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Our Greater London Megathread

«134567…58

Comments

  • #2
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    http://maps.google.com/


  • #3
    johnfás
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,342 ✭✭✭johnfás


    It depends where you are going in Central London. You can get to some places in Central London quicker from Stansted.

    The Heathrow Express will get you to Paddington in 15 minutes, whereas the Gatwick Express will get you to Victoria in 30 minutes.


  • #4
    Berty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,152 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    Heathrow may be physically closer although the Heathrow Express is very expensive as opposed to the Gatwick express which is much less.

    You could get a tube changing at two stations to get onto the Central line to bring you in to the centre of London which is a pain in the arse with luggage.

    Heathrow to South Ealing to Ealing Broadway to Central line= London City Centre area(Bayswater,Oxford Street etc)

    http://www.tourstolondon.co.uk/london-underground-map.gif


  • #5
    Famous45
    Closed Accounts Posts: 732 ✭✭✭Famous45


    Heathrow may be physically closer although the Heathrow Express is very expensive as opposed to the Gatwick express which is much less.

    You could get a tube changing at two stations to get onto the Central line to bring you in to the centre of London which is a pain in the arse with luggage.

    Heathrow to South Ealing to Ealing Broadway to Central line= London City Centre area(Bayswater,Oxford Street etc)

    Heathrow Express isn't expensive considering you get into the heart of London withing 15 mins.

    It doesn't really matter which airport you fly into, fly into whichever is cheapest. You can access London in under 30 mins via both also with Luton too, Luton is a mere 20 mins away too by train.


  • #6
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    There are two trains from Heathrow, the Express and the Heathrow Connect. The Heathrow connect departs every 30 mins, takes 25 minutes and costs £6.90. Both go into Paddington.

    In all honesty, you are talking a difference of 30 minutes to get to the west end from any of the airports, so it is best to weigh that up against air fares.


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  • #7
    broin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭broin


    Though if you're coming in to Gatwick, there are trains by First and Southern which are much cheaper (£15 return) than the Gatwick Express (£30 return). And go to more stations.


  • #8
    moco
    Registered Users Posts: 972 ✭✭✭moco


    I live in London and only ever fly to Heathrow. The other airports are too far away and too much hassle in my opinion. It only costs a few pounds on the tube from there to anywhere on the tube map. Like I go to zone 3 and it costs £1.


  • #9
    country_gurl
    Registered Users Posts: 339 ✭✭country_gurl


    thanks everyone, especially magic marker - never would have thought of looking up googe maps :rolleyes:
    Looks like Heathrow wins :D


  • #10
    tinkerbell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,423 ✭✭✭tinkerbell


    I usually fly into Gatwick these days since it tends to work out cheaper than Heathrow. Heathrow trains take about 15-20 mins to get into the city, Gatwick is about 30!


  • #11
    country_gurl
    Registered Users Posts: 339 ✭✭country_gurl


    Is stanstead easy to get from? ryanair are doing a deal at the mo, no taxes and charges!


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  • #12
    Berty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,152 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    Catch the Stanstead Express directly from the airport lower level right to the city and catch a tube from the station to any place in London.

    They even sell the train tickets on board, cheaper than anybody else I might add.

    https://www.stanstedexpress.com/index.asp?SID={D450D0DE-F73B-4E51-B0AF-C98D719E7612}


  • #13
    johnfás
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,342 ✭✭✭johnfás


    The cheapest place to get a Stansted Express ticket if continuing to Liverpool Street is this address at a cost of £15 single or £21.50 return.


  • #14
    Berty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,152 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    johnfás wrote: »
    The cheapest place to get a Stansted Express ticket if continuing to Liverpool Street is this address at a cost of £15 single or £21.50 return.

    Stanstead Express on a Ryanair flight is £10 or £19.50 Return on board which is a 15% reduction from the rgular fare.

    I cannot find any Euro prices for it but if you have £'s then buy them in £'s because the exchange is better.


