London

LauraAndrew23 · April 2011

We are booking our honeymoon for 7 days to London and spending one of those days in Paris. If you have ever been to London- how much extra spending money (in addition to the hotel and flight costs) for food, attractions, etc. did you bring?We are not planning on dining at five star restaurants, unless it is for just maybe one night.

Also, does anyone recommend a particular London hotel that is not overly expensive (Paris will only be a day trip, so no hotel needed there)?

LD1970 · April 2011

I'd try B&Bs, and look at fodors.com for hote/B&B recs. As for money, you know what you'll want to buy/do... but just keep in mind that with the exchange rate & the strength of pounds sterling, prices are nearly double. Figure $1.80 or so to the pound, so when you're gauging price, it's easiest just to double everything in your head. A dinner that's 20 pounds, figure is just under $40.

chantelcutie7 · April 2011

get a pass for the Tube (metro) and your travel will be covered. Then Fiance and I usually plan to spend at least 100 pounds/day.

We usually convert some cash a week or two before the trip, say about 500 pounds or so, then either change the money bi-daily as needed, or use a credit card that doesn't have international fees.

In London there can be a lot of free/cheap ways to spend your days, even just walking around Camden or Trafalgar sq. can be enjoyable.

[Deleted User] · April 2011

Hey there,

I live in London. The exchange rate at the moment is about 1.60 and I check it ALL the time due to sending money back to the US to pay for my wedding, I wish it were 2:1! So you will be overestimating if you double your expenses.

Anyway it's difficult to answer this question as people travel in different ways.

I would look at opentable.com to book restaurants and snag a discount.

Check out http://daysoutguide.co.uk/ to get 2 for 1 tickets to places like the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace as well as some restaurants.

You can get discounted tickets to shows in Lecister Square at TKST.

I personally do not really buy things when I travel I buy experiences for the most part. If I were to travel to London from the US I would not buy very any things as it's much more expensive here and there aren't many things here that you can't get at home for WAY less.

I try to buy my clothing and shoes at home when I go to visit for example b/c the sales tax here is 20%, it's added in BTW the price you see is the price you pay.

However if you are the type of person who buys trinkets you would need to bring more money then I.

I would get an Oyster Card (travel), DO NOT pay a fee to have someone send you one to the US. You can get one at the airport etc. It will cost £3 plus the money/ weekly travel card you put on it.

There are Groupons, Living Social Deals, and KGB in London you can check these out ahead of time to get some good deals. Check out my blog as well.

Please feel free to page me on Philadelphia or May 2011 if you want any suggestions.

j_jaye · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_london-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:e1309ddb-a65f-4c17-b289-2dc03b2b6ed0Post:2ee7f4be-0c8d-4992-ace6-22ba6b0abca2">Re: London</a>:
[QUOTE]London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. There are wonderful things to do and see, <strong>but there is no cheap fast food to save you money like in the USA.</strong> Public transportation is excellent, and the tube goes most places you would want to see. Check out Rick Steves website for hotels in London. Their standards are not the same as ours. Expect much smaller rooms and smaller beds. In room showers are so small they are laughable, especially if you are 6'3", like my son. Location is very important. You want to be near a convenient tube stop.
Posted by CMGr[/QUOTE]

Um this is not correct information. There are plenty of cheap haunts to eat in, lots of cafes (which actually serve full meals not coffee and such great for a cheap breakfast), fish and chips, chinese, pizza, kebabs. Eating anywhere near a university can be cheap as their customers are usually students living on very little. Eating in pubs (and not the touristy pubs next to museums etc) is a great way to get into the culture and save some $$. If you use common sense and go for a stroll a street or two back from the tourist areas you will find some gems.

I would try VRBO and the like for rental appartments as they can be cheaper than hotels and B&B's. And since the transport network is so good even look at staying outside of central London. The extra few pounds on a transport ticket is worth the savings for staying out of central London. Plus the transport runs 24hrs so even if you catch a late show you can get back to your accommodation.

mica178 · April 2011

I've always stayed with friends in England, so I can't comment on lodging.

Here are a few of my money savers:

1. Find a local Sainsbury or Tesco and have yogurt for breakfast (you can ask for a spoon at the check-out counter).

2. You can have cheap lunches if you follow the locals to their cafes rather than eat right by all the tourist attractions. You can get a basic sandwich for a couple pounds, and it'll probably taste better than the stuff the rest of the tourists are eating. Indian food is the new English food, and it's cheapish too.

3. Get an Oyster pass and take public transportation as much as you can.

Hellokatie0517 · April 2011

I went there on business a couple years ago. I stayed at the Marriott Maida Vale. It's close to the tube. It's a no-frills hotel and I can't imagine it was all that expensive. The Underground is easy to get around. If you're looking to save money get an oyster card. It gives you access to the tube (subway) for a designated amount of time.

JoBell123 · April 2011

I've stayed near Russel Square (near the British Museum) and near the Marble Arch and both were within walking distance of most areas I'd go to. But do get the Oyster card.

Check out the Thistle hotels, my coworkers stay at one of thier properties whenever they have to travel.

And if you're looking for recommendations on what to do, check out the London Eye. You'll get the best view of the city!

mpgator · April 2011

Check out www.airBnB.com for short term apartment rentals. They are typically a lot cheaper than hotels and you get anemities like washer and dryer, etc.

London

Re: London

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