Great to have you back in front of the camera Jess. Never underestimate what you bring to this channel - your delivery and energy bring that little something extra!
My husband and I love history tours. We only had one full free day in London and spent the entire day at the Tower of London and tagged on the Tower Bridge at the end. It was in mid April so it wasn't busy at either location. We only waited 5 minutes to see the Crown Jewels. We both had a fantastic day and felt it was the right choice for us!
My husband have 2 free days in London next April. We’re staying across from Hyde Park. I’m not sure how to spend those days. I’ve thought about the Tower of London and the British Museum. I’d like to wander and enjoy being there, too. Since your trip was at the same time of year, I’d love to hear more details. Did you make reservations?
@@danip3270 If you are staying near Hyde Park you are not too far from all the wonderful free museums at South Kensington. You have the Victoria and Albert, the Natural History Museum and the Science museum. If you are interested in art the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square is one of the great art museums of the world. Not the biggest, but the quality is very high. And for a small museum you can see in an afternoon, the Wallace Collection, north of Oxford Street in Manchester Square, is outstanding. I would highly recommend it.
@@danip3270 You actually have to buy and pre-book your tickets to the Tower, (adult tickets currently go for £34.80, but that includes everything inside the walls...Crown Jewels, White Tower, etc..). You'll want to arrive about a half hour early to queue up. The British Museum is free, but you'll need to pre-book your tickets. Same with the Natural History, Science museum and the National Gallery...free, but pre-book.) I always recommend the V&A. Also free, with no pre-booking required. Just walk right on in. Personally, I could spend 2 days just in there alone! Plus, you're right next door to the Natural History and Science museums, and the Royal Albert Hall, the Albert Memorial, and Kensington gardens is just a 10 minute walk away, which allows you to circle back around to Hyde Park with the Serpentine Galleries (North and South ..Free, booking in advance recommended) en route... Have a WONDERFUL trip!
When traveling in the UK the hotel breakfast is to be avoided! We found that a short walk/drive to a local supermarket (Asda, Sainsbury's, etc.) would get you a better breakfast in their cafe for much much less.
Oyster card - I’m English and have one as it’s the only way in which Senior Persons’ Railcard can be applied (about 30% off daily cap). But that wouldn’t be relevant to a tourist. The other reason that I have one is that it were lost or stolen, only the existing credit on it could be spent, and it avoids my flashing my mobile or credit card at the gate in front of others, which is a crime risk.
That's a great point. I always use my debit card, just for the convenience, more than anything else, but you make a valid argument for getting the Oyster Card
I’m currently in London, and all your videos have helped me out (especially the one about taking the tube since I’ve never done it before). I plan on visiting all the free attractions and have a few paid ones picked out that I really wanna do. I will say the amount of things to do in London is honestly overwhelming lol but in a good way. The next two weeks are gonna be amazing 😊
The tube is very easy to use to use and easy to find your destination. Don't be scared! It has very good coverage of north London, less so for south London ( for historical and geological reasons). You may need to use the overground railway or buses if you go there.
My first visit I spent 13 days there....Didn't even scratch the surface...not by a long shot. ...(Although It had the added benefit of giving me an excuse to go back for a second visit (which I'm going to be doing in 88 days) Prioritize what you want to see the MOST, because you're probably not going to get to everything you want. Another thing I do is use the "Directions" tab on Google maps, input my starting point, then add each attraction I want to hit, step by step, and let the app map out what the walking route would look like. Then you can adjust your route so you're going from point A to B to C, etc, and you're not backtracking over yourself and wasting time. Plus you can save the route (I email mine to myself and save it on my tablet or phone), to have it as a handy reference while you're out and about. Have a GREAT time!
Hi Jess, Could you please think about make a video explaining to people coming to London to be careful using their phones in the street. Phone snatching is so common here now, and it almost happened to me today. Thanks
If you MUST use your phone on the street, get a wrist band! I personally use mine for filming, and have it securely placed in a gimble with the strap around my wrist. I've even thought about super-gluing it in there (To the gimble, not to my wrist...although...🤔), but haven't gone that far yet.
Spot on, Jess! I walked right past the Tower of London (because, old rock walls, right?) to the Tower Bridge because I really wanted to walk on the glass floor above the roadway! It might have been super-touristy and a good amount of walking for a small amount of glass floor, but for me, it was worth it. I then took the River Bus from Tower back to Westminster (I was staying in Mayfair) which was a relaxing way to get back after a long day of walking.
Glad yoi are back jess you are a wonderfull American lady with a heart of gold helping everyone to be safe and happy always travelling around london ❤😊🎉 big fan always 😊
Thankfully, because I watched your videos BEFORE my trip to London, I was able to (proudly) save all my money from the "traps" and spend it on things I actually wanted! Thanks for taking the time to help us newbies travel abroad!
