London on a budget: time to drink
Thursday, July 16, 2009
There's no denying
London is a fantastic place, but it does have the reputation of being very expensive. To help you on your visit,
Getaway sent Jason Dundas and the crew there to suss out the best ways to get the most from your travel dollar.
Drinking
Australians have adopted the Motherland's enjoyment of a drink — something warming in winter and a cold pint in summer. There are more than 7000 pubs in
London but, on warm days, everyone makes the most of the many parks to enjoy a drink — and it's legal.
Believe it or not, there's an organisation called The Cheapest Pint (www.cheapestpint.co.uk) to help you find the cheapest drinks in locations right across the United Kingdom. From beer to wine, they guarantee the best deal.
The famous old Doggett's Coat & Badge pub on the Thames is a bit of a rite of passage for young Australians living and working in London. They serve cold Aussie beer, good pub food, there's a beer garden, pool room and the atmosphere is very friendly. It all began 300 years ago when Thomas Doggett set up an amateur rowing race on the Thames. The first prize was a coat and badge.
The young Australians Jason met said rather than go to an Aussie-style pub, visit one of the typically British watering holes. Tuck into bangers and mash and meet some locals.
Some extra tips
It's not the best idea to drive in
London. Public transport is so good, and the city is made for walking, cycling or skating. There are two types of cabs: the traditional black cabs, which are more expensive, and cheaper mini-cabs. Jason was told that single females are advised to not hail a mini-cab off the street — it's far safer to go to a licensed mini-cab office.
When you first arrive, grab yourself a copy of Time Out London magazine. It's a great survival guide and covers just about everything you could want. You will also find free publications at tube stations — you can't have too much information about the sprawling city!
If you want to work in the UK, Australia has reciprocal arrangements there, and many other countries. If you're an Australian citizen, 30 years of age or under you can apply for a two-year visa. Get started at www.smartraveller.gov.au and follow the links to working holidays. You can also check out www.restlessworld.com.au and www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en for more information.
If you're a regular visitor or making a one-off trip to London, it's a good idea to add an Oyster Card to your London Pass. It will save you loads of cash on all London public transport. Buy online before you arrive and top up at tube stations, DLR stations or at London Travel Information Centres. Visit www.visitlondon.com/travel/oyster for more information.
Location
Budget options across
London.
Getting there
Emirates has fantastic, low fares to London. They're for a limited time, so visit
www.emirates.com/getaway or call 1300 303 777 for more details.
Prices correct at July 16, 2009.
For further information
Emirates
Ph: 1300 303 777
www.emirates.com/getaway
London Pass
www.londonpass.com
The London Bicycle Tour Company
1A Gabriels Wharf
56 Upper Ground
London SE1 9PP
United Kingdom
Ph: +44 20 7928 6838
www.londonbicycle.com
mail@londonbicycle.com
Changing of the Guard
www.changing-the-guard.co.uk
The Hoxton Hotel
81-83 Great Eastern Street
London EC2A 3HU
United Kingdom
Ph: +44 20 7550 1000
www.hoxtonhotels.com
info@hoxtonhotels.com
Best Western Shaftesbury
65-73 Shaftesbury Avenue
Piccadilly
London W1D 6EX
United Kingdom
Ph: +44 20 7871 6000
Fax: +44 20 7871 6001
www.shaftesburyhotel.co.uk
Imperial College London
South Kensington Campus
London SW7 2AZ
United Kingdom
Ph: +44 20 7589 5111
www3.imperial.ac.uk/accommodation
Venue Masters
Ph: +44 11 4249 3090
Fax: +44 11 4249 3091
www.venuemasters.co.uk
info@venuemasters.co.uk
Portobello Market
Portobello Road
London W10 & W11
United Kingdom
www.portobellomarket.org
Pret a Manger
1 Hudson's Place
London SW1V 1PZ
United Kingdom
Ph: +44 20 77827 8000
www.pret.com
Toptable
www.toptable.com
Belgo
Ph: +44 7813 2233
www.belgo-restaurants.com
info@belgo-restaurants.co.uk
Roller Stroll
www.rollerstroll.com
Tkts Theatre Tickets
Leicester Square & Brent Cross
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts
National Theatre
South Bank
London SE1 9PX
United Kingdom
Ph: +44 20 7452 3400
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Covent Garden
19 Short's Gardens
London WC2H 9AW
Ph: +44 20 7240 9731
Fax: +44 20 7836 3137
www.coventgarden.uk.com
info@coventgarden.uk.com
Cheapest Pint
Doggett's Coat & Badge
1 Blackfriars Road
London SE1 9UD
United Kingdom
Ph: +44 20 7633 9081
www.cheapestpint.co.uk
Australia High Commission
Australia House
The Strand
London WC2 B4LA
Ph: +44 20 7379 4334
www.smartraveller.gov.au
www.restlessworld.com.au
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/
Oyster Card
www.visitlondon.com/travel/oyster
Visas: Visas are not required for Australians entering the UK for tourism for stays of less than six months. If you wish to work, you must obtain the appropriate two-year visa in advance.
Electricity: 220V with a three-point plug.
Time: The UK is on GMT between October and March. Between March and October it is on British Summer Time.
Currency: The British pound sterling.
International dialling code: +44.
[x]
Sorry, your configuration doesn't support this feature.
The minimum requirements are MSN Messenger 6.0 or higher and Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.
Download Windows Live Messenger now.
