Need help from fellow Browncoats from across the pond
POSTED BY: Peulsar5
UPDATED: Saturday, December 15, 2007 20:32
VIEWED: 3031
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I am vacationing in London the 1st week of February. I will be there for 6 days and I am trying to figure out how much cash I should have on hand. Any recomendations?
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In London you say eh? Hmmm. I'd say if you're going to do all the usual trappings you're going to need plenty of spending cash. £100 a day will disappear pretty quickly if you're intending to do the Theatres, The London Eye (highly recommended)etc, shop and eat out. All depends in which area of London you go to.
Just as a little suggestion, if you're visiting London for it's history I really recommend taking one of the boat trips along the Thames River. The guys who run those are really friendly and they come with a wealth of local knowledge about London of old, that beats any info you'll be given at the tourist information.
Well good luck hope that helps. Enjoy your trip. And remember your 'rhyming slang' phrase book 
or else you'll be going around without a 'scooby' and you'll get 'kate' in to time. You'll have to ask for directions so often you'll go red in the 'boat race'.
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Unless you're getting a special rate for convrting dollars into pounds I wouldn't worry about carrying too much money because I an sure they'll have atm machines to draw out money from.
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A word of warning London can be VERY expensive. I say this as a "northerner" who goes to London for work purposes (and my girlfriends shopping habit) regularly, the difference between price even in the north and south of England is shocking even to me. If you're going alone I'd say £150 a day to be on the safe side (£30-35 for evening meal, £15-20 for lunch and then £100 for transport, presents and tourist attractions)
A couple of recommendations
1. Use the tube to get around you can get passes for the week and its cheaper and quicker than taxis. It also saves a lot of getting lost, London is like a maze but the tube network is really easy to use and most major tourist attractions have directions from the nearest tube station.
2. Use a black cab once, most London cabbies are really friendly (one stereotype that is true)the experience is a good one
3. Definatly use the boat trips down the river Thames very informative worth the money.
4. NEVER eat at the Aberdeen Angus chain of steakhouses they are really really overpriced and the food's awful as well.
5. The London eye is a must on a clear day the views are spectacular remeber to book in advance though or the waits are really long.
6. The Tower of London is also a must see the Beefeaters who do the tour are fantastic and even if you're not interested in the history its still a good few hours.
Anyway I hope you enjoy your trip London is a really great place to visit. Most people are really friendly, its very cold in London during February but normally there isnt too much rain so it shouldn't be too wet. have fun.
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The things I have planned (and already booked) are the Thames River tour, the Hop-on Hop Off bus tour and an all day trip to Stonehenge, Salibury Cathedral and Bath. I also want to go to the British Museum of course and to the Whitechapel area (I'm a big Jack the Ripper nut).
Thanks for the warning about the steakhouse, which brings up another question: where's a good place to eat?
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Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Well good luck hope that helps. Enjoy your trip. And remember your 'rhyming slang' phrase book
SAY WHAT????????
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Quote:
Originally posted by Peulsar5:
I am vacationing in London the 1st week of February. I will be there for 6 days and I am trying to figure out how much cash I should have on hand. Any recomendations?
You're goin' to me ol' 'ome. (I was born there)
Can't vouch from personal experience on this, but this guy is famous for writing books and doing PBS specials on doing Europe on the cheap.
Here's a link for his site. Investigate it and you may be able to have a great time, without running out of money too quickly.
Good luck, and have a great time. Tell all my uncles and aunties " 'ello" for me, eh? LOLOLOL
-Jstn
http://www.ricksteves.com/
http://www.savesurface.com/phpBB2/index.php
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Quote:
Originally posted by Peulsar5:SAY WHAT????????
Hey for research watch Bednobs and Broomsticks. Dick Van Dyke will teach you all you need to know... (not really)
Ok translation:
And remember your 'rhyming slang' phrase book
or else you'll be going around without a 'scooby' (Scooby Doo = Clue and you'll get 'kate' (Kate Moss-ed=Lost in 'no' time. You'll have to ask for directions so often you'll go red in the 'boat race' (Boat Race= Face)Here's a few more your trip.
Britney Spiers = Beers
Plates of Meat = feet
Apple and Pears = Stairs
Tea Leaves = Theives
China Plate = Mate (friend in english)
Butchers = Butchers Hook = 'Look' so you might hear: "Giz a butchers?" meaning lets have a look.
Barnet = Barnet Fair = 'Hair'
Brass = Brass flute = Prostitute
Dog and Bone = Phone
Jam jar = Car
Bristols = Bristol City = er well I'll let you figure that one out for yourself. But there's every chance you'll hear it.
smile:
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Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:Quote:
Originally posted by Peulsar5:SAY WHAT????????
Hey for research watch Bednobs and Broomsticks. Dick Van Dyke will teach you all you need to know... (not really)
Ok translation:
And remember your 'rhyming slang' phrase book
or else you'll be going around without a 'scooby' (Scooby Doo = Clue and you'll get 'kate' (Kate Moss-ed=Lost in 'no' time. You'll have to ask for directions so often you'll go red in the 'boat race' (Boat Race= Face)Here's a few more your trip.
Britney Spiers = Beers
Plates of Meat = feet
Apple and Pears = Stairs
Tea Leaves = Theives
China Plate = Mate (friend in english)
Butchers = Butchers Hook = 'Look' so you might hear: "Giz a butchers?" meaning lets have a look.
Barnet = Barnet Fair = 'Hair'
Brass = Brass flute = Prostitute
Dog and Bone = Phone
Jam jar = Car
Bristols = Bristol City = er well I'll let you figure that one out for yourself. But there's every chance you'll hear it.
smile:
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Further to other responses:
1. Cashy money. The Pound in your pocket in Britain (esp. London) is not going to go as far as the $2 plus change that you paid for it. A few years ago (its eased a bit now), walking down a British High Street (esp. London), you'd have been forgiven for thinking that the prices were in dollars - although that's partly due to the fact that, in the UK, all sticker prices for consumer goods include 17.5% sales tax. I'd allow 50% over what you'd spend on a similar trip within the US.
2. ATMs (aka "Cash Machines", "Cashpoints", "The Hole In The Wall") - seriously good advice. My debit card works fine in US ATMs so I assume it works the other way around, too ("Maestro" or "Cirrus" symbols on your debit card are a good sign but ask, obviously - probably the card company since, in my experience, staff in US bank branches glaze over if asked about anything overseas).
3. Travel - yes, the Underground/Tube is a good way to get around - but a lot (if not most) of the central London attractions are within sensible walking distance of each other - especially if you're on vacation and want to see the place. The tube map can give a false impression of distance (it "magnifies" the central area), and travelling by tube completely wrecks your sense of distance and direction. If its just a couple of stops its probably quicker to walk. Check on a real map first.
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