London Travel Forum

I am arriving to Heathrow (first time in London) on August 27th, staying 5 nights. What kind of weather should I expect? Does anyone knows how much taxi ride is going to cost from the airport to my hotels which is next to South Kensington Station? Thank you all

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get between these two airports? Also, how would I go about doing this (via train).

Thanks

Hi
Could you please advise what attractions / restaurants, pubs /sightseeing you would recommend.
Obviously we will be seeing Buckingham palace, Madam Tussauds etc.

Also as we will there for Xmas (hopefully a white Xmas) we would love to have a traditional Xmas dinner.

We are there – 25/12/2008 – 29/12/2008 staying near Kensington Palace.
Thanks
Russ

Now that I have addressed my transportation needs, I have a question about food and entertainment discounts. Both in California and Sweden I have been able to purchase discount books which contain coupons for both food and entertainment. These are usually good for a year. Some of these books cost as much as 30 GBP but if they are used for 2 or 3 meals and a show they can more than pay for themselves. They offer 2 for 1 deals at most fast food chains, and if you can eat early or late you can get a similar offer at upscale restaurants. Entertainment deals are also often 2 for 1 admissions. The book in California was called Entertainment. It was sold by school children or non profit organizations. I cannot remember the name of the book in Sweden. Do you have something like this in London? If so do you know how I would get my hands on one? As always thanks in advance for taking you time to answer my question.

Hi VTers,

I work in the city (around Liverpool Street/Bank) and quite frankly I'm sick of going to the same places for a quick, cheap lunch. My friends and I meet up for an hour and inevitably always end up at The Wall, Wagamammas or Ekachai. Are there any other places around the same area that you can go for a sit-down, fast and inexpensive lunch?

Hello there,

we will travel to England next week and will go from London to Basingstoke, where we rented a car. I already checked the internet, which recommended to take South Western Train to Basingstoke. It costs around 25 Pounds per person return - is this a normal rate or could I get with any other transport a cheaper result? Thank you very much in advance. Best regards from Evelyn

OK I know I am being a pain about this transportation stuff but I am doing lots of research and it is a large part of my budget. We would like to take a bus from Stansted to Victoria Station. This seems easy enough and will only cost 28 GBP for 2 round trip. I am not worried that it is slower than the Stansted Express. Once we arrive at Victoria we will purchase a one week bus pass and take the number 9 bus to Hammersmith Road, another 28 GBP. Will I be able to take 2 smallish pieces of luggage along with 2 back packs on the number 9 bus? Thanks in advance for your time.

I am flying to Heathrow from the US on Continental, and meeting someone who is traveling from Paris to Heathrow on Air France.

I know Heathrow is a big airport, we land around the same time, is anyone familiar enough with Heathrow that could tell me if there is a good meeting place.

I would prefer close to customs but not even sure if we use the same customs section.

Thanks.

This question is more so aimed at people who live in London.

I'd say Brick Lane, but it's packed out now and I'd hardly say it's undiscovered.

Anything out there that would even surprise most Londoners?

we will be in Amritsar for 3 nights, if we take a trip to september do we need to stay over night any ideas for alternative travel guides?

Can someone help me understand the convention for tipping in London for dining. A Londoner response is preferred but please help regardless. I just came back from London and was baffled by the range of answers I got for how much I should tip in a restaurant. Here are the responses I got...

1. Don't tip. The servers take this as an insult as if you were offering money to a beggar.
2. It's not necessary to tip but you can if you like. You can just round the bill up (e.g., from 78 to 80 pounds).
3. 10% is reasonable.
4. Two restaurants had a service charge on the bill of 12.5%.

I left confused tending to tip 10% when a service charge was not on the bill. I kind of just got the impression that no one really cares one way or another. In the states if you just rounded up the bill a couple percent it wouldn't go back to that restaurant as that would be very insulting to the server.

Can someone please explain the oyster card?
We will be in London for 3 days and are wondering if it's worth purchasing?
We are staying near Regents Park and plan on travelling to Wimbledon, Brixton, Greenwhich and a few other places.

Would the card save us money?

And also, can it be purchased at the tube station at Heathrow Airport.

thanks very much.

HI, we are arriving Lond Heathr and will need to travel to hotel- Brindle house near to Victoria or Pimlico station.
What would be the easiest and (? cheapest option. I will be travelling with a child, so easy is good.
Thanks

Hi We are planning a day trip to Bath by train, getting started by 8 or so from Lancaster Gate,I think. Not sure about tickets though. Can we (should we) prepurchase or can you buy them on the train? I`ve read about long queues at ticket offices and would like to avoid that. I`ve heard about Cheap Day Return Tickets and One Day Travelcards but they are only valid after 9:30am. We are planning to get the 5 day travel card which covers zones 1-6, so our trip to Windsor is covered. what is an Oyster Card and what is the easiest way to obtain one? Also, does prepurchasing(from home) require specifying a particular day of travel?
Thanks for any help and all suggestions much appreciated. Anna&Kym

My wife and I will be spending our first day in London on my birthday which is on a Sunday night. I'm looking for suggestions for a place in the 50 to 60 pound per person range. We are staying right near the Holborn tube. Any restaurants with a birthday deal (free wine with dinner or better yet a free dinner on your birthday). I am open to any type of menu.

