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Is my London pass itinerary mangable

Hi, I will be visiting London in middle to late September and I have calculated that based on the attractions I want to see the London pass will be a good a investment. Consequently I have put aside four days of my trip specifically for attractions included in the London pass (do not worry I am still planing on seeing some of the worldclass free museum). The problem is I am not entirely sure if my current itinerary is humanly possible as based on othe forums and pages I have read I got a picture that I will either stand half a day in line or there will be non. Could some of you, who have more experience when it comes to London, help me figure out if my current plan is managable.

Day 1: Westminster abbey first thing in the morning (I am planing to arrive half an hour earlier before opening time in case there is a line), than to the Royal Mews and The King's gallery (latter only in case the temporary exhibition will be something that interests me), after that Apsley house and I would end the day with a ride on the London Eye. (at first I hoped to include the Household Cavalry museum, but I am quite sure that is impossible)

Day 2: First thing in the morning is a visit to the Tower of London (arrive earlier to get in line) , than a visit to Saint Paul's cathedral and tour of the Tower Bridge finishing the day with the view from the Shard.

Day 3: Hampton Court in the morning and on return to London I would take the Uber boat (or whatever it is called) to Greenwich where I hope to catch the Painted hall of the Old Royal Naval College.

Day 4: First thing in the morning a visit to the Kensington palace (around half an hour early to get in line) and then a train to Windsor castle where I would spend the rest of the day.

Is that itinerary managable? How much in advance should one be at the attractions I plan to see first thkng in the morning to get in qucikly? I am young so I have no problem being on my feet for the entire day, I also never get hungry when I am in a museum so eating later in day (after the attractions close) would not be a problem.
So what do you think, can I do it? I thank you all in advance for your help.

Posted by
377 posts

It sounds like the exact reason I don’t recommend buying these passes. You aren’t really going to experience anything, but you’re going to race from attraction to attraction t so you get your money’s worth

Day two works if you just kind of stick your head in it St. Paul’s, and look around real quick,

Day 3. Hampton Court and Greenwich in the same day? Oh my

Good luck.

Posted by
8558 posts

Don't listen to a lot of negativity. It is your vacation and your plan seems doable as long as you are willing to change on any given day as circumstances warrant. For example, if something interests you, stay awhile.

I would change a bit on day 2/day 3. Also, if you are doing the London Eye, there is really no need to do view from the Shard as well. You can take a little pressure off of yourself.
Day 2 Start at the Tower of London (show pass at main entrance), then ride Uber Boat (show pass) to Greenwich from the Tower Pier, visit sites in Greenwich (Royal Observatory, Naval College, Cutty Sark) then return to London to Westminster Pier.
Day 3 Hampton Court (no line just walk up to the main entrance and show your London Pass) then St Paul's. Make sure you read carefully what the "tower bridge experience" is and make sure that this is what you were expecting.

Posted by
6537 posts

I agree with Carol about changing your itinerary around a bit. The problem with Day 3 was that Hampton Court and Greenwich are on opposite sides of London.

You have already said that-

I am young so I have no problem being on my feet for the entire day, I also never get hungry when I am in a museum so eating later in day (after the attractions close) would not be a problem.

so have made clear that you are willing to maximise your time on the ground during the day.

You know how you want to run your day and your vacation, there is constant negativity on here about the London Pass, If it works for you, then it does.

What I am not sure about is whether Day 1 is the day you arrive or the 1st full day in London. You know your body and how it reacts to a long eastbound flight but if that is the day you arrive I would be a bit concerned, If it is your first full day then it's more practical.

I understand that you have spent a lot to get here and to stay in London- so want to maximise what you do in the time here.

Regarding Tower Bridge would you be happy to see it open with a ship passing through?-if so look at the lifting times for your dates- https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times (the site frequently updates so now is not the time to plan that)

Posted by
384 posts

All of what you're proposing is technically feasible - my main concern would be Hampton Court and Greenwich on the same day, which would involve a lot of travel and rushing.

Personally I'm a one major attraction a day person, but if you don't mind busy days, what you're planning would work, as long as you realise you don't have the flexibility to spend more time at a particularly interesting site because you have the pass.

Re whether day 1 is day of arrival, I usually arrive in London in the early morning after a 13.5 hr flight and keep going until nighttime without any issues, so it could work well for you with a shorter flight.

Posted by
41 posts

There’s a lot to see at Hampton Court- too much for a morning in my view

Posted by
565 posts

I’d just make the point that some of what you’re proposing to see - the King’s Gallery, Apsley House, Kensington Palace (and indeed the Household Cavalry Museum) - would not necessarily be on most people’s lists of top sights to see in London and I wonder - are these things you have a genuine interest in, or are you being driven by the London Pass?

What I mean is: have you done a list of what you most want to see before looking at the London Pass? Or is this a list of things covered by the London Pass that you most want to see? I hope you understand the distinction.

Anyway: Hampton Court Palace is to me a two-thirds of a full day at least. And there’s way more to Greenwich than the Painted Hall: there’s the Cutty Sark, the maritime museum (which I think is free), the Royal Observatory and actually just a nice town to wander, with a decent market. So I’d see Greenwich as a full day too.