  • #15
    country_gurl
    Registered Users Posts: 339 ✭✭country_gurl


    Flying to gatwick is double the price of stanstead thanks 4 ur help everyone


  • #16
    zAbbo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,987 ✭✭✭✭zAbbo


    You can skip the Gatwick Express and just get a local train in, doesn't run as frequently and stops at 2-3 places but is nowhere near the price of the Express


  • #17
    Berty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,152 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    Dont worry Countrygurl,

    Not everybody likes replying to threads especially threads which repeat themselves over and over. Most dont mind answering questions as the search option can be a pain because although the words you use are specific it can bring up many strange results.

    Im sure you have also heard of backseat modding. Moderators often close down threads and suggest you use a search option or link to the closest thread about the subject you ask about.

    You were not ingorant in asking this question. Not everybody is boards.ie savvy or internet savvy.

    Here is a little link that may have answered your question. Not really for you but just for the pedantic pats of this world.

    http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Gatwick+or+Stansted+Which+is+Closer%3F


  • #18
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    zAbbo wrote: »
    You can skip the Gatwick Express and just get a local train in, doesn't run as frequently and stops at 2-3 places but is nowhere near the price of the Express

    That's a very good point. The Waterloo train might take a bit longer, but I believe it is a lot cheaper. I quite often catch it from Clapham junction.
    zAbbo wrote: »
    I think it would, would be very handy as a resource.

    That's what i was thinking. I don't mind answering threads, but if people can post tips etc then it would help everyone who does the journey a lot.
    country_gurl wrote: »
    actually gazza i did research and couldn't find a post to answer my question. sorry for my ignorance....
    anyway it has now gone off topic, thanks again to everyone.

    These sites may be useful in London.

    www.nationalrail.co.uk gives you the times of all trains to Stansted and the local trains to Heathrow, Gatwick and luton Junction (For Luton airport).

    www.tfl.gov.uk gives you all the info you will need regarding London transport, it includes Bus, Tram, Tube, DLR, ferry etc. and also gives fairs, ticket options etc etc.

    I didn't mean to take the thread off topic, i didn't think the suggestion of a London Sticky would upset people :D


  • #19
    gandalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,458 ✭✭✭✭gandalf


    I now fly into London via London City Airport because you hop on the DLR and you're in the city centre in around 15 minutes and can get almost anywhere then on the Tube system. It also means I don't have to go near the hole that is Heathrow airport which I detest.


  • #20
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    gandalf wrote: »
    I now fly into London via London City Airport because you hop on the DLR and you're in the city centre in around 15 minutes and can get almost anywhere then on the Tube system. It also means I don't have to go near the hole that is Heathrow airport which I detest.

    Who do you fly with, Cityjet?

    i would love to use LCY but i have always found it a very expensive option, especially when you have to do it everyweek.


  • #21
    gandalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,458 ✭✭✭✭gandalf


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    Who do you fly with, Cityjet?

    i would love to use LCY but i have always found it a very expensive option, especially when you have to do it everyweek.

    Cityjet are the only option in there now. BA have pulled out of the route. I head over to London at least once a year and at the weekends the prices aren't too bad. Especially as a day pass for the DLR and Tube is around £6.50 :)


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  • #22
    mikedragon32
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,939 ✭✭✭mikedragon32


    Following suggestions in the London Airport thread, it was decided by Buffybot and I to give a London sticky a go.

    In light of this, I've used that thread to kick off the sticky and removed all the posts discussing the merits of such a sticky. Sorry if that causes anyone any inconveniences.

    Anyway, as the subject says, the thread is for Q&As for the Greater London area.


  • #23
    ZOLTAN28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Hi

    Hs anyone stayed in an apartment in London - was hoping to get over for a few days in the summer. As we are bringing three kids it gets quite expensive in hotels.

    Have found a few online but they seemed to aimed at the business traveller (and priced accordingly) - would prefer if it was not too far out but as long as its hand for public trnsport and reasonably price dI'd be happy.

    Thanks


  • #24
    jdscrubs
    Registered Users Posts: 158 ✭✭jdscrubs


    Going to London on the May Bank Holiday with 2 other people. Friday till Monday.

    Looking for somewhere to stay that is near the city centre that isnt dear but is nice and will have a double&single bed.

