Lodging in the Harrow area

Gald to help. BTW that first link doesn't seem to be working. This one should: http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en

I think the 25 minute travel time is bit optimistic. For example, according to the travel planner, it is 35 minutes from North Harrow tube station, which is in Zone 5, to Westminster tube station (close to London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, etc) : http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2 Add in the time to walk to and from the station, change trains, and wait for each train, and it will take you about 45 minutes to get to central London (Zone 1). Also consider the added transportation cost. For example, a 7- day travelcard for Zone 1-2 is £27.60. For Zones 1-5 it is £47.00. Oyster pay-as-you-go cards cost more as well. See link below: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14416.aspx If I were a first-time visitor whose main interest was to see the sights in Central London, I would not stay so far out. I like being walking distance to at least some of the tourist sights, and the convenience of being able to pop back in my hotel room during the day if I want. However, I realize everyone has different preferences, and £38 for a single room with private bath is certainly a good price. If you don't mind the commute into London every day, and Zone 1-2 hotels are cost prohibitive, then this looks like a decent choice. Enjoy your stay in London, whichever hotel you choose.

Thanks just what I wanted to know. I was debating between this and another BB in Centeral London so it looks as if I will
be choosing the other one.

yeah, but. I don't know the BandB in question but I do know the Metropolitan Line pretty well, and the way the TfL website works. 34 minutes from North Harrow to Westminster is what I see. The figure includes a reasonable time to change change trains at Finchley Road onto the Jubilee Line which is only across the platform, and a piece of cake. Either way its a bit of a hoick but being practically next to a tube station has its benefits. And if you are going to take tube trains you could do worse than the Metropolitan Line. Its older cars (new ones coming next year - with some sort of air conditioning but not such nice seats)) have nicely bouncy comfy seats. You can sit facing backwards, forwards, or to the side. Try that with any other line in London. And the cars are high, too. After you come off the Bakerloo you will know what I mean. You do need to be careful of weekend engineering works on the Metropolitan Line.

Thanks Nigel. You're right--the 35 minute estimate to Westminster does consider the time to change trains. So it will take 30-40 minutes to get to most central London sights, not 45. North Harrow is still further out than I would want to stay, particularly as a first-time visitor. But for a lot of people the 38 GBP rate for a single room would be worth the tradeoff.