Advice for a holiday to London

Ghosteye on 31/08/2017 - 17:30
Last edited 31/08/2017 - 17:31

My GF and I will be heading to London on a holiday thanks to Ozbargain sometime in February (5D4N).

We're having trouble planning the accommodation and the sites to see so we would like some advice on it. I personally have never had the opportunity to travel this far away from home, so I would like to see as much as I can in the 5 days that I'm there, while at the same time going on a rather strict budget (1-1.5k).

Things we would like to consider:
1.Lodging (considering Airbnb and hopping all over London)
2.Sightseeing places (so far I've only thought about the Big Ben)
3.Places for the missus to go shopping and eating
4.Maximum savings on how to get around London with the public transport
5. a cheap phone plan just in case we get lost
All advice would be appreciated!!!!

edit: I had a quick look at the London railway system, and felt completely defeated the moment the map loaded up to full resolution.

Travel

Comments

  • oscargamer on 31/08/2017 - 17:35

    Feb is cold and wet over there. Pack accordingly.

    1. Get somewhere close to the city. Trains are not fun in London in winter.
    2. There are a gazillion. You'll work it out when you get there. Please note that Big Ben (the bell) is not working for the next 4 years, so don't expect any BONGS !
    3. Everywhere. What's her poison?
    4. Take your time. Avoid taxis. Avoid pickpockets on trains/public places (no worse than other places). DON'T LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.

    The underground is fine, once you work out where you are and where you want to go.

  • buzymum20 on 31/08/2017 - 18:08
    +2

    We went there in June/July this year though not to London this time. Would recommend Bletchley Park (code breakers) if going out of London and go to York, Bath, Stonehenge etc. We did London 2 years ago and got a 'London Pass' which covered the entry of some places and queue jumped a lot more. Westminster Abbey was fantastic, Churchill's War Room, Hyde Park, Albert Hall, Windsor Castle, London Tower bridge as well as Tower of London, are all simply stunning. You can buy an Oyster card at Heathrow and that will take you into London. Check out a place to stay which is near a tube station and you are set. This time where we stayed out of London, we got a Brit Rail Pass and just travelled on the trains. Really easy and everyone is helpful if you ask nicely. As for where to stay, we used Wotif and got some mystery deals but they are not offering them any more :( Also there is not a tour for Big Ben, even before the restoration, so you won't miss that- just the chimes going, but still an amazing clock. Enjoy!

  • bl1027 on 31/08/2017 - 18:09

    Check out the London Pass. Its actually worth it because the attractions that are part of the pass are ones you would want to visit. Plus, you get to skip the queues in some attractions. You can also buy the option that includes unlimited public transport. If you don't end up getting the pass, the website lists and provides good detail on the popular attractions.

    I also recommend London Walks - guided walked around London based on Themes. The Jack the Ripper tour was fantastic!

    I used the UK version of Lastminute to buy theatre and stand up comedy tickets.

  • bluesky on 31/08/2017 - 18:18
    +1

    Have a look at the London Pass - there is currently an up to 20% summer sale which ends today 31st August. The sale does come back every now and then.

    This may or may not be worthwhile depending on how many attractions of the Pass you wish to visit. Have a look at this past post where others have contributed comments about the London Pass.

    Many attractions are already free - e.g. The National Gallery, British Museum, Natural History Museum, Victoria&Albert museum. They are well worth a visit. The parks are lovely too - Hyde Park, park around Kensington Palace etc. Also the canal walk around Camden.

    Also, if you are into shopping - you cannot go past checking out Harrods and Fortnums.

    And a night out at the theatre, there are so many shows to choose from - half-price booths offer very discounted tickets.

  • dasher86 on 31/08/2017 - 18:45

    Go on eBay and Google two for one vouchers for sites in London. Alternatively https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london
    HOTUKDEALS.
    The only attraction I felt is worth seeing is London Tower.

    When in doubt Wetherspoons do cheap pub meals!

  • KaTst3R on 31/08/2017 - 19:05

    I was there in Feb last time and it rained almost everyday. That was the main thing I remembered from that trip, getting wet! Do bring a jacket and an umbrella.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 31/08/2017 - 19:07
    +1

    Londoner here:

    Transport is great compared to any capital cities in Aus. You can be 15km out of the city and at Waterloo on the train in 15-20 minutes. Buses pretty much run 24/7.

    I'd check out somewhere like Clapham, Battersea or Greenwich to stay.

