london travel suggestions?

[Wulfman]

hi everyone,

I was told a few days ago that I have to go to Cambridge for a day next week, and will meet up with the gf for the weekend in London, to relax. any suggestions for a nice/well connected area with not-too expensive b&bs/hotels/hostels?

is there any budget-friendly way to get theater tickets and the likes? here in Vienna it is possible to get remaining tickets one hour before the opening for a nominal fee, anything like that?

... and how reliable is the national express coach?

would appreciate any help,
wulfman

[Fat Tone]

London != cheap

It's beena while since I lived/worked near London, so hopefully someone more up to date will post too, but here's by 2p for starters.

Travelodge is a value-chain of motels worth looking at. Much cheaper out of the centre, but remember that the tube network closes before the clubs do! There's a network of Night Busses that can take you home after that.

National Express are ok I think.

There is a ticket booth in Leicester Square that sells late-deal tickets. It's not too far from the theatres.

[UtwigMU]

If you're into politics, definitely go see Houses of Parliament, otherwise don't.

For relaxing with Girlfriend, check the area around Covent Garden - people drinking wine, musicians playing strings, see also bars around Leicester square (We got drunk with Gnep there ), there's a kiosk there where you can buy theatre tickets.

If you're into galeries don't miss Tate. All museums are free, recommend British museum particularly.

For hostel booking go to Hostelworld.com. I booked hostel and hotel in Vienna on that site and the reviews of places I stayed (Meininger, Wombat's) on site were close to reality. For tube there are areas which are covered by ticket - closer to center, lesser the cost. Recommend staying close to center, though I have no area to recommend. Around London the express trains going from airports to center (Gatwick and Standsted Express) are reliable and run every 15 minutes or so.

[Fat Tone]

Defo do the London Eye.

[Wulfman]

found us a (hopefully) nice place somewhere in the north, will check the other stuff out.

thanks so far,
wulfman

[Wulfman]

had a nice trip, will probably move to Cambridge at some point this year.

recommendation: got best-available stand-by tickets for 15$ (student) at the royal Shakespeare theater company, forth row and nice view.

mfg
wulfman

[Fat Tone]

glad you enjoyed the trip. what else did you do/see?

[Wulfman]

Oxford, Cambridge, too many interviewers, and all in all the basic stuff in London - Tower, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Tate modern, Barbican center... all in all mostly walking around.

thanks for the suggestions!

cheers,
wulfman

[Fat Tone]

So we should really be saying congrats on getting in to Cambridge?

[Wulfman]

only half the story, but yeah.

mfg
wulfman