Our Greater London Megathread

enda1 · 19-12-2013 1:21pm

chancer12 wrote: »

Tnx, am more worried about him getting the train than the boat because the seat isn't confirmed.

Just get on the train anyway. You don't even need a seat if worse comes to worst.

pebbletroy · 31-12-2013 7:57pm

hi,
im thinking of going to london end of jan maybe start of feb to see a few plays & i was just wondering does anyone have any reccomendations or knowledge of a reasonably priced hotel for 1 person, i am going from shannon to heathrow, thanks!

Strumms · 31-12-2013 8:13pm

It all depends on your budget. I'd recommend the Premier Inn in Kings Cross. Very central with trains and the underground on your doorstep. Lovely new hotel two.

jjbrien · 31-12-2013 10:33pm

Id recommed Tune Hotels very good rooms hotels are in Paddington, Victoria, Kings Cross and Liverpool Street. Id stay in the Paddington one to be honest as its near most of the stuff you want to see and do.

Red Pepper · 04-01-2014 12:34pm

I am travelling to London Heathrow on Friday and then getting a tube to my hotel a few stops up the Piccadilly line. I want to also travel into London city that night. I am going back to Heathrow by tube on the Saturday.

What is the best travel card or ticket to get for the above scenario?
I thought about an oyster card but it seems expensive.

spurious · 04-01-2014 2:31pm

I would get an Oyster card, to be honest - they work out cheaper in the long run.

Without knowing exactly where your hotel is and what time of day you will be travelling, it's hard to work out whether for you it would work out cheaper.

It's 5 pounds for the actual card (plus whatever you top it up with).

Here's the fares:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/tube-dlr-lo-adult-fares-jan-2014.pdf

Otherwise, you can buy your single (or day) tickets as normal at the ticket offices, but really an Oyster with 10 or 15 pounds credit might be best, plus you can keep it and use it the next time you or a friend or family member are in London.

coylemj · 04-01-2014 6:05pm

+1 for the Oyster card. On your next trip (after you get the card), you will reap the benefit the minute you arrive at the tube station in Heathrow as you can bypass the queue for the ticket desks as well as the hoards of tourists fumbling with coins at the machines.

The economics of an Oyster card are pretty simple if you're flying to Heathrow: the current cash fare from Heathrow to Zone 1 is £5.70, the Oyster off-peak (after 9:30 a.m.) fare is £3. That means that the savings on the round trip to the city centre alone (£5.40) more than covers the £5 charge for the card itself making it a complete no-brainer.

You can apply for an Oyster card online, click the link below and apply for a 'pay as you go' card.....

https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do

anne burnell · 05-01-2014 7:34pm

was in london a few months ago and used the day ticket for the tube, which also allows you to use the bus... as it lasts for 24hours you could use it again to travel to Airport on Saturday and it only 6 pounds sterling.... We found it great value

anne burnell · 05-01-2014 7:35pm

was in london a few months ago and used the day ticket for the tube, which also allows you to use the bus... as it lasts for 24hours you could use it again to travel to Airport on Saturday and it only 6 pounds sterling.... We found it great value

Diairist · 11-01-2014 11:20am

I'd be a leeetle more in favour of a day pass. If a station is closed on a line you want to use & you need to get two or three other lines, £5 or £6 can go very quickly.

Techno_Toaster · 12-01-2014 3:35pm

Hi all,

Heading to London for a week in May and looking for a hotel in Central London close to the tourist sites. We're flying into London of that makes a difference?! Our max budget would be €100 a night but ideally under this. Anyone have any recommendations?

Miaireland · 12-01-2014 3:39pm

I stayed in the Premier Inn at County Hall last year. It is just by the London Eye. The Hotel was central and near everything. Waterloo tube/train station was a two minute walk away. I booked the hotel directly with the premier inn site as I was getting a better price from them rather that booking.com etc for the dates I wanted.

