London

Welcome to London

Basics Things to Know:

Currency: 1.65 USD to 1 GBP

Get yourself an OYSTER CARD you’ll use this for Tube transportation

Be mindful of night buses. They’re hard to figure out, but the Tube stops running between 12-1 am on weekends, depending which you’re taking

Museums are free

Once you fly in, you can take a tube ride from Heathrow, split a cab to your hotel or previously book a shuttle from the airport to a local drop off spot in the city. DO NOT take unmarked cabs. Take an Addison Lee black cab if you’re going to take one.

Things you MUST do:

Buy a joint ticket for Madame Tussaud’s, The London Aquarium, The London Eye, or London Dungeons. They sell different packages. Tube Stop: Waterloo on the Jubilee, Northern or Bakerloo Lines

Platform 9 3/4. Tube Stop: Kings Cross Station

Harry Potter Studios Tour:The nearest railway station is Watford Junction; there are direct, fast train services from both London Euston (20 minute journey). You’ll then need to take a shuttle bus: Mullany’s Coaches from Waterford Junction to the Studio Tour. A ticket there and back is £2. Book early and book in groups if possible. One of the best days I had.

Borough Market. Tube Stop: London Bridge Station on the Jubilee or Northern Line. Eat Racklette. It smells funky, but it’s delicious.

Brick Lane Market: Tube Stop:  Liverpool Street might be the closest choice. On the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Line. Amazing foods and vintage shops.

High Tea at Harrods at The Georgian Restaurant. Tube Stop: Knightsbridge on the Piccadilly Line(Fourth Floor) 29 Pounds per person (36 if you’re getting champagne).

Shopping at Oxford Circus (Primark is an inexpensive store with great stuff. Selfridges is a high end department store. Zara, Debenhams, John Lewis, and Top Shop are good places to start.

I WOULDN’T suggest going to on a short trip: Abbey Road. It will never look the same as the Beatle’s picture, and it’s far out of the way of central London.

Cheap Eating

Nandos Chicken

Wagamamas: Japanese

Pret a Manger for a quick lunch

Any local pub, order a Strongbow Cider. If they serve Snakebites (Strongbow with black currant), order it.

Take advantage of the foods at any market you go to. Especially Borough Market or Bricklane Market

Nightlife

Piccadilly Instititue (Piccadilly Circus), Theme: mental institution, very interesting, great time.

The Roxy. Tube Station: Tottenham Court Road.  Get a pitcher for 8 pounds on Thursdays.

Cirque le Soir: Tube Station: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus or Bond Street. 20 pound cover, but well worth it. Circus themed club.

Fabric: Tube Station: Farringdon on Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines. Also a 20 pound cover, but one of the most famous in London.

Budget Friendly Clubs and Bars: Tiger Tiger, Notting Hill Arts Club, Zoo Bar, Walk About, O’neils (in Chinatown).