We will be traveling to London for 4 days in a few weeks. We arrive at 9 am and thought we'd do a Hop on, Hop off bus, but I hear traffic is so heavy it's a waste of time. Other than the City walk, is there an other walking tour we can do? We're staying at the Hilton near Hyde Park.
Also is a tour of Buckingham Palace worth it? my husband and I disagree on this one. I think yes, he thinks no.
When you say "City" walk, did you mean a walk of the City of London? If so, it's not what you think.
The "City of London" is a one square mile of greater London that encompasses much of the current and former financial district. There is no one walk of London that covers all the sights. It's too big and spread out.
However, take a look at London Walks. They offer lots of walking tours around London.
As for Buckingham Palace, it will be closed to the public after Sept. 29.
Where are you flying from when you arrive in London?
Did you mean the City Walk on Rick's Audio Europe app? It is as Frank says above...but there are a lot of sights on the way. You could also consider Rick's Westminster Walk which is essentially from the Houses of Parliament to Trafalgar Square.
Here's the link to Rick's Audio walks in case that is not what you meant. The advantage of a DIY walk is that you can see how you feel (is this after your overnight flight form the US?) and do it at the last minute.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/london
Your hotel is right across from Hyde Park so if it's a nice day you can easily walk thru the park and to Buckingham Palace to see it from the outside if you are up for a longer walk.
I have visited Buckingham Palace and for me it was worth it. I enjoyed seeing the State Rooms and hearing the narration. IF you want to see it and he doesn't can he figure out something else to do? Would he be interested in visiting the Royal Mews (stables), Churchill War Rooms, the small Guards Museum on Birdcage Walk or the small museum at the Horse Guards Parade which is the other end of St James's Park from Buckingham Palace? There are plenty of things to do!
Frank II has noted the summer opening of Buckingham Palace comes to an end shortly, but let me answer the question anyway, having just been - yes, it's definitely worth it. It's not actually a tour - they open the state rooms plus garden to the public. While it's by no means the most impressive palace, the fact that it is the official residence of the monarch (although the King actually lives at Clarence House) makes it special. You'll see the ballroom, the throne room, the picture gallery etc. I had the opportunity to see part of it a few years back at a royal garden party, but we were rushed through the state rooms, so the summer opening allowed us to see them at a leisurely pace.
You can see the iconic sites all on your own. Use your tap credit or debit cards ( 1 for each of you) and use the London Underground. So easy. Take a Circle line train from QUEENSWAY to Westminster station.
Exit and you’ll be able to see, a 1/2 block away, the iconic Elizabeth’s Tower with the Big Ben bell. From Westminster cross the road at light ( with countless others ) and walk past Parliament. Westminster Abbey will be across the road. This area is known as Parliament Square. Meander on your own.
Personally I’d look at the London Walks website and see if you can time an arrival in this area so that you join a tour of the Abbey. www.walks.com
Lastly enjoy a lunch and/or a pint at the Two Chairman pub. Relaxed, walk out the front door, turn right, cross the street and talk the cockpit steps into St James Park. From there take Birdcage Walk up to the Palace.
Been decades since I toured the Palace so won’t offer a yay or nay. Will say a few years back did enjoy a pleasant conversation with a member of Parliament in the Two Chairman pub. Often timing provides pleasant surprises.
Enjoy your time in my favorite city on the planet.
I'd say the palace is well worth your time if it's open when you're there. I think you'll need to reserve a time slot here. As I recall there's a good audioguide included with the ticket, and a nice cafe overlooking the garden. But if your husband isn't as interested as you, he can certainly find something else to do nearby.
I think one or more of the RS walks would be a good way to spend part of your arrival day, assuming that the weather cooperates. The HOHO buses are very slow, and you can wait a long time for the next one if you get off. Also, if you've just flown overnight, riding a bus can become an expensive way to catch up on sleep.
Can anyone comment regarding the relative speed of the Hop on, Hop off in London ? We were looking to fill an empty day on Monday, October 7th after visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral at 8:30 a.m. We planned to board the Red Line at a nearby stop, get off at Buckingham Palace Road to watch the Changing of the Guard at 11:30 a.m. and then reboard to complete the supposed 2 1/2 hour route. We would then make a few stops, switch to the Blue or Green Line. We have done almost all of the London sites in the past, not interested in more walking tours or museum visits.
Thank you for any advice or accounts of recent experiences.
From St Paul's to Buckingham Palace you could catch normal bus route 26.
A few weeks ago that route had roadworks at several locations including on Ludgate Hill.
Even the normal bus took just about 30 minutes, as it was a bit of a nightmare- at 4pm. A slow creep aided and abetted by passengers boarding and a lighting at each stop. Particularly the very badly phased traffic lights on Ludgate Hill.
I am a bus supporter over tube, but that day was trying.
There is little by way of bus lane infrastructure on that portion of the route so the HOHO cannot possibly be any significantly slower than route 26. It may be faster as it observes fewer stops. But it is less frequent. On either I would want to leave St Paul's no later than 10.15 am.
Route 26 should be no more than a 10 minute wait between buses.
I am trying to give you a factual analysis here.
Thank you!