I would suggest if you are booking a double room ask for a twin room at the front of the building as you get a large room with two double beds and much more space than the small double rooms on the side.

bungaro79 · 25-01-2014 10:06am

just a heads up for anyone going to london in february. there are two 48 hour strikes planned in the tube from noon on the 4th and 11th. lots of info on tripadvisor thread

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k7101572-Tube_strikes_planned_Feb_4_5_and_11_12-London_England.html

Gal2011 · 27-01-2014 10:04am

Hi there,

Theres a group of 4 or 5 of us heading to London to for the rugby and we are flying into Stansted and getting the train direct to Liverpool Street. We are not sure where to stay as I have read Liverpool Street is a busienss district and we want to be based very close to Liverpool Street station but also near to pubs and Nightclubs and lively street for the weekend. Any ideas on a good street or area to stay close by and also the best streets for pubs and nightclubs near to this area please?

Muahahaha · 27-01-2014 2:07pm

All depends what you want, if it's super clubs to dance with 3,000 other people then check out Leicester Square. If it's live indie music you're after then head to Camden Town. London has too much choice so it's difficult to answer without knowing what kind of venues you're after.

Gal2011 · 27-01-2014 2:26pm

Yes i thought about that after I had written the thread. Basically we would be looking for lively pubs and nighclubs in the area. we are going to the match on Sat afternoon out in Twickenham but were looking for a pub or area to head to when we arrive on liverpool street on friday night.

exiledelbows · 27-01-2014 11:30pm

Just head around Shoreditch/Hoxton and you'll be well looked after from a drinking point of view. Everyone complains it's a bit hipster-y but I've had some good nights out around there. I've been recommended this covered night market which isn't a million miles away. It's more food than drink-oriented but I'd say it's a good place to start and then see where the night takes you.

After Twickenham, Clapham is pretty handy to get to but is pretty far from Liverpool St. Also, if you end up with a spare ticket or two I'd love to hear from you.

enda1 · 28-01-2014 7:46am

Gal2011 wrote: »

Hi there,

Theres a group of 4 or 5 of us heading to London to for the rugby and we are flying into Stansted and getting the train direct to Liverpool Street. We are not sure where to stay as I have read Liverpool Street is a busienss district and we want to be based very close to Liverpool Street station but also near to pubs and Nightclubs and lively street for the weekend. Any ideas on a good street or area to stay close by and also the best streets for pubs and nightclubs near to this area please?

Tune Hotel Liverpool Street. €108 for a 2 person room for the night on travelrepublic.ie (Saturday 22nd).
Or £60 for a room without a window booking directly.

Then there's loads around the area from Spitalfields/Hoxton/Shoreditch etc. or more in to Soho.

HeidiHeidi · 28-01-2014 9:26pm

Has anyone been to the Greenwich Museum and all the other bits around it?

I'm heading to London for a weekend in March, and would love to see this - but have no idea if it would occupy an hour, half a day, or an entire weekend

There seems to be absolutely loads to see - and I'm an avid sailor and fan of all of things seafaring/maritime so I suspect I'd like to see it all - so anyone who's actually been there, I'd love to hear about it.

I'll really only have the Saturday to see it - will I fit it all into one day?

Sheldons Brain · 28-01-2014 9:29pm

Do go and see it. Take a boat from central London. I remember it being interesting, a day should do the area justice.

HeidiHeidi · 28-01-2014 9:39pm

Sheldons Brain wrote: »

Do go and see it. Take a boat from central London. I remember it being interesting, a day should do the area justice.

Oooh, a boat from central London???

More details please! That sounds great.

ETA - obviously I'll google it, but any inside info/previous experience very welcome!

coylemj · 28-01-2014 10:34pm

I did the Royal Observatory many years ago, got a boat from Westminster bridge, near Big Ben. I saw lots of boats there last year, if I recall correctly they are on the other side of the bridge (but the same side of the river) from Big Ben.

Think there's more than one company doing trips, I'd wait until I got there rather than book in advance......

http://www.thamesriverservices.co.uk/

ProudDUB · 28-01-2014 11:00pm

Oh that is a fabulous thing to do. I heartily reccomend it. I did it a couple of years ago. Greenwich is a great place for a wander around, whether you are into all things maritime or not. A day should definitely be enough.

Getting a boat down there is by far the best way to go. If you get the tube to Westminster, just follow the signs to the Westminster Pier exit and the boats will be right there. The boats that do river trips, stop and pick up passengers at a couple of other piers near the Tower of London and the South Bank Centre. Westminster Pier is where they start, and it is a much more spectacular embarkation point than the others imo.

