London Tube Info...

Sara, I found the Tube to be easily accessible, everywhere and the maps were keenly easy to read (In London anyway). I had about three days in town. I never took a taxi. One tube stop pops out at the base of Big Ben.

The Oyster card is the best way to go for The Tube and you can use it on the buses too. It's fast and efficient.

I'm so jealous!

I haven't been in literally decades, but I was always impressed by how clean and brightly lit the Tube was. Nothing like the sewers we call the subway here in Philly. You could take public transportation and be happy about it in London.

Lucky you, Sara. The tube is indeed the best way to travel but the cost is astounding, especially considering the exchange rate. My god, is it really 2.07? I was there in June and used it quite a few times -- at 1.5£ a ticket it's very steep.... Anyway, yeah, get an oyster card -- they have different types. As long as you only travel in Zone 1 (metro) you'll be fine (still steep -- I spent like 20£ on the tube just for a few days, because I liked to move around. However, sometimes I opted for walking. It's really not that far, for example, to walk from Oxford Road to Waterloo Station, and there are SO MUCH to see along the way, including the British Museum.)

We bought the Oyster card too and had no problems at all getting around. You'll go bankrupt if you take taxis.

and I'll just second what everyone else has said. The tube is very efficient and the taxis very expensive (to get into town from Heathrow costs like 40 pounds [and that was to my place on the west side of London, not even downtown] ).

I am very jealous you are going. I would like to recommend you go to the Portrait Gallery Restaurant for tea (from 3pm - 5:30pm). It's on the top floor of the Portrait Gallery (not the bottom floor, there is a cafe on the bottom floor). It has one of the best views of London in the city, and the tea isn't that expensive. The Portrait Gallery is located behind the National Gallery (which in turn is on Trafalgar Square). Just ask anyone and they can show you. (the gallery itself is fantastic)

Also, if you are interested in art, Sir John Soane's Museum is amazing. It was the private residence of the architect, and it is just beautiful, and weird.

Anyway, have fun!!

WendyNYC said:

We bought the Oyster card too and had no problems at all getting around. You'll go bankrupt if you take taxis.

Click to expand...

Taxies are extraordinarily expensive. I took it once (I was out until 4 a.m. and the tube wasn't open) and it cost me an arm and a leg. I had to crawl back to my hotel.

At Heathrow they have the Heathrow Express to Paddington, which connects with the tube. The best deal in town. It leaves every 15 minutes on the dot, and costs only 15 quids. The ride is short and comfortable.

Yes but you can also just take the tube in from Heathrow as well. The Picadilly line goes right to the airport, and it is even cheaper than the express. In fact I never really understood why anyone took the express at all!

Ugh, the tube from Heathrow takes over an hour -- yeah, it's cheap but I hate to travel an hour in a crowded train with all my luggage. Plus all the stops. (I used to take the subway from LaGuardia to Manhattan and I hated that ride.)

The Express is the best way -- it's only a 15-minute ride. And depending on how much luggage you have... the taxi fares from Paddington to major hotels (I stayed in Kensington so it was just a short distance from Paddington) are not that bad.

Where in Ireland are you going? I'm from the North of Ireland and haven't been home since '96. Originally left in '84. Can't help you with the Tube info, never went to England growing up. Spent time in Scotland -- woohoo.

Post pics!!!! I'm home sick.

Mona tried to tell me
to stay away from the train line.
She said that all them railroad men
just drink up your blood like wine.
And I said, "Oh, I didn't know that.
But then again there's only one I've met.
And he just smoked my eyelids,
And punched my cigarette."

-- Bob Dylan

caw

I don't know if you'll have kids with you on your trip, but PM me if you want some fun suggestions. We went to London June with a 5 and 8 year old and they LOVED it.

I'm so envious. I've wanted to visit Ireland nearly all my life and I haven't made it yet!

If you're in County Clare then visit Moran's Oyster Cottage in Kilcolgan which is just a bit north in Co Galway. Best pint of Guinness in the west and a really good seafood chowder

For information about travel around London go to the Transport for London website here http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

There is a special Oyster card for visitors http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresandtickets/visitortickets/5185.aspx

I'm probably going to be in Ireland for Christmas (married to a Galway woman) and I'll keep that place in mind. Long trip from where I'll be staying, but looks worth it.