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

[kinger8938]

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

 

[kinger8938]

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.

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]

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

 

[kinger8938]

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.

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

 

[kinger8938]

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

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

 

[kinger8938]

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

 

[kinger8938]

still working, brings the 2 4 1 railcard (or any railcard), 1 yr down from £30 to £19.80.

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]

Trainpal referral code: 1eb6c436

Gives £3 sign up i think and further discount on tickets.

Thanks, used your referral and it gives a few discounts. Much appreciated


So with regard the actual tube then, is that a case of just tapping the contactless and it caps at some point?

I gather rail cards don't benefit us there?

 

[kinger8938]

Thanks for all the tips

I've booked our train direct from Westbury to paddington for the morning. Will then tube to some where touristy and then head towards the O2 later on the afternoon as it looks like there's a fair bit to see there too.

Ultimately I panicked and booked to stay at the Intercontinental at the O2.

So we can head there from the concert and then get back out and about in the morning for an early evening train home