Getting ready for my second ever trip to London in 88 days, and, just like my first trip 2 years ago, I'm taking you with me, Jess! My last visit (Jan, '22), there was a transit strike going on, and they decided to shut down the Gatwick Express on the day I was due to fly out. A Taxi was the ONLY option. There's an extra £120 I'll never see again..
We always stay at Premier Inns all around the UK, including the London area. We usually stay at the Croydon City Centre property, which is a 3 minute walk to East Croydon Station. Yes, you have to pay a bit to get into central London, but it's way cheaper than actually staying there.
That's a good tip. Easy train journeys to different parts of London. I have often stayed at a Heathrow (T4), Staines, Epsom or other Premier Inn out of town and know the easy connecctions in. (though they used to be generally much cheaper on any weekend night, these days Sundays and more rarely Fridays are still lower than any other day. Saturdays sadly spoil the party now with higer prices but they still beat Central London)
We came upon Premier Inn on our last visit to London, and, unless there's a good reason we'll probably mostly stay in them on future visits. Not too expensive, for the most part, efficient, clean, appealing, nice and reasonably large rooms, decent buffet breakfast (which is best avoided if you hope to eat out later in the day as they're really filling!). Not "fancy", but also not fancy prices.
@@kovie9162 Exactly. They do the job they're designed for very well. The first time we stayed in one (in 2005), we noticed that there aren't phones in the room and couldn't figure out why not. Then we tried to remember how long it had been since we actually used one...that kind of answered our own question, especially today.
@@pomerau £4.20 Off-peak and £6.30 Peak each way. A helluva lot cheaper than staying near London Bridge or Victoria stations. That's with contactless or an Oyster card of course.
My go-to area is South Kensington. Lots of decent little 3-stars (I always recommend the Montana on Gloucester road), that won't break the bank, plus you have the benefits of being far enough away from everything that you're not crushed by the crowds, but it's easy and quick to get into Central London and the major tourist attractions
As a Londoner myself, these points are all correct and accurate. The point about travelcards still shocks me. As a kid in the 80s, one-day travel cards were much cheaper, so it was actually a great way of having a day out with family etc. Oyster cards didn't exist back then and you literally had to buy tickets from the booth or machine (obviously no contactless). But nowadays, the cost of travel cards is absolutely ridiculous and as you said it's better to use contactless or google pay and remember that there's a daily cap, so once you reach a certain cost, you don't pay anymore for subsequent trips on the same day.
I ate at Pizza Express on Coptic street in July. It was just as wonderful as it was in the early 80s when I was in London all the time. Salad and pizza. The rocket salad had fresh Parmesan shaved on it and was large. It’s the only pizza Express I’ve ever been to. I can’t believe the others in London are that bad. But if they are just go to Coptic Street, The woman who served me on my honeymoon in 1982 served me in July. I’ve eaten pizza all over the world, including New York where I live Jess you have to go back to pizza Express.
Coming over soon, London born and raised unti 14. But old and handicapped now,due to medical reasons I will be avoiding the underground. I always tell people to take the tube and buses but you know the odds of finding stations with working lifts and lavs,or either. So the good people in the Black Cabs will take care of me.. Expensive, yes but always reliable.
One benefit of NOT using contactless cards such as an Oyster is that you don’t risk pulling your debit or credit card in and out in busy places. You don’t want to drop or have your debit card stolen. I’m not a fan of pulling out my credit card in busy public transport situations.
There are some innovative fashion companies whose coats have pockets on the sleeve. Slip your card in there, it stays hidden, and you only have to move your arm across the reader. It's really convenient.
You need to run practical Guided Tours on using public transport 😊 The theory is great, using CityMapper - but in real life, with the heat, the crowds, the way people walk so fast...all the while trying to keep alert to the pick-pockets that operate - it can be full-on overwhelming for a Newbie!
We actually have a super in-depth guide on using all of London's transport (videos included!), so while it's not a 1 on 1 in-person demonstration, it's pretty much the next best thing! We'll link it here if you'd like to have a look: shop.loveandlondon.com/products/london-transport-guide
Your videos are awesome. I am going to London next month and your channel has helped me plan. I know what to avoid doing and what not to pay for. Will be doing tea and the Sky Garden based on your videos. Traveling from Paris to London and didn't pay for the expensive seat. All I have to worry about is getting from the train station to my hotel. Thank you and it's great seeing you back on the channel.
Thanks for your support! The trip already looks like it's shaping up to be incredible. Directions from train station and hotel should be super manageable with Citymapper or Google Maps. Have an incredible time ❤️
London calling: Excellent advice. I would add the following, do you really need to stay in central London. You can get a much cheeper hotel rate if you stay something like a 30 minute tube (subway) ride to say Trafalgar Square and when you get back home after a long day of sight seeing you can experience the real London in our pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes.
