Quick question for you Londoners

dean_ham · 24 Nov 2011 at 20:33

Me and the other half are planning on going to london on the 10th of Feb for the weekend.

Friday will get up there mid day spend the day sightseeing. We are going to watch the Black Keys in the alexandra palace on the friday night. Saturday and sunday sightseeing etc etc.

I havent been to London for a few years so whats the best way of going around and sight see for the weekend, i have heared getting the tube is the cheapest way buying a card and travel on the tube lines with that card?

I am looking to stay in the Hilton London Metropole on Edgware Road. I dont mind catching pulic transport to the black keys gig but how dodgy will it be catching public transport back from alexandra palace to edgware road at 12pm-1am? its 7 miles away in distance would i be stung for a 50 quid taxi ride or something?

Cheers guys!!!

Dean

kiwi · 24 Nov 2011 at 21:02

Get a travelcard or if you'll be travelling loads, it's worth getting an oyster just to stop fannying about with a card at the gate. You might be able to get the tube back depending on time but failing that a bus or two.

jp_bl_68 · 24 Nov 2011 at 21:10

kiwi said:
Get a travelcard or if you'll be travelling loads, it's worth getting an oyster just to stop fannying about with a card at the gate.

I'd do the same.

Check Journey Planner for travel details.

joxang · 24 Nov 2011 at 21:16

Takes 5 minutes to pick up an oyster card at any station. Just ask at the ticket office

.

[TW]Fox · 24 Nov 2011 at 22:04

Don't pay big money for the Metropole Hilton - I stayed there a few years ago and the rooms are very small unless you go for one of the much more expensive ones. Don't be like half the UK who seems to think Hilton is the last word in luxury.

Plus they ripped me off with the carpark.

Spleenus · 24 Nov 2011 at 22:21

If you're going to Alexandra palace the tube doesn't run there. There is a bus route, W3 which goes from Wood Green (amongst other stops) on the Piccadilly line, just remember that the last tube is around 12, half 12 from there to central London.

Bus Routes to Alexandra Palace

moremoney · 24 Nov 2011 at 22:56

dean_ham said:
Me and the other half are planning on going to london on the 10th of Feb for the weekend.

Friday will get up there mid day spend the day sightseeing. We are going to watch the Black Keys in the alexandra palace on the friday night. Saturday and sunday sightseeing etc etc.

I havent been to London for a few years so whats the best way of going around and sight see for the weekend, i have heared getting the tube is the cheapest way buying a card and travel on the tube lines with that card?

I am looking to stay in the Hilton London Metropole on Edgware Road. I dont mind catching pulic transport to the black keys gig but how dodgy will it be catching public transport back from alexandra palace to edgware road at 12pm-1am? its 7 miles away in distance would i be stung for a 50 quid taxi ride or something?

Cheers guys!!!

Dean

My daughter and i, have stayed at the hilton meto in edgeware road for a weekend for the last 3 years, going back again next year.
It is imo a great hotel, just eat and drink out.(tea and coke cost me a tenner).
You are after all only sleeping there, so as long as there's a bed and shower.
As stated before get a travel card.
Hilton is the perfect spot imo, a taxi to the eye is only £25, (if you are in a rush like i was one year).
And plenty of foreign resturants to eat at cheaper than the hilton in edgeware road.

dean_ham · 26 Nov 2011 at 15:10

Thanks guys thats great!

Shayper · 26 Nov 2011 at 15:18

As said before, oyster card.

Me and a few mates went to Cable at London bridge last weekend, and before we went in, we went walking around that area of London for a couple of hours. It's absolutely beautiful

.

We also ended up in a Hilton before we went in, as we were rather mashed. Vodka and coke for 12 quid

.

Unbreakable · 26 Nov 2011 at 15:53

Yep get an oyster card

Its always cheaper then a paper ticket and saves a lot of messing around at each station. If you spend over the daily pass amount then it automatically caps the charges at the price of a daily ticket.

eyyaz · 26 Nov 2011 at 16:07

I'd imagine that the stations would be closed at the time you're leaving alexandra. You may be able to catch the last train but it will be close call. You could possibly book a minicab back to the hotel from alexandra, that way you get a fixed quote.

ikillbears · 26 Nov 2011 at 16:31

First off I would get your self an oyster. It need goes above the price of a travel card so could save you some cash. And you don't have to keep getting it out all the time. Just slap it in the back of your wallet. As for getting to ale pally. As stated above the w3 bus goes right to the front door. It starts at finsbury park tube stop at the wells terrace exit and they go about every 7 mins. Will probably take you about 15 mins to get up there. It does also go past wood green tube which is a little bit shorter bus journey but more chance of getting the wrong bus. So Grab it from finsbury. Plus some shops are there for any nibbles you may want. On the way back you might be cutting it fine. I would probably suggest booking a cab. And it would probably cost about 25 squids to get to edge ware road. I cann see Alexandra palace from my house so hope that helps

Nexus · 26 Nov 2011 at 16:40

You can easily get to just outside Alexandra Palace by Overground Rail, which you can join at many Tube Station interchanges. So not difficult to get there.

It won't cost you £50 to get back in a taxi.
The problem is though that Alexandra Palace is not Central London, so you won't see Black Cabs that you can just hail easily. There may be some waiting because there is a gig on, but I'd imagine you would have to fight for them. You could always book one with Addison Lee or similar to pick you up.

SuperTronNarwhal · 26 Nov 2011 at 16:51

Bring disaffecting wipes or that bottle stuff. 1-2 days later you ill. Stuff happening to me atm.

dowie · 26 Nov 2011 at 17:06

Nexus said:
You could always book one with Addison Lee or similar to pick you up.

Make sure you pay cash (cheaper and will save you a lecture from the driver).

They also have a mobile app (though the fact they have a mobile app seemed to offend some **** in another thread)

Deep · 26 Nov 2011 at 17:32

dowie said:
They also have a mobile app (though the fact they have a mobile app seemed to offend some **** in another thread)

LOL that was Cheets!

Nexus · 26 Nov 2011 at 18:21

dowie said:
Make sure you pay cash (cheaper and will save you a lecture from the driver).

They also have a mobile app (though the fact they have a mobile app seemed to offend some **** in another thread)

We had a thread on Addison Lee the other day.

I've used them more times than I can count and I've never once had a lecture from a Driver that I should pay cash just so they get a bit extra in their pocket.

It's not necessarily any cheaper either, as the Driver might go a silly route if you are paying cash, especially if you are going to a hotel and a clearly a tourist.

dowie · 26 Nov 2011 at 18:40

Nexus said:
We had a thread on Addison Lee the other day.

Erm yes we did - I started the thread and mentioned it in my post you just quoted.

I've used them more times than I can count and I've never once had a lecture from a Driver that I should pay cash just so they get a bit extra in their pocket.

It's not necessarily any cheaper either, as the Driver might go a silly route if you are paying cash, especially if you are going to a hotel and a clearly a tourist.

It is apparently common enough though your post makes it sound like you've never used them. Firstly being a tourist is irrelevant, the route the driver takes is also irrelevant(they don't work off a meter) you are charged the price set by the company for that journey. The charge is higher if you pay by card - cash IS cheaper as an ordinary customer(will save you just under a fiver on each journey)and the driver will also get a bigger cut.