London - Fly In and Fly Out Whirlwind Visit

Alcmene

Hi all

Visiting London 15-18 March. Really excited.

My friend is flying in to Gatwick about half past midnight. I am catching the train down.

We would like to do all the touristy central London things (did I mentioned I was excited? ha ha).

I'm trying to work out the logistics of travelling to the centre and where to stay.

I'm keen to book a secret hotel for a great price. However, I'm worried about the trip between the airport and the centre. Can someone who know London well help please? What area should I be looking for a hotel in bearing in mind that we (well I may be there earlier) will be arriving quite late? I'm assuming that there is a money saving way to get from the airport to the centre.

<phew> loads of questions!

susancs

You could look at www.easybus.co.uk as Gatwick to Earls Court is £4.99 for the bus that leaves at 1.10am (next bus is not until 4.35am and then fairly regularly after) and the return journey on 18 March fares start from £2. You could use the Holiday Inn friends and Family link for dates 15-18 March. The Holiday Inn Express Earls Court is £83.02 per twin bed room and includes a free breakfast. The bus stop is a 5 minute walk from the hotel. It would cost more but you can get a train from Gatwick to West Brompton (Train leaves at 4.04am and is currently £10.90 on www.southernrailway.com) and the hotel is a few minutes walk from there. There are directions on the Hotel website.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1535105

Reviews for the hotel are here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186338-d569244-Reviews-Holiday_Inn_Express_Earls_Court-London_England.html

It would be a quick 5 minute tube journey from Earls Court to South Kensington for the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert Museums or about 20 minute walk. it would be a 10 minute approx tube journey to Westminster to see the Houses of Parliamant, Big Ben and walk along the embankment to the London Eye or you could do a boat trip to the Tower Of London from Westminster pier. For Buckingham Palace (changing of the Guard on 16th and 18th at 11.30am), it would be about 10-15 minutes of a tube journey to Victoria and then walk to Buckingham Palace. There is a St Patricks Day Parade starting at Hyde Park and bands in Trafalgar square in London on Sunday 18th.

susancs

For a tour of London there is currently a deal on wowcher for a 3 hour bus tour of London with guide for £8. I have used them once before for cinema tickets and had no problems. It looks like they send you a code to book the tour online at the discounted rate after purchase.
http://www.wowcher.co.uk/deals/london/deal-1941-detail/8-instead-16-3-hour-open-bus-tour-london-golden/deal.html?ito=wowcher_email_0002

Alcmene

Thank you both, I'm on the case and sorting things out!

Alcmene

I've had a quick look at the Holiday Inn and it seems like a viable option, thank you susan for pointing it out.

I am going to investigate some more upmarket options first though, maybe secret hotel! Any suggestions?

Alcmene

I ended up booking the Hilton at Tower Bridge. Any advice how to get there from Gatwick please?

Well, I am coming from Victoria but I think I *should* be able to find it!

maryjane01

A train goes from Gatwick to London Bridge station, then it is just a 5 minute walk. Easy!

https://www.walkit.com is a good website if you want routes for walking from point to point.