If you’re a history buff and want to see London in depth, highly recommend tours by London Walks. They’re lead by blue badge guides and are fairly inexpensive.
The best way and the cheapest way to travel around London is 'The Tube', it's fantastic, the first thing to do is conquer The Tube !! you'll soon get the hang of it,after that you can go anywhere, if you miss one there will be another one in a few minutes, getting a taxi would be my last option, welcome back Jess !!
My first trip to London did not start very well because of my lack of planning. I arrived at Heathrow on December 25th, which I did know was a holiday, but didn't know that everything was shut off (including public transportation). So I was very shocked to find that the only way for me to get to my stay was by cab. But after spending hours at the airport, trying to call a ride, I unfortunately ended up tired and exhausted and just went with the first option I could find, which was a very expensive (private) cab. It was very nice, but I definitely wouldn't do that again.
I agree with most of your ideas, but I agree with other comments in staying away from the breakfasts, I use only the Oyster card, and we enjoy the chop On, Hop Off, bus tours. For £35 , we get to see the city, stop at Hamblys, the Tower, I lived n London for ten years but only go back in October after tourist season and when the weather is cooler.
i would also say that even if you do love history, you may want to skip certain things that suck up a lot of time. tower of london and museums in general take time to go through. i know i'll be back so my first time in london, i did go to the tower but was only on the outside. i came, i saw, i left. i'll be back. but as a first timer, i just wanted to wander and pop into shops on my whim. i'm a solo traveler so i can do that. lol and i found buckingham palace from the outside underwhelming. but i saw it! haha i much preferred duck pond in st james park!
I'd say it's good to have an Oyster Card if you are planning on going back to London or are a repeat visitor. I usually plug in leftover pounds into the card before leaving.
It was a lovely trip last year in April - except the April weather which we knew about :) Did some tourist-y things - the Tower and the tour at the RAH but those were absolutely worth it in our case. I think next time in the UK we will visit some place outside London - an ex colleague wants us to visit him in Sheffield :) but for sure London always have something new to offer so we will be back. Thanks Jess!
I like the Oyster card because I don't have to take my wallet out on the tube but I go to London a lot so I've had the same Oyster card for years. Hop on hop off is great if you have mobility issues or small children. It's very hard to keep up with walking tours and you're at the mercy of all the other noises going on around. Last month was the first time I went there as a "tourist" LOL. I mean, I'm always a tourist but I'm familiar with London and I had people who weren't so we bought London Passes. So I re-did all the touristy things I have done over the years...I wouldn't have done them but they were free with the pass. That pass pays for itself very quickly!
Bought a visitors Oyster card before I traveled to London, yes it was expensive; but what I actually paid for was a tool to keep transport costs in order locally. Work in the service industry, and many of the customers have payment cards, but not a lot of money on the card. They transfer as needed, so that if they lose the card; don't put all your eggs in the same basket.
Hi, I've just watched your video and enjoyed it a lot. Having been to London before, I'd say that yes, I've done some things you labeled "wasting money": hotel breakfast, oyster cards, tourist attractions, hop on-hop off, etc. The thing is: I believe I've got value for those things, even if I'm not doing some of them a second time. My Oyster cards were very useful, they're a token from my family's trip, and I intend to use them again. The tourist bus was very interesting in 2018, but I didn't think of using them in 2023; restaurants near tourist areas, it depends. I've had excellent experiences in Tapas Brindiso, near the Natural History Museum, and an Italian pizzeria in Baker Street, but not so much with street food in the South Bank near Waterloo Station. Keep up your work, and greetings from Brazil.
If you are on the South Bank travel a bit further to Borough Market, a huge variety of food is on offer. Most food stalls are decent quality, some are exceptional.
Sometimes I park at a station (eg Upminster) that has normal trains and tube...I have always bought a travel card to catch the train into london and then use the tube an buses once there and then catch the train back from fenchurch st to upminster. That has always seemed like a good deal to me and I use a travelcard for this..would this maybe an exception to the travelcard opinion or am I paying too much
There's another reason to maybe skip the hotel breakfast buffet, which we found out when we were in London last fall. It was our first day back in London and we basically ate way too much at breakfast, leaving us satiated for the rest of the day and unable to enjoy the various food options we happened upon all day, including, sigh, Borough Market, which we loved but simply could not eat any of the wonderful-looking foods on offer there. I get the appeal of those buffets, but they're tourist traps and usually best avoided. Or, splurge on one on your last day in town, especially if it's just a half day and your flight or train is in the late morning or early afternoon and you're probably not going to have another meal before you depart. Oh, and, unrelated to this video other than that it has to do with food, if you're taking a train, do yourself a favor and buy a nice lunch or dinner, some snacks and something to drink on the train, where the offerings are usually not very good and fairly expensive. Make it a picnic if you can. A moveable feast!
