So, in my sheer unlimited impulsiveness history,

I booked myself a trip to London from 4-9 of April.

There's a new coach line between Amsterdam and London, and I could book a retour trip for only 20 Euros!

So, I did.

And I'm booking a dorm bed in the International house for only 20 pound a night.

So, I got myself a very cheap, nice get away to London.

Anybody got a good idea what to do during that period?

Something not to costly though. I'm on a tight budget.

There's a million things to do. Depends on what you like doing. You don't have to break the bank to enjoy yourself either. You can get travelcards that'll cover you all day. Use it on the bus and or the tube so you can pretty much get anywhere.

If you like art The National Gallery's good. Free too. It's in Trafalgar Square, climbing on the lions is optional but you're not allowed to feed the pigeons anymore and no climbing Nelsons Column. http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

Or any of these: http://www.timeout.com/lo...-in-london

If you fancy a river trip there are boats going up and down the Thames all day. Personally, I'd jump on a river taxi (Cheaper) but they do pretty reasonable 'sight-seeing' trips too. You can hop off if you see something you fancy.

The Tower of London's pretty good but pricey. Massive tourist trap but great history. There's all kinds of package deals so you can choose what you wanna do. Or save your money and take a walk on the Embankment, Tower Bridge etc.

http://www.discount-londo...-of-london

Or there's St. Pauls? Another bleedin tourist trap. There's loads of little pubs in the lanes that are good but everything's pricey round there. I'm starting to think I'm not the best person to post really. I was born in London and I see most of it as a bleedin tourist trap. If you go from St. Pauls, walk across the Millennium bridge to the Tate Modern. That's if you're into dodgy modern art etc.. It's free too. There's plenty of bars and places to eat around there as well.

Covent garden's alright for a look around. Plenty of nutters doing street theatre etc.. Camden's good for a drink, pub crawl style. cheap food and a slice of the gritty stuff. The markets are packed with tat but there's plenty going on. All kinds of food too. There's a lot you can get up to all over London.

Have a good trip whatever you do.

[Edited 3/17/13 20:45pm]

Fonkyman said:

There's a million things to do. Depends on what you like doing. You don't have to break the bank to enjoy yourself either. You can get travelcards that'll cover you all day. Use it on the bus and or the tube so you can pretty much get anywhere.

If you like art The National Gallery's good. Free too. It's in Trafalgar Square, climbing on the lions is optional but you're not allowed to feed the pigeons anymore and no climbing Nelsons Column. http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

Or any of these: http://www.timeout.com/lo...-in-london

If you fancy a river trip there are boats going up and down the Thames all day. Personally, I'd jump on a river taxi (Cheaper) but they do pretty reasonable 'sight-seeing' trips too. You can hop off if you see something you fancy.

The Tower of London's pretty good but pricey. Massive tourist trap but great history. There's all kinds of package deals so you can choose what you wanna do. Or save your money and take a walk on the Embankment, Tower Bridge etc.

http://www.discount-londo...-of-london

Or there's St. Pauls? Another bleedin tourist trap. There's loads of little pubs in the lanes that are good but everything's pricey round there. I'm starting to think I'm not the best person to post really. I was born in London and I see most of it as a bleedin tourist trap. If you go from St. Pauls, walk across the Millenium bridge to the Tate Modern. That's if you're into dodgy modern art etc.. It's free too. There's plenty of bars and places to eat around there as well.

Covent garden's alright for a look around. Plenty of nutters doing street theatre etc.. Camden's good for a drink, pub crawl style. cheap food and a slice of the gritty stuff. The markets are packed with tat but there's plenty going on. All kinds of food too. There's a lot you can get up to all over London.

Have a good trip whatever you do.

Thank you. The national gallery is on my list. I'll post a picture of me on the lions

And thanks for the time out link. I needed to get reminded of that.

I hate tourist traps. That's why I don't even go to certain areas in Amsterdam anymore.

Also, that's why I asked around over here. Do you know anything about a - not to expensive - gig in that period?

I'm stayin neare Regent's park, in International House. It's for international students, so I'm sure when I ask around that they know the good stuf. Students tend to know what's going on in a city

And I expect to meet up with a friend overthere, Londonboy, I hope I can spend some time with him too.

I still do have an Oyster card. But I really prefer to cycle as a mode of transport. I'll look for a cheap bike rent and compare that rate with the Oyster costs.