    If you can recommend hotels, it would be great?.

    Also if you can recommend places to eat, visit, go out in, etc, that would be great as well.


  • #25
    ZOLTAN28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Don't think this is the best place for my question above - think there has only been one reply in a week which was another unanswered question.


  • #26
    OPENROAD
    Registered Users Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, excellent value right in the heart of Kensington, excellent Hotel restaurant and bar,great coffee houses close by, very close to Harrods, Kensington Gardens and direct tube line to Heathrow. Very very nice area imo.

    First link is Hotel official site, second link is Holiday Inn UK where you can get better value rates with breakfast just type in London and when list of hotels come up click on Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, don't confuse with Holiday Inn Kensington which is a different hotel. Expect to pay approx £80-£110 depending on how busy hotel is, but even at £110 exceptioonal value imo.

    On the minus side rooms are quite small but generally are in London anyway, perfect though for two adults, anymore than two I would say it is cramped.


    http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/lonhi

    http://www.holidayinn.co.uk/h/d/hi/925/en/home


  • #27
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    ZOLTAN28 wrote: »
    Don't think this is the best place for my question above - think there has only been one reply in a week which was another unanswered question.

    As a thought, have you considered staying in Windsor?

    There are two ways of getting into London from Windsor, via slough, or a direct train into Waterloo which takes 55 minutes. If you fly into Heathrow, there is a direct Bus to Windsor, the

    The good thing about Windsor though, is that you have Legoland, which the kids will love and you also have the castle.

    Windsor town itself (Which is built around the castle) is a nice place to loose yourself for a day, viewing the castle, a boat trip on the thames, a trip on the Royal Windsor Wheel, laugh at the Penguins at Eton School and then easy for a day trip into London.

    Windsor has loads of very good restaurents and, if you are feeling rich, you can even grab a cab and go to a little known greasy spoon in Bray called the "Fat Duck", or watch a show at Windsor Theatre.


  • #28
    ZOLTAN28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Cheers - I had considered Windsor for Legoland but I haven't really looked into it. Sounds like a nice place but I assumed it was expensive - I will look furhter into it.


  • #29
    ZOLTAN28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Scrap that - prices for self catering are insane.


  • #30
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    ZOLTAN28 wrote: »
    Scrap that - prices for self catering are insane.

    Bummer. I know it can be expensive at times, but I thought it would be cheaper than London.

    I'll have a dig around, see what I can find.


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  • #31
    roxy81
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭roxy81


    I am heading to London in 2 weeks with my mam for pure shopping. We have our flights booked to Heathrow. We have not booked the hotel yet...............thats another area we need help with as this break has crept up on us both.

    Basically we need some advice from somebody thats done this before. Between us our sense of direction would not be great so we need an idiots guide to getting around London.

    Any hotel suggestions would be great, preferably near the shops would be fantastic?
    Also are the shopping streets easily accessible by tube from the airport?

    All help thoroughly appreciated, thanx a mil.

    Rox


  • #32
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    roxy81 wrote: »
    I am heading to London in 2 weeks with my mam for pure shopping. We have our flights booked to Heathrow. We have not booked the hotel yet...............thats another area we need help with as this break has crept up on us both.

    Basically we need some advice from somebody thats done this before. Between us our sense of direction would not be great so we need an idiots guide to getting around London.

    Any hotel suggestions would be great, preferably near the shops would be fantastic?
    Also are the shopping streets easily accessible by tube from the airport?

    All help thoroughly appreciated, thanx a mil.

    Rox

    london doesn't have a Grafton Street or a Shop Street as such, there are several different areas for shopping and it depends on what you want to get.

    Oxford Street (Oxford Circus tube Station) is probably the most common and has such delights as a massive Top Shop (Its on about four floors and has a cafe etc so you can stay all day if you like:eek:) and Nike Town (worth a visit if you like trainers, they have a Nike iD studio but you need to book).

    There is also Covent Garden (Covent Garden Tube) which is a smaller but a nice place for a girlie afternoon and there is Bond Street (Bond Street Tube) which is where the serious money goes. that is where you will find Tiffany Jewellers, Dolce and Gabbana etc. Lastly you have knightsbridge for Harrods (Knightsbridge Tube).

