I recently visited London, United Kingdom (UK) with my daughter, Casandra for a whistle-stop tour. We embarked on a last minute trip in order to see “SLAM THE TOUR” a Bollywood musical extravaganza with world famous actor Shah Rukh Khan at the O2 Arena. That show alone merits a separate article. The purpose of this article is to provide some insight into our experience as last minute travelers from Colorado, United States (US) to London in hopes of providing helpful for future travelers.
Obviously last minute travel plans incur more expense and a bit of chaos than those that are more planned. The best way to save money on a short notice vacation is to utilize travel sites that offer package deals that include flight and accommodations. With travel time we were fortunate given that there is a direct flight 9 hour flight from Denver International Airport (DIA) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) with British Airways. This was amazing given the fact that we were flying from the Rocky Mountain west!
In planning a last minute trip the obvious pieces need to be in place, such as current US passports, flight and hotel reservations. Things to keep in mind before heading out are cell phone functionality, credit card security and currency exchange. Contact your cell phone provider, they may be able to program your phone to work in the UK or you can purchase pay as you go phones at Heathrow. If your cell provider is able to program your phone you may still incur added charges, we paid one dollar per minute. For all credit cards that you plan to use contact the companies prior to travel, if you don’t you may find that the card is declined once there, be sure to ask about any added fees for international use. Try to take a couple of cards, one company assured me that all was in place, even after a triple confirmation, but the card was still security flagged and blocked upon arrival, luckily a second card did the trick. Also for currency exchange we found the cheapest was to withdraw cash from an ATM at Heathrow airport using a card with a low dollar to pound conversion rate fee. Your bank may be able to help but they may need a week to order the British currency in time for your departure.
For a smooth trip we also included has many resources as possible in the planning process. First we utilized the hotel concierge service to help us with matters around transportation and directions. I also contacted professional colleagues via social media and through my professional membership channels with the ADPCA for help with suggestions. I received a wealth of information and sweet kindness as a result! People no matter where they are in the world are willing to step up and help others.
As a result we received a wealth of information in addition to an offer for a personal tour of central London with all its charm and buzziness! Heathrow is a distance from central London, so expect at least an hour and a half to get there. Transportation options required careful research. For our purposes a taxi was the best option. We arranged for our hotel to have one waiting upon our arrival. Most hotels in central London will not pay nor provide transportation from Heathrow. The taxi ride will be pricey, approximately 100 pounds one way. The hotel dropped the ball but the iconic London Black taxis were to the rescue, waiting just outside the terminal and the hotel picked up the fare.
There are a variety of other transportation options, such as rental cars, the Heathrow train express, city train lines, the bus system and of course the famous Underground subway line, the Tube. However if you’re pressed for time and or tired from the flight, the transferring from station to station and the stopping to take on and let off passengers can be challenging. In addition you will need to navigate ticket purchases, map information and directional signage. The cab ride provided an opportunity to see the colorful hustle and bustle of central London, glimpses of tourist locations and the river Thames as front row spectators.
Our hotel was located in Canary Wharf, a vibrant and modern financial center conveniently located near central London. Border passing was a smooth process at Heathrow, you will be required to fill out a landing card on the plane if you are not a citizen of the UK so have it ready when you go through Customs. Also expect a bit of a walk to get there or ride a courtesy cart. At the hotel we immediately touched base with our concierge and developed a relationship during the few days we were there, checking in an out as to our plans and destinations, in addition to getting more detailed and specific information about the area. This was a wonderful way to maximize our short trip experience. Again keep extra fees in mind, in London even local calls from your hotel room can incur a cost of several pounds.
