Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
JunetoearlyJuly(
www.wimbledon.org
)
,andpartygoersheadfortheNottingHillCarni-
val in late August.
Traveling in Winter:
London dazzles year-round, so consider visiting in winter, when air-
faresandhotelratesaregenerallycheaperandtherearefewertourists.Forideasonwhat
to do, see the “Winter Activities in London” article at
www.ricksteves.com/winteracts
.
Internet Access:
Asnearlyallthecity'shotelsofferInternet access, andcafés allovertown
have free Wi-Fi, London now has few actual Internet cafés (if you need one, ask your
hotelier).
Travel Bookstores:
Located between Covent Garden and Leicester Square, the very good
Stanfords Travel Bookstore
stocks current editions of many of my books (Mon-Fri
9:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-20:00, Sun 12:00-18:00, 12-14 Long Acre, second entrance on
Floral Street, Tube: Leicester Square, tel. 020/7836-1321,
www.stanfords.co.uk
)
.
Two impressive
Waterstones
bookstores have the biggest collection of travel guides
in town: on Piccadilly (Mon-Sat 9:00-22:00, Sun 11:30-18:00, Costa Café, great views
from top-floor bar, 203 Piccadilly, tel. 0843-290-8549) and on Trafalgar Square (Mon-
Sat 9:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-18:00, Costa Café on second floor, tel. 0843-290-8651).
Baggage Storage:
Train stations have replaced lockers with more secure baggage-storage
counters, known locally as “left luggage.” Each bag must go through a scanner (just
like at the airport), so lines can be slow. Expect long waits in the morning to check in
(up to 45 minutes) and in the afternoon to pick up (each item-£8.50/24 hours, most sta-
tions daily 7:00-23:00). You can also store bags at the airports (similar rates and hours,
www.excess-baggage.com
)
. If leaving London and returning later, you may be able to
store a box or bag at your hotel for free—assuming you'll be staying there again.
“Voluntary Donations”:
Several sights—the Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms,
Kensington Palace, and the Banqueting House—automatically add a “voluntary dona-
tion” of about 10 percent to their admission fees. The price posted and quoted includes
the donation, though it's perfectly fine to say you want to pay a cheaper price without
the donation. If you say nothing, you'll automatically pay the donation price.
Updates to this topic:
Check
www.ricksteves.com/update
for any significant changes that
have occurred since this topic was printed.
Affording London's Sights
London is one of Europe's most expensive cities, with the dubious distinction of hav-
ing some of the world's steepest admission prices. Fortunately, many sights are free.
