I will be traveling from Paris to London with my two college age granddaughters in July. We want to see as much of London as possible in the one day we will be there. Can someone recommend the best tour to take in order to see Westminster Abby, Buckingham palace and changing of the guard, St. Paul's Cathedral, the tower of London, etc? If anyone has done a tour of the city, please advise the best tour to take to hit all the normal places that visitors like/need to see. Thanks in advance for your help. Linda
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Is this a full day or are you travelling from Paris on this day? Why not do a walking tour? You won't have time to cover both the city (Tower of London) and the West End (Westminster and Buckingham Palace) if you arrive that day. Changing of the Guard is not worthwhile in such a short timescale.
Posted by
205 posts
Just take the tube and forget about tours. Also forget the Changing of the Guard. Just get to the The Mall for about 1055 and you can se the Horse Guards ride down to Horse Guards Parade.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
- From St Pancras get a black cab to Westminster Abbey passing by Buckingham Palace.
- Visit the Abbey.
- Walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, passing Houses of Parliament (Big Ben), Number 10 & Horseguards.
- Take a red bus #15 to Tower Hill, passing St Pauls Cathedral.
- View Tower Bridge & visit the Tower of London**.
- Take the Tube back to St Pancras from Tower Hill.
**An actual visit may be dependent on your remaining available time.
Notice I mix up your modes of transport - black cab, red bus, Tube, as well as some walking.
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1394 posts
I think any of the HOHO tours would cover all the highlights: http://www.londontoolkit.com/blog/daytrips/tours/comparing-londons-hop-on-hop-off-sightseeing-buses/
But no insight of course.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
I like David's suggestions and also would not attempt to deals with crowds at changing of guards. Tower of London a must see for the grand daughters. In addition to seeing the jewels there is another tower that has a glass case filled with loose diamonds that was an amazing sight. I would try to squeeze in afternoon tea.
Posted by
Narberth, PA
1255 posts
Depending on the actual time available, you may be able to combine a HOHO with a London Walk or two: http://www.walks.com/london_walks_home/lw_timetable/default.aspx. This is the winter schedule. Read their site for info on when the spring and summer walks are posted. Walks include some river cruises, too.
Myself, I would find enough to do around Westminster without trying for the Tower, but having multiple scheduled options will let you decide.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4871 posts
half day bus tour. And don't forget, if you take the Tube you're underground so all you'll see is the Tube.
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
We have always enjoyed taking the "Evans Evans Day Tours". We enjoyed many of their day tours. The first time we visited London, we did their city day tour.