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Day Trip to London, NEED HELP

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MOPS

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Hey All,

So I am a 19 year old guy that is originally from the USA, but am on holiday in England in Worthing. Sometime this week, I plan to go to London for just a day (go and come back in the same day). I am quite familiar with the national trains from Worthing to London as I have taken that before, however I have a number of questions to ask about transportation and how I should tour.

I have been to London many times before, but there are two new things I'd like to see and that is pretty much it: The London Dungeon, and Ride the ArcelorMittal Orbit at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. I do NOT have a car by the way. So on a map I can see that the closest Underground Stations are Waterloo to the London Dungeon and Stratford to ArcelorMittal. Please Correct me if I am wrong.

So my first question is what is the cheapest way to do transportation. I remember like 3 years ago I bought something like a cheap day return ticket meaning I could go and come back to London on the same day from Worthing and it also included the London Underground from Zone 1-6 if I remember correctly, all in one ticket for a somewhat discounted price. I forget how much I paid for that, but I believe it was maybe somewhere between 30-45 pounds (NOT POSITIVE). Is there still a pass like that that includes a train to London and back to Worthing and the London Underground (it looks like I only need to travel 3 zones if I am reading the map correctly) for a reasonable price? I am pretty much looking for the cheapest way to do all that.

My other question is how long would you say the London Dungeon and ArcelotMittal Orbit will take? Which one should I go to first? I plan to leave Worthing around 9am meaning probably arrive in London Victoria around 10.15am possibly? Should I start with London Dungeon or ArcelotMittal Orbit? I also of course want to eat lunch in between as well (at a cheap place, nothing fancy, maybe Fish & Chips somewhere). Also should I buy my tickets for both those attractions before I go? Will it save money and time?

Also could you please give me an estimate of how much money I should bring with me? Depending on whether I buy the attraction tickets online ahead of time or not?

Please help me with all of this. Thanks.
 
In terms of trains, yes, what you want is a 'one day travelcard' from Worthing - this is in effect a return ticket from Worthing to the edge of London, then once you're in London, unlimited use of trains, underground, buses, docklands light railway (and if you end up in croydon, trams)

According to National Rail Enquiries, price of this on a weekday (Monday to Friday) is 37.20 if you set off before 0930, and 25.40 if you set off after 0930

(note - the 'super off peak' 25.40 option also does not allow you to travel on trains leaving London terminals between 1615 and 1915.)

The London Dungeon is in the old County Hall building on the south side of Westminster Bridge, so rather than changing at Westminster then walking back from Waterloo, may be quicker to get out at Westminster then either walk or take a bus across Westminster Bridge.

Can't offer any thoughts on tickets for the two attractions, though.
 
I'd recommend doing the tower first and then the dungeons bcause the tower should be quieter in the morning and if you're hanging around the southbank in the evening then you might get to see one of our glorious sunsets.
 
There are plenty of other places for tourists to go. American; the Wallace collection for starters. That's worthy of a day.
 
The London Dungeon is hardly new. It's been there forever.

Although....when did it move to County Hall?! Maybe it is all shiny and new...
 
Mrs Miggins said:
Although....when did it move to County Hall?! Maybe it is all shiny and new...
Click to expand...

It got turfed out of the arches at London Bridge as part of the station rebuild plan, which has been on the go for quite a while now (and only more or less finished in the last year)
 
Puddy_Tat said:
It got turfed out of the arches at London Bridge as part of the station rebuild plan, which has been on the go for quite a while now (and only more or less finished in the last year)
Click to expand...
Thanks
.....did I mention I've been away for quite a while? ;)
 
hash tag said:
I would question why the ArcelorMittal Orbita and dungeon. They would not be near the top of my places to visit.
Click to expand...

Mainly because I have been to London before and did the London Eye and saw Buckingham Palace. I am not someone that is really into history or sightseeing. I prefer thrills and scary stuff. Also not at all a fan of Museums.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit because it is a thrill ride, and the Dungeon has some scary scenes I have heard and some rides as well.
 
So guys should I do the ArcelorMittal Orbit first as ShiftyBagLady recommended?

I was actually thinking to hit the Dungeon first because I heard that lines can get long. I was considering arriving to London like 10:30am and then go streight to the Dungeon and book 11:15am ahead of time? And then ride the ArcelorMittal Orbit? Or should I do the other way around as ShiftyBagLady suggests?

Also my other concern is I have been reading that Stratford where Queen Elizabeth Park is is not the safest area to be wandering around, is that true? In this case what time is the best I hit it?
 
MOPS said:
So guys should I do the ArcelorMittal Orbit first as ShiftyBagLady recommended?

I was actually thinking to hit the Dungeon first because I heard that lines can get long. I was considering arriving to London like 10:30am and then go streight to the Dungeon and book 11:15am ahead of time? And then ride the ArcelorMittal Orbit? Or should I do the other way around as ShiftyBagLady suggests?

Also my other concern is I have been reading that Stratford where Queen Elizabeth Park is is not the safest area to be wandering around, is that true? In this case what time is the best I hit it?
Click to expand...
I'd do the London Dungeon first as I think there will be more tourists in central London than out at the Olympic Park.

Stratford is fine. It is perfectly safe. Anywhere in London is perfectly safe in the day time and also at night if you don't act like a dick or knowingly head down dark alleyways.
 
For an alternative slice of London life you could spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon wandering around speaker's corner Hyde Park.
Mainly outnumbered christians vs islamists but it's usually* good natured.
Some politicos and just downright bizarre speakers such as flat earthers.
Always guaranteed a laugh especially when the hecklers come out if weather not too bad.
It's all free as well ;).

* I say usually, as in not always.
 
MOPS said:
Mainly because I have been to London before and did the London Eye and saw Buckingham Palace. I am not someone that is really into history or sightseeing. I prefer thrills and scary stuff. Also not at all a fan of Museums.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit because it is a thrill ride, and the Dungeon has some scary scenes I have heard and some rides as well.
Click to expand...


You might also like the Bodyworlds exhibition.

Home | BODY WORLDS London

Or this:
The UK's Scariest Attraction

And if you like heights check out the Thames Cable Car. I think a travel card or oyster gets you a discount on the ticket.
 
Isn't bodyworlds nearly £30 :eek: If down at the cable car thing, a walk over the top of the o2 perhaps?
 
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