Hello Travel Friends
Now that I have finished up my trip report in the last 3 blog posts I wanted to go back and write up a few important helpful hints about traveling in the UK -- or at least in London and York. I can't say I am an expert, but I did learn quite a bit on this trip with the help of friends who had been to London, and of course my personal guide! :-)
Lets start with the London Tube. This is the BEST/EASEST way to get around London.
Forget driving. First thing you need to do is pick up an Oyster Card, which you can get at any Tube station.The Oyster card is a smart card which you load with Pounds and use to get in to and out of the station. The card also works on the bus, tram, & London Overground.
I started my card with 20 Pounds and reloaded when needed. You will get a red light on the card reader when you do not have enough funds on your card. The fare changes by Zones and high traffic times. Since I was a tourist & was on my own schedule I did not pay too much attention to the Zones, but I did try and stay out of the Tubes at rush hour. It gets a bit crazy down there!!
Grab yourself a copy of the Tube Map so you can plan your trips.
Don't be intimidated by the looks of this map that shows every line
All you need to know is which line you want and what is the name
of the stop at the end of that line.
Read all signs going in and out of the Tube to make sure you are headed in the correct direction. The signage in the Tube station is great! Just follow the signs in and out and you will be fine!
And if all else fails - stop and ask. There are Attendants and info windows in all stations and I found them to be friendly and helpful. When things are really busy, there are workers on the platforms and you can ask them if this is the right train for where you are going.
I really enjoyed using the public transportation - they got it right in London! Here is a link to the history of the Tube system. Fascinating information, check it out!
.https://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/culture-and-heritage/londons-transport-a-history/london-underground
And now a word about Taxi's also called a Hackney Carriage! There are two kinds of taxi's you can use. The typical cool-looking London taxi (Hackney Carriage) can be flagged down and stop anywhere. If the Yellow Taxi sign is on the Taxi is available for hire. They are obligated to take you at least 12 miles, as that is part of the licensing. They also cost a couple of pounds more to take. If you ask to have a taxi called for you at your hotel or Pub - ask for a 'Mini-cab'. These are taxi's that can only be called for. You can't waive them down on the street. But they are less expensive if you are going a longer distance. Always ask the approximate fare for your trip before you go with a mini cab. All that being said - take a true London Taxi at least once, its kind of like going to Disneyland and not riding on the Tea Cups! LOL
On to a topic near & dear to my heart...FOOD. Yes, we have all heard about the food in the UK right? Fish & Chips (Steak Fries) I think is the national dish, but you can find any type of food you desire in London from local restaurants to chain restaurants to Pub food, which is actually a good deal and tasty.
Public Houses = 'Pubs' are a great place to get an inexpensive meal. There are so many old Pubs in London and many websites you can look at in advance to get some idea's, but the best way to get the Pub experience is just pick one you like the looks of and go in. Order a Bitter or a Cider, look around, enjoy the history and if your hungry, try the food, They often have great specials for lunch and dinner - example: two courses for 10 pounds + a beverage. And if you have been reading my blog on London, you know that I am enchanted by Pub signs that hang above every Pub. They are little works of art!!
Another place to grab a bite to eat is in Department Stores. Yes, you read correctly, Department Stores! Most have 'Food Hall's' The most famous being Harrods. Even if you aren't going to eat something, you have to see Harrods Food Hall. It is the one that all others are modeled on. It is mind-blowing! It has high-end restaurants in it as well as casual 'quick-eats' booths. From the fancy Tea Room to Deli sandwiches, they have it all.
Another department store I went in to that is simular to Harrods but not as well known is Harvey Nichols. Harvey Nichols has been around since 1831 and its Food Hall was a favorite of Princess Diana.
One of the best tips I got before going to London was from my good friend Jeanine. She told me about M&S = Marks & Spencer. Also a department store, but fantastic food store as well. Their 'take away' food is great for the hungry tourist on the run. One day after touring St. Paul's I was so hungry and need nourishment FAST! There was an M&S across the street when I came out of the Cathedral. I had not been in one yet, but I remembered Jeanine telling me about them. I went in and was able to pick up a delisious sandwich & beverage, quick & easy (TONS of choices).
Now that I have finished up my trip report in the last 3 blog posts I wanted to go back and write up a few important helpful hints about traveling in the UK -- or at least in London and York. I can't say I am an expert, but I did learn quite a bit on this trip with the help of friends who had been to London, and of course my personal guide! :-)
Lets start with the London Tube. This is the BEST/EASEST way to get around London.
 |
| you simply tap your card on the reader to open the gate |
I started my card with 20 Pounds and reloaded when needed. You will get a red light on the card reader when you do not have enough funds on your card. The fare changes by Zones and high traffic times. Since I was a tourist & was on my own schedule I did not pay too much attention to the Zones, but I did try and stay out of the Tubes at rush hour. It gets a bit crazy down there!!
Grab yourself a copy of the Tube Map so you can plan your trips.
