View Full Version : The how, what, when, and where Arsenal Road trip thread
Dave_M
04 Oct 2005, 10:54 AM
If they take the train, I should imagine it would take well over an hour and a half. They'll have to take 2 trains, as well as get between Waterloo and Paddington somehow. But I'm not from around there, so I could be wrong.
Two trains but not from Paddington. From Heathrow you can get a local bus that runs to the nearby town of Feltham. The train their runs into Waterloo, and you can change and Clapham Junction to get the outbound Gatwick Express that runs out of Victoria...
YOu have to go in to go out which is why it takes so long...
leepyswetr
04 Oct 2005, 11:16 AM
Two trains but not from Paddington. From Heathrow you can get a local bus that runs to the nearby town of Feltham. The train their runs into Waterloo, and you can change and Clapham Junction to get the outbound Gatwick Express that runs out of Victoria...
YOu have to go in to go out which is why it takes so long...Ahh, see, I wasn't right at all, but the general idea was there. :D
jatm516
04 Oct 2005, 09:42 PM
:eek: real hand pumps!
This is just begging for a perverted comment. :p
jatm516
05 Oct 2005, 02:02 AM
So what's the deal with cell phones over in England? what do you need to have on your existing phone to be able to use it? What do you need to get once you get there to activate it?
michaec
05 Oct 2005, 09:55 AM
So what's the deal with cell phones over in England? what do you need to have on your existing phone to be able to use it? What do you need to get once you get there to activate it?
When I go abroad I call my network provider and they have enabled international roaming for me (They've just left it on now). The main thing to watch out for is if your phone is incompatible with the networks over here, in which case you're stuffed. You will need a phone that can work with EGSM 900 and GSM 1800 standards, check the website of your handset manufacturer to make sure or your network provider may be able to tell you. North American networks run on the GSM 1900 standard. For those of us with tri-band phones this isn't a consideration of course as we have all three ;) If your phone doesn't work over here and you really want one, check with your network provider to see if you can hire one that will work here for the duration of your stay, I'm sure I've heard of providers who offer this service.
surfcam
05 Oct 2005, 12:03 PM
A good idea before traveling is to call the credit card companies whose cards you are taking and have them note in your file that you will be traveling and where. This way when a number of charges/cash advances happen on another continent, they won't shut down you account because of possible fraud.
Looked into the phone situation (I have Sprint). My phone won't work, but a rental is $119 for a month. To buy an international compatible phone from Sprint will be $400. :( And I can't switch carriers now because my contract date is next Feb. and will have to pay the early termination fee. These wireless companies sure do get you by the shorties!
arsenalgirl30016
05 Oct 2005, 12:06 PM
I may end up buying a "prepaid" phone-about 60$ and then getting minutes and buying sims cards when I get there but I am not sure how it all works and need some serious guidance. I have to be able to call home and talk to my child and his aunt who is caring for him while we are gone!
surfcam
05 Oct 2005, 12:08 PM
I may end up buying a "prepaid" phone-about 60$ and then getting minutes and buying sims cards when I get there but I am not sure how it all works and need some serious guidance. I have to be able to call home and talk to my child and his aunt who is caring for him while we are gone!
The Sprint deal is you get a phone sent to you on a rental basis, and the $119 covers the use of the phone, getting the international calling plan, the roaming charge, and shipping to you. Beyond that, it is $1.50 per minute. Also, it uses my existing phone number.
arsenalgirl30016
05 Oct 2005, 12:31 PM
I have a lot of stuff to do in the next 23 days.......
jatm516
09 Oct 2005, 11:31 AM
When I go abroad I call my network provider and they have enabled international roaming for me (They've just left it on now). The main thing to watch out for is if your phone is incompatible with the networks over here, in which case you're stuffed. You will need a phone that can work with EGSM 900 and GSM 1800 standards, check the website of your handset manufacturer to make sure or your network provider may be able to tell you. North American networks run on the GSM 1900 standard. For those of us with tri-band phones this isn't a consideration of course as we have all three ;) If your phone doesn't work over here and you really want one, check with your network provider to see if you can hire one that will work here for the duration of your stay, I'm sure I've heard of providers who offer this service.
Actually Billy's phone should work over there. I guess he just needs to add the international roaming a few days before we leave and then just cancel it when we get back. It's not that much to add it, and text messages are still only 20 cents while your there. So that looks like it will be a good way to communicate.
Rick B
10 Oct 2005, 12:05 PM
Hmmm, how come I missed this thread until now!!!!
Ok - to answer a few questions for you guys.
Weather - Today it's nice, around 75. Pack clothes though for cold wet weather, especially Steph and Sean if your going to the beacons. You'll need loads of jumpers, thick socks and water proof coats. Seriously. Hopefully you'll be fine, but over here you just never quite know. Cam - make sure your packing the golf clothes, same to you Billy if you fancy a round with us.
Phones - For those of you with compatable phones - that is tri-band phones that work on all bandwiths the easy way is to go into London, get your phone "unlocked" in any one of a hundred places that Dave M, michaec or myself could tell you of and then buy a "pay as you go sim card". Then you top up when you want. It's far cheaper than renting a phone or using your US one. I think by now all of you have my UK mobile number so if you get stuck, jut give me a call.
