How To Pass A Day In London
by Dencho Denchev
Getting to London:
Which Airline Should You
Choose
Getting To London From Heathrow
You can get to London by
either:
Car Bus Taxi Train Car
It takes approximately 45-60
minutes to get to central London from Heathrow. When leaving Terminals
1, 2 and 3, follow exit signs to the access/exit tunnel. Follow signs to
the M4 motorway, which will eventually bring you into London. Terminal
4 is on the main A30 road. The M4 and M25 orbital are signposted. Again,
follow signs to the M4 which will eventually bring you into London.
| Bus
The Airbus links Heathrow
Terminals with many London hotels and some main line rail stations. It
departs every 20 - 30 minutes and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Airbus A1 - Serves Victoria London voa several London hotels. Airbus A2
- Serves Russell Square via Euston rail station and also drops off at some
West End hotels. Airbus Direct - Serves many central London destinations
from Terminal 4 with additional services from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. One
Way: £6 Round Trip: £10 Tel: +44(0)181 897 2688 There is also
an all night bus service from Heathrow to central London. Taxi Follow the
signs in each terminal Arrivals areas for taxi ranks. The journey time
to central London is approximately 45-60 minutes and will cost you between
£35 and £45. Train Heathrow has two rail services to central
London. In addition to the London Underground is the Heathrow Express service
to London Paddington station. |
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Getting Around In London:
The Tube
The Underground or the Subway
is known as the 'Tube' in London. It is fast and convenient and allows
you to shoot across the entire length of London without a clue as to the
traffic chaos above. It is relatively inexpensive and there are weekly
or monthly passes known as Travelcards. Stations are easy to come by and
usually within walking distance of each other. However, because of its
convenience the tube is often crowded and can be stifling in summer.
If you are on a commuter's
schedule, realise that so is the rest of London.
The Tube covers Zones 1 and
most of Zone 2. It also covers part of Zone 3 in the North and West. In
the case of Heathrow airport, the Tube will take you all the way there.
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The Tube conveniently links
up with London Bus stops and British Rail stations.
Red London Buses
The famous red London buses
are very easy to use and a popular means of transport. They are frequent
and, because of the lack of doors, you can hop on hop off whenever the
bus slows down enough. If a traffic jam strikes, hop off and you'll be
there before your bus catches up. The current mayor of London is trying
to phase out the old buses in favour of new double-deckers with doors -
let's hope it doesn't happen!
Buses link residential areas
of London where the Tube tracks don't go, and also crisscross Zone 1 as
an alternative to the Tube. A ride on the bus in Zone 1 is £1. |
Travelcards can be purchased
that are also valid for bus travel. Travelcards can be bought at any London
Underground station or from News Agents bearing the Travelcard sign. To
purchase your first Travel Pass you will need to bring a passport sized
photograph.
When the normal services
stop, night buses take over. They run less frequently however are very
useful services to get you home when the tubes shut down at around 1am.
Night buses usually start
around midnight and have the letter 'N' before the usual bus number. They
seem to congregate around Trafalgar Square and the nearby streets that
radiate out from the square, so head that way when the clubs close and
you're desperate to get home for some sleep.
British Rail British Rail
is the above-ground equivalent of the Tube. These trains can be excellent
to use if you live out of Zone 1 and just off a Tube line and want a speedier
option than the bus. British Rail will take you in to Zone 1, but not far,
as the Tube takes over from there for obvious town planning reasons.
Main British Rail stations
closest to the centre of London are Paddington and Victoria servicing the
West and South West, King's Cross and Euston servicing the North, and North
East, Waterloo servicing the South and London Bridge and Liverpool Street
servicing the South East and East.
If you'll be using this service
frequently, you can purchase a British Rail TravelCard.
Black Cabs
These famously shaped taxis,
where you can face the other members of your party limousine-style, are
a good way of getting around. The drivers know London like their own backyard
and you will see would-be drivers zipping around town on mopeds with books
open in front of them. They are studying for their Black Cab test. Quick
trips in and around Central London aren't too expensive but this probably
wouldn't be your main mode of transport.
Mini Cabs Can be useful because
they travel into parts of London, i.e. Zone 2 and beyond, where you will
be pushed to find a Black Cab. But be wary of them too. These are not registered
or licensed or checked-out in any way. These are the normal looking cars
parked on the side of the road asking if you need a lift. They are not
metered and you will need to agree on a fixed price for the ride before
getting into the car.
These are co-ops of drivers
who form a cab company. If they don't find you first, you can call their
office number (you should see minicab business cards distributed around)
or approach the office in person. Please be careful using minicabs for
the obvious reason that they are not licensed cabbies. If you are female
and travelling late at night, please try and find another way home. Night
buses come in handy when the Tubes close down for the night.
On Foot
A bit of a stroll down the
Thames Walk or a walk from Buckingham Palace/St James Park over to High
Street Kensington will keep the grog and pub food from taking too much
of a toll. London is one of the best cities to explore on foot. You see
all the little lanes and shops, pubs and theatres that you would otherwise
miss Tubing from A to B.
Where To Stay: Brunel
Hotel, Bayswater
Ideal location from which
to explore central London. Close to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and
within walking distance of Paddington Station. All the bedrooms have en-
suite facilities, telephone, hairdryer, television with satellite channels
and tea and coffee making facilities.
Where to eat:
Destino, a Latin-inspired
restaurant, bar and deli, has opened at 25 Swallow Street, off Regent Street.
The ground floor deli serves brunch, lunch and dinner, and has an evening
lounge bar, with a range of South American beers, tequilas and cigars.
What To See:
Buckingham Palace. The Queen
opened Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time in 1993 to raise
money for repairs to Windsor Castle.
The Tower of London. According
to Shakespeare, the young princes and heirs of Edward IV were slaughtered
here by their wicked uncle, Richard III.
Westminster Abbey. Resting
place of the royals, is one of the most visited churches in the Christian
world. British Airways London Eye. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York
the Empire State and now London has the British Airways London Eye - an
extraordinary symbol for an extraordinary city. The world's largest observation
wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London's famous landmarks
in just 30 minutes!
Where To Shop:
Lulu Guinness, 66 Ledbury
Road, London W11 2AJ
Manolo Blahnik, 49 Old Church
Street, London SW3 5BS
Louis Vuitton, 198-9 Sloane
Street, London SW1X 9QX
Gucci, 32-33 Old Bond Street,
London W1X 4HH
Entertainment:
The new Red Rock Café/Bar
at 12 Swallow Street, off Regent Street, is the place to go if you're up
for something like an "American- style biker bar meets "Coyote Ugly" experience.
Red Rock has an all-female bar staff who dance and parade atop the bar
to classic rock anthems.
Live bands perform on stage,
and a juke box plays rock and soul tracks from the mid-60s to the late
90s. Red Rock stocks a wide range of bottled beers, spirits and cocktails
has a North American-inspired menu; and decor featuring a 1960s Harley
Davidson bursting through the brick wall above the bar.
Arm wrestling, air guitar
and karaoke competitions are among the attractions. It is open 5pm to 3am
Monday to Saturday, with a door charge from 11pm.
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About the Author: Dencho
Denchev is an author and web publisher. He love traveling like the most
of people. That is why he is created the easy guide to fun, exciting and
affordable traveling with fun sexy singles from all over this great planet.
Visit his page here:
http://www.fun-world-travel.com |
