Four Days in London - best location to stay central to what London has to offer

Is this 4 days NOT counting your arrival and departure days? I think the area south of Victoria station (Pimlico or Victoria underground stations) is great because of all the transportation links available from Victoria. There are lots of pubs, a couple small groceries, budget hotels. I have even walked to Westminster Abbey area and the Thames when the weather is good and I want to get my steps in early.

You will probably get a variety of answers because people have their favorites and they are often in different areas.

My personal favorite is to stay at the Premier Inn Waterloo or the Premier Inn County Hall. These are located just across the Thames just a few block south of Westminster Bridge and near the London Eye. The hotels are two blocks apart. They offer a consistent product at a reasonable price. You can get a room with two beds. One will be a double and one will be a twin.

I love being able to walk to Westminster and along the Thames. Waterloo station opens up an amazing number of transportation links for the tube, train or bus. Grocery and restaurants are easy to find and access.

Define tight budget. London is one of the most expensive cities on the planet.

What are your interests? History? The Royals? Shopping? Museums? Art? Theatre? Are you and your sisters foodies?

As far as where to stay “best situated to the sights”
keep in mind that the London Underground ( the Tube ) is very well laid out to transport you around the London neighborhoods. The majority of first timers on this Forum are often told that the Earl’s Court is a great neighborhood to stay. It’s fine. So are the Marylebone, Chelsea, Bloomsbury, Kensington, Pimlico, and the now hip and gentrified Shepard’s Bush neighborhoods.

I’ve been traveling and exploring London since LBJ was President. For me it’s a walkable city and that’s how I spend my days there when I visit.

Over the decades I’ve stayed in Premier Inns, fancy hotels, apartments and with friends.

Take a look at Vancouver Studios. Stayed there often. Recommended by a flight attendant. Easy access to 2 tube stops; Bayswater and Queensway.

Loads of cafes, coffee shops, etc. along Queensway.
Easy stroll into Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens/The Round Pound and Kensington Palace. You’ll also be 10 -15 stroll away from The Churchill Arms pub, a favorite for photo takers.

Lastly, research the Days Out 2 for 1 deal. Will involve you training somewhere. Last time I used the “ deal “ I was traveling with a friend who’d never been to Europe. A fan of the PBS series “ Call the Midwife “ she wanted to see where it was filmed.
My career was in the “ biz “ so via colleagues was able to arrange a private tour of the Chatham Dock Yards in Kent. Took a train from Victoria Station.

Upon return went to a manned ticket window at Victoria and was able to obtain a 2 for 1 booklet.
Used it to see Westminster Abbey. The “ sites “
in the booklet change. You will need to throughly investigate if it would work for you.

Its a great city to explore. Great parks, free museums, theatre, galleries, food markets, et.al.

PM if you need more intel.

Here is more information on the Days Out 2-4-1 deal on tickets to many London attractions, as mentioned by Claudia.

https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london

Basically, the 2-4-1 deals are a benefit of traveling into London by National Rail train, not the Tube or Heathrow Express ( but the Gatwick Express qualifies).

Here is more info on the type of tickets that are eligible:

https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/travel-by-train/is-my-ticket-valid-for-2for1-and-other-offers

You will each need a train ticket to use the offers. With a single-ride train ticket into London, you can only use the Days Out offers the same day as the train ride. But if you have a return journey (such as into London on Day 1 and out of London on Day 5) you can use the 2-4-1 offers all 5 days.

So . . . Depending on your travel plans, this may or may not work for you.

What did you think of Rick's recommendations?

The trick with Rick's suggestions is that he will eschew some of the chains which are actually really good deals for people on a budget in his main section of recommendations. In London, Premier Inn makes great sense for value oriented lodging in good locations. For example, if you look in his "Best of England Guide", information about many hotels are listed in the London section. Information about chain hotels is listed at the very back of the book under practicalities. " Chain hotels- common in bigger cities all over Great Britain- can be a great value depending on location and season." He then mentions Premier Inn, Travelodge, and Jury's Inn.

Check out Premier Inns. There are two at great locations downtown. I think one is near Waterloo Station you can walk to Westminster, the Tower and Buckingham Palace.

Hello! Many thanks all, this is VERY helpful. Planning a trip can certainly be a daunting task, the information gleaned from this forum is invaluable. Happy travels.

Sylvia planning is part of the fun.

Good websites to peruse for ideas of what to see and do besides the “ must sees,”: The Londonist, TimeOut London, LondonEater, and LondonTown