First Time to London...

brownaldinho

I'm visiting London later this month (28th-30th) as a surprise trip for my girlfriend's 30th birthday.

Neither of us have been to London before so I was looking to get some advice on the best way to go making the most of our trip.

We're travelling by train to Euston (due to arrive at 14.13) and staying at the Thistle hotel there. I have booked tickets for Wicked for the 7.30pm showing so all I'm really looking for to organise on this day is to get suggestions on place to grab a bite to eat (nowhere too expensive as I've booked L'Atelier for the following evening) somewhere between the hotel and the Apollo Victoria Theatre before the show.

The following day I'm planning on doing all the touristy stuff (bus tour, London Eye, Trafalgar Square etc etc) and was wondering what the best way to go about booking this is? Are there any special promotions or combination offers that I should be looking in to?

The final day our train leaves London at 16.30 so I was just planning on heading up Oxford Street to let her do some shopping before we had back up the road.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

whatmichaelsays

Personally, the bus tours have never really struck me as good value. They usually come in at about £25-£30 each whereas an £8ish tube card will cover all of the attractions that the bus would.

Stompa

If you're travelling by train then there are various 2 for 1 offers, for example:

http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/london-eye

http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/offers.aspx

p00hsticks

I always say it on threads like these, so apologies if you've read it before, but I's suggest looking into buying the 2-4-1 River Roamer tickets (via the above link) to get unlimited travel all day on the commuter Thames Clipper services upa nd down the Thames.

From the River you'll get to see loads of sights - Houses of Parliament, St Pauls, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Globe, Tate Modern, Greenwich, Canary Wharf, the Shard, the O2 etc.

There's a pier directly next to the London Eye too.

paddyrg

Also consider some of the regular buses go very attractive routes at a fraction of the price and without a guide making stuff up as you go around. Frankly, though, there is so much to do in London you don't want to go chasing here, there and everywhere when so much is in close proximity. Maybe head to Westminster to look up at Big Ben then walk along Southbank to the London Eye, and if you want to go a little (quite a bit) further you can see Tower Bridge etc so might be nice to combine with your river trip.

If you like museums, three of the biggies are all close together and you've also got the Royal Albert Hall nearby. I love the V&A - it is HUGE, you can explore for hours!

I adore the London parks - Hyde park is huge and the Winter Wonderland (temporary fairground) might still be running when you're there. Look out for wild parrots in the trees. Yes really. Or my wife introduced me to St James' Park (between Buckingham Palace and Parliament) which has the most amazing amazing assortment of water birds on the lake - pelicans included, it's like the UN of birds. Great if you want a sit down on your aching feet (wear comfy shoes!)

billyolly

You can have a Oyster Card delivered to your house ,beats messing about when you get to London.Its a great way to get around on the bus and tube Get one each i think it cost about £5 when you first get one but they last forever and you can pass them on to family and friends. So for about £50 you get 2 cards and its easy to top up online or tube stations.

susancs

I know it is more expensive than using public transport but as your time is so short I would do an hop on and off bus tour with Thames boat ride like the Original London Bus tour (although others are similar I understand) to see as many of the attractions as possible. I always advise relatives visiting us to do this as by the time you buy a tour guide, pay for a boat ride and pay for a daily travelcard or oyster journeys it does not work out that much more to use the offical tour buses with tour guide and boat trip to get around and I have been told by relatives they enjoyed the walking tour. On your next visit to London you can then see attractions in more detail. They currently have a free upgrade to a 48 hour pass.
http://www.theoriginaltour.com/?gclid=CJ7k8v-AsrsCFWbLtAodUw0ABQ

On the Sunday you might enjoy Camden market for cheap London souvenirs.
http://www.camdenlock.net/

There are plenty of places to eat cheaply near both Euston and Victoria, so I would just wander around and find one you fancy eating at. There is so much choice iot would be hard to sugguest anything.

RaiderHammer

Best to book the London Eye in advance if you want to avoid a queue if time is pressing, but you obviously take a chance on the weather then. Also slightly cheaper if booked in advance.