Studying Abroad in London. Advice? (to buy, calculation, taxis)

[jenn02674]

Gosh, I enjoyed taking the train into London two years ago. Traveled from Nottinghamshire (it wasn't the Nottingham train station but I can't remember the name of the station) all by myself (as an american having never used any kind of public transportation) very easily and quickly. I don't think it took more than two hours to get to Kings Crossing and then another 20 minutes or so via the subway to meet my cousins.

I'm sure it's not perfect but it would have taken twice that long to drive with traffic and all. The train was nice and clean and comfortable.

[decafdave]

Originally Posted by PAKennedy

Thanks all in advance for reading,

I'm an American university student from Indiana that will be studying abroad in London, England in Fall of 2008 studying History, Political Science and Economics. I'm someone that is well travelled, having been through most of the major metropolitan cities in western Europe (with the exception of London) and spent much time traveling in the US. I'll be staying in flats just North of Hyde Park (Leister Gardens Apartments, Bayswater) and am eager to see as much of London as possible in the four months (from august to december) that I'll be there, but because I'm only in classes 3 days per week, I plan on traveling England and much of main land Europe. Does anyone have any suggestions in regards to where I should go eat, what to see (major landmarks or little known ones), what other nearby countries would be good to take a trip on over my 3-4 day weekends, or just general advice about living in London and getting around?

Thanks again and God bless,
Patrick

That's great you're going, I will be doing the same thing in spring 08. Don't know too much about the city yet but I can't wait to explore. London will have alot to offer, but 4 months is a long time so I wouldn't think you need to budget your time that much. I know most people get the touristy stuff out of the way early and I'll probably do the same.

Thats great you have only 3 days of classes-I have 4 unfortunately. Keep in mind that if you want to do some serious exploring of the continent you should buy a eurail pass. I have bought a 21 day all you can travel pass for $570 which I'll use after my classes are done

[Lillietta]

Go to Scotland - Edinburgh and the Highlands. I know someone who did not go when he was studying like you and regrets it.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Lillietta

Go to Scotland - Edinburgh and the Highlands. I know someone who did not go when he was studying like you and regrets it.

I visited Scotland and the Highlands when I lived in the UK and I'm glad I did. I doubt I'll ever set foot in Scotland again but I'm glad I've seen it. It had an indescribable stark beauty to it.

[Corkonian]

Originally Posted by PAKennedy

Thanks all in advance for reading,

I'm an American university student from Indiana that will be studying abroad in London, England in Fall of 2008 studying History, Political Science and Economics. I'm someone that is well travelled, having been through most of the major metropolitan cities in western Europe (with the exception of London) and spent much time traveling in the US. I'll be staying in flats just North of Hyde Park (Leister Gardens Apartments, Bayswater) and am eager to see as much of London as possible in the four months (from august to december) that I'll be there, but because I'm only in classes 3 days per week, I plan on traveling England and much of main land Europe. Does anyone have any suggestions in regards to where I should go eat, what to see (major landmarks or little known ones), what other nearby countries would be good to take a trip on over my 3-4 day weekends, or just general advice about living in London and getting around?

Thanks again and God bless,
Patrick

Well, for starters, you'll be amazed by how much there is to do/see in London. It's a huge city---I mean HUGE! Don't bother with one of those car things because the Tube will take you pretty much everywhere. Sounds like you're staying in a nice part of London too.

As for nearby countries, Ryanair and Easyjet do great deals to IRELAND and it's only a 1 hour flight. Also, Eurostar trains leave from St. Pancras now and will have you in Paris in under 3 hours (not bad, huh?). The beauty of London is that you're very "central" in terms of Europe, despite the fact that Britain is an island.

[charolastra00]

Originally Posted by Anarchy

Public transport out of London is terrible the buses are terrible in most cases and the trains which apart from the Virgin train are out of date, diesel, slow and never turn up on time.

Compared to the US where there just ISN'T public transportation to a lot of places, or it's completely inefficient (took a 24 hour bus trip from Cleveland to Boston which NORMALLY would only take half the time, if that!), British transport is heaven! While the British seem to be very down on it, every American I know who has studied or moved to the UK is very pleased with the system just because we basically have to hop on a plane or drive a car to get anywhere!

