Ryanair is a HUGE blessing! Ryanair is a cheap airfare and doesn't feel cheap, but you have to book early to get a great deal! Their seating is a come first, come serve. You can opt to purchase your seat in advance, but I don't think that is necessary. Don't let the baggage restriction scare you. Honestly, as long as you aren't carry your closet you should be fine! lol
Our trip was in January. It was for 3 nights and 4 days.
I paid 47.92 Euros for my flight from Nurnberg to Stansted Airport. That's $69.18 round trip.
Stansted Airport is about 39 miles from London. The airport is very small and quick to get through. The train station is conveniently located. We took out pounds at the airport ATM. My spending budget was only $200! Ha,ha. London is expensive. The exchange rate sucks! My 100 pounds was like $170. Yea, needless to say I blew my budget. I think I used about 200 pounds.
To avoid any headaches it's very,very important to call your bank before you go and let them know you are going to London. Some of the girls had trouble at the ATM machine.
The train takes you to Liverpool Station. Big train station. Once you get your bearings and understand the train map you'll be on your way! They call the train "underground" for a reason. lol It can feel like a maze but you get use to it you'll feel like a Londoner!
Here's the map.
So big question. Oyster Card, London Pass worth getting?! Oyster card was a saver. We got ours at the train station at the airport. We all put 20 pounds on our cards and it last through out our stay in London. You can order your Oyster Card in-advance but make sure you have enough time to have it delivered to you. You'll need to get it about 30 days in-advance if you want it delivered. If you get it online it is 16 pounds RT from airport to London. See Link below for more information. You can also get it while you are there at the ticket counter with a live person. Here's the Link to the Oyster Card.
As for London Pass. That would be a personal preference. Here's the link.
We stayed in Paddington. Which is a suburb of London. We stayed at Tunes Hotel.
http://www.tunehotels.com/gb/en/our-hotels/paddington-london/
It was about 2 stops I believe on the Tube to get to the main attractions from the Hotel. Again, once you get your bearings and understand the Tube map you'll be ok. It gets easier.
The first night we took a Jack the Ripper tour and ended at the Sherlock Holmes Pub, which was a very great treat. Food was yummy! I wish I took a picture of the Pub and the food. Sherlock Holmes Pub I think is worth going.
Next day we did the London walking tour and I think it was worth it. The guides were great. It was free, but the guides get paid via tips.
http://www.newlondon-tours.com/daily-tours.html
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| The Walking Tour Starts at the Covent Gardens |
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| You'll see the Trafalger Square |
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| Trafalger Square is where the Blue Rooster Is. |
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| You'll continue down to Buckingham Palace |
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| Don't miss the change of guards. (side note: there is a restroom near here) |
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| The home of where Diana lived and now where William's Lives. |
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| Church of where Diana got married. |
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| You end the walking tour at the Big Ben |
There is one disadvantage of the walking tour. They don't really give you enough time to stop long enough to take a few pictures. Especially at the Buckingham Palace. So please make time to go back after walking tour. Please don't forget to tip your guide!
After the tour I got separated from my girls group and decided to see about going to look at the London Bridge. Saw some strange characters. Don't be afraid to go off the tourist path.
The London Bridge is far from the main attractions. I walked, walked and walked, but just seem to not get closer! lol So finally took a bus.
The bus was fun and a great way to see the city and cheap! I'm ALL about cheap! lol
Finally I got close enough to London Bridge to take a picture. When in London make sure you try all the yummy food. Badgers and Mash..etc. This is their breakfast. YUM!
London was great! But the biggest treat for me was seeing Stonehenge! I've seen it in travel magazine and stuff, but seeing it in person. I got teary eyed. We got tickets for a coach tour from Goupon. Here's the link.
The 3rd and last day we took a tour to Stonehenge. The coach departs from London Victoria Coach Station. Make sure you map it because it can be a bit hard to find. Also, keep in mind that train stops running at certain times and doesn't open at certain time. Don't quote me but think they stop running at midnight and open until 6 or 7am. We had to be at the Victoria Coach Station by 8am and we took the bus from hotel because train weren't running early enough.
Another note, make sure you are getting on the right bus. It can get confusing. There are guides their that can help.
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK! It'll make for a less stressful travel. :)
Relax and enjoy the country side.
We went by and saw the back gate of Prince Charles Estate.
...and then you get to Stonehenge.
The Stonehenge coach tour was about 35 pounds. $59.00. SO WORTH IT!!! LOVE IT!
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| Bath |
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| Roman Bath |
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| Pump Room |
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| Pump Room |
After Bath this tour took us to Shakespeare's Birthplace and house he grew up in.
The next day we departed London. Took bus, by our hotel, to Liverpool Station. We took train from there to Stansted Airport. Make sure you view the monitors. Being that Ryan Air is first come first serve, you want to make sure you are in line to get a good seat or at least be able to seat together.
At the airport, Ryan Air gives you options to have a Shopping Bag Allowance. Means you can have a 1 standard size shopping bag, in addition to your hand luggage. Which is a great bonus!
Well, that my friends is my trip to London. I hope it answers most of your questions and gives you some ideas on cost and ideas!
Have Fun!
What fun! It looked like youbhad a jolly old time.
ReplyDeleteI did. So nice to check it off my list and have the memories!
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