Transport - From Gatwick is the Gatwick Express. That's the cheapest and quickest way into central London. A taxi will be silly money unless you all get together and split it. The train is about £14 per person. It takes about 20 minutes to Victoria Train Station, on a Friday a cab will take about an hour if not more. Dan - between Heathrow and Gatwick, well it's a pain to be fair. Train is probably quickest, but I would suggest you pay extra and get the Easyjet flight from Gatwick to Amsterdam. It's usually only a tenner more. Easyjet flies to Amsterdam from Gatwick, Heathrow and Stanstead........ BMI flies from Heathrow and BA flies from Heathrow and Gatwick.
Money - Change a bit before you get here as the change places at the airport will give you a worse rate than in town. You will be able to use your VISA/Mastrecard's anywhere. Diners and Amex not everywhere. Please note- ARSENAL DO NOT ACCEPT AMEX!!!!! There is also not a cashpoint near the stadium, so change/take out money in the centre of town. Remember you don't need to tip as much as you do in the US. Certainly not when just buying drinks in a pub...(Romeo......!!! :D )
Spurs game - All those going - (Billy, Ashley, Steph, Cam, John, Brad) meeting place is Southgate tube station at 10am. It's on the Piccadilly line. Come out main exit, cross road, walk right and wait by Wimpy. Thats where we will meet. Any problems call or text me!!!
If there are any more questions, let me know before this weekend as I will be in Prague and may not get to them in time from Sunday!!!
Hope that is of some help.
Bluto11
10 Oct 2005, 12:17 PM
Dan - between Heathrow and Gatwick, well it's a pain to be fair. Train is probably quickest, but I would suggest you pay extra and get the Easyjet flight from Gatwick to Amsterdam. It's usually only a tenner more. Easyjet flies to Amsterdam from Gatwick, Heathrow and Stanstead........ BMI flies from Heathrow and BA flies from Heathrow and Gatwick.
i'm either going to Amsterdam or Leon, Spain now. My cousin is studying in Leon, so I think it would be fun to see her. We'll either stay in Madrid, stay in Leon, or to another Spanish town if I decide to go there. I think Easyjet will work best. I asked about getting from Gatwick to Heathrow because airlines don't like to fly from Gatwick to Chicago that are convenient for me. I'll figure it all out. The trip might end up being:
27 Jan-1 Feb in London
1 Feb-4 Feb in Amsterdam or Spain
night of 4 Feb in London and flying home on 5 Feb
Gunner Phan
10 Oct 2005, 12:18 PM
Sp*rs game -
^^^phixed your post.
Rick B
10 Oct 2005, 12:29 PM
i'm either going to Amsterdam or Leon, Spain now. My cousin is studying in Leon, so I think it would be fun to see her. We'll either stay in Madrid, stay in Leon, or to another Spanish town if I decide to go there. I think Easyjet will work best. I asked about getting from Gatwick to Heathrow because airlines don't like to fly from Gatwick to Chicago that are convenient for me. I'll figure it all out. The trip might end up being:
27 Jan-1 Feb in London
1 Feb-4 Feb in Amsterdam or Spain
night of 4 Feb in London and flying home on 5 Feb
Fair enough. if it's Spain - try to fly with www.ryanair.com from Stanstead as they are the cheapest to Spain generally.
Personally unless i have to I stay away from gatwick, it's the worst London airport for getting to places in my opinion.
jatm516
10 Oct 2005, 12:32 PM
"Come out main exit, cross road, walk right and wait by Wimpy."
Who's Whimpy? And will I need the secret handshake? ;)
Seriously, can't wait. It will be a blast.
Rick B
10 Oct 2005, 12:36 PM
"Come out main exit, cross road, walk right and wait by Wimpy."
Who's Whimpy? And will I need the secret handshake? ;)
Seriously, can't wait. It will be a blast.
It will be good, I take it you know Wimpy is a fast food chain heap?!!
Anyway off to reserve game!!!!!
jatm516
10 Oct 2005, 12:43 PM
Have fun!
jatm516
10 Oct 2005, 12:46 PM
It will be good, I take it you know Wimpy is a fast food chain heap?!!
Anyway off to reserve game!!!!!
Yeah I caught the Popeye connection. I'm assuming that's what it's named after.
arsenalgirl30016
10 Oct 2005, 12:59 PM
Thanks for the advice Rick. You have no idea how excited I am!
Ash-check your pm-sent you my home and cell #s because I want to talk to you before we go!
Detlef
10 Oct 2005, 01:57 PM
i'm either going to Amsterdam or Leon, Spain now. My cousin is studying in Leon, so I think it would be fun to see her. We'll either stay in Madrid, stay in Leon, or to another Spanish town if I decide to go there. I think Easyjet will work best. I asked about getting from Gatwick to Heathrow because airlines don't like to fly from Gatwick to Chicago that are convenient for me. I'll figure it all out. The trip might end up being:
27 Jan-1 Feb in London
1 Feb-4 Feb in Amsterdam or Spain
night of 4 Feb in London and flying home on 5 Feb
sheesh when do you work? :) the Fire game Saturday was a laugh, two buses and me passing out snuff from Germany :eek: