baggage.

Flight home departs STN at 2035 Monday. The return bus on Monday is; 1805; 1835; 1905 etc. I'm thinking of booking the 1835 and arrive at the airport for 1930. Would this allow enough time for 2035 flight?

Say we book at ticket for a particular service, if for whatever reason we don't make that service is it possible to just use the ticket on the next bus, like you'd do with any bus here, or would we have to stump up again for it? Do they accept walk up fares on Terravision if we do get stuck?

Any other experiece or comments ye'd have on this Transfer would be great.

Many thanks in advnace folks!

cocoman · 22-05-2015 12:50pm

Chemical Byrne wrote: »

Hello, just looing for some help here.

Me and gf are flying into London Stansted with Ryanair on Saturday (tomorrow) morning and I'm looking for some advice on the best transfer to the city centre.

We depart Cork at 10.15 and arrive Stansted at 11.45.

I have been looking at the Terravision bus transfer from STN to Liverpool Street, which is only 10 mins walk from out hotel.

I'm booking the Terravision bus from Stansted. Transfer time is 55mins from airport to Liverpool Street.

Have any of ye ever used this service? If so, would you have any idea how long it takes to get from terminal to bus pick up point?
Plane scheduled to arrive at STN at 11.45, buses depart at 1200; 1230; 1300. I'm thinking of booking the 1230 one - would that be sufficient time? 1200 one doesn't allow any room for error, even tho we've only cabin baggage.

Flight home departs STN at 2035 Monday. The return bus on Monday is; 1805; 1835; 1905 etc. I'm thinking of booking the 1835 and arrive at the airport for 1930. Would this allow enough time for 2035 flight?

Say we book at ticket for a particular service, if for whatever reason we don't make that service is it possible to just use the ticket on the next bus, like you'd do with any bus here, or would we have to stump up again for it? Do they accept walk up fares on Terravision if we do get stuck?

Any other experiece or comments ye'd have on this Transfer would be great.

Many thanks in advnace folks!

I used Terravision a couple of years ago and it was grand. From what I recall it was only 5-10 mins walk from the terminal to bus. The 12.30 option would be safer. I'm not sure if tickets are transferrable - probably depends if the bus was full or not.

We had got the bus to Stratford and then got the tube to London Bridge. I think the return ticket was about £3 cheaper to Stratford but then you would have to get a tube ticket (I recommend you get an Oyster Card if you're making a few Tube journeys)

For the return bus it might be better to get the 18.05 just in case you get delayed for some reason. There's nothing worse than missing a flight.

Chemical Byrne · 22-05-2015 12:53pm

Thanks dude.

I've booked the 1230. My mistake, there is actually no 1805 bus. Next earliest before the 1835 is the 1735 so I have book the 1735. Looking at the FAQ on the Terravision website it says if your flight is delayed that there is no problem using the ticket on a later bus.

rainbow kirby · 22-05-2015 1:15pm

I would leave more than an hour for STN - had a nightmare there on Wednesday.

Chemical Byrne · 22-05-2015 3:52pm

rainbow kirby wrote: »

I would leave more than an hour for STN - had a nightmare there on Wednesday.

I've booked the 1735 for the return trip. Flight is at 20.35. Bus is supposed to take 55mins to 1 hr and then need to be there 1 hr before departure of the flight. That allows 1 hour lee-way. is this sufficient?

rainbow kirby · 23-05-2015 12:57am

Should be ok but wouldn't leave it any later.

grimm2005 · 24-05-2015 8:47pm

I usually use Terravision for stansted transfers and never had a problem with them. Definitely a good idea booking the 12:30 bus as you'll have plenty of time. I'd say it would be nearly impossible to get the 12 bus even if the flight was on time. As rainbow kirby says, 2 hours is plenty for the return leg but any less then that and you'd start putting yourself under pressure.

Padraig Mor · 27-05-2015 2:25pm

Some, if not all, Irish flights disembark by bus which drops you straight to the baggage hall. About 5 minutes quick trot from baggage hall to the Terravision buses (near far end of bus stands from the terminal). They will accommodate you without charge on another service if you miss yours (or are early) - note National Express charge for this.

For the return, even with the 1735 bus you don't have much margin for error. It will be rush hour traffic so there could be delays. Stansted's new owners have also completely ****ed the place up so expect long delays at security. I was 40 / 45 minutes waiting a few months ago - Tuesday about 6 o'clock IIRC.

lobber · 26-06-2015 3:18pm

Hi,

Have booked three nights in London with my wife and two kids (2&4). Am wondering if anyone has travelled with you kids and may have any recommendations for serviced apartments in or around the city.

Thanks

LOU76 · 27-06-2015 9:27pm

I'd highly recommend Staybridge Suites Stratford. I've stayed there twice with kids. It's right beside the tube & overland station & DLR station and in the same complex as the Westfield Shopping Centre which has 100's of shops & restaurants plus cinemas and a casino. The suites have all you'd need - a full kitchen if you get tired of eating out!!! You can get a one bed suite with interconnecting studio for kids if you want to be separate - or use the sofa bed you get in the one bed suite.

Fred Swanson · 27-06-2015 9:28pm

This post has been deleted.

LOU76 · 27-06-2015 9:54pm

Depends on the dates you're going. Just go on to their website and put in the dates of your trip to get a price. We paid STG£160 a night at the weekend for the one bed suite in May. It includes an awesome breakfast. Mid week is cheaper as are dates not during summer. The wifi is free too. Didn't want to spend that much but it was so worth it we went back again - and recommend it to
anyone and everyone. London is terribly expensive I'm afraid!!

tomhenryford · 06-07-2015 5:17pm

Need to go to: Danceworks London, 16 Balderton St, London W1K 6TN, United Kingdom.

Will be flying from Knock, have three options of Luton or Standsted with Ryanair or Gatwick with Aer Lingus.

What airport would be nearest to city centre and what would be the best way in, train, bus etc? Never been to London and will be on my own, can't seem to make head nor tail of the tube. Apparently it's 2 minutes from the Bond Street tube (and opposite Selfridge's clock)...not that, that means anything to me...

All help much appreciated.

spurious · 06-07-2015 5:31pm

All the airports you mentioned are a fair bit out, but they all have transport options.

The Stansted express (train) would leave you at Liverpool Street station, which has a direct tube connection (red Central line) to Bond Street.

I think in terms of least number of changes, that might be the easiest.

athtrasna · 06-07-2015 5:46pm

I would be inclined to say Gatwick, for largely economic reasons. The Stansted express is bloody expensive as is the Gatwick express but at Gatwick you can also get a regular train and it's half the price and only marginally longer time wise. With sterling being so strong against the euro I would skip the express options.

RichT · 06-07-2015 5:51pm

The Stansted Express will be the fastest option, an alternative and cheaper option will be by coach (National Express) which will drop you off at Marble Arch which is walking distance to Balderton St, and no need for any changes.

tomhenryford · 06-07-2015 5:55pm

Would I be able to get the bus option back to the airport aswell, I'd love to avoid the trains/tube if possible. Can't access the link at the moment, roughly how long would the trip be?

RichT · 06-07-2015 5:59pm

tomhenryford wrote: »

Would I be able to get the bus option back to the airport aswell, I'd love to avoid the trains/tube if possible. Can't access the link at the moment, roughly how long would the trip be?

1 hour 40 minutes according to the National Express site.

paulheu · 06-07-2015 6:08pm

Dublin > Gatwick (1h40m), train to Victoria (35m 4x per hour) and walk the rest (2KM, 35m)

Our Greater London Megathread

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