The best option, and most convenient, is to book a car service through our site. The driver will be waiting at the airport with a sign with your name on it. Car Service prices and information. Taxis are also available at the airports, and each has designated spots to pick up passengers. The price, depending on traffic, will cost around £40-£50. Depending on which airport you are arriving from, you may want to consider the Heathrow Express or the Gatwick Express.
London is a fantastic city to celebrate the Holiday Season in. However, you should keep in mind that the city almost shuts down on Dec. 24, 25, 26 and on January 1st. So plan for alternative, fun things to do.
The following museums and attractions will be closed during those days:
British Museum Tate Modern and Tate Britain National Gallery Tower of London Hampton Court (but open on Jan.1) The London Eye (closed Dec. 25-26) Kensington Palace (open on Jan. 1)
London Underground, Buses and National Rail will have no service on December 25th. Taxis will charge an additional £4 holiday charge to the regular fare.
Yes, most museums in London do not have an admission fee, however there may be a ticket to pay for temporary exhibitions and special shows. Here are a few of the major museums with free access: the British Museum, The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The Tate, The Soane Museum.
London is very well connected by buses and the subway. Buses take longer routes and often are harder to master, while the tube is pretty straight forward. It is, in fact, one of the most efficient and reliable transportation systems in the world. That said, the lines are often under construction during the weekend, so you may want to check your route in advance.
We strongly urge you to try it out in order to get a taste of the local's London. Pickpockets can be an issue, especially for tourists. Pay close attention to your bags, wallets, and purses on the platforms and in crowded tube cars. If you plan on using the tube, you may want to consider buying an Oyster card as it offers cheaper rates than regular tickets.
Absolutely. In our opinion this is the best way to experience the city. Although London is the largest city in Europe, it is definitely navigable on foot. There are plenty of parks that you can enjoy in the center of London. If you are not in a rush, make a point to walk across at least one of them.
The city is also known as the square mile. It is the oldest, most historic part of London as well as being the world's leading international financial and business center. The City has its own unique system of administration and it is a small and distinct district at the heart of London itself. Every year, on November 14 the City celebrates its Mayor with a parade and other events.
Like any major capitol, there are some areas that can be perceived as more dangerous than others, however the center of London is safe and always full of tourists and residents alike. Overall crime rates are relatively low when compared to rates in American cities of similar size. Just be careful of petty crime. Pickpockets tend to target tourists.
You can easily hail a cab on the street. If you are in central London, you will have no problem finding black cabs (also known as Hackney carriages). Only licensed Hackney carriages can pick up passengers on the street without pre-booking. They are extremely reliable and the drivers know every single street in the city. While they may be a little more expensive than other cabs, they area always the safest choice. Minicabs (private hire cars) must be pre-booked, by telephone, internet, or in person at the registered minicab office. One can book at the time they need the minicab but only with a company registered to accept bookings rather than directly with one of its drivers.
The busier stations stop running service between 12:45 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Less frequently used stations will stop service closer to 12:30 a.m. On Saturday nights, stations stay open later, closing around 2:00 a.m. However, don’t fret if you decide to stay out late and don’t have enough money to take a taxi. There are late night buses, that run throughout the city.
Yes. Most upscale restaurants do require a reservation, and depending on the restaurant, may be booked weeks, even months in advance. We can make restaurant reservations for you, for a charge of £10.
Oxford is approximately 75 minutes from London. There are many ways you can reach Oxford from central London. The Oxford Bus Company is the most popular company and their buses leave from Victoria Station (and from Gatwick) every 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can consult the National Rail timetable for trains leaving from Paddington Station. During our Oxford excursion, we help facilitate the purchase of tickets.
During the spring and summer months, London can quite enjoyable. Keep in mind that rain is quite prevalent, and the weather can change quickly, so be prepared, and carry an umbrella. During the fall and winter, the temperature can drop drastically, and there are often strong winds. It is advisable to have gloves/mittens, and a hat or something else to cover your ears.
The Changing of the Guard, or Guard Mounting is the process involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard. This event is particularly beautiful not only because of the setting, but because of the colorful uniforms of the guards.
At Buckingham Palace, Guard Mounting takes place at 11.30 am. It is held daily from May to July, and on alternate dates throughout the rest of the year.
If you are staying in London and would like to take a day off to see sites outside the city, Stonehenge and Bath may be a possibility. Please keep in mind that your day will be quite long and a good amount of time will be spent on the road. If you can afford it, hiring a driver may be the most convenient option, alternatively, You can take the train from London to Salisbury in the morning (about 1 hour and 20 min) and visit Stonehenge using the Stonehenge Tour. This is a public service.
You could get back to Salisbury by noon and take the train that goes from Salisbury to Bath (about 50 min). Here we could easily have one of our docents meet you and take you for a half day tour in Bath. You could head back to London around 5PM, maybe taking the 17:13 train that reaches London Paddington at 18:44.