Amount of $ needed for 4 days in London

What would you spend in US Dollars in a comparable City in US (eg New york) and take that in Pounds

Don't "take" anything, dollars or pounds. Use an ATM in the airport when you arrive. If you haven't drawn enough, there are ATMs everywhere in London. Plus, credit cards are accepted for Oyster cards and meals. Just tell the bank and CC company you're traveling.

Sherry,
It depends on if you are an economical eater or if you like to splurge. I get by with about 20-25 pounds a day for food (including breakfast). Then if you plan to take the tube, the Oyster card caps out at 8 pounds a day. Hope that helps!

Make the big meal at lunch time if you are in a restaurant...better prices. Or grab some fruit, bread, and a drink to eat on the go. Cafe Rouge is a local chain that is reasonable and tasty as well. Drink the tap water if possible as opposed to Coke - You can get one of the pass cards (Oyster) and save some on the individual ticket prices. Some of the attractions have fairly expensive admission prices. One that does not: The Whitechapel Bell Foundry -- home of the Liberty Bell and Big Ben...and not on the tourist track! Take the tube to Whitechapel station, exit to the left walk about 3 or 4 blocks, past the large hospital, it is on the same sdie of the street as the hospital. Unimposing building, but an interesting experience.

Great suggestions. Thanks so much,
Sherry

I agree with Brian as a basis for most cities, but London is more expensive than New York so keep that in mind.

It varies depending on your tastes. Getting a sandwich and chips at a pub may run 5-8 GBP ($8-13). A beer may be another 3-4GBP. Sodas are pretty pricey (2-3 GBP for a smallish bottle). You can pick up large bottles at stores for 1-2GBP. Obviously if you have higher tastes a meal can easily run 20+ GBP. Most everyplace we ate at in London had no issues with credit cards. People used them to pay for meals and/or drinks.

Sherry, advice here is sound. London is expensive, so I'd just add that you take a guess at what you'll need and add another 20-25 percent. I routinely buy $200 worth of pounds at the airport before I depart. Right now, that would give me about 120 pounds. That's my cushion to deal with unexpected things just after arrival. When I need more cash, I use a debit card at an ATM. I ask the bank to temporarily increase my daily withdrawal limit so I can avoid unnecessary use of the card and unnecessary fees. Given the exchange rate, etc., I recommend at least doubling your limit for the duration. Speaking of that, do alert the card issuer to the dates of your travel. Otherwise, they will freeze your account on first use in the UK because they will flag it as fraud or a stolen card. Also, UK ATM's are said not to like PIN's that begin with a zero or contains letters. Contact your card issuer to change your number. Do buy an Oyster Card or a TravelCard. Either cuts the cost of using the Tube significantly. Much discussion here about which is best, but the rules are very complicated. I recommend buying what's called a Pay-as-you-go Oyster Card and putting 20 pounds on it. You can do that at any Tube station that has a ticket booth with a human inside. I do it the morning after I arrive. You slap an Oyster Card on a big yellow pad on the turnstile entering and leaving a station and a certain amount is deducted from the value of the card. On your first day, just take a few seconds to watch how the locals do it. And 20 pounds should be more than enough for 4 days unless you live on the Tube.

While I think JC is smart in buying $200 USD worth of GBP or Euro whenever leaving the country in order to have a cushion to help pay for taxis, etc, upon arrival, I would not exchange this money at the airport. You will find one of the worst exchange rates you can get at the airport. Visit a local bank before you leave (I know that Commerce will exchange money for free for its members and for a small fee for non-members), because you will save money this way.

JC lives in Cary, NC. So do I. I wouldn't bother trying the banks here for foreign currency. I never bother to change ahead of time, I rely on ATMs or exchange desks in my arrival airport. If I really wanted to, I'd look into this: http://www.xe.com/fx/how.php

Kathy is correct- I misspoke about "taking pounds". rReplace with "budget'. But I definitely believe in "taking" about $200 in local currency to get me into town and to my hotel on that first day

J.C. I thought we had finally dealt with the 0 at the beginning of PIN numbers myth. One of mine has it and has no trouble.

Nigel, glad you said that. I changed mine years ago and have always wondered if I needed to do that.

Banks I've contacted here in Cary, which is not in the boondocks, will do the exchange but they have no currency on hand. It has to be delivered from a larger bank in a larger city. Would assume most other places are in a similar position. Buying $200 in pounds at the airport will cost a negligible amount.

Just get it at an airport ATM. That's what I usually do - I can't remember if Heathrow has one, but I'd be shocked if they don't.

Yes, there are ATMs at all sections of the T5 (International) terminal. http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/Heathrow_T5_Map.pdf

Sherry - I think the estimate of £20-£25. Per day is accurate. If staying in a b&b take advantage of the breakfast. For lunch stop by a Sainsbury, Pret-a-Manger or Mark & Spencers. For dinner our family liked the Stock Pot or Wagamma. As far as transportation. get an Oyster card when you land at the airport. I think they max out a £8 per day.

That's very helpful. I will take note of your restaurant suggestions. Thank you. I was trying to figure out if it's the oyster card or the travel card i should get. i am also looking at the London Pass or trying to find information on getting the 2 for 1 pass.

With regards to transportation while you are in London. Talk to one of the nice people behind the ticket window. They are very helpful in determining whether an Oyster card or just day passes are the best way to go. And they really do try to save the you, the customer, money.

Kristie, I buy the pounds at my departing airport. Saves some time at the end of the flight, when all I really want to do is get to my hotel.