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cheapest accommodation in London
Intend to go to London (for the first time) through Eurostar by Early Jan for two to three days. Trip is with the family, along with three children.. Mostly for sight seeing and perhaps for some shopping.
(1) Early Jan - Good time to travel via Eurostar to London with children?
(2) I see eurostar prices for 64 euro in Jan. Has anybody seen these kind of low prices during summer months?
(3) Which isn the best station to get down from Eurostar? London St Pancras, Ashford International or Ebbsfleet International? (Looks like not all trains stop in Ashford or Ebbsfleet)
(3) Any recommendations for a cheap accommodation, conveniently reachable by tube or public transport, easier to commute to London?
(4) Found a (Accorhotels) formulae one in West Thurrock, citing 15 minutes drive from Ebbsfleet International, seems convenient for shopping at lakeside or blue water. Would this be a convenient spot for the night's stay, reachable by public transport to London , these shopping centres as well as Ebbsfleet station ?( Will call the hotel anyway).
(5) Not sure if travel is on weekend or weekdays yet. What is the best ticketing system for a family of five (3 children, 5, 11 & 13 years)? Top up Oyster card or or any 1 or two days travel cards? Where to buy?
(6) For the return, what kind of travel times should I avoid, not to be stuck in the station overnight due to any cancelled trains/adverse weather conditions?
The most effective way of paying for travel within central London for a two day trip is to purchase One-day Travelcards for each of the two days. The two adults and the two children who have turned 11 will each need one, the youngest child travels free when accompanying a Travelcard holder. You will need to purchase the cards from a tube station on each day.
There are separate prices for cards valid just in central London (zone 1) and for those valid over most of the London area (zones 1-4) and the adult all-day fares are £8.80 pppd or £11.00 pppd, with the child fares half that. If you buy the cards after 10.00 they will be a little cheaper. If you were intending to stay in central London one day and to travel a little further out the other (to Greenwich, say) you could buy £8.80 cards one day and £11.00 cards the other. You don't need Oyster or photo cards with these Travelcards. It is possible to order special Oyster Cards (at £10.00 each) for the older children which would allow them to travel free with you but for a two-day trip there are no advantages and several disadvantages.
The most effective way of paying for travel within central London for a two day trip is to purchase One-day Travelcards for each of the two days. The two adults and the two children who have turned 11 will each need one, the youngest child travels free when accompanying a Travelcard holder. You will need to purchase the cards from a tube station on each day.
There are separate prices for cards valid just in central London (zone 1) and for those valid over most of the London area (zones 1-4) and the adult all-day fares are £8.80 pppd or £11.00 pppd, with the child fares half that. If you buy the cards after 10.00 they will be a little cheaper. If you were intending to stay in central London one day and to travel a little further out the other (to Greenwich, say) you could buy £8.80 cards one day and £11.00 cards the other. You don't need Oyster or photo cards with these Travelcards. It is possible to order special Oyster Cards (at £10.00 each) for the older children which would allow them to travel free with you but for a two-day trip there are no advantages and several disadvantages.
hi travel lodge have some good hotels in central london where you'd get a family room, usually if an adults pay for breakfast one child eats free. They have one near the London eye and one near convent garden check their websites for low price rooms, summer will book up early. You Might also find if you stay out near the o2 at greenwich hotels are cheaper and its just a train ride in. Younger children are free I think on the underground at certain times, check out this because its a while since we last went. We bought a london tour card which allowed us free access to some sites like The tower, and free use of the river boats. I'd recommend to book if you want to go on something like the London eye to save queuing.
ps we also drove and put our car in secure car park near tower bridge, was more driving but was much cheaper because short stay return via eyuro tunnel was much less than four return tickets plus we didn't get stuck on a station.
Thank you so much Sara & Becasse. Much appreciated. Have a better idea with travel options now.
Thank You CC_R.
Thanks to you, I found an early saver at a very good price, with "Kids eat for Free" option. This was better than wasting by time on booking.com or expedia or hotwire.com
Becasse,
Thanks to your helpful hint, will go for a off-peak day trip card, zone 1&2 for first day and more zones the next day. Found Kids day tariff is prices the same for all zones.
Thanks a bunch all folks. All set! :)
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