Monday, December 01, 2014

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (United Kingdom)

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)
June 27 to July 03, 2014

England Royal landmarks last part; Oxford Castle

1. On my visa application though it is not recommended, I paid confirm flight tickets and hostel accommodation. I just want to make it sure the embassy will grant me a visa on earliest day due to the proximity of application date against flight departure.

2. London Pass is a tourist pass in London that gives entry at no further cost to a choice of over 60 favorite attractions as well as free public transport on buses, tubes and some regional trains. I availed 3-days London Pass with off-peak travel card for 107GBP ($182). I visited most of all major tourist spots (as previously mentioned) included in a combined entrance fees of 124.2GBP ($211), the 3 off-peak travel cards (8.9GBP) for 26.7GBP ($45) plus a roundtrip train ride to Windsor which costs around 40GBP. This totals 190.9GBP and has a huge savings of 83.9GBP ($142.6) a 44% smile on budget.
Unfortunately, entrance fees to Westminster Palace, St. Paul Cathedral, London Eye, Aquarium and Ripleys are NOT included in London pass attractions.
 

3. To have discounts on some tourist attractions not included in London Pass, book your tickets in advance online especially for train tickets. Britrail train tickets, mock booked more than a month before compared to week before flight departure has a huge fare difference. Even during the booking of 3- days London Pass w/ off-peak travel card, there was a 10% discount promo that time. Warwick castle entrance fee with an almost 30% discount online. I paid 16.8GBP online, walk-in ticket costs 24GBP. Oxford castle entrance fee with 15% discount online.

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (London Pass with off-peak travel cards)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (London Pass Redemption Desk in Leicester Square)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (Heathrow express is faster but expensive)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (inside London Underground metro)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (inside SouthWest Train)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (inside SouthWest Train with breakfast)

4. Advantages of having a Travelcard compared to Oyster Card are (1)unlimited ride on a date range (2)huge savings if no specific stops (3)non-reloadable. Disasvantages are (1)not allowed as fare payment in bus. Advantages of riding a double-deck bus compared to metro are (1)sightseeing (2)cheaper fare (3)convenience (4)versatile routes (5)near proximity of the bus stops (6)24hr ride. Disadvantages are (1)traffic (2)for oyster card only (3)cash payment is not allowed (4)lots of stops.

5. If you are in hurry from Heathrow Airport to London Central, Heathrow express costs 21GBP for 15mins ride. Heathrow connect costs only 9GBP but with almost 30mins ride.
You may also use Travelcard from Heathrow and London City Airports. If you are flying into Heathrow you will need a Zone 1-6 travelcard, and you will be able to use your Travelcard straight away on the Underground (Piccadilly Circus Station is 45mins via Piccadilly line). If you are flying into London City Airport you will require a Zone 1-4 Travelcard, and from the airport you will be able to use your Travelcard to board DLR services into Central London.

6. London visit is not complete without watching West-end shows which I just included in my itinerary during a stumble strolling. Discounted tickets can be purchased near Leicester Square station. The shows and prices below are only purchased on the day of show. "Miss Saigon", June 28 for 26.4GBP on Grand Circle seat. "Phantom of the Opera", June 30 26GBP on Balcony seat. "Wicked", July 02 23GBP on Upper Circle seat.


7. Entire United Kingdom visit is pretty much expensive compared to my Central Europe (November 2013) and Japan trip (June 2013). On biking, Neuschwanstein Castle bike rental costs only 10EUR ($13) for a day used with no deposit required while Stonehenge bike rental costs 15GBP ($25.5) for a 24hr with 25GBP deposit. On metro ride, minimum Central Europe subway costs 2.5EUR ($3.25) while on London tube trip costs 4.7GBP ($7.99).


8. Lots of cheap souvenirs near Piccadilly Circus Station. I bought my QTY 3EA fridge magnet for 5GBP only.


9. Some of Red Telephone Box has free wi-fi especially in West-End area, 30mins free access per day only.

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (dormitory near Upton Park)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (ticketing office offers west-end show discount)

Budget Tips in Solo Backpacking England (ticketing office offers west-end show discount)

Abbey Road Crossing famed by the Beatles's album cover

Olympic Park with ArcelorMittal Orbit



0 comments:

Post a Comment

Please support this blog by clicking those ads. Thank you.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...