My husband and I are going to stay with a friend in 2 weeks. We have a budget of 167 Pounds a day. Is that enough? We will be having breakfast at our friends house. He lives in Richmond, so I know we will have to take the tube into the city, but just wanted to make sure we have enough.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Amanda,
I think that's plenty but it depends on your schedule. If you want to do a lot of attractions, and the money in the budget is also part of your credit card budget, you may have to think what you want to do.
See the link here for another travel person's post
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/14643/money-question.html
Posted by
Lincoln, NE, USA
390 posts
I'm so jealous you'll be staying in Richmond! This is my favorite area of London. I spent 5 months in Kingston upon Thames, which is right next to Richmond.
Be sure to catch a bus from Richmond (#65) to Kingston (10-15 minutes) and do some shopping and take a walk across the Thames to Hampton Court Palace - the gardens are beautiful.
Richmond Park is also wonderful - and FREE! Early morning walks are the best and you might get lucky and see some of the elusive red deer.
£167/day should be PLENTY. When buying your Oyster card, keep in mind that Richmond tube is in Zone 4, which adds another £1 or so to the daily travelcard price. You'll save £3.50/person/day if you travel into London after 9:30 A.M. (And you'll be able to breathe on the tube!)
You'll be able to find lots of great restaurants in and around Richmond. Take a few days off from the hustle and bustle of central London and hangout in this area to get a feel for "local London". Be sure to visit one of the many pubs along the Thames. (but don't fall in! - they don't have any barriers like they do in central London!)
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
I was in London the first of March, 2008, and like you, stayed in the flat of a good friend. I was not prepared for the expenses of just basic doings. Get an oyster card for each of you. Only way to successfully navigate the area. "Slap it" on the turnstile post and you are in the tube. "Slap it" again as you exit.
Food is expensive. A small cafe, La Dolce Vita, (Italian) one-half block from Harrods Main entrance, was excellent choice for lunch one day...It is down a flight of stairs to the basement level, but the food and service were excellent. Also, a small chaine (apparently) of Cafe Roje (spelling?) restaurants served good (French) food. The prices everywhere are quoted in pounds - of course - be srue to multiply by two to see what you are actually paying in US $!!
If visiting any of the more known tourist sites, be sure to arrive early, and avoid some of (not all of) the crowds. I enjoyed walking to, but not going in, some of the places.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Should be fine espec if you skip high priced meals and eat at pubs and frequent museums which are mostly free. Theater tho can get v expensive.