My mom and I (I'm 18) are going to go to London this June. We are trying to keep our costs down, and it's our first time in London.

It's also my first time on a plane since I was 2 (I'm a bit nervous) and my first time abroad ever.

Any tips would be greatly appricated!

I'm sure you and your mum will have a fabulous time. We have an extra couple of holidays in June this year as the Queen is celebrating her 50th year on the throne. She is holding two pop concerts at the palace!! Travelling and staying around London need not be expensive - I would visit the Tourist Board web sites. Remember that most of the galleries and museums are now back to being free.
There is so much to see in London that you probaly won't be able to plan many trips into 'the country'.
Try not to be nervous about flying - easier said than done, I know as I am a nervous passenger.
Hope you have a wonderful time. Even the weather might be good!!

Go to the Tower of London and see the jewels! A couple of my friends went to a torture devices exhibit (forgot the name of the place) and, as long as you dress appropriately, there's always Harrod's!

For god sakes dont miss the British museum, its briliant. London's great alround actually but it aint cheap.

I've never been to London..but I want to see the SHOWS! Musicals...AND the countryside!
Don't fear flying...I'm not particularly good at it, myself...but actually I LOVE the lift off! Like a roller coaster ride...and there's not much you can do about the rest of the flight, anyway!
Have fun! Do use the net to pre-plan! Lots of time is wasted trying to figure out what to do...if there's more than ONE in the party...

Try and see the Globe Theatre even if you don't see any Shakespeare. It is so lovely .. the gift shop is great!
It all depends what your priorities are, and what you want to see. I agree , unless you have a basic plan you will get awfully tired . There is such a lot to see.
I think the" torture exhibit" was in the Chambre of horrors at Madame Tussauds.A river trip on the Thames helps you to see lots of the sights, without too much walking. I shall be there in June myself
I never tire of London and I lived there for nearly 20 years

As a Londoner I am probably the worst person to give you advice on visiting London but suggest you visit the official Tourist Board site at http://www.visitbritain.com/uk/destinations/london/london.htm

(The 'Torture' exhibit may have been the Chamber Of Horrors at Madame Tussards as ren33 suggests or it might have been 'The London Dungeon')

have a great time - it's a wonderful city

The other toture exhibit could well be the 'London Dungeons' which is situated just a few minutes away from London Bridge.

There are so many things to do in London that I reckon even us Londoners have done them all. The London Planeterium is one site not to be missed if you are into Stargazing, plus it is right next door to Madame Tussuards (Baker Street).

There's quite a long thread about "London? What to do?" in the Commons forum (the last post was on November 24, 2001).

As for keeping costs down, it won't be easy. Accommodation is expensive, and so is public transport (though weekly or monthly Travelcards can make the buses and underground a bit cheaper). But, as Jojo says, most of the best museums and galleries are free.

I hope you enjoy your vacation.

Oh well, now as you're going to London you reeaaally ought to check out theatreland! Gosh the world's most wicked shows really are in London, and missing this great opportunity would be a shame! You should go for shows like Phantom of the Opera, Fame, Cats (while it's still on) and Whistle Down The Wind. Have fun!

A great way to see London is a walking tour, check out the web site of the Original London Walks. I have taken several of them over the years and they are great and not very expensive. http://www.walks.com/

[ 03-22-2002, 02:44 AM: Message edited by: Vikan ]

Travelling by bus in London is pretty good. You don't need to go on one of the tour buses either. A good bus to get is a number 8. It goes to these sites on it's normal route - Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, St Paul's Cathedral and the Bank of England. All that for £1.00. You can catch it from Victoria Station. Contrary to belief (as you'll see from this string) most Londoners are willing to help so don't be afraid to ask.

As someone suggested a river trip is good and the guides are usually funny. You can catch a boat from Charing Cross Pier which is by Embankment station. If you do like walking though why not walk over the bridges as there is lots to see along the river.

As you are in London you can also get trains to see some nice scenery. From Liverpool Street you can see parts of Essex, from Charing Cross you can see Kent and from Victoria you can see Surrey and Sussex. Most of this is just over an hour from London and prices vary.

