A number of attractions encourage you to pre purchase to save time waiting in lines. Is this true in mid June?
I wouldn't do the Eye early because of weather, but what about other places like the Tower and Tussauds? Does it save time?
Any advice?
thanks
It will probably save time but for some sites it could cost you a lot more because you would not be able to take advantage of the 2 for 1 entrance ticket deals.
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/attraction-types/2for1london.aspx
does tube tickets count as rail tickets?
I've never been to Madame Tussaud's but every time that I have walked by it there has been a ridiculously long line.
The deal is sponsored by the national rail companies so no, passes issued by the London Tube do not count. However, the paper rail passes issued by the railway companies are good for tube and bus travel within London and have the same zone structure.
You will find discussion on the options for passes in London if you do a search as outlined in Kent's post further down the this page.
I think this whole railcard/oyster thing is to get even for 1776.
So many options and pricing sturctures for a family with three kids.
I see rail travelcards are good for tube and bus. Family cards only offer a discounted fare but discounts other places?
Tube travelcards are different?
Jeff, if you do the Hop on/Hop off Tours by either of the two big companies, they are well worth it. I would recommend it.
They have a huge number of stops in London, and in high season multiple routes, AND they sell "skip-the-line" tickets right off the bus at good prices. You can literally pull right up to Madame Tussauds, walk past the 6 deep, 3 block long line, and walk right in with the ticket you just purchased.
Well worth the price. (USD 40ish per person). Gives you transportation for 24hrs, the tickets above, other discontinued tickets and offers, and usually includes a Thames cruise with 7 stops as well.
Hope that helps. If you have any questions, let me know.
thanks
only $40 per person? well times 5 that's only $200 for a bus ride!!
Sorry for the last reply i'm just getting grumpy at the cost of everything. With 5 of us everything is at least $100 to see.
Is Tussads worth it anyway? It looks stooopid to me, but i have three kids ages 15,14,8 and they want to do something fun, not just look at old buildings.
If you like waxworks... yes.
You may want to sit down before you work out the cost of five tickets though.
Peter, you just made orange juice come out through my nose:) Toussads is fun and was one of those "dumb" things in life you should do at least once, but it is brutally expensive.
Jeff
I personally would skip Madame Tussards. There's a similar one in Las Vegas (at the Venetian hotel) and she has locations all over the world. Unless you really really REALLY want to see waxed lifelike figures, then go and spend the money and time.
In my multiple times visiting London, the queues the brochures talk about are not that long. Even the Eye is not that long of a wait, because the line is contantly moving. I think the longest I waited (even with the security check) was 20 minutes.
I know you want to see "everything" but know that it probably will be impossible... and that's why you make plans to return for another trip.
Have a great time!
Whenever I've walked by the wax museum in London there have been very long lines to get in. The one time I did visit, I purchased my tickets in advance via the website, and it saved me about two hours of waiting.
People line up for NASCAR too, but i would't waste my time watching cars go round and round in a circle.
You're welcome Jeff.
Jeff- many of the museums are free- do those and "split" the average with the others where you pay and its not too bad. I'd be sure to include the Tower of London- it is marvelous.
London is one of the most expensive cities anywhere in the world. Fortunately, the museums are free. But the Tower is not. If you arrive near the opening time, the queue should be fine.
As for transport in London, it's expensive, really expensive. You'll just have to accept this. As far as I remember, under 15 pay much less. While a travel card including the tube costs lots, an all day bus pass is much less. A little slower to get around on the surface, but you can see more when you ride the bus. I personally would never bother with the hop on and off bus because it's even more expensive, and the regular buses go to the same places (mostly).
If you have kids, you might want to consider the Natural History Museum and the Science museum. I'm pretty sure they're both free.