    Get your self a tube map and try and get somewhere handy for these locations.

    to get into town from Heathrow i suggest either the Heathrow Connect into Paddington or the Piccadily line, which takes a lot longer. the Stations are sign posted when you come out of arrivals.

    to find a hotel, try lastminute.com but look for hotel near one of the above locations as they sometimes have hotels out near the airport which can be a bit of drag getting and out of town (Imagine staying in a hotel at dublin Airport). I have seen one or two hotels recommended on here before, so someone may be able to be more specific than me.


  • #33
    anotherlostie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,722 ✭✭✭anotherlostie


    Another option for shopping is the new Westfield White City. It is like Dundrum only miles bigger. Only thing is that a lot of the shops are familiar to Irish shoppers now, so if you are going for something diffferent (as opposed to cheaper sterling prices), then it might not suit. It's easy to get to on tube, and right across from the BBC.

    http://uk.westfield.com/london/


  • #34
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    I am unsure as to whether or not this is the right place to post.

    My girlfriend and I are hoping to stay in London from the 8th-11th of May and we are hoping to find a relatively cheap hotel as central as possible. Either that or a B'n'B.

    Can anyone recommend any?


  • #35
    marknoonan1974
    Registered Users Posts: 167 ✭✭marknoonan1974


    Hi,
    I'm going to London for a weekend soon, and I checked hotel prices in central London and they all seem very expensive, does anybody have any advice on how to find a hotel for cheap or some good websites for London hotels?

    Thanks


  • #36
    will000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5 ✭will000


    try expidea.co.uk or else try hotels .co.uk


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  • #37
    BuffyBot
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,924 ✭✭✭✭BuffyBot


    Don't forget to check the sites listed in the "Useful sites..." sticky at the top of the forum. You'll find lots of travel/hotel booking sites there that might come in useful to you.


  • #38
    OPENROAD
    Registered Users Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    marknoonan1974 wrote: »
    Hi,
    I'm going to London for a weekend soon, and I checked hotel prices in central London and they all seem very expensive, does anybody have any advice on how to find a hotel for cheap or some good websites for London hotels?

    Thanks


    How much sterling do you want to spend per night?


  • #39
    BrianJD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,098 ✭✭✭BrianJD


    marknoonan1974 wrote: »
    Hi,
    I'm going to London for a weekend soon, and I checked hotel prices in central London and they all seem very expensive, does anybody have any advice on how to find a hotel for cheap or some good websites for London hotels?

    Thanks

    Check out the Travelodge website www.travelodge.co.uk we stayed in their Tower Bridge property recently and found it great. We paid the princely sum of 39 GBP per night! The hotel is newly refurbished and was really clean and comfortable, the decor was actually really nice and the room was plenty big for two adults. Now it is pretty basic and doesn't have a lot of extras, but for that price we were more than happy. In fact, they are running a sale at the moment, they do rooms as cheap as 9 GBP so you might even get it cheaper than us.

    It is located in the city, beside the Tower Of London and Tower Bridge, there is a tube just around the corner about 2 mins walk that is served by 2 lines so you never have to wait for a tube. It is about 3 km from the west end, but the tube would have you there in 10 mins. There are a couple of pubs right beside the hotel and a Starbucks and Pret a Manger for a quick snack. I definitely would stay here again if we return to London. The have properties all over London, but this one seems to be particularly good value, maybe because it is their newest property.

    P.s. You should really try and see a show while you are there, they are a great night out. We went to Phantom of the Opera and it was amazing.


  • #40
    marknoonan1974
    Registered Users Posts: 167 ✭✭marknoonan1974


    OPENROAD wrote: »
    How much sterling do you want to spend per night?