I hope you have a really good time. I've tried to think of a few different things for you, but everyone's suggestions are pretty cool.

hi there geek2.0

wow you're coming to london. i think you'll have a grrreat time. i agree with all my fellow british funtriviaites about the sites that they have all suggested.

i think camden market at the weekends is a grreat place to go to - go there everytime i visit my folks in the burbs. it's always buzzing and there's something for everyone - obviously it depends about how you feel about these kinds of places, but i love it!!!

covent garden is good too, with buskers there. my personal favourite there is the Doc Martens shop just in the square.

you said you were nervous about the flight, i know it's easy for me to say, but try not to think about it too much. do you have a personal stereo where you could take some music that you like with you? then you could play it at take off and landing or during the flight if you get nervous...i also recommend taking a lot of sweeties with you, most people say that that helps for the change in air pressure, but i just love sweets !!!

anyway take care, have a blast and be sure to let us know what you thought of it.

Just a little tip to keep the cost of travel in London down. One can get good value 'all-day' tickets, which are valid *after 9.30am Mon-Fri and all day Sat and Sun* for buses, the Underground and local rail services. They are well worth getting as the cost of the Underground (in particular) is notoriously high if you buy a ticket for each journey.

As for flying, try to relax. It's actually a very safe form of transport.

Enjoy your trip and have fun!

[ 04-10-2002, 08:35 PM: Message edited by: bloomsby ]

You're going to have a great time. I'm not from London, but have visited the UK many times due to my parents. If I were you I wouldn't spend ALL my time in the city. There are some much better things to see and do if you can travel outside the city. For one I would visit Warwick Castle, it's easily the best castle in England. Also, go to Cheddar and visit the Cheddar Gorge. You can see the Wookie caves and even go cave exploring for a small fee. Check it out!

You will need a rain protector kit, oxygen tank, wear a liverpool top for safety and eat lots of fish and chips. goto Mr. G's in Coventry, they all know me there and ask for free lifts.

For cheap and pretty decent food (and extremely cheap drinks) make sure you find a Wetherspoon's pub. They're a chain with different names for each pub. The one on Leiscter Sq. is Moon Under the Water.

London is one of my favorite cities...I envy you! Some of the interesting (and usually not too crowded) sites are:

Kensington Palace - a very interesting museum is contained here with displays showing articles used by Queen Victoria (I believe she was born here; her cradle is displayed), original clothes worn across the ages, art, etc.

The War Room - re-created room where Winston Churchill and others conducted World War II.

WhiteChapel - I went to London on my honeymoon and decided to take my new wife on a tour of WhiteChapel to tell her all about Jack the Ripper (all of his murders were committed in WhiteChapel). It was dark and foggy when I began telling her about Jack. I scared myself so bad I hailed the first cab I saw and headed straight back to the hotel.

"The Mousetrap" - this is the longest-running stage show in the world; it's been staged non-stop for over 30 years at this theatre. It's classic Agatha Christie, and shouldn't be missed. And it's very inexpensive...theatre tickets in London are about the same price as we pay for a movie in the States.

St. Martin the the Fields - if you're into classical music, check out any concerts given in this beautiful church. It is the home of one of the foremost orchestras and choruses in the world, The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
I had the distinct pleasure and honor to hear "Messiah" performed here.

Enjoy!

[ 04-30-2002, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: valois ]

How come no-one has mentioned the "Natural History Museum" !!

Agree with pretty much all the sentiments above ... do a show etc etc ... but do try and get out of the City - within an hour(ish) you've got Cambridge, Oxford, Brighton, Canterbury ...

as a PS you can normally get cheaper double ticket for the Planetarium & Tussauds.

I'm surprised that no one has highlighted St. Paul's Cathedral as a must go destination. I guess it's just obvious and needs no special mentioning? I agree with Vikan about the walking tours, what a lovely way to see the town...my auntie and I especially enjoyed the evening 'ghost walk'. The 'London Dungeons' was mentioned, a particularly enjoyable place for boys between the ages of 12-18 (I was 13!) but probably not a place for children. Oleg's idea of excursions is also an excellent one...Canterbury would be the top destination of choice. Finally, be sure to observe the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, or at least find time to observe the stolid faces of the guards.

Have a lovely time Geek!