Top Ten Tips for surviving London
Surviving
The Underground
1. Do not underestimate the London Underground. This is the world’s oldest and biggest underground system and with 408km of track, it’s not difficult to lose your bearings. Make sure you pick up a free tube map from any station and check out www.tfl.gov.uk for helpful hints on planning your journey.
Oyster Cards
2. Invest in an Oyster Card. These ingenious pieces of blue plastic allow you to travel around the capital, for half the price of a normal ticket. They never expire, you can use them whenever you return to London and they work on buses too. In the not too distant future you might also be able to use them on over ground trains as well. You can buy Oysters from any underground station for a £3 deposit and how ever much credit you want to put on them.
Taking Precautions
3. Do not accept travel passes from people who offer to sell them at bargain prices. Nine out of ten times the ticket is out of date and by the time you discover this, the kind vendor has your money and is running in the opposite direction. This is also how a lot of unsuspecting tourists get mugged. These people know how to single out and take advantage of people who are not from London. Don’t give them the opportunity.
Saving in London
The Best Things In Life Are Free
4. Take advantage of what you can get for free. London has to be one of the most expensive cities in the world, so after you spend half of your holiday money buying a round a Starbucks, why not take something back? A lot of the best museums and galleries in London are free and it doesn’t stop there. Whether you’re into film, comedy, sports or walks you can freeload to your heart’s content by checking out www.londonfreelist.com. My personal favourite is the food hall at Selfridges on Oxford Street. If you love Godiva chocolate, you’ll understand why. But be warned. If the staff get too familiar with your face, you risk embarrassing yourself in a slapstick chase across the Food Hall. Be advised the crafy chocolate vendors always know the best places to hide. It happened to a friend of mine, of course.
The Shows
5. Check out the great theatre deals in the West End with www.lastminute.com. Why pay through the nose for the best in the West End when you can see a show for a modest £10. Scare yourself silly with the Woman in Black or see what the Blue Man Group fuss is all about, but don’t miss out on a spot of theatre in London. An Oyster Card also gives you two tickets for the price of one for top shows like Chicago and Bloodbrothers. It’s definitely worth checking out www.tfl.gov.uk to see where you can save.
The Films
6. Cinema’s in London are pricey even if you’re lucky enough to posses a student card or you decide to pay a membership fee. Why bother with either when you can see some top titles for free. The residents of the St. Christopher’s Hostels on Borough High Street are lucky enough to be within striking distance of a venue that gives you such a great opportunity. Roxy Bar and Screen has a very special night every Wednesday called Roxy Presents. This shows the rarely-screened touring packages and the best-of-fest programs from festivals and programmers around the world. Check out short films, dance on film, artists’ film and video, independent music promos, experimental work and music mash-ups at 128 Borough High Street. Go to www.roxybarandscreen.com to see what you can see.
The Comedy
7. The good old BBC is never too far from the people and now it’s reaching out to tickle your funny bone with a whole host of free shows, featuring the best of new and established British comedy. All tickets are free and there’s also the option of getting yourself to a music event or sitting in on quiz shows. To get your laughing gear in motion take a trip to www.bbc.co.uk/tickets.
The Dance
8. If you’re more of a mover and shaker whey not sample a little free Salsa in East London. Jump off the tube at St. Paul’s and shake your groove thing at Cuban City. The club gives you authentic Cuban Salsa every Tuesday and is free between 10pm and 2am. Head down to 32 Old Bailey and turn up the heat.
The Sweet Escape
9. If London is a little too much and you need a helping hand, sample the free guided meditation on offer in Wembley. The class happens every Monday between 6.45 and 7.45pm. It’s open to beginners and those with a little more experience. Meet some like minded individuals and work out those mental knots with some gentle music, visual presentations and brief commentaries. It happens at 52 High Road, Wembley and you must book to guarantee a place. Go to www.praisepromotions.co.uk/59.html to sign up.
Having It All
10. If you don’t relish the prospect of having to choose between all these goodies, why not attend an event that combines performance, art, history, fashion and food for free. East starts on March 1 at 6pm and represents a one of a kind collaboration between the mayor of London and some rather funky organisations. The aim of East is to encourage visitors and native Londoners alike, to make the most of what’s on offer in this unique part of the city. Activities include full-scale live performances, club nights, fashion talks, makeovers, family fun and much, much more. East runs until March 6, and you can find events around Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Whitechapel, St Paul's and the City, Hoxton and Clerkenwell, Dalston and Hackney and Wapping and Docklands. See for www.findeast.co.uk for more details about the events that are free and cheap.
Join me next month when I take the money saving, survival guide to the St. Christopher’s cities around Europe.