Hi

Was wondering if anyone of any books shops that sell first editions such as A A Milne's Winnie the Pooh or Little Women etc

Thanx

Stef x

Hi!
I was wondering if there is a UK equivalent to forever21.com .
It doesn't matter if it is an online shop or a boutique.

Cheers!

I was reading a story in which one of the characters visits the chapel of Guy's Hospital. The chapel is decribed as beautiful. When I did a google search for it, I found a chapel opposite Boland House, but apparently it belongs to Kings College. Is it the same chapel? Is it open to the public? Is it very beautiful or was the author letting her imagination run away?
Thank you for any information.

Hi,

I'm planning a very short break to London on 27th December (probably 3 nights) and would like to know if there are christmas markets during that period.
Is the X'mas atmosphere vibrant and interesting in London?

Are most shops and restaurants closed?

My main purpose of this trip is to unwind, relax and enjoy the festivities, plus photography.

Cheers
Glen

Hi there,

I am planning to go to London for the first time ever in a week, with my boyfriend who has also never been before.

We have booked to go on the London Eye, but would also like to go and see shops and I have been advised that Oxford Street is the best place to go for this.

However, getting there seems to be a bit of a worry for me!
I am a bit jubias about getting on the Tube because of what I have been told about it. (ie being cramped, takes a long time, confusing etc)

So I was wondering if someone could tell me how long it would take me approx to walk from the London Eye to Oxford Street.
Also, if possible, could someone please tell me the best ruite to go or if that may be a bit too long winded, then to point me in the direction of an easy accessable online map?

I look forward to your replies.

Many Thanks
Kerry

Hello VT people,

In August I will be arriving at London-Heathrow from the US at about 7am on a weekday. I have another flight on easyjet heading for Holland at about 2pm but leaving from Stansted. So far it looks like the best option (and best value) for me will be to take one of the National Express shuttle buses. My question is: Should I buy the ticket in advance from the website or should I just buy it when I get there? Are there usually long lines for these buses? I would hate to have to miss a couple of buses and risk missing my connecting flight.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

There is a lovely tall column in front of Westminster Abbey with a statue on top of it. Can anyone tell me who the statue is? Thanks.

Hi there,

I am going to London on the 23rd July for my birthday via coach travel and I plan to go on the London Eye.

However, I am wanting to also see shops and that.

Could someone please help me out with where I could find shops like Newlook and Primark etc. Also, could you tell me the best way in which to get to them from the London Eye (eg walking or tube).

I look forward to your replies.

Thanks a lot.
Kerry

Hello again,

Two days ago I saw a quick comment on the BBC about a problem with the Oyster Card. I don't know the details. Was there a problem? Thanks in advance for your time. Lee

Hi,
soon I`ll be in London again. As I`d like to do some serious shopping for my sweethearts birthday, I´m looking for a place where I can find some stylish sleeping masks in London. I found some really interesting ones on the internet (for example "peeper-sleepers") but the shipping costs were outrageuos. Where in London can I find a shop with a good collection of sleeping masks ?

Thanks for your help

Michael

Hi, I am only young and I plan to go to London for my birthday with a boyfriend via coach travel.
Our trips includes us being dropped off at the London eye and we get a trip on it too.
However, I would also like to see shops and other things like that.
But, as I am not sure about travelling in London... I was wondering if someone could just let me know what trains to catch to get from the London Eye to Oxford street or some place with shops.
Also, how much approx would this cost me?

Please reply soon.

Thanks
Kerry

how can i find the cheapest tours from london to stonehence & the cheapest tour from london to birmingham ....how much is this .... where can I book that ..... should be 1 day tour .....

please let me know ....

Hi I know when leaving the UK you can claim back vat on purchases, Can you claim back on car hire and Accommadation.

Hi, I was wondering if There's still double decker bus run from Heatrow to London central or any close to euston area. Will be arriving there and not sure what to take to central.thanks if anyone can give info.

Im a single woman travelling to London for 3 nights from 22 Sep, and have exhausted myself on trip advisor and hotel sites in search of a decent, clean and safe budget hotel close to Paddington Station. The pics & reviews have almost put me off coming to London....my budget is no more than 65 pounds a night.

Does anybody have any feedback on Lancaster Hall Hotel in Craven Terrace, or know anybody that has recently stayed there. As Trip Advisor has good reviews,but there are only a couple listed.

Any feedback would be appreciated.