Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
 

Where should I stay in London?
Unsure which part of the city to base yourself in? Traditionally, visitors to London stay in the West End. This is the central area encompassing locations such as Oxford Street, Piccadilly, Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, Mayfair. Many of London’s five star hotels can be found here.
Hotels and bed and breakfasts outside the centre of London, in areas such as Croydon, Greenwich or Richmond, often charge less. London’s comprehensive transport network means that central London is easily accessed from anywhere in the capital. Prices start at around £45 for a double room and £35 for a single.

How can I get budget accommodation in London?
If you want to stay in central London, reputable B&B agencies have rooms in fashionable Knightsbridge, South Kensington and Chelsea from around £85. University halls of residence accommodation is often quite central, modern and very reasonably priced. Usually available only in vacations, prices start at around £28 per person at LSE and £30 at City University. Self-catering apartments can be a very cost-effective, especially for longer stays and families. Another budget establishment, mainly catering for young people is the Generator with a futuristic design theme and extensive communal areas including bar, restaurant and games area. Prices start at £36 per person for bed and breakfast. The Youth Hostel Association offers rooms from approximately £20 in seven London properties. Only members of YHA can stay, although you can join on arrival. St Christopher’s Inns specialise in providing accommodation for backpackers. The Inns have five locations in London. A bed costs from £12 a night with a free continental breakfast.

How do I get around?
To get around, the city has over 20,000 black taxicabs, ready to drop you at any one of its 6000 restaurants, 5000 pubs, 200 museums, 500 cinema screens, 18,000 listed buildings, 95 golf courses, 2000 tennis courts, 5 symphony orchestras, 546 swimming pools, not to mention 12 professional football teams. Plus there is also a comprehensive tube and bus network for those with an eye on their purse. A 1-day Travelcard, Zones 1-6 would cost £5.10 per day but is only available after 9.30am.

Where and what to eat?
Eating out is never, ever a problem in London. Although deciding on which style to savour can be, as each and every culinary delight, from sausage to sushi is on offer. The centre of the city serves up a wealth of eating extravaganzas, and each of the main provinces pays host to every ethnic cuisine you care to imagine. Many of the major restaurants offer lunchtime specials, and deals can often be found allowing delicious discoveries, even on the most conservative of budgets.

What’s the weather like?
London has a fairly typical temperate climate. The warmest time of year is between July and September with the highest recorded temperature of over 38°C seen in August 2003. The rest of the year, weather can vary dramatically and change at the drop of a hat. It is not unusual to see rain in June and is advisable to carry an umbrella at all times in April. The reputation of London is of a grey, rainy climate, but in reality has been far from it in recent years. The winter rarely sees snow, but when it does all London slows to a halt. It can get windy and very cold, at which point is common to see the pubs at their busiest, particularly those with open fires!
 

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