Don't be intimidated by the looks of this map that shows every line
All you need to know is which line you want and what is the name
of the stop at the end of that line.
 |
| This sign for the Northern Line shows two different terminating stations. Make sure you get on the correct train - but if you realize you are on the incorrect train, just get off at the next station and catch the right one or turn around. No big deal |
 |
| I wish this were clearer, but it shows the beginning and the end of this line -- these signs are in every station and on every train. Also as the train arrives it will say where it terminates - so read, read, read and you won't get lost! |
 |
| Lots of signs showing you the way out! |
And if all else fails - stop and ask. There are Attendants and info windows in all stations and I found them to be friendly and helpful. When things are really busy, there are workers on the platforms and you can ask them if this is the right train for where you are going.
I really enjoyed using the public transportation - they got it right in London! Here is a link to the history of the Tube system. Fascinating information, check it out!
.https://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/culture-and-heritage/londons-transport-a-history/london-underground
And now a word about Taxi's also called a Hackney Carriage! There are two kinds of taxi's you can use. The typical cool-looking London taxi (Hackney Carriage) can be flagged down and stop anywhere. If the Yellow Taxi sign is on the Taxi is available for hire. They are obligated to take you at least 12 miles, as that is part of the licensing. They also cost a couple of pounds more to take. If you ask to have a taxi called for you at your hotel or Pub - ask for a 'Mini-cab'. These are taxi's that can only be called for. You can't waive them down on the street. But they are less expensive if you are going a longer distance. Always ask the approximate fare for your trip before you go with a mini cab. All that being said - take a true London Taxi at least once, its kind of like going to Disneyland and not riding on the Tea Cups! LOL
On to a topic near & dear to my heart...FOOD. Yes, we have all heard about the food in the UK right? Fish & Chips (Steak Fries) I think is the national dish, but you can find any type of food you desire in London from local restaurants to chain restaurants to Pub food, which is actually a good deal and tasty.
Public Houses = 'Pubs' are a great place to get an inexpensive meal. There are so many old Pubs in London and many websites you can look at in advance to get some idea's, but the best way to get the Pub experience is just pick one you like the looks of and go in. Order a Bitter or a Cider, look around, enjoy the history and if your hungry, try the food, They often have great specials for lunch and dinner - example: two courses for 10 pounds + a beverage. And if you have been reading my blog on London, you know that I am enchanted by Pub signs that hang above every Pub. They are little works of art!!
Another place to grab a bite to eat is in Department Stores. Yes, you read correctly, Department Stores! Most have 'Food Hall's' The most famous being Harrods. Even if you aren't going to eat something, you have to see Harrods Food Hall. It is the one that all others are modeled on. It is mind-blowing! It has high-end restaurants in it as well as casual 'quick-eats' booths. From the fancy Tea Room to Deli sandwiches, they have it all.
Another department store I went in to that is simular to Harrods but not as well known is Harvey Nichols. Harvey Nichols has been around since 1831 and its Food Hall was a favorite of Princess Diana.
 |
| Harvey Nichols at the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street in London |
Another place to grab something quick is Pret A Manger.
They sell very fresh natural foods. Here is a description from their website Pret operates a bit like a restaurant. We build kitchens in (or very near) every shop. Our ingredients get delivered early each morning. You won’t find ‘sell-by’ dates on our fresh sandwiches, salads and baguettes. We offer our unsold food to charity at the end of each day rather than keeping it to sell the next day.
The food was fresh & delicious. They had one at the airport and I bought a few snacks to take on the plane. YUM!
One last food recommendation is Princi. It is a counter-service Milanese bakery & pizzeria. You can go through the 'buffet line' to get food to go or eat in. They have a wide range of entree's beside pizza and the bakery is to die for. ( thanks to friend Lonnie for the recommendation)
You won't go hungry in London, I promise. The problem you are most likely to encounter is deciding where and what to eat!!
A word about shopping... London has every type of store you can possibly imagine, but for emergencies, PriMark is the place. If you need socks, a hoody or a inexpensive hat or a necessity that you forgot, go to the nearest Premark and you will find what you need at a very reasonable price. For example, it was chilly and I knew a hoody sweatshirt was what I really needed. I got a nice warm one for 10 pounds.
My last recommendation is to do a little research, a little pre-planning but leave plenty of room for improvising and changing plans. London is a blast so have a great time!
Until next time (Sicily in June!)
Safe travels
Susan
And now for my Pub sign collection :-)
A word about shopping... London has every type of store you can possibly imagine, but for emergencies, PriMark is the place. If you need socks, a hoody or a inexpensive hat or a necessity that you forgot, go to the nearest Premark and you will find what you need at a very reasonable price. For example, it was chilly and I knew a hoody sweatshirt was what I really needed. I got a nice warm one for 10 pounds.
My last recommendation is to do a little research, a little pre-planning but leave plenty of room for improvising and changing plans. London is a blast so have a great time!
Until next time (Sicily in June!)
Safe travels
Susan