    Base yourself in one place and then go to the places you want to see. Get yourself an Oyster card (like Myki)

    Big Ben is fine.. But.. hmmm.. … It's kind of a disappointment (like much of London) - also they are currently renovating it so no chimes at present.

    Markets, Soho, South Bank, Museums (mostly free) - science is amazing!, Harrods and Hamleys are pretty cool to see.

    Giffgaff have cheap plans - but your on holiday… Leave the phone at home!

    • Ghosteye on 31/08/2017 - 20:41

      how are the train fares like in london? are they expensive? or would I be better off having the london pass like many have suggested?

      • Agarwal on 31/08/2017 - 21:28

        The London Pass just gets you into the attractions, you will still need an Oyster Card to use the trains though you can purchase them together, for instance if you buy the 10 day pass you can get it with a 50 pound oyster card, it costs 53 pounds extra.

      • Aniseed Steed on 31/08/2017 - 21:41

        You can check the fares here.

      • bluesky on 31/08/2017 - 23:46

        The hop-on hop-off bus covers most of the tourist attractions. If the London Pass works like the Vienna Pass, then say you buy a 5-day pass. The entire 5 days, you are entitled to use the hop-on hop-off bus, which means transport to most of the tourist attractions are covered. You would not be needing much separate transport, which could save a lot. The occasional ones you can fall back on using the tube/bus or whatever, but hopefully, should not be much.

        I have not personally used the London Pass, but have no reason to believe that it works differently than the Vienna Pass (which entitles one to use the hop-on hop-off bus for all the days of the pass). Still, it would be great if someone who had used the London Pass before can confirm this. Their language is a bit vague as to whether you are only entitled to use the hop-on hop-off for just 1 day, or for all the days of the pass.

  • buzymum20 on 31/08/2017 - 19:28
    +2

    Also don't forget to buy London Pass via Cashrewards as 4.80% cashback

  • Aniseed Steed on 31/08/2017 - 21:31

    I was in the UK for 3 weeks and we used a Giff Gaff SIM. As for transport, we did a lot of walking and also took the Tube and buses everywhere. We just used our BankWest MasterCards to tap on and off. No Oyster card needed as contactless payments cost the same (same daily and weekly caps apply). The Transport for London network is brilliant.

  • jjjaar on 01/09/2017 - 08:14

    Travelodge is a budget hotel chain. Try them. They have around 15 hotels in central London alone. Heaps more further out. I have stayed in four different London Travelodge and anothet 6 throughout uk.

    Another cheaper chain is premier inn. There is also the easyhotel and air asias one where you can pay less for no window….

    Plan the days you'll use yor oyster vs those you can walk around. The oyster caps each day f you use it enough so you're best to use it well one day and not use it the next. You could look into the zone 1+2 unlimited weekly but you might find it is more expensive than the number of days you are there.

  • Cheapskate Paul on 01/09/2017 - 21:16
    +1

    "3.Places for the missus to go shopping and eating "

    This may well blow your budget!

    • Aniseed Steed on 01/09/2017 - 21:30

      So true.

      Try Primark and a salted beef bagel from Brick Lane Beigel Bake, or Tesco markdowns in the evenings. Be true to your Ozbargain spirit.

  • strawberrybug on 02/09/2017 - 13:20
    +1

    Accom: air bnb has great options with the main thing being near a tube station
    Shopping: primark is good for cheap goodies with a big store at Tottenham Court, Oxford St for all your high fashion chain stores like Zara, Mango, H&M etc
    Sightseeing: alot of good tips by other posters above, if you're into food and markets check out Camden Market, Borough Market, Portobello Market
    Dinner at Brick Lane if you like Indian food, lots of cheap and delicious options

    February is cold af so you won't feel like spending much time outdoors but dress warm and make the most of your trip :)

    • Ghosteye on 02/09/2017 - 13:33

      Nice! thanks! I think we will check out those areas.

  • gprelovski on 09/03/2018 - 02:19

    It would be hard to fit these in your trip, but I will try. I definitely recommend going to Westminster Abbey and Maritime Museum . Other than that, it depends what you’re interested in. For outdoor activity, I recommend using the best London's escape rooms platform.(https://www.nowescape.com/london-uk-escape-rooms). It's really useful. Also, you can find the top of sights in Tripadvisor(tripadvisor.co.uk) and visitlondon (https://www.visitlondon.com/) website. Reviews will be there as well.

    Good luck. I’m sure you’ll have a great time whatever you decide to do.

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