London

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Izzle

I know I'll be hungry, so some place with eats would be great. I love live entertainment so a pub with live music or even a show would be great.

Food suggestion http://www.wagamama.com/restaurants Bottom dropdown, select London

Entertainment? http://www.timeout.com/london

Don't sweat getting back by train if you fall into a party. The night buses are excellent. Just ask your hotel which one runs close. All leave from Trafalgar square

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Food suggestion http://www.wagamama.com/restaurants Bottom dropdown, select London

Entertainment? http://www.timeout.com/london

Don't sweat getting back by train if you fall into a party. The night buses are excellent. Just ask your hotel which one runs close. All leave from Trafalgar square

Trafalgar square on a weekend about 2am is a sight to see!! We Brits like to get effed up.

[Slava]

Can I piggyback this thread as well. I'm planning a trip in October for the Rugby World Cup and am extremely excited! I haven't booked flights or anything yet because I haven't completely decided on dates...part of me wants to see Canada play, and another part of me wants to come for the Final and NFL London the next day with the Kansas City Chiefs.

I am wondering about where to stay (city-wise, as I will probably do a VRBO or AirBNB kind of thing), and getting around once we're there. I have never been, but it seems like trains are the way to go and both easy and reliable? Also in terms of the flights is BA really the best option? I've heard that from a couple people, but again have no idea.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Slava

Can I piggyback this thread as well. I'm planning a trip in October for the Rugby World Cup and am extremely excited! I haven't booked flights or anything yet because I haven't completely decided on dates...part of me wants to see Canada play, and another part of me wants to come for the Final and NFL London the next day with the Kansas City Chiefs.

I am wondering about where to stay (city-wise, as I will probably do a VRBO or AirBNB kind of thing), and getting around once we're there. I have never been, but it seems like trains are the way to go and both easy and reliable? Also in terms of the flights is BA really the best option? I've heard that from a couple people, but again have no idea.

The more central the better, obviously. Our first time there was a few months ago. We stayed in Mayfair, and being more of a financial neighbourhood, was quiet in the evening as opposed to down in Kensington or Traflagar Sq area. Green and Hyde Parks were nearby around a 5 minute walk, 10 minutes to Buckingham, 20-25 minute walk to Westminister area, or Trafalgar Sq if you went that direction.

Or, a 5 minute walk to a central tube station (Green Park) which could've taken us on any number of lines in all direction, such as the Natural History museum. Or if wanted to bus it back after walking to the National Gallery etc, a 8 minute bus ride.

You pay for it (though we had booked one hotel in Kensington, then a week before arrival, checked again and a more central place became available for a significantly lower rate), but at least for the first time, if you're doing touristy things, I think it's worth it to get the lay of the land.

If we had stayed at the original place nearer Kensington, all our days there would've first consisted of getting on the tube to get into more central areas, instead of walking to our first destination as we did.

As for the person with the overnighter, just be aware that you may not get to where's been suggested, until after 9 o'clock or so, probably later. Passport control may take over an hour, and Heathrow's fairly large obviously, by the time you get to the hotel, freshen up and get back to the large airport to catch the Express. You're still at 20 minutes away after you get to Paddington to get to the Chinatown/Trafalgar square/Soho area via the Baker Line.

Though we saw most of the major highlights as we had planned, definitely see us going back to search out some more of the city...very cool vibe and unique place in this world.

[carom]

Izzle- keep in mind you need to get back to the airport fairly early on a Sunday morning. London has a great travel system, but Brits don't like working on Sunday's so the service is reduced (and when maintenance is usually performed). If you don't want to get ripped off take an expensive cab ride on Sunday plan to stay close to the airport. I live in the Borough of Richmond so I am biased, but I think a Saturday evening pint on the River Thames is a great way to spend a summer evening, and less than an hour from Heathrow with many different public transit options.

Slava- I am thinking of getting tickets for the Canada game in Milton Keynes, otherwise I think all their games are pretty far from London. Let me know how serious you get as I can get tickets relatively easily (still on sale last I checked). All the games at Twickenham are long sold out except for an Italy Wales game, I think. I am a season ticket holder for Harlequins so i have been trying to get into the rugby union scene. Anyway, as for your other questions: trains are great for getting around, I just flew air canada and it was fine. I think air transat does weekly charter flights out of gatwick that are the cheapest.

Send me a pm if you have any other questions.

[Barnet Flame]

If eating out in London, or anywhere in the UK for that matter, for restaurant chains you should only rarely have to pay full price.

If you register to get emails from places like Pizza Express, Ask Italian, Chimichanga, etc. you'll typically and regularly get voucher codes for 25% discounts or 'buy one main, get another free'.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/ is a good site. You can do searches for just about anything (including accommodation and days out) and get deals.

Travelling by train? Visit this site for two for one deals at places like the London Eye, London Dungeons, Legoland, Harry Potter Tours and St. Pauls as well as dining deals. http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london

You should rarely be paying full price for stuff here.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by carom

Izzle- keep in mind you need to get back to the airport fairly early on a Sunday morning. London has a great travel system, but Brits don't like working on Sunday's so the service is reduced (and when maintenance is usually performed). If you don't want to get ripped off take an expensive cab ride on Sunday plan to stay close to the airport. I live in the Borough of Richmond so I am biased, but I think a Saturday evening pint on the River Thames is a great way to spend a summer evening, and less than an hour from Heathrow with many different public transit options.

Slava- I am thinking of getting tickets for the Canada game in Milton Keynes, otherwise I think all their games are pretty far from London. Let me know how serious you get as I can get tickets relatively easily (still on sale last I checked). All the games at Twickenham are long sold out except for an Italy Wales game, I think. I am a season ticket holder for Harlequins so i have been trying to get into the rugby union scene. Anyway, as for your other questions: trains are great for getting around, I just flew air canada and it was fine. I think air transat does weekly charter flights out of gatwick that are the cheapest.

Send me a pm if you have any other questions.

I was just looking at the Transat flights actually and they're easily the cheapest (by about $1000 roundtrip for 2 adults!). I'm basically debating dates and what else to do there while we're there. I do want to see Canada, but then again I've seen them and can see them anytime. When will I ever get to see New Zealand again though?! Watching them pound Georgia is still available, and tha Haka would be amazing. Then again there is a Scotland/South Africa game which would be incredible as well. So many choices.

My issue isn't seriousness though; I'm coming and its happening! I will go to a couple games most likely, and tour around England to some extent doing the tourist thing and then maybe head to Paris for a day or two in there. Basically we're looking at two weeks and trying to cram as much as possible into those two weeks. Planning to be very busy!

[Slava]

I thought that I would resurrect this old thread and ask about peoples opinions on the London Pass. I've never been to London, so will be checking out the major attractions and while I'm staying close to the city center, I be taking the train for basically everything. I suppose this decision comes down to whether all of these places are worth touring or just seeing from the outside and skipping the tour. Any advice on that would be greatly appreciated!