    We are going for 4 days, would be happy to pay about 300 euro, but would prefer less. Seems it not possible :(


  • #41
    miss dove
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 ✭miss dove


    Hi everyone. I'm hoping to book a few nights away in august for me and h2b and 2 friends for the pearl jam concert in the O2. As I've never been to London before, I'm hoping some of you may be able to help! Which hotel/area would be best/cheapish to stay in for ease of travel to O2 and into London centre itself. I know that is a bit vague as the area is huge but I'd want a hotel that isn't too far out of the way iykwim. Would we be aswell staying closer to the O2 for ease on concert night but then again, we might be staying for 3 nights so don't want it to be too difficult for going out on those nights. God, my heads spinning already. I hate arranging things! blink.gif Thanks in advance


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  • #42
    lord lucan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,577 ✭✭✭lord lucan


    There's a holiday inn express a 10 minute walk from the 02. I've stayed there for a couple of metallica shows and it's handy to be able to avoid the crush for the tube after the gig. Greenwich north tube station is beside the 02,you can get the jubilee line into central london in 20 minutes.

    http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/925/en/hd/longm?countryId=0925&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-googlemaps-_-ex-_-longm&_requestid=1420313


  • #43
    dentgirl41
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭dentgirl41


    Hey
    Maybe you could try a travelodge (travelodge.co.uk) they sometimes have deals from a little as 9pounds per room.
    Although the earlier you book the better. Make sure you're staying in zone 1 or you could be on trains for quite a while. Though they're cheaper in outer zones it wouldn't be worth your while if only going for 3 days.

    Enjoy:)


  • #44
    christo82
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 737 ✭✭✭christo82


    Going to London at the end of May and was wondering are there any places near London to visit for a half-day or full day? Is Brighton any good? Been to Oxford before.

    Thanks.

    PS I'm a guy mid-20's.


  • #45
    Berty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,152 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    A lot of men in their mid 20's go to Brighton but for a certain persuasion. I personally loved Brighton for different reasons.

    Great social scene. Good pubs, cafe's and clubs. It also has a nice laid back feel with many bus's and trains heading to London.

    What are you looking for in a day out?

    Culture
    Atmosphere
    History
    Quiet corner with a book

    If you like Football you can certainly have a day of visiting the grounds.


  • #46
    Davidth88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,181 ✭✭✭Davidth88


    Going to London at the end of May and was wondering are there any places near London to visit for a half-day or full day? Is Brighton any good? Been to Oxford before.

    Thanks.

    PS I'm a guy mid-20's.

    You don't say what your interests are , or what sort of things you like but.

    Brighton is a great city , full of life .

    Oxford is more full of history than life . However again well worth a visit.

    There is a old saying ( Samuel Johnson ) , when a man is tired of London he is tired of life ....... why stray outside the M25 :)


  • #47
    christo82
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 737 ✭✭✭christo82


    I'm really looking for a cultural trip- museums, galleries etc but in a town with a bit of life. The reason I mentioned Brighton was because I saw you can get £2 return tickets to it on National Express.

    Thanks


  • #48
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Windsor is a great place, loads to see and do.


  • #49
    Davidth88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,181 ✭✭✭Davidth88


    Windsor , good thinking Fred !

    + 1 on that


  • #50
    ShoulderChip
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,875 ✭✭✭ShoulderChip


    Hello,
    I am going to London for 33 hours after final year exams with about 4 others just for 33 hours (one of us has to find a flat, the rest of us are going as flights were 22 euro return total price)

    One thing I want to do is go to les mis. I saw from their website that prices varied from 15pounds for restricted viewing to 35 pounds for average seats.
    How bad would the restricted viewing be? Id be happy if I had any kind of a view, as the others wouldn't be as interested as me.
    the real question is as its a monday night would I be able to find good seats going cheap in one of the shops that sell tickets in the city?

    Also are there any general suggestions for what we should take in, in such little time,

    Thank you.


  • #51
    BuffyBot
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,924 ✭✭✭✭BuffyBot


    Well - all weather dependent, really but London has plenty of things to see and too. Try going to sites like the Tate Modern or take a walk along the south bank of the Thames. Go to Tower Bridge/Tower of London. Browse around Soho, or shop in Oxford Street. Go for lunch/dinner in one of the trendy places in Islington, then take the tube a few stops and go to Camden and it's famous market - there are so many choices in London, you're pretty truly spoiled!


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