The trip takes about an hour. They boats have a bar (

) and the guides give great commentary on all the buildings and bridges that you pass on the way down to Greenwich. It is a fabulous way to see a part of London that you don't normally get to see.

I was there on a Saturday too & there was great open air market on in the towns main street, that is just behind all the official military buildings. There is also a great old pub on the waterfront, that has been there since Lord Nelson's time. He supposedly had his last pint in England there before he set out on whatever his last big battle was. It has tons of outdoor seating and its a brilliant place to sit and watch the world go by on the river. I was there in late April and it was quite chilly on & by the water, so deffo bring a good coat if you are going in March.

HeidiHeidi · 30-01-2014 7:33am

ProudDUB wrote: »

Oh that is a fabulous thing to do. I heartily reccomend it. I did it a couple of years ago. Greenwich is a great place for a wander around, whether you are into all things maritime or not. A day should definitely be enough.

Getting a boat down there is by far the best way to go. If you get the tube to Westminster, just follow the signs to the Westminster Pier exit and the boats will be right there. The boats that do river trips, stop and pick up passenger at couple of other piers near the Tower of London and the South Bank Centre. Westminster Pier is where they start, and it is a much more spectacular embarkation point than the others imo.

The trip takes about an hour. They boats have a bar ( ) and the guides give great commentary on all the buildings and bridges that you pass on the way down to Greenwich. It is a fabulous way to see a part of London that you don't normally get to see.

I was there on a Saturday too & there was great open air market on in the towns main street, that is just behind all the official military buildings. There is also a great old pub on the waterfront, that has been there since Lord Nelson's time. He supposedly had his last pint in England there before he set out on whatever his last big battle was. It has tons of outdoor seating and its a brilliant place to sit and watch the world go by on the river. I was there in late April and it was quite chilly on & by the water, so deffo bring a good coat if you are going in March.

Thanks a million - this is exactly what I was after!

And thanks to everyone else as well - I think that's my plan made

ciaramc · 31-01-2014 7:26pm

Anyone have any hotel recommendations for a 3*/ 4* hotel in Central London for around €130 max a night for a twin room/double room. Thanks.

yiddo59 · 18-02-2014 11:55am

Diairist wrote: »

I'd be a leeetle more in favour of a day pass. If a station is closed on a line you want to use & you need to get two or three other lines, £5 or £6 can go very quickly.

But with Price Capping on Oyster you'll never pay more than the equivalent travelcard anyway. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14837.aspx

enda1 · 18-02-2014 12:23pm

yiddo59 wrote: »

But with Price Capping on Oyster you'll never pay more than the equivalent travelcard anyway. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14837.aspx

There's a fiver deposit though for the oyster.

Plus you can get a travelcard tacked onto a nationalrail ticket if coming in from stansted for example. Then it's less than the oyster cap. Plus it get's you the 2-4-1 entry to museums etc. that the oyster doesn't (only if tacked onto a train ticket).

roundymac · 20-02-2014 9:04pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Oooh, a boat from central London???

More details please! That sounds great.

ETA - obviously I'll google it, but any inside info/previous experience very welcome!

This is another way to do it.
http://www.greenwich-guide.org.uk/tunnel.htm

Dr. Nick · 25-02-2014 9:11pm

Can anyone recommend any good short-term holiday apartments in London, or any good sites to find them?
Looking to bring the family for 4/5 days in July or August.

tks.

johnington · 26-02-2014 1:03pm

I used this site before:

www.hoseasons.co.uk/

Stayed in a nice apartment in Stratford less than 5 minutes from the tube station for a week.

The apartment was well furnished with kitchen, TV and bed was comfortable.

It was about 20 minutes from central london but cheaper because of that.

DoctorDre · 26-02-2014 4:11pm

Has anyone got the London Pass before? Is it worth it?

