Going to London for the first time in June.

Is the $2000 you have after airfare has been bought? If so, I would really try to spend at least two weeks. If you can stay with your friend an extra week, you have a great advantage with your budget. One week will go by so fast, it will seem like you just got there when it is time to return.

It's definitely possible to have a meaningful trip in 6 days, but you'll need to be focused in how you spend your time. It's impossible to see everything in a week, and if you try, you'll end up spending all of your time rushing from place to place and none of it actually seeing what you came to see. London is a big city, and despite its efficient public transportation system, getting from place to place can take quite some time. Depending on where exactly your friend lives, it could also take a long time to get to Paddington station (for a day trip to Bath), which also leaves you less time to see those sights. Keep in mind also that you'll be jet-lagged, quite possibly for the whole time you're there, which might leave you with less energy for sightseeing than you'd anticipated.

Thu pm - Thames boat to Greenwich
Fri - Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Sth Kensington museums
Sat - Tower, St Pauls, Tate Modern
Sun - National Gallery, Covent Garden, British Museum
Mon - Train to Salisbury, Stonehenge
Tue - Hire car & drive to Bath
Wed am - Drive to Windsor Castle, Return car at Heathrow & depart

It certainly is possible to have a great trip in six days (I'll be there for seven myself, in June). But if I had the option to stay longer, I would do so. My first trip to England was two weeks, and the subsequent two trips were one week each.

The others are correct: don't run yourself ragged trying to see everything. Make a list: Must See, Want to See and If Possible. Then tweak it.

Enjoy your trip!

light,

Rather than working from a canned list of "must sees", I'd suggest having a look at the RS England guidebook to see which sights most interest you. You should be able to find a copy at your local Library or larger book stores. The books also have excellent information on transportation to and from the sights, which days they're closed (if any), admission costs and also good information on the differences you might find there, restaurants, pubs, etc.

If possible I'd suggest increasing your budget and spend two weeks there. In order not to overburden your friend, you could perhaps spend 3-4 days in Bath or that area and use that as a "home base" for seeing the sights in that area. Other than Bath, what parts of "Salisbury Plains" are you most interested in seeing?

Be prepared for the costs of travelling in England - it's dreadfully expensive! Your US$2000 is only about £1390 at current exchange rates.

Don't underestimate the effects of jet lag, as you may not be up to full "touring speed" for a couple of days.

I second Ken's post. We will be in London the first week of June for the first time in maybe 10 years so we are really looking forward to that trip. The RS London Guide Book has been a real help in planning our trip.

The dollar will get you a lot further here at the current exchange rate compared to a few years ago!

The longer you have anywhere, the better. Although Bath is a great base out of London, it is the most expensive city for accommodation after London, so to make your dollar go further, don't stay here! If you are planning on any day trips by train, book ASAP as the fares go on sale 12 weeks before travel. The fare prices only go one way.

If you are planning on a few nights out of London, such as York or Bath, look at Premier Inn and Travelodges - good, clean chains. Their prices will only head in one direction too. With only 6 days, I would stick to London. Include Bath if you have another week. If you plan on returning, don't rush anything. You need a day for Stonehenge and another for Bath at least.

Much depends on where your friend lives. Most people in the UK, unlike the States live miles out of town and not in the city centre. So travel costs maybe higher - get an Oyster Card for use in London. Travel after 9.30 on the tube as this is cheaper. Buses are even better value on an Oyster Card.

Jennifer, "most people" in the US most definitely do not live in the "city centers." Out of curiosity, what made you think that they do?

As others have noted you can indeed get a good sense of London in 6 days but if you could extend your stay then do so. If you look at a Google Maps Satellite view of London you will see how close some of the "must see" sites to one another. Within blocks (long blocks) of one another are the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms, Horse Guards, St James Park, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, St Martins of the Field, Covent Garden. London has stellar public transport so you can zip around the city to see the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, the British Museum, Kensington Palace, St Pauls, Albert Memorial, Hyde Park, the Shard, a variety of markets (Brick Lane, Spittafields, Portobello Road, Borough and Camden Lock to name a few) Imperial War Museum, National History Museum, etc. A trip to Bath or the Salisbury Plains will eat up a lot of travel time but if you must go choose one and save the other for your next visit. To save money make that choice now and book your train seat quickly to get the best fare. For London transport buy your Oyster Card on your arrival. By viewing Timeout Magazine online (its no longer printed) you can plan your days by checking what opens when. Crowds will be at a premium in June so be mentally prepared for that. As is the rule of thumb for the popular Tower of London go early and try to be one of the first through the gates. Head right to the Crown Jewels and then spend time seeing all the rest of the property. This will be an expensive ticket so budget in advance. It is my recommendation to take a Vergers Tour of Westminster Abbey. Again, not cheap but there is so much history a guided tour is worth every penny. London can be experienced on foot which is how I prefer to explore the various neighborhoods. There's a lovely path along the Thames, walking through and around the parks is a nice way to see daily London life. Also a good place to picnic. Pret a Mangers, Mark and Spencers, have good sandwiches, soups, salads. Pub grub is great and a pleasant way to rest weary feet. Countless food stalls and food trucks at the numerous public markets can provide tasty treats. You are going to have a GREAT time. Enjoy your stay.

Thank you all for the amazing advice. My friend lives in South-End-On-Sea, so travel will take sometime without a doubt. I was able to extend my stay by another week, so I will now be there from June 8th to the 22nd. I can't wait to experience my first trip outside of the US in nearly 30 years and in an area that so rich with the history that I love. Please, keep the tips and ideas flowing as I can use as much as you can provide. Thanks again,

William

That will be some commute. Wow. Don't expect to get a seat.

The cheapest way to regularly commute is with a season ticket which allows you to use unlimited trains back and forth between Southend Central and Fenchurch Street.

That will cost you two passport photos and £83.70 a week. Want to be able to use the tubes, buses and trams in London too? A 7 day Travelcard from Southend Central is 2 passport photos and £116.20.

Those prices are on the C2C service.

They are higher on the older trains of Abellio between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street station, but no faster with a reputation for late, cancelled and very overcrowded trains.

You may want to spend some time actually staying in London, to cut down on your need to commute in, and to not wear out your welcome with your friend/host. A great budget option would be the YHA Hostels, which are reasonably priced and very nice. There are several locations.

Take a look around the YHA website:
http://www.yha.org.uk/our-properties?longitude=-0.12775829999998223&latitude=51.5073509&location=London%2C%20United%20Kingdom&startDate=&endDate=&maleAdult=&femaleAdult=&maleChild=&femaleChild=

Cheapest room is 15 pounds per night in a shared room.

Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart with regards to all your advice for my first trip to England. I was able to book a very good deal on Norwegian Air for June 8-22, 2016. I'll be staying at my friends house, per her insistence and we will actually be doing some camping in Cornwall so that we can do Bath and Stonehenge and see Merlins Cave. If all goes according to plan this will be an epic first trip with many more to follow. Thank you again and should you have anymore ideas please let me know.

William