London on a Saturday

Posted by ohthebliss on 03/29/16 08:12 PM

We plan to be in London for one full day this October. We will arrive from Prague at 12:30 PM and our flight leaves the next day before 2 PM. I have formed a vague itinerary for our day there based on what we want to see and experience but I was wondering if there are "peak" times for public transportation on the weekends as this will take place on a Saturday (we fly out on a Sunday). We plan to take express into city center from Heathrow to Paddington, and from Victoria to Gatwick the next day, walk most of the time and use underground only when desperate since we will be staying near Warren Street station (near the University). I was also thinking that the bus system looks just as nice as the underground station. Any confirmations or words of advice? With recent attacks in Brussels it is tempting to take a couple taxi's but this is a budget trip after all.

Thanks.

Posted by Carol

Atlanta, GA, USA

03/29/16 08:37 PM

2745 posts

Unless there is some major event going on then you won' t really hit a peak time on the public transportation.

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

03/29/16 08:41 PM

8682 posts

Please don't terrorists dictate how you travel.

London busses are indeed a pleasant way to travel especially if you sit in the front seats on the upper deck. However, in 40 years of visiting London i find that the tube is a better option for London transport in order to see the sites in such a short amount of time. Simply IMHO.

Whichever you do choose to use you can use this website to plan your journey. https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/plan-your-journey

Enjoy your brief visit to one of the greatest cites on the planet.

Posted by Norma

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

03/29/16 09:47 PM

8293 posts

Of course, you do not really have a "full day" in London. Considering the times to and from the airports, the necessity to at some point sleep and eat, check in and out of the hotel, I figure you will have about 10 usable hours. Worrying about "peak" hours for transportation is folly. Decide what you want to see and see it.

Posted by ohthebliss OP

03/29/16 10:50 PM

45 posts

Carol, Thanks for that information

Claudia, Thank you for that information and your opinion from experience, and the resource!

MrsEB, I guess it is more phycological than anything... Good point

Norma, True... However we will choose to walk most of the time and wanted to use "peak" hours as context for decision making. We will not sleep until that night :-) planning a late dinner close to our apartment to ease off the day.

...Just fyi We plan to go to the Borough Market by public transportation as soon as we drop off luggage and quickly freshen up at apartment.. Eat there (closes at 5), experience London Tower, then take public transportation to Waterloo and walk along river towards Big Ben/Westminister Abbey and St. James park area for Sunset times.. simply enjoy the views and rest a bit in the park.. Lastly finish off the later part of the evening by simply walking around Covent Garden and SOHO, Dinner near apartment at Fish Bone. It is what it is!