So, what are your plans for that week? What will you do for leisure?

Because I'd rather do what the Londeners do than what the tourists do.

So, what about Monday night Bingo Night at the Shoreditch Butchery?

And what do the Londoners think about QUeen of Hoxton?

Because Saturday 6 April, they seem to have a nice evening organised; Orlando Boom

Wow, what coach did you book that was only 20 Euros?

Militant said:

Wow, what coach did you book that was only 20 Euros?

You can even book roundtrips for 8 pounds if you'r okay with traveling 11 hours during the day midweek!

It's Megabus. Amsterdam-London is their new route.

dJJ said:

Do you know anything about a - not to expensive - gig in that period?

Check time out, What's on, NME, etc. Like you said, students should know where the party's at. If you're into jazz, quality, and terrible food, check out the legendary Ronnie Scotts in Soho. Look who's there on Friday 5th.

http://www.ronniescotts.c...k-and-back

I'll look for a cheap bike rent and compare that rate with the Oyster costs.

Plenty use the 'Boris Bikes' http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roa...14808.aspx I've never used em so you'll have to suss it out. Traffic in town can be chaos. Not as mad as the French but not for the faint hearted.

So, what are your plans for that week? What will you do for leisure?

Because I'd rather do what the Londeners do than what the tourists do.

I don't really do 'plans'. Apart from a few things that would have to be booked. I never know what I'll be up to til a day or two before I'm doing it and that's all subject to change. I'm a secret agent anyway so if I told you what I might be doing I'd have to kill you. I could have you zipped up and padlocked in a bag and make it look like suicide or just drop something in your sushi? That would prolly ruin your trip though and we don't want that now do we.

I live 40 odd miles out of London now, best of both worlds. If I want all the madness I can go in town and when I've had enough, I can escape it all back home.

Have a goodun.

dJJ said:

So, what about Monday night Bingo Night at the Shoreditch Butchery?

Nothinbutjoy said:

Can't feed the pigeons? It's only tuppence a bag!

You go to Trafalgar, but you can't feed the pigeons

can't feed the pigeons

Left-wing pigeons

You go to Trafalgar, but you can't feed the pigeons
who wanna blow up the world.

Like Fonkyman said, this is something what you should NOT skip http://www.timeout.com/lo...-in-london and on that way you will spend time on BEST way. I was last year in London for 9 days, and couldn't get see everything I planned, all museums and art reletad places. This year, in next 2-3 months I wil go to visit Louvre and got some kind of strategy, litterallly plan to see as much as it posible, visiting museum every day from 10-15, that is only way to spent timeon best way, see something and learn something.

Fonkyman said:

dJJ said:

Do you know anything about a - not to expensive - gig in that period?

Check time out, What's on, NME, etc. Like you said, students should know where the party's at. If you're into jazz, quality, and terrible food, check out the legendary Ronnie Scotts in Soho. Look who's there on Friday 5th.

http://www.ronniescotts.c...k-and-back

Plenty use the 'Boris Bikes' http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roa...14808.aspx I've never used em so you'll have to suss it out. Traffic in town can be chaos. Not as mad as the French but not for the faint hearted.

So, what are your plans for that week? What will you do for leisure?

Because I'd rather do what the Londeners do than what the tourists do.

I don't really do 'plans'. Apart from a few things that would have to be booked. I never know what I'll be up to til a day or two before I'm doing it and that's all subject to change. I'm a secret agent anyway so if I told you what I might be doing I'd have to kill you. I could have you zipped up and padlocked in a bag and make it look like suicide or just drop something in your sushi? That would prolly ruin your trip though and we don't want that now do we.

I live 40 odd miles out of London now, best of both worlds. If I want all the madness I can go in town and when I've had enough, I can escape it all back home.

Have a goodun.

Don't worry, I'm confident enough to handle a rejection.

Alltough a night on a role with Mr. Bond would certainly spice up my London trip.

Thanks for the tips on the bikes, I really hate waiting on a platform and moving around in herds of bad mooded sardines.

I'm used to cycle around, I do have to be carefull with the "We are so different, we drive left" attitude. Don't want to bike over those nice polite Londoners.

Fonkyman said:

dJJ said:

So, what about Monday night Bingo Night at the Shoreditch Butchery?

