HELP! I'm going to Europe, what do I do? - EUROPE MEGATHREAD OWNZONE

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Tourism & Travel > HELP! I'm going to Europe, what do I do? - EUROPE MEGATHREAD OWNZONE

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

This is probably too late but there's a tube strike going on right now. For future reference, take up all the space that you like on the tube. Quaint traditions such as good manners or consideration for other people are non-existent in London. Case in point, people will throw their garbage everywhere. It's quite common to see mcdonalds burger wrappers taking up their own seats on the tube or train. Try not to pack too much luggage because most of the tube system is only accessible by stairs.

Taxis are ungodly expensive in London and London cabbies are loving cunts. Your best bet is to take the train/tube and get on a bus. The train network in the UK is excellent (when it's not broken down/delayed).

Some links that are your friends:
thetrainline.com - for planning train trips
tfl.co.uk - for planning tube journeys

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 08:30

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ May 1, 2024 23:36

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

Also, you could always walk. Central London is a lot smaller than most people think. To walk from Russell Square to Picadilly Circus will probably take you 20 minutes. It's about 10 minutes from Russell Square to Covent Garden. It is certainly worth your while to walk from Russell Square to Westminster and then visit the London Eye.

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 18:10

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

Nosaj posted:

Regarding this map http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf

How do you tell where it stops? Is it the little white circles? or the tinier colored protrusions? or both? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I cant tell from their legend.

The circles are stations that you can change to different lines. The little notches are just stations.

The tube is a little daunting to navigate at first so ask the grumpy tfl shithead for advice if you're unsure. Try not to take the tube during rush hour. No really, don't do it.

edit: y'know, i think i might have that wrong....let me check.

namaste friends fucked around with this message at 19:07 on Sep 7, 2010

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 19:04

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

Don't take the tube from Russell Square to Leicester Square. You are wasting money.

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 19:05

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

Nosaj posted:

Thanks a bunch.

Also the guy above me would you care to elaborate? Its close enough to walk to? is that what you're getting at? So we'd just walk to leicester square station and then take that to whatever destination we needed to get to? Its hard to tell how close things are walking distance from that map.

Google maps has a good tube overlay so you can judge better. What I meant was, if you're planning to go to Leicester Square to sightsee, it's more worthwhile to walk there. If you're planning to take the tube to Brixton to hang out, by all means jump on at Russell Square.

eg: http://goo.gl/maps/d9Td

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 19:11

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

http://travel.ciao.co.uk/Getting_around_in_London_by_tube__Review_5407269

quote:

The map, a simplified drawing of each route, shows each line and the stations on it. Stations with a circle show where lines cross each other. Stations with a simple 'notch' are those only served by one tube line only. Most central stations are designed to be served by two or more routes, to make travelling to different destinations easy. Stations are named after the roads or landmarks they are on / near. Bear in mind, the more tube lines that run through a station, the bigger it probably is. It's easy to get lost at Baker Street, Bank, / Monument, Kings Cross and Green Park, for example.

This now makes sense now that I think about it. Only the District Line stops at Ravenscourt Park but the Picadilly Line runs right next to the train on the same route.

quote:

When you first start using the tube, it can be daunting, so plan ahead! Pick up a map the day before or download one from the tube website (http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/) before you go to London. The stations are dark and consist of lots of narrow tunnels and corridors. There are plenty of signs around the stations, but you do need to know which line you want, and which direction you're going in, so consult the map before you go through the ticket barriers. People who use the tube constantly know exactly where they're going and where to stand, and everyone moves fast. They won't be happy if they're stuck behind someone who doesn't know what they're doing. You have to get used to walking on the correct side, standing only on the RIGHT on the escalator (so people can walk / run up or down the other side) and knowing in advance which line you need and whether you're going north, south, east or west. People who stand around by the maps, talking and blocking exits and entrances can be a real annoyance, especially at busy times. The tube can be VERY busy until about 10am and after about 4.30pm onwards, so bear that in mind.

I can't emphasize this enough. The tube has hundreds of people walking through really tight confined spaces. Londoners are loving cunts so don't stand in their way. If you're lost, try to stand to the side. Also, make sure you have your oyster card out well in advance before you swipe out the turnstile.

Some stations to avoid: Victoria, Bank, King's Cross, Waterloo oh what the gently caress...pretty much any station which services 3 or more different lines.

You might want to look into this: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14808.aspx

It's a new bike rental thingy like they have in Paris. You have to register in advance and you can't just walk up to the thing. I've never used it because I'll be damned before I ever loving bike in London.

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 19:22

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

Nosaj posted:

Thanks, getting a handle on it slowly but surely. We will defintely be walking if we're just going sightseeing 15-20 minutes away from the hotel but if we need to get a connecting tube from Leicester we'll probably save our fat out of shape legs the walk and save the time by paying for a quick tube ride.

We're defintely going to look into oyster cards since apparently they are in the 15-30 lb range for a week or so from what I've been quickly reading. Seems like a great way to save money. Thanks again.

