Where to stay when going to the O2 Arena in London?

kinger8938

kinger8938

kinger8938

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Hey all, I'm not well versed with getting around in London.

We are watching a show in October, on a Thursday evening and plan on getting the train into the city and staying over night somewhere.

Any one done this and have recommendations?

I imagine getting around right after a major show is a nightmare but all part of it.

Was looking at a travel lodge but it's over the river and not within walking distance, so I guess there's a tube that takes you under or something

Any tips?

We will travel in from Westbury which takes us to paddington direct, or Waterloo if we change at Salisbury.

Going to head in early and would like to look around some of the sites etc

Thanks for any advice given
 
If you want to spend some time in London beforehand then you don't want to stay near the O2 as you'll have to travel across London to get there (the O2 is in South East London and not really near any attractions), drop your bags off and then get the tube back in the opposite direction, and then head back in the evening.

I'd suggest getting hotel near either Paddington or Waterloo, depending on where your train arrives. There is a Travelodge at Waterloo if that's what you're looking at. Both are well located for getting around the West End etc. and easy to get to/from the O2. Waterloo is better as its only a few stops on the Jubilee line.

Getting back on the tube after the show usually doesn't take very long. Maybe 15 minutes of queueing. The Jubilee line is pretty efficient.
 
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weringo said:
If you want to spend some time in London beforehand then you don't want to stay near the O2 as you'll have to travel across London to get there (the O2 is in South East London and not really near any attractions), drop your bags off and then get the tube back in the opposite direction, and then head back in the evening.

I'd suggest getting hotel near either Paddington or Waterloo, depending on where your train arrives. There is a Travelodge at Waterloo if that's what you're looking at. Both are well located for getting around the West End etc. and easy to get to/from the O2. Waterloo is better as its only a few stops on the Jubilee line.

Getting back on the tube after the show usually doesn't take very long. Maybe 15 minutes of queueing. The Jubilee line is pretty efficient.
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Thanks for that I agree with the point about going back and forth! May look to stay at Paddington, it's just all a bit confusing but I imagine once you are there it makes sense.

Which of the 2 stations above are better situated for potential touristy sightseeing?
 
kinger8938 said:
Thanks for that I agree with the point about going back and forth! May look to stay at Paddington, it's just all a bit confusing but I imagine once you are there it makes sense.

Which of the 2 stations above are better situated for potential touristy sightseeing?
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Waterloo but there's not much in it really. Once you're that close it's easy to get around to most places on the tube.
 
Thanks :)

With that in mind I'll likely go to paddington from home as it's direct, save change over hassle then just tube in further when we get there. Can really stay anywhere at that point I guess
 
If you’re looking around Paddington just don’t stay anywhere near Edgware Road as it’s a ****hole. Lancaster Gate, Bayswater maybe. But to be honest it’s not a great base. If there’s anything around Marylebone (south of the station preferably) that’d be lot nicer and close to Paddington. If you were in central Marylebone then you could walk up to Marylebone station for your Paddington interchange, and down to Bond Street for the Jubilee to the O2.

I came in to suggest staying somewhere around London Bridge. Lots going on there and easy to walk to the Thames, Southbank etc.
 
Scam said:
If you’re looking around Paddington just don’t stay anywhere near Edgware Road as it’s a ****hole. Lancaster Gate, Bayswater maybe. But to be honest it’s not a great base. If there’s anything around Marylebone (south of the station preferably) that’d be lot nicer and close to Paddington. If you were in central Marylebone then you could walk up to Marylebone station for your Paddington interchange, and down to Bond Street for the Jubilee to the O2.

I came in to suggest staying somewhere around London Bridge. Lots going on there and easy to walk to the Thames, Southbank etc.
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London bridge area looks great for being central for pretty much everything. All on that same line too I think?

Will take a look, thanks
 
The problem with the O2 is there's really only the 1 way in and out (Jubilee Line) unless dropping south via a bus and when shows kick out gets mega mega busy, we had a flat that was about half a mile from the O2 and I used to stand on the balcony with a cuppa watching the ensuing chaos of people trying to cram into the tube station and cars trying to get through the Blackwell tunnel, I personally would stay at the Holiday Inn Express at Nth Greenwich (or the Intercontinental attached to the side of the O2 if in budget) and catch the Jubilee Line into Central London on the days you are touristing but that's just me
 
Maundie said:
The problem with the O2 is there's really only the 1 way in and out (Jubilee Line) unless dropping south via a bus and when shows kick out gets mega mega busy, we had a flat that was about half a mile from the O2 and I used to stand on the balcony with a cuppa watching the ensuing chaos of people trying to cram into the tube station and cars trying to get through the Blackwell tunnel, I personally would stay at the Holiday Inn Express at Nth Greenwich (or the Intercontinental attached to the side of the O2 if in budget) and catch the Jubilee Line into Central London on the days you are touristing but that's just me
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This was another angle I was looking at, just to save the hassle of traveling away from the venue after.

