Desperately seeking help on travel to Wembley Arena - can any Londoners help?

Lesley998

Hi

My 17 year old son is travelling with a friend to see Metallica at Wembley Arena on Sunday July 8th. They are staying at the Wembley Travel Lodge.

We live in Aberdeen and they are completely unfamiliar with the area.

So far we have worked out that they will take the Megabus to Victoria Coach Station, arriving Sunday morning around 6.15am. They will then take the tube from Victoria to Hanger Lane.

They then have around nine hours (!) to fill in before they can check into the hotel.

However...can anyone help me with the following: (sorry for all the questions, I really appreciate any help at all)

Can they walk from Hangar Lane tube station to the Travel Lodge, and will it involve crossing any extremely busy roads - not that they are stupid but I wouldn't want to negotiate four lanes myself on foot

Should they take a bus from Hanger Lane to the hotel, and how can I find out the bus number? Or should they take a taxi? I have tried phoning the hotel for info, but it is an automated system and you can't speak to a real person, and the website has sparse info on public transport. Wembley website is better, but they are not travelling from Victoria to Wembley direct, they are going to hotel first.

If they get the hotel to order a taxi from the hotel to Wembley Arena, any idea of cost, and will they be able to flag one down for the return journey at 11.30 pm?

Is Hanger Lane the best option for Travel Lodge Wembley from Victoria, or is there a nearer train station (Stonebridge?)

Any help or advice at all would be gratefully appreciated
Lesley

mookiandco

Have you tried https://www.tfl.gov.uk and used the route planner. You can put in the postcode of the hotel as the destination and it should tell you the best way to get there from Victoria.

Lesley998

I have been on the site actually, but when I checked the route the advice ended at Hanger Road...no other directions from there to hotel. I will go try the hotel post code though - thanks.

randomtask_2

It's been a while since I was out that way, but Hanger Lane is crossed via either subways or footbridges since it can be very busy as it is a glorified roundabout (though less so on Sundays). It's a 1/2 mile walk from either Hanger Lane Tube or Stonebridge Park station, so as long as he travels light, I'd say it's OK to get to the hotel on foot.

Can't help you on taxis, but there are buses (No. 83 or 182) from Wembley stadium that go towards Wembley Central - this is on the Bakerloo line and is one stop from Stonebridge Park.

tanith

The best station for that Hotel is Stonebridge Park on the Bakerloo line.. its a straight walk from the station of 10 mins at most there would be no major roads to negotiate....... they can also get a bus No. 18 from fairly close by that will take them to Wembley then just a short walk to the Arena.... I am sure the Hotel will point them in the right direction for the bus.... I doubt they would easily get a taxi afterwards but just either get the bus or walk back to the hotel its a very straight forward route ....
Hope that helps and if you have any more questions please ask away

Lesley998

Thank you so much. I am a little paranoid about them...walking late at night in London, when they are not used to the area and will stick out like sore thumbs. Young lads with mobiles etc are targets I guess. They have no clue where they are going and have no time to familiarise themselves with the area.

Do you think two typical seventeen year olds can work out the route they need to take ok? (mind you, mine can't even work out how to put a plate in the sink )

tanith

From Stonebridge Park Station to the Hotel is really simple , the station and Hotel are both on the North Circular Rd about 10 mins apart... and the bus stop is just 2 mins further on from the Station.... I really do think the two of them could figure it out between them and the reception in the Hotel will probabley have timetables and maps anyway..... Wembley Stadium/Arena would be visible from where they are staying its that close...... You say they have 9hrs to kill before they can book into the Hotel not sure what they would do in that area for all that time maybe the hotel would let them leave their bags in a secure place while they explore....

randomtask_2

Might I suggest that in the 9 hours they have to fill before checking in, they use some of that time to do a 'reckie'? They've certainly got time to familiarise themselves with the area and probable routes to and from the venue. Or is that too much to ask?

Lesley998

You are absolutely right of course...nine hours will be more than enough time to get their bearings. I think I was sort of meaning they will be arriving and leaving within such a short space of time its not like they can get used to the place (I know when I visited Barcelona I didn't feel comfortable with the tube system till about day three!)

Thanks all again, really appreciate the help

iluvmylexus

one place they could go to kill a little time is the ACE CAFE a historic bikers meet from the 50's and 60's it now hosts various car and bike club meetings every day of the year ranging from classic 50's , custom cars to italian stallion lambos and ferraris
it is very close to stonebridge station (which i would recommend over hanger lane for the hotel anyway)
there is usually a live band or dj on most nights of the week and the food is upmarket greasy spoon/american diner type fare
check out the ace cafe website for what is on and directions
well worth a look as they are so close

Lesley998

Thank you very much for that tip, really appreciated.