philo Loc: philo, ca

I'm thinking about flying from California to London. Would like to have any suggestions you can offer about where to stay ect. I would like to find a nice Airbnb somewhere around the eye. i would be doing photography everyday and want to do night work as well.
I'm a solo male traveler, a little old in the tooth.
thanks

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

Just returned from Scotland & England. I found that the Travel Lodge seems to be the cheapest Hotels around. Be Prepared to pay around 200 pounds for 2 nights. This week it's $1.50 to the English pound. Taxis are cheap compared to the U.S. Food is expensive. London is expensive compared to the rest of England. Fish and Chips.....$18.00.
I had no trouble at all with customs and camera equipment. They never even asked or looked inside the camera bag.
Just Remember.... When crossing the street.....Look Right, not left. Silly people drive on the wrong side of the street.

(Download)

philo Loc: philo, ca

Maybe I go to Istandbul instead. Been there and loved it. sure is a lot less expensive.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Try and get a Travelodge or Premier Inn outside of London but near to a tube station. Save on bucks (though still expensive compared to home) and travel in. Go after rush hour (a.m.) and come back late evening should allow for night photography.
Alternatively, look at the Youth Hostels. The inner city ones are not what hostels used to be. (e.g. Mrs. N. and I stayed in Cardiff and found out it was previously a hotel of the Travelodge / Premier Inn variety.)
Weather will be unpredictable. We might enjoy an Indian Summer or we might get a dousing.

Saw a club presentation on Istanbul a short while back. Lots to see and do there.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Years ago, we preferred to say at Bed & Breakfast places, but maybe Airbnb has taken over.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

No doubt you will get lots of advice, John N suggested staying a few miles out of London near a Tube station, that's a very good tip.
When in London take a trip on a "Hop on and Hop bus" and you will see all the main sites from the upper level, then you can decide where to go for a closer look. These buses are not ideal for using a camera on although when they stop you should get some good shots.
I have been to Istanbul a couple of times and it is well worth a visit, it is very compact and can be done on foot, also there is a very good tram system although the trams can be very crowded.

allan catt Loc: gillingham,kent,uk

Have a good time ,keep an eye on your equipment,as in many large cities there are many that would relive you of your equipment,it's got worse since we joined euro.just be careful.london can be expensive ,look for working mans cafe good value and good food,hope stay just outside city centre ,you can buy a travel card for the day,bus do not take cash ,you have to buy prepaid tickets available in newsagents ,tube trains you can buy tickets at stations payable buy card.hope I haven't put you off your trip.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

No, there are still plenty of B&B's and directories of them. We stayed at a few in Scotland.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

For me, I always look both ways since I often don't know where I am.

philo Loc: philo, ca

years ago when in London I was almost taken out. The driver never, ever slowed down. My angel made the trip with me, she always watches my back (and front)

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

We returned from England in June. When we stay in London, we always stay in the old County Hall. I forget the name of the outfit, but you can Google it. There are two hotels in the County Hall, one of them pricey and one of them budget - by London standards. I think we paid 170 pounds a night this time.

The advantage to this is that you're centrally placed. The eye is literally at one corner of the building, the houses of parliament are across the street, Westminster a short walk. If you're going to the Tower of London, a river taxi will pick you up right at the hotel and drop you at the Tower. (Hint: If you're going to the Tower, get there early.)

Here's a photo of the County Hall, taken during our visit in 2010. The hotel is in the end of the building toward the eye. They are doing a lot of building near there now, and there are many more tall buildings behind it than there were in 2010.

(Download)

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

At those prices I would run a mile. Fish and Chips at £18. No way would ordinary people pay that. Just find a Fish and Chip Chop and buy from there. Supermarkets are everywhere and they are small cafes that are cheaper.

I hope that a few members of UHH that live in London will come to your rescue and offer a hand of kindness. I live too far away at the other end of the country. London Hotels are expensive though and Travel Inn are a lot cheaper. Perhaps you could book up before you arrive.

Telephone calls from your country to the UK are cheap and I would give your Embassy a call and see what they suggest as they must experience of finding their country people places of good value, but I truly hope that a few members will offer you friendship and take you around and if they do come back on here and sing their praises.

I hope you make it to London and don't carry your gear on your back when travelling on the escalators when travelling on the underground trains. Just be careful like any other city.

Have a good trip and don't be put off.

aggiedad Loc: Corona, ca

Several museums are worth visiting, including the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. These are great visits for rainy days.