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DEL.ICIO.USLondon or bust?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The tourism folks at Visit London (www.visitlondon.com) are always looking to entice North American visitors, one of their biggest markets. One of the ways they do this is with deals in the spring and fall. Spring or fall are the best times to go — the weather’s still fine and hotel prices decline from peak summer months.
Visit London just released a survey that found 99 percent of North Americans have a desire to visit London at some point in the future, and 94 percent would be happy to visit in the next six months. They’ve launched an ad campaign to capitalize on that desire. Are you planning a trip to London this year or next? Is the exchange rate (almost $2 to £1) a problem for you? If you’ve been, can you recommend a good quality, less expensive hotel?
I just got back from a deal to London that made it more affordable, but it still wasn’t cheap because of the sad exchange rate. We took a British Airways deal that was $660 roundtrip each, including two nights in the Victoria Thistle hotel. We opted for another four nights there. It was a fine historic hotel with a full breakfast, and great location right next to Victoria station. The whole trip cost about $3,300, including food, entertainment (two London shows and admission to museums and historic sites), a few small souvenirs, the airfare, and ground transportation (Gatwick Express train from the airport, seven-day pass for Underground and buses). I’m sure we could have done it for less. Have you? Any tips?
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By lovelyliz
October 6, 2006 2:48 PM | Link to this
I went on a 5 day trip with my sister and a friend a couple of years ago and the airfare/hotel with a private bath/shuttle/London Pass cost us each about $1100. Of course then the dollar was worth more.
We did it on a budget and with a day trip to Paris there just wasn’t any time to catch a show. There was a convenience store near our hotel in Kensington that we use for several meals. We also walked - a lot and used the Tube and bus to get around. Taxis can cost you a bit after a while.
When you go on your trip, especially if this is your first to London, you will be disappointed by what you don’t get to see. I know it sounds cliché, but there is just so much to do and so little time & $$$$. Research and prioritize.
You need to research because some sights have odd hours, especially if the Royal family/Parliament is involved, and others like Harrods, a tourist shopping mecca that I missed, are closed on Sundays. Good luck getting into a pub if a football match is showing. Some restaurants have no wait and others that you wouldn’t expect require reservations days in advance. Don’t forget a skirt/dress for the ladies and a jacket for the men. Some places have strict dress codes.
Prioritizing will let you see what you must at whatever pace you set. You might not make it to the bottom of your list, but you’ll at least be happy with what you have done. When I went we spent too much time rushing everywhere.
By Amanda Miller
October 6, 2006 3:55 PM | Link to this
Lovelyliz
That’s exactly what we did — spent too much time rushing everywhere! I’d like to go back with a less hectic schedule. We only got to about a third of our list.
How was your budget hotel? Some friends of mine who went really budget complained their room was about the size of a walk-in closet. My thinking on that, though, is you barely spend time in your room except to sleep, anyway, and as long as it’s quiet and clean, who cares?
Amanda
By LHK
October 6, 2006 4:20 PM | Link to this
I went to London in the fall of ‘02 and made it a very cheap trip for myself. I stayed in a lovely hostel smack in the middle of Holland Park, which is in the Notting Hill area. I was 22 at the time, and traveling alone, but there were plenty of people staying there who were older than I was, and I believe there were some private rooms, as well. They served a full English breakfast in the morning that was included in your room rate, and there was a full kitchen so that you could cook cheap meals. That’s what I did several times — grab something from the grocery store and heat it up there. Additionally, the Sainsbury’s grocery chain had an excellent salad bar, and the Pret a Manger sandwich chain was a great place to stop for a cheap lunch.
The major museums are free. I visited so many of them that I had awful muscle aches in my legs by the end of the week. I went to the discount tickets kiosk in Leicester Square to buy a ticket for a show. They don’t offer tickets for the most current shows, but you can definitely snag a seat at a long-running show there. I saw Les Miserables.
For a day trip, I took the bus up to Oxford to visit a friend of mine. The bus was about only 8 pounds at the time, and even if that’s gone up, I’m sure it’s still a good deal. Buying food and souvenirs in Oxford was cheaper than doing so in London.
I’d advise other London tourists to stay away from shopping for clothes and accessories as much as possible. Save your shopping money for some antiques or handmade crafts at one of the markets, and buy your Euro fashion at one of the H&Ms stateside.
By Swangirl
October 6, 2006 6:45 PM | Link to this
My advice, if you’re staying more than three days, is to get out of London and see more of the country itself. Go to Oxford, Stratford on Avon, Bath, Dover, or even Hampton Court, which you can reach by bus or a boat via the Thames. It’s well worth it and a nice change from the constant concrete.
If you’re a Jane Austen junkie like me, you will LOVE Bath. It was my favorite day trip.
By lovelyliz
October 6, 2006 6:57 PM | Link to this
We stayed at the Park International Hotel. It costs more now and the room was small and the beds were smaller. We didn’t mind because we had a private bath and we didn’t spend much time in the room itself. All we wanted was a clean room in a good location and that’s what we got.
By Yvette
October 6, 2006 6:57 PM | Link to this
Ahhhhh…one of my favorite cities to visit. I’ve had the opportunity to visit many times through business and pleasure. The sights, the people, the shopping and even the food are fantastic! I can’t offer any money saving tips because of the awful exchange rate but if you have never been, GO! Totally worth it!
By Shooter
October 9, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this
Why would anyone go to London,Just wait they’ll send the rest of it over here.They’ve already sent the London Bridge and the Beatles, the rest will follow soon. The weather is bad, prices are bad, they drive on the wrong side, stay home watch the leaves change.
By lovelyliz
October 10, 2006 9:51 AM | Link to this
Go because they actually have history over there. Plus London is usually cheaper than New York.
By lovelyliz
October 10, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
Besides, the weather isn’t that bad. Sure you might get brief showers, but the locals didn’t carry umbrellas because the rain doesn’t get to heavy or last too long. There were no thunderstorm the week we were there (April).