[Anarchy]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

Compared to the US where there just ISN'T public transportation to a lot of places, or it's completely inefficient (took a 24 hour bus trip from Cleveland to Boston which NORMALLY would only take half the time, if that!), British transport is heaven! While the British seem to be very down on it, every American I know who has studied or moved to the UK is very pleased with the system just because we basically have to hop on a plane or drive a car to get anywhere!

Well most times I have visted the US I drive so im not well known with the public transportation there but I have used the public transport in Florida and California and it was much better than what I have used in the UK, the buses are more modern (some had tv's which advertised what was happening locally and also what stops were coming next), cleaner, faster, and much more cheaper it was $2 to use a bus in Florida and with that I could go as long as I want where as in the UK the further you go the more you pay and for $2 here a bus would probably get you a mile lol.

As a nation that is trying to get people out of the car onto public transport its not doing a very good job.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

Compared to the US where there just ISN'T public transportation to a lot of places, or it's completely inefficient (took a 24 hour bus trip from Cleveland to Boston which NORMALLY would only take half the time, if that!), British transport is heaven! While the British seem to be very down on it, every American I know who has studied or moved to the UK is very pleased with the system just because we basically have to hop on a plane or drive a car to get anywhere!

Eh...I was never satisfied with the train service there. I thought it was overpriced, the rolling stock was a pathetic joke, the bathrooms were disgusting and it seemed they were never cleaned, the staff were almost always surly and rude, and the people on the train were rude and inconsiderate. Oh, and the trains were always...and I mean ALWAYS...late.

I drove long distances there rather than suffering the indignity of rail travel. It really is disgusting...an insufferable experience. It has the potential to be nice, but currently it isn't. It's a joke.

The French on the other hand....they have a lot to be proud of.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Anarchy

Well most times I have visted the US I drive so im not well known with the public transportation there but I have used the public transport in Florida and California and it was much better than what I have used in the UK, the buses are more modern (some had tv's which advertised what was happening locally and also what stops were coming next), cleaner, faster, and much more cheaper it was $2 to use a bus in Florida and with that I could go as long as I want where as in the UK the further you go the more you pay and for $2 here a bus would probably get you a mile lol.

As a nation that is trying to get people out of the car onto public transport its not doing a very good job.

Too right. First Bus charged extortionate fares in York; my ex and I did the math and discovered to our surprise that it was cheaper to use the car than to use the bus. We already owned a car so we didn't count the cost of the car payment, but with insurance and gas it was cheaper. Even figuring in the cost of the car payment, it wasn't much more and it's much more convenient to drive.

You pretty much have to own a car these days outside of London, especially if you have children; anyone who tells you different is kidding themselves.

You're absolutely right about the public transportation there; until it comes down in price and improves to an acceptable standard, people will continue to use their cars.

A return ticket from Huntington (about 3 miles from the city center) cost over $6, took 35 minutes door to door, and only ran twice an hour. What a JOKE.

[Anarchy]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

Too right. First Bus charged extortionate fares in York; my ex and I did the math and discovered to our surprise that it was cheaper to use the car than to use the bus. We already owned a car so we didn't count the cost of the car payment, but with insurance and gas it was cheaper. Even figuring in the cost of the car payment, it wasn't much more and it's much more convenient to drive.

You pretty much have to own a car these days outside of London, especially if you have children; anyone who tells you different is kidding themselves.

You're absolutely right about the public transportation there; until it comes down in price and improves to an acceptable standard, people will continue to use their cars.

A return ticket from Huntington (about 3 miles from the city center) cost over $6, took 35 minutes door to door, and only ran twice an hour. What a JOKE.

Well with the gas/petrol at around $8 a gallon and still rising it might not be cheaper anymore lol but yeah it is much more convenient to have a car to get to places where public transport is not available or very limited.

First are a joke they have put up the fares again its crazy but luckily I never use the public transport. The tram service is much nicer than the buses but they run to nowhere if you don't live in the city or inner city then its a pointless system which will never be extended due to cost.

Another aspect I liked about the bus system I used in the US was that you don't actually deal with the bus driver as all you do is insert the dollars into the machine which I thought was cool.