T-mobile has no roaming charges. I have unlimited data and texting in the UK and calls are 25 cents a minute. Not all US phone companies rip off travelers.
I guess the monthly cost may be higher for the inclusive roaming abroad option? I'm resident in London and have unlimited calls, texts and data in the US, Canada, Australia and NZ with EE. It's not the cheapest tariff, but it does save a lot when I'm in the EU (still inclusive) and the four above countries. And use an e-sim elsewhere, as suggested by Jess. 👍
I / We have T-mobile, yes there are no roaming charges abroad - and no charges call back to the US from a foreign country, but there is a charge if the US phone number is also abroad - i would call my spouse on his cell phone and when we came back we had a lot of roaming charges for calling each other (T-mobile cell to another T-mobile cell)- but no charges for calling our family back in the US... lesson we learned is since we are in the apple prison - we should have just facetime audio / video'ed each other to use the data - instead of cell service.
If someone in not using an Oyster Card and using contactless pay of some sort, how does the transit system know whether you have reached the daily limit or not?
It keeps track of how many times you've tapped in throughout the day and only charges you the appropriate amount at the end of the day once all travel is done. You just have to make sure you're using the same card/method of payment. For example, if you use the card on your phone - you need to continue using that and not its physical version.
If someone is determined to take a taxi, make sure it is a proper London black cab and not some dodgy minicab. The black cab drivers know London inside out, tend to be rather likeable chaps, and will charge you a fair price - not a cheap price (this is London after all!) but one that is transparent and obeys the rules.
Another good video from you (Jess and the team) but when are you going to make a video about all the sporting events in London? There's sports events in London all year long. So you are somewhat missing a trick by not covering sports events in London.
As someone who stayed in London 5 times in the last few years, I have to say that the tap water there is disgusting 😅… sorry, but it tastes like someone mixed pool water with toothpaste. I always bought big water bottles in a supermarket and filled my smaller bottles with them before I would go out for the day. But our German water is very good, so I might be spoiled 😅. The water in Dublin is also really bad. But when you visit Edinburgh, you have really lovely tap water. Otherwise great tips. Oh, and the Tower is really expensive!!! If you are on a budget and want to see some History, visited one of the many free museums!
The water is London isn't disgusting! But you probably come from a soft water area. London and most of the south of England and probably Dublin too, are in hard water areas. By which I mean there is limestone and other minerals dissolved in the water. The minerals are good for you and the water coming out of the tap is of high quality, just it tastes strange if you come from a soft water area.
@@stevebarlow3154 to each his own, I guess. I just know that I had tp buy water, because I didn’t like it. Didn’t have that Problem in Prag, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Vienna or Stockholm… And my water comes from the Bodensee.
@@LeevandScorch It is all to do with the mineral content of the water. When I went from the hard water of London and southern England to my late mother's house on the Welsh border, a soft water area, the water tasted equally weird to me! If you lived in London for any length of time you would stop noticing the taste. Incidentally London tap water is purer than many mineral waters according to a number of tests. Many of the mineral waters had small amounts of things like lead in them, plus potentially harmful bacteria.
The still/sparkling scam is rife is Paris too..and they never give you a "tap" option. "Still" means Evian still... at 8 Euros lol. Here in Australia still generally means tap but there's also an increasing amount of places that dont charge for sparkling as it comes from a plumbed in soda type arrangement. "Would you like complimentary sparkling?" is def a thing here
When using a card, multiple times a day, on busy public transport, there's the potential for it to get lost or stolen. Oh no I've lost my Oyster card - that's maybe £15 gone V AAAGH panic. I've lost my bank card - someone else is using it / I have to cancel it / I've no way to buy anything.
@@loveandlondon The first time I visited your channel (about 2 years ago) it was to learn how to use an Oyster card. I'm not ready to give it up yet LoL
i just put my apple watch face on the contactless and because the express transit card is set up - the apple watch gets me in to the tube or onto the bus.
There are reasons for the Oyster card. Believe it or not a mobile phone is not the “default” everyone has. When I travel with my mother who is older she has no need for a mobile phone. They are insanely expensive in Canada, but when travelling on trips like in London it’s best to pick up a simple oyster card. The cost is really just pocket change. Otherwise I’d have to get her a phone, setup a separate esim card for her, just to do something as simple as ride the tube! Personally I find a better way to save money on trips is to largely stop wasting money eating at posh restaurants. 3/4 of the time I’m happy with a cheap sandwich in a box from M&S. Saves time since I don’t have to waste so much time eating and making reservations at restaurants; leaving more time and money for interesting things like Kew Gardens or the London Transport Museum.
My own phone is old and doesn't even allow for pay options like Google Pay, etc, so I just use my contactless debit card, just for the simple reason that I don't want to put a bunch of money on an Oyster card, and then never use it. It's basically just lost..