I participated in a face book contest, and I actually won!

And the prize is a 50 Pound bar tap!

So, are you sure you don't want to meet up and have a (Bingo) ball?

How wonderful life can be.

I never win something, this is just perfect!!!!

[Edited 3/18/13 5:36am]

Photowhore the trip, ok?

PurpleJedi said:

Photowhore the trip, ok?

I'm still very insecure about my coming out.

But I will force myself to make the next step over here.

I really would have like to share my Bingo prize with you, though.

dJJ said:

PurpleJedi said:

Photowhore the trip, ok?

I'm still very insecure about my coming out.

But I will force myself to make the next step over here.

I really would have like to share my Bingo prize with you, though.

I'd go.

there are cycle paths & it's a cheap practical way to see the city. still, u are brave to cycle! respect!..

i would suggest the best time to see the city on the bike would be at the weekend, sunday especially, but u need to get out very early, maybe 7am cuz there's nobody about.

u can do a sprint down the middle of the mall

i really hope the weather is ok then, they are talking about an 'arctic april'..

dJJ said:

Don't worry, I'm confident enough to handle a rejection.

Alltough a night on a role with Mr. Bond would certainly spice up my London trip.

Aww, don't take it as rejection. Nothing personal I assure ya. I didn't read it as an out and out invitation anyway.

dJJ said:

I'm used to cycle around, I do have to be carefull with the "We are so different, we drive left" attitude. Don't want to bike over those nice polite Londoners.

When I said traffic can be chaos in town I wasn't kidding. It's not which side we drive on (The proper side) that you need to worry about. It's the attitude of the maniacs. You're better off hiding in the cycle lanes but keep your eyes open for nutjobs. Things are better since everything's on camera now but it can still be jaw dropping seeing some of the stuff that goes on. You need to be careful is all.

Don't hold your breath looking for good manners or poilteness in town. Not everyone's as 'orrible as I am though.

dJJ said:

I participated in a face book contest, and I actually won!

And the prize is a 50 Pound bar tap!

So, are you sure you don't want to meet up and have a (Bingo) ball?

How wonderful life can be.

I never win something, this is just perfect!!!!

[Edited 3/18/13 5:36am]

Congrats on ya win. At London prices 50 quid should get ya a pint and a packet of crisps at least. I'm joking, well done.

Thanks for the invite but I'm pretty sure I don't fancy bingo anywhere on the planet. Well, maybe I'd be up for a game in the Maldives or something but somehow I don't think that's gonna happen.

Have a nice time. Have a party, see the sights and enjoy yourself.

excited said:

there are cycle paths & it's a cheap practical way to see the city. still, u are brave to cycle! respect!..

i would suggest the best time to see the city on the bike would be at the weekend, sunday especially, but u need to get out very early, maybe 7am cuz there's nobody about.

u can do a sprint down the middle of the mall

i really hope the weather is ok then, they are talking about an 'arctic april'..

Especially as a tourist. Don't know what those Boris bikes are like for wheelies?

Fonkyman said:

excited said:

there are cycle paths & it's a cheap practical way to see the city. still, u are brave to cycle! respect!..

i would suggest the best time to see the city on the bike would be at the weekend, sunday especially, but u need to get out very early, maybe 7am cuz there's nobody about.

u can do a sprint down the middle of the mall

i really hope the weather is ok then, they are talking about an 'arctic april'..

Especially as a tourist. Don't know what those Boris bikes are like for wheelies?

i know!.. i hope she'll be ok

Could always get on a rickshaw? We got on one pissed up from Westminster to Trflgr. Never again, that was proper scary. Not without some diving gear or breathing apparatus. Fella pedalling stunk like the dead.

excited said:

Fonkyman said:

Especially as a tourist. Don't know what those Boris bikes are like for wheelies?

i know!.. i hope she'll be ok

I'm used to cycle in Amsterdam and dodge tourists driving in cars in the city centre

And I really hate waiting for bus/metro and walking for ages to my desitination. I'm so used to grab my bike and park it in front of the building where I have to be.

And on my bike I do get to see London better.

On the other hand, I'm not used to so many cars in traffic in a city. I guess I'll just try it one day and if I get stressed out about it, I'll go with the flow in the subway.