Daisy03 · 26-02-2014 8:13pm

A friend of mine stayed in the Collingham Serviced Apartments.

http://www.collinghamapartments.co.uk/

Not sure what there are like price wise but she said they were lovely and spacious.

jt_dublin · 26-02-2014 11:26pm

Have you checked AirBnb? I just did some random dates in July for 4 people for an entire apartment up to €127 per night to see what comes up, and there seem to be plenty to choose from. You can also zoom out to see properties further out of the city. Hope this helps!

https://www.airbnb.ie/s/London--United-Kingdom?checkin=04-07-2014&checkout=08-07-2014&guests=4&room_types[]=Entire+home%2Fapt&price_max=127&sw_lat=51.46239118678287&sw_lng=-0.22330160968067503&ne_lat=51.57060040733077&ne_lng=-0.03928061358692503&zoom=12&search_by_map=true

JT.

Longford Lass · 02-03-2014 9:51am

As above folks, what are my cheapest travel options?
TIA

killbillvol2 · 02-03-2014 12:24pm

Well, if I was going to Reading I wouldn't start at Gatwick - Heathrow would be a lot simpler.

Your best bet might be a bus to Heathrow and then another bus to Reading. I think they're pretty regular.

Longford Lass · 02-03-2014 2:26pm

Ideally I'd have flown into Heathrow, price of flight just too expensive though.
Anymore constructive advise would be welcome folks.
Cheers

exiledelbows · 02-03-2014 4:24pm

I can't find your question, but if you're looking to get from Gatwick to Reading there's a direct train. Takes about an hour I think. Check out NationalRail.co.uk and stick it into their journey planner

Anne Other · 04-03-2014 11:54am

I know this is an old thread but I am looking into booking a trip to Legoland and would love all advice and tips offered!

Pacifico · 04-03-2014 2:38pm

Travelling to London for 2 days soon and from what i'm reading the oyster card will work out cheaper (because of the caps) than a travelcard??

Will be traveling to Watford Junction too one day and it seems the oyster card can be used for this too?!

Any practical advice would be great!

Fratton Fred · 04-03-2014 2:51pm

Anne Other wrote: »

I know this is an old thread but I am looking into booking a trip to Legoland and would love all advice and tips offered!

Get there early, make sure you see the main show.

How old are your kids? Are you planning on staying in the legoland hotel?

Longford Lass · 04-03-2014 10:04pm

exiledelbows wrote: »

I can't find your question, but if you're looking to get from Gatwick to Reading there's a direct train. Takes about an hour I think. Check out NationalRail.co.uk and stick it into their journey planner

Cheers Exiledelbows!
Can I ask you from your experience is it cheaper to buy your ticket online or can I just buy it when I get there for same price?

exiledelbows · 05-03-2014 12:06am

I've checked and it doesn't look like it gets much cheaper than 17 pounds one-way. So it's not cheaper but it is handier. When you buy in advance you know exactly how much you're paying and you can collect a ticket from one of the machines in two minutes. You also don't need to be on a specific train if it's an off-peak ticket.

When you don't, the queues to buy a ticket in Gatwick are always lengthy, and the machines are nearly designed to make you buy a more expensive ticket than you need, especially when your next train leaves in three minutes and you've to make a split-second decision.

exiledelbows · 05-03-2014 12:23am

Pacifico wrote: »

Travelling to London for 2 days soon and from what i'm reading the oyster card will work out cheaper (because of the caps) than a travelcard??

Will be traveling to Watford Junction too one day and it seems the oyster card can be used for this too?!

Any practical advice would be great!

Get an Oyster. The Travelcard and Oyster Cap prices are the same but with the Oyster you might save some money by not hitting the cap. Take for example your trip to Watford Junction. If you travel off-peak (after 9am and not 5-7pm on weekdays) then the trip there and back will only set you back 12 quid, while the off-peak cap is 16.40. As a trip to Harry Potter (which is brilliant btw) takes up most of your day, you may not hit the cap that day, therefore saving money.
Of course, it only saves you money if you have time to return it and get your deposit back at the end of your trip (or keep it for next time).

On Watford Junction, there's a fast train (15-20 minutes) or slower Overground service from Euston. Both accept Oyster.

Anne Other · 05-03-2014 9:25am

When we go they will be 8, 6, 4 and 3.

I don't know if we should stay at that hotel or not, it seems very expensive, but then again it could be worth it.