Our concierge helped to set our path and gave us the low down on London’s famous Tube. You will be most successful in your London experience if you familiarize yourself with this wonderfully efficient form of public transportation. Everyone uses the tube and when they are using it they are fast! Etiquette requires that when you are going to, through or on the tube that you keep pace and go with the flow. Information booths are available for help. London is a large city and extremely populated so it’s very important to adjust to its flow. It is also a very friendly city and most people are more than willing to help. Also stepping onto the streets of London is like stepping into a global village. It is a city representative of many nations, languages and cultures. Prepare to be amazed at its vibrancy, vitality, and richness. Prepare for its onslaught of the senses, the color red, culinary smells, cigarette smoke, the din of constant traffic, the conversing of hundreds of people and the spirit of the past captured in stone at every turn. Spend time familiarizing yourself with the Tube and before you know it you will be zipping around London like a pro. Cab fare around the city is pricey but helpful in a pinch or after 11pm when many Tube lines close and bus schedules are limited. Always look for the London black cabs to enjoy not only dependability but a truly London experience.
We had one day to experience the city before our flight. Our first destination was Oxford Circus in central London which immediately provided us with the overwhelming feeling that yes we are indeed in no other place in the world but London. Red was the color of the day, huge double decker buses rumbled past in long convoys beneath banners of the Union Jack flying above iconic red phone booths. If you’re wanting souvenirs wait until you are on these streets of central London as the souvenir prices are most reasonable in these areas.
Our initial downtown experience took us from the vibrant crossing at Oxford Circus and Regent Street to designer rows near old Bond Street back toward Carnaby Street made famous by the Beatles but now turned upscale yuppie store fronts. We moved on toward the Thames near Waterloo station toward the famous millennium wheel, now affectionately called the London Eye where we were gifted with the performance of two living statues. We proceeded across a foot bridge marveling at the historic skyline of London from both sides onto the closed Embankment Tube station where we rendezvoused with our informal guide and new found friend, Wade. We were then introduced to the fine art of dodging London traffic which most Londoners seemed practiced in. At a souvenir stand near the Strand we met a young man from Afghanistan who confirmed the feeling that London was a city where all nationalities were welcome, he stated that it was the one city where he always felt unconditionally welcomed. Wade took us to the spectacular St. Martin in the Fields church where we enjoyed the peace of its breathtaking inner sanctum. Onward through a bit of London drizzle we stopped for photos at the famous Trafalgar Square toward the Admiralty Arch and its portal to the tree lined lane leading to Buckingham Palace. Evening approached lights came on lending a magical quality to the beauty of the city doubled in the mirrored sheen of fallen rain. After a warm up with a cup of earl grey tea, fish and chips we moved on past Downing Street, the old Scotland Yard, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Of added note while in restaurants if you use a credit card for payment you will be swiping it on a hand held devise and you may need to go to the till to provide payment.
At the hour of 9pm the great clock struck and we paused with eyes closed to enjoy and appreciate the deep resonance of its bell voice. Here we parted ways with our dear friend and impromptu tour guide Wade with strict instructions on how to take the Overground Circle and District lines of Tube to the Tower of London. The historic royal palace and fortress was breathtaking, the moat is currently filled with fields of bright red ceramic poppies, an evolving exhibit in remembrance of the fallen in the First World War. The air of ancient mystery and the breathtaking presentation of the poppies would cause even an atheist to bow in prayer.
Arriving late back at our hotel we excitedly uploaded our images from cell phones and cameras and chatted, until the wee hours, excitedly about our day’s events knowing that the next day we would be off to the airport. Be sure to check in with your airline as soon as possible in order to avoid issues related to seating and overbooking. The next morning we ended our visit with an Italian coffee, almond torte and a brisk stroll along the Thames.
The long taxi ride to the airport was welcome as it afforded a final bitter sweet glimpse of what had been a hectic yet fulfilling whistle-stop trip. Security at the airport went smoothly, security staff were friendly and genuinely seemed to care about the comfort of the traveler. In addition there were little electronic feedback kiosks to rate your security experience! This was in contrast to my travels in US airports. Also at Heathrow were many last minute opportunities for souvenir and duty free purchases. On the return trip you will be required on the plane to fill out a customs landing card, even if you are a US citizen, so have it at the ready. Upon arrival it took about an hour to get through customs so plan for the extra time.
If you are going to have a one night stand with a city, London is the one. Now that I’m in love I will be back for a longer engagement.
Happy Travels!