Greener pastures in London

By Clarke Bowling

Let’s just start this out with a bias: I love London. Having only ever visited the city on the Thames (rhymes with “hems”…don’t embarrass yourself!) in the summer, I was a bit worried about a winter trip. However, weather-be-damned, even dreary grey London runs a few degrees above freezing in February. Sorry to my newest lover, Praha, but with green grass on display for these snow-blinded eyes, Londontown is looking pretty good.

If you’re planning on heading to the city, be aware that its reputation of being expensive due to a weak dollar is partly true. However, in the past year the pound has lost some of its clout and the exchange rate is close to $1.56 per £1––down from over $2 in early 2008. So, while your trip might be on the pricier side, the conversion rate should not deter you from going.

As for things to see and do in London, your options are fantastic. From Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Parliament, London’s landmarks are rich with history and are beautiful to behold. Steer clear of the London Eye (that big ferris wheel near the Westminster Tube station)…it’s expensive (£18) and while it provides a fantastic view of the city, such views can be had for much cheaper. The dome at St. Paul’s Cathedral offers an astounding view of the city as does climbing up the Monument––a massive column commemorating the Great Fire of London in the 17th century (at Monument Tube station).

If shopping is more your speed, start at Oxford Circus and walk down either Oxford Street or Regent Street to check out stores like Harrods and Selfridges as well as the London flagship location of Topshop (the one in New York doesn’t hold a candle to it!). Also try exploring Camden Town, where the St. Marks-esque storefronts will draw you in and keep you entertained for hours. Another must-see is Covent Garden Market, a multi-levelled indoor market with an outdoor plaza. It’s a great place to unwind with a cocktail after a long day of scouring the city.

When getting around London, avoid cabs at all costs. For the most cost-effective trip, stick with public transit: the Underground (or, more colloquially, the Tube), London’s subway system, is expansive and the city’s iconic double-decker buses let you sightsee while you hop from destination to destination. With a pay-as-you-go Oyster card, you get charged less per bus or Tube ride than with individual tickets and will never be charged more than a day pass. Oyster cards are available at Tube station ticket offices for a £2 deposit fee that is redeemable by returning the card at the end of your trip. These cards can be “topped up” (refilled) with cash or by credit card at any ticket machine.

Keep in mind that the Tube shuts down between midnight and 1AM, so getting back afterhours may require a cab ride (which can be very expensive) or a trip on the night bus. Night buses run pretty frequently (especially in central London), are cheap, and the other late night passengers will definitely provide entertainment! http://www.tfl.gov.uk has a journey planner that can help.

When finding a place to stay, look at where your hotel or hostel is on a map before you go and make sure it is centrally located. http://www.hostelworld.com, as usual, offers connections to many hostels in the London area (some for as low as $15/night….so get booking!) and even allows you to narrow your search by neighborhood. So, if the conversion rate is still getting you down, just know you can score a good deal on your accommodations.

Getting to London from Prague is quite easy however, like New York, London has multiple airports. From Prague, British Airways and Czech Airways (both typically more expensive than the budget airlines) both fly into Heathrow, about 40 minutes from central London via the Piccadilly (dark blue) Tube line. EasyJet flies into both Gatwick and Stansted airports, and WizzAir flies into Luton. Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton are all accessible by bus transfer (via easybus.co.uk or, in some cases, made available while booking your ticket) or £15+ train. WizzAir flights vary between $30 and $100 each way (depending on your weekend) while you can find some $50 one-ways on EasyJet, however many of their fares are north of the $100 mark, as of this writing.

Clarke Bowling is a sophomore at NYU.