I know absolutely nothing about the place, which airport to travel from, the distance from airport to Windsor, if it would be better to sail or fly.......I am open to all opinions.

I am hoping to travel on a Saturday afternoon and return Mon / Tues in May.

Longford Lass · 05-03-2014 1:27pm

exiledelbows wrote: »

I've checked and it doesn't look like it gets much cheaper than 17 pounds one-way. So it's not cheaper but it is handier. When you buy in advance you know exactly how much you're paying and you can collect a ticket from one of the machines in two minutes. You also don't need to be on a specific train if it's an off-peak ticket.

When you don't, the queues to buy a ticket in Gatwick are always lengthy, and the machines are nearly designed to make you buy a more expensive ticket than you need, especially when your next train leaves in three minutes and you've to make a split-second decision.

Thanks a million for taking the time to respond in such detail...very much appreciated.
Great to know that I can book ticket online and then collect at one of the ticket machines. I'm going to do just that!
Was a little nervous as they look for the specific train you intend taking. I'm sure this is just to figure whether its a peak or off peak ticket though and charge accordingly?
Anyway, thanks again!

Fratton Fred · 05-03-2014 5:10pm

Longford Lass wrote: »

Thanks a million for taking the time to respond in such detail...very much appreciated.
Great to know that I can book ticket online and then collect at one of the ticket machines. I'm going to do just that!
Was a little nervous as they look for the specific train you intend taking. I'm sure this is just to figure whether its a peak or off peak ticket though and charge accordingly?
Anyway, thanks again!

It's a bit of a plodder of a service and it gets busy, but it is handy. The trains don't run that often though, so sometimes it can be quicker to go in to Waterloo, up to Paddington and out to Reading, but it's a lot more hassle.

Fratton Fred · 06-03-2014 12:23pm

Anne Other wrote: »

When we go they will be 8, 6, 4 and 3.

I don't know if we should stay at that hotel or not, it seems very expensive, but then again it could be worth it.

I know absolutely nothing about the place, which airport to travel from, the distance from airport to Windsor, if it would be better to sail or fly.......I am open to all opinions.

I am hoping to travel on a Saturday afternoon and return Mon / Tues in May.

The hotel looks good, but it is expensive.

Personally I would fly in to Heathrow and stay at the Travelodge in Windsor. That also gives you the option to see Windsor castle as well. Windsor is a real tourist trap and there's plenty to do in the evenings.

Your kids are the perfect age for legoland, they will have a great time. There are rides for each of those ages.

Look for offers, you can often get 2 for 1 deals and free kids places which will save a few quid. I used to find Sunday a good day to go as it gets quieter in the afternoons as the coach trippers head home.

mfceiling · 06-03-2014 8:47pm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

The hotel looks good, but it is expensive.

Personally I would fly in to Heathrow and stay at the Travelodge in Windsor. That also gives you the option to see Windsor castle as well. Windsor is a real tourist trap and there's plenty to do in the evenings.

Your kids are the perfect age for legoland, they will have a great time. There are rides for each of those ages.

Look for offers, you can often get 2 for 1 deals and free kids places which will save a few quid. I used to find Sunday a good day to go as it gets quieter in the afternoons as the coach trippers head home.

Any more tips Fred?

Wife declared today that we are going this year...was going to take in a couple of days in London too...maybe an airbnb?

Fratton Fred · 06-03-2014 9:51pm

mfceiling wrote: »

Any more tips Fred?

Wife declared today that we are going this year...was going to take in a couple of days in London too...maybe an airbnb?

The reason I suggested the Travelodge is that it is 200m from one Windsor station and 400 from the other. They are both at the end of lines though, so no train noise.

It is 50 minutes to Waterloo or 40 to Paddington by train, so quite handy if you want to head in to the big shmoke for the day. I believe there is a shuttle bus to Lego land.

There are nicer hotels in Windsor, but nice comes at a price!

Fratton Fred · 08-03-2014 12:14am

I should add, I've never stayed at that particular hotel, but I know Windsor like the back of my hand and the location is perfect. Trip advisor has comments about noise and I can believe that, it is right in the heart of the town.

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