Is the book "London A - Z" that contains detailed street maps readily available in London such as at Heathrow? I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to find a copy. How much does the book cost? BTW: the 2012 edition, which contains maps and travel information to the Olympics venues, won't be available in the USA from amazon.com until Sept 1 which is three weeks after the games are over. Someone needs to rethink the market plan for this book.
Posted by
Central Indiana, USA
357 posts
I saw them everywhere - newstands, bookstores, museum shops. You can actually order the book directly from the publisher and it arrives in 1- 2 weeks. http://www.az.co.uk/
Posted by
Arlington, WA
993 posts
Sarah, No you will not need it unless like Geor you want it because it contains maps and travel info to Olympic venues. Mind you, I love maps and possess as A to Z, but in all my trips to London I have never used it. For the tourist, London is very user friendly and usually a good tourist map and a tube map iare good enuf. Street names can usually be found of the corners of buildings at intersections. For those interested in the Olympics you can be sure there will be plenty of maps for those venues aside from the A to Z.
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1419 posts
Miranda is right. You'll have no problem finding one. W H Smith on all the major stations, for example, will have one. There are also W H Smith's at Terminals 1, 3 and 5 in Heathrow. Other outlets may also sell them. They vary in size and in whether they are spiral bound or not, and so prices range between £5 and £10. Alan
Posted by
OP
Seattle, Wa, USA
449 posts
Thanks for your responses. I checked the publisher's web site: the book is for sale for 6.5 pounds but it will cost 12 pounds to have it shipped to the USA. Guess I will purchase a copy when I arrive in London.
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Is the book necessary? By that I mean, will I be able to find my way around with a regular map (I like the Knopf Mapguides)? As long as I have a good map where every street and subway stop is shown and marked, I'm fine.
Posted by
Central Indiana, USA
357 posts
That's a lot for shipping. I don't recall paying that much a few months ago - I wonder what caused the rate hike. You will definitely be able to find the maps everywhere. If you have an iPhone, there's also an A-Z London visitor's map iPhone app. It's Zones 1 and 2 and I think I paid $1.99 for it.
I like the A-Z because some places I wanted to go were on tiny little out of the way streets, and I like maps!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
You should be able to find it anywhere. I find AtoZ invaluable. I have the regular pocket size; but the one i use the most is the "very detailed' close up map (I think they call it Central London ". It helps with all te back alleys and tiny streets behind the Bank of England and similar. I definitely will not go to London without it- my constant companion. However, if this is your first time, a regular fold out map should be sufficient