It's not like we would need to check in early or anything, could just do they before we head to the show
 
Get a water taxi if staying in the City centre area:

www.theo2.co.uk

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers | The O2

www.theo2.co.uk www.theo2.co.uk

We did this and it's a 5min walk from the pier to the arena.

We had a walk around the area and there were a few apartment blocks (nice ones) with Air BnB flyers in their windows. I don't have any details, but i'm sure you could find them on Air BnB.
 
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www.airbnb.co.uk

Rental unit in Greater London · ★4.71 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bathroom

Luxury Flat, 2 min walk from O2
www.airbnb.co.uk www.airbnb.co.uk

Kings Cross or whatever station you are travelling from to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers - Tower Pier, Tower Millennium Pier, Lower Thames St, London EC3N 4DT (30min drive or use Underground).

Uber Clipper to O2. We bought the hop on hop off 2 day ticket. You can travel up and down the Thames and get on/off at any stop - quick way to get around the sights you want to visit and it's like a river cruise all in one :)

Easy.

Use or get a railcard for cheaper fares: https://uk.trip.com/trains/uk/railc...7ddc11ef822449120a18b8f6&utm_campaign=1453124 code: RCD001 (if still working).
 
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That flat is right behind the office I used to work at, I remember them being built, I'm not sure what time the event finishes but doesn't the clipper stop running quite early in the evening?

If it's available I'd do the flat definitely, it means not having to worry about the nightmare of the tube when everyone leaves at the same time.
 
Maundie said:
That flat is right behind the office I used to work at, I remember them being built, I'm not sure what time the event finishes but doesn't the clipper stop running quite early in the evening?

If it's available I'd do the flat definitely, it means not having to worry about the nightmare of the tube when everyone leaves at the same time.
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On a weekday, O2 back into the city, yeah it looks early finish :(
 
Thanks for all the tips. I'm tempted to stay near the arena now, even if it means splashing out a bit more than expected(within reason) plus = less hassle. It's a real one off date night for us ha.

Regarding tubes. Am I right in thinking you just whack your contactless debit card on it these days and it caps at some point?

Not sure what to expect in rail costs

The local intercontinental and holiday inn are approx £340 each :/

But then a far away premier inn is roughly £220ish depending on where etc.

*She's just told me she has a Blue card now as she's recently become a teaching assistant. Can apparently be used for discounts on hotels etc so will see if it works at any of the above
 
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0910 Westbury > 1029 Paddington > change >
kinger8938 said:
Thanks for all the tips. I'm tempted to stay near the arena now, even if it means splashing out a bit more than expected(within reason) plus = less hassle. It's a real one off date night for us ha.

Regarding tubes. Am I right in thinking you just whack your contactless debit card on it these days and it caps at some point?

Not sure what to expect in rail costs
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Sign up to trainpal - really good app and by registering you get further discounted tickets. I can see 2 x tickets, using a railcard for:

2 changes: 17 Oct 24, 0910 from Westbury > 1029 Paddington > 1045 Paddington > 1053 Farringdon > 1107 Farringdon > 1127 Greenwich

Coming back on 18 Oct 24 at 1532 into Westbury at 1755, 2 changes.

£96.60

You can use my referral code if you want to message.

Going to London isn't cheap, but you can certainly keeps costs down, just plug into Trainpal your starting/finishing points and it will give you loads of options ie time of travel, how many changes and different costs - it would be worth signing up for a railcard. The savings you make on just 1 journey will pay for it.
 
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ivrytwr3 said:
still working, brings the 2 4 1 railcard (or any railcard), 1 yr down from £30 to £19.80.
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I appreciate you! Thanks :) will go for that as like you say, it's worth it for the savings on this trip alone. And I'm sure we will use a train here and there again thought the year (albeit rarely)

Probably go for the two together one?
 
kinger8938 said:
I appreciate you! Thanks :) will go for that as like you say, it's worth it for the savings on this trip alone. And I'm sure we will use a train here and there again thought the year (albeit rarely)

Probably go for the two together one?
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I have a Forces Railcard and the wife and kids have their own, so not sure which one suits you best, but had a quick look:

Family card looks the best deal, but, "Accompanied travel: At least one child and one adult must travel together for the Railcard to be valid".

2 Together: Can you travel alone with the Two Together Railcard? No, the only way to enjoy the discount from this specific Railcard is to travel together for the entire journey with the second named adult.

So probably the 2 Together one for you and other half.
 
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