Don't type "lb"

. I don't recommend taking public transport without an oyster card at all! It's definitely the cheapest, and more importantly fastest way to take the tube/bus. You do not want to be fumbling around for change. The british have this irrational dislike for americans and cherish the opportunity to berate "DUMB FOOKIN YANKS".

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 19:26

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

Nosaj posted:

Haha we're not American (Canadian) but will most likely be confused for them. Me and the mrs have the plainest most unassuming accents ever. And ya it felt weird typing lb lol sorry about that.

I'm also Canadian and I get "DUMB FOOKIN YANK" comments all the time. ugh Since you're around Russell Square, I recommend the following places to eat:

Raavi Kebab
http://goo.gl/maps/lN41

It's a good cheap Pakistani Karahi/BBQ restaurant. When I say cheap, dinner for two will run you around 15 to 20 GBP which, trust me on this, is cheap by London standards.

The Easton
http://goo.gl/maps/8Lr4

One of the better 'gastro' pubs I've been to. Probably around 30 GBP for two, depending on how much you drink.

British food is as bad as you may have heard. Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, all those fuckers are like unicorns. The vast majority of restaurants are absolute poo poo.

Beigle Bake
http://goo.gl/maps/Bj9P

If you're hanging around Brick Lane (stay away from the curry there, it's expensive and not that great for the price) and you want something cheap to eat, absolutely hit this place up. Their specialty is smoked meat bagles except they call it 'salt beef' in this country. 8 GBP for two. There's nowhere to sit as it's strictly a cash and carry place.

If you want more curry, go here:
http://goo.gl/maps/Rwvc

Tayyab's is where I take all my friends and family when they come and visit. Expect to stand in line for a while if you go after 6pm. Bring your own booze. The best part about all these muslim curry places is that they don't serve booze and they won't hold it against you if you bring your own. After stuffing your face, go for a walk to Tower of London. The bill will probably run you 30 GBP for two.

Chinese food is relatviely cheap but I only really go to two places in Chinatown in Leicester Square:
C&R Cafe
http://goo.gl/maps/6ekB

HK Diner
http://goo.gl/maps/YCQu

I'm lazy and unadventurous when it comes to trying to new chinese restaurants. C&R is malaysian chinese. Both places shouldn't run you more than 20 GBP for two.

PLACES NOT TO EAT
As I was saying, food in the UK blows however there are a couple places you should absolutely loving avoid.

THE TATE MODERN CAFE - holy poo poo this place is the loving shits
MEAT AND WINE CO - more like poo poo and whine co
KEBAB SHOPS - in general stay away. you don't want CSIS questioning you for terrorist activities on the way home do you

# ¿ Sep 7, 2010 19:44

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

Cheesemaster200 posted:

So I am flying to Vienna in 3 hours, anyone have any suggestions of places to see and eat at? How about nightlife?

Additionally, with another London question. I have a 6 hour layover in Heathrow. Is that enough time to go downtown for an hour and look around and then get back? Its on a Tuesday.

You can take the Heathrow Express which is 15 minutes to Paddington. From there you can see most of Central London by tube but beware, tube delays are loving *epic*. Don't be too cavalier about catching your connecting flight.

From Paddington I'd recommend taking the tube to Trafalgar Square (take the circle line to warren street and then the northern line to charing cross).

One more thing, the Heathrow Express is 32 GBP round trip.

# ¿ Sep 9, 2010 20:50

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

elwood posted:

My brother is an idiot. He has a few days off in october and wants to got to London. He lives 10 minutes from an airport with daily air berlin conections to London. That's a max of 3 hours from couch to central london. What does he do? Books a bus tour (at least 10 hours).

Can he choose another airline that flies into London City Airport? It's a pain in the rear end to travel to Stansted. I'd recommend the Tower of London and the British Museum.

# ¿ Sep 11, 2010 09:02

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

I've heard that EasyJet flights, at least the really cheap ones, take off at ungodly early hours. This forces you to sleep overnight at Stansted in order to make the flight as the trains and tube don't open until 5am. I can't confirm this though.

# ¿ Sep 11, 2010 20:48

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ May 1, 2024 23:36

namaste friends: Sep 18, 2004; by Smythe

LordWeird posted:

Well, looks like I'm flying into Bremen in two weeks. My friend convinced me to go with him and another one of our crew. None of us speak a word of German and we have no real plan other than "go to Germany." Is this a setup for a fantastic adventure or utter disaster?

EDIT: Mostly I'm worried about communication. Will we be able to muddle through with English and a phrasebook alright?

From my experience, Germans are really friendly people (as opposed to the english or french). I was in the countryside and spoke absolutley no German and it was a pain in the rear end. Since you're going to be in the city, I think you'll be fine.

# ¿ Sep 17, 2010 21:45

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Tourism & Travel > HELP! I'm going to Europe, what do I do? - EUROPE MEGATHREAD OWNZONE