Hey, I am probably just going to spend most of my time in London, or at least in the UK. My mom is already worried enough about me now being over there all by myself [granted i know some people in london], i don’t want her to worry more, and plus i’m not so comfortable with traveling all throughout europe by myself, i like to have someone by my side while i get lost :) plus, places like paris and barcelona won’t be as fun without someone to share them with.
anyway, enough of my rambling. I’ll be in and around England for at least 2 months.
- What are some fun [but relatively cheap] things to do in London?
- is London easy to find one’s way around, despite its size? [i have acquired many maps already]
- how do you feel about the London Underground? Safe? Efficient? Convenient?
- What do you recommend as the safest/money-saving/best way to commute from Heathrow to Regent’s Park upon my arrival [where my hostel is]? Right now I’m leaning toward taking the Picadilly underground line to Picadilly circus and then switching lines and stopping at the regent’s park stop and then walking.. but any other ideas are welcome.
- any recommended trips outside the city [as long as they are a mere train ride away]. i’d love to see Edinburgh for example, any other places in England/Scotland/Northern France/Ireland?
Thanks for the help :)
I went to school in London for a time so feel free to ask me anything! Cheap things in London: museums, picnic in the park, seeing parliment, covent garden. If you want to go see a show, dont go to TKTS. I found the cheap tickets with much better seats that you can choose, are at the box office an hour before the show starts. TKTS doesnt let you pick a seat. The Tube is great. If you get a tube pass you can also use it on the busses if you want to see the land. I swear by the tube. Edinburgh is a great trip, I know of a great hostel and day trip company too. Other good day trips include Wales, Brighton Beach, Noramandy and anyplace Easyjet/Ryan air flys. If you are worried about going alone, the best place to meet people is in A’dam at the Flying Pig. I have been there 3 times and have met some incredibly fun people. Hope this helps!
Traveling along has many pluses. I used to go not onley to Europe, bu to USA to all by my own. Thats the best way to know culter and meet new local people, and see everything from inside not just like tourist. Do not worrie! Enjoy. There are too many friendly people, you are not along if you get lost, its just the way to meet new friends, that special ones who will not let you down in last minut! About places. Scotland is all amasing! I used to travel around there. Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness, Arbroath, Sky and the Western Isles, and a specialy Highlands, Glencoe. Beautiful places, not just fun people, scotish are something you never forget, if get chance to know some closer:-). Good luck, and live your fears home, just be attentive with money and documents. All the best.
london is a really easy city to navigate around. the public transport is pretty good there!
as for around the area, i just got back from the south western areas and its lovely. i recommend having a look at Bath and staying for a couple of nights. i also really enjoyed glastonbury but i would only go if you are keen on a less mainstream culture.
London’s damn small to be honest :)
It’s all the bits within it which take time to see.
I’d recommend hitting the galleries and museums – most of which are free to enter / small donation entry only. Plus you get to learn all about the arts, history, science and pretty much anything, really.
I’d definitely spend a day on one of those hop on hop off buses too – they get you around, and you get to hear histories about the places you drive past – and of course – please promise me you won’t buy one of those useless plastic sheeting coats and sit on the top deck! Just sit up there, get wet and enjoy the ride!
London travel on the tubes is all good – generally delays won’t be too bad, and they get you from A to B cheaply (if you get a day pasS) and of course, you meet all sorts on the tube – just like riding the subways in NY – only quieter, heh
Hmm what else .. oh yeh … have fun, whatever you do
tube rocks. there is no alternative, in my book.
my favourite london tourist book is called “london in a lunch time”. it has loads of really quick chepa things to do around the campital. i used it the most out of any book i brought.
day trips that i took: brighton, bath, cambridge, calais (in france) and overnights in York and Edin.
have a great time!!
The tube is the easiest way to travel because you can go anywhere. I don’t like it too much because I get quite claustrophonic, but it’s much easier than trains/cabs/buses.
Lots of people have said southern parts of England because obviously, it’s easiest to get there. Personally, I think they’re rather dull…but I have been around England more times than I can count so maybe I’m just bored. :p I personally love Ireland, the spirit is a million times more upbeat than here. I also think Stirling is a gorgeous place up in Scotland, as is Edinburgh, Skye, Perth. I think I’m the only person in the world who loves Glasgow too, I think the nightlife there is wicked (check out the Garage for live music & great people). The Lake District is wonderfully relaxing too. And I live in Liverpool, so of course I’d suggest you to come up here and visit. Lots of artsy things, football (if you’re into that), shopping and the music is fantastic. Can’t miss the Beatles museum or the Cavern Club either. ;)
And travelling alone is a huge plus. You make so many friends that way. Have a lovely time!