If I end up in the hospital, there at least will be another thread over here. About quality of English healh care

Fonkyman said:

dJJ said:

I participated in a face book contest, and I actually won!

And the prize is a 50 Pound bar tap!

So, are you sure you don't want to meet up and have a (Bingo) ball?

How wonderful life can be.

I never win something, this is just perfect!!!!

[Edited 3/18/13 5:36am]

Congrats on ya win. At London prices 50 quid should get ya a pint and a packet of crisps at least. I'm joking, well done.

Thanks for the invite but I'm pretty sure I don't fancy bingo anywhere on the planet. Well, maybe I'd be up for a game in the Maldives or something but somehow I don't think that's gonna happen.

Have a nice time. Have a party, see the sights and enjoy yourself.

I really love Bingo!

It's illegal in Holland (I know, it's a very different culture, I can grow weed in my community vegetable garden, though), so I take this opportunity to play Bingo legally.

I'm sure I'll find somebody who loves Bingo as much as I do.

Or help me with the bar tap price, for that matter.

[Edited 3/19/13 12:01pm]

Double post edit

[Edited 3/19/13 11:57am]

There are a whole bunch of sites that are within walking distance of each other. Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament (with Big Ben), and the London Eye (ferris wheel). Take a stroll along the Embankment on both sides of the Thames. It's really lovely.

http://www.travelblat.com...don-UK.jpg

Fonkyman said:

Could always get on a rickshaw? We got on one pissed up from Westminster to Trflgr. Never again, that was proper scary. Not without some diving gear or breathing apparatus. Fella pedalling stunk like the dead.

The rickshaws in Amsterdam are the domain of Eastern European guys who are working to make a buck.

I apreciate that concept.

On paper

Not in reality.

Because they cause jams at the cycle lanes.

I don't know if you've ever been in Amsterdam, but the cycle lanes are our speedways.

If you want to travel slow in the city centre, you travel by car or tram/subway.

If you need to get somewhere, you cycle. Therefore, the traffic aorta in Amsterdam are the bike lanes, not to be crossed absentmindedly.

And some bloody stupid slow and big rickshaw glogging up the bicycle high way really pisses off a lot of Amsterdammers.

I will bring my rain hat along. So, I can bike around in the rain.

I do fear that my bicycling style doesn't fit London.

Amsterdammers are bastards on their bike, and I'm guilty as sin.

I'm in the habit to cut off cars that I consider to be in my way. That attitude may not work in London.

Or only work when I stick to the right side in stead of that strange English traffic direction.

crazyHorse28 said:

Like Fonkyman said, this is something what you should NOT skip http://www.timeout.com/lo...-in-london and on that way you will spend time on BEST way. I was last year in London for 9 days, and couldn't get see everything I planned, all museums and art reletad places. This year, in next 2-3 months I wil go to visit Louvre and got some kind of strategy, litterallly plan to see as much as it posible, visiting museum every day from 10-15, that is only way to spent timeon best way, see something and learn something.

For some reason that link doesn't work.

Can't get on the time out page.

Weird.

Genesia said:

There are a whole bunch of sites that are within walking distance of each other. Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament (with Big Ben), and the London Eye (ferris wheel). Take a stroll along the Embankment on both sides of the Thames. It's really lovely.

http://www.travelblat.com...don-UK.jpg

That's a great picture!

And a good idea. I will love to take a stroll. It's fee and I like to see them all.

dJJ said:

I do fear that my bicycling style doesn't fit London.

Amsterdammers are bastards on their bike, and I'm guilty as sin.

I'm in the habit to cut off cars that I consider to be in my way. That attitude may not work in London.

Or only work when I stick to the right side in stead of that strange English traffic direction.

It wont. You'll get ploughed through, screamed at or both.

I didn't realise Bingo was illegal over there. Relaxed on cannabis, heavy on the bingo? There's something wrong there. My Gran woulda set up a dodgy bingo night, she loved it and was unstoppable.

Rickshaws are the same over here. Lethal if you're in one, pain in the arse otherwise. Cycle lanes here aint what they are over there. Nice idea though. Here, drivers are the bastards. You have to be to get anywhere in town. Try the bus rather than tube? You'll see nothing but armpits and arseholes on the tube. Least on the top deck of a bus you can have a look around. You'll prolly do more walking than anything though.

That link you can't get working is in my first post. Free Museums.