Going to see the Arsenal? Want to?

[deaner1971]

If I can give one piece of advice to first-time visitors: let your inner tourist out. Don't feel that if everyone else is doing it, you shouldn't.

Bus tour of city? Great way to get lots of good photos (the kind everyone will expect to see when you come home) in no time flat and a great way to get a feel for how the city is laid out.

London Eye? Grab a sundown time slot and bring tons of film. Sun will set behind the clocktower and Parliment and you should get some great shot

London is truly the greatest city in the world (in my limited experience). There is a little something for everyone.

Two plugs for chains worth visiting (in my opinion): Pizza Express (I know they are everywhere but the one in Bloomsbury makes a darned fine pie for a chain and is 5 minutes from the British Museum. And YoSushi! is a blast. I prefer the location on Haymarket but there is also a location in Islington.

Finally, if you get a free day, run out to Brighton or Wimbledon. Each offer many great walks. In Wimbledon, if you want to tour the tennis club and museum book ahead and get a cab at the train station.

In Brighton, walk downhill from the train station and on your left will be the Lanes, an area of great shopping where you can dine at Havana with great decor, great food and Cuban cigars. If you have kids with you, the Aquarium in Brighton is a pleasant if uninspired diversion. Finally, walk along the ocean heading west until you see the Grand Hotel on your right (if you need a drink while in Brighton, I can recommend nowhere as highly as the bar in the Grand's lobby [turn left at the Concierge desk]) and to your left you will see the remains of Brighton's older pier. Look for the lone remaining intact portion of the structure, the fortune teller's booth which will be closest to you. Also, this structure makes for great sunset photography. IF you stay the night, the Chinese place at the mariana is very good although the servers seem to treat you like an annoyance that they must endure rather than the reason they are even there. Never rude mind you, just not ecstatic you are there.

Sorry if I rambled on...:o

[Legion04]

I'm a student in high school, but I'll be graduating in the spring of next year. I don't think I can get over to London this year, but I would like to go next fall. I've been to Europe three times before, but I've never been to London or the UK.

How much would I need to budget, based on all of your experiences for a 4-5 day trip?

Round Trip Airfare from the US
4-5 Nights at a Youth Hostel (I have to save money)
Pass for the London Underground
Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks)
Tours: London Eye, Parliament, Big Ben, British Museum, Buckingham Palace,
and maybe a few others.
Arsenal Match (Cheapest Tickets Avaliable....North Bank and the like)
Optional: Tour of Ashburton Grove

If anyone could give me a rough estimate, that would be fantastic. When I'm over in London I want to be able to see the sights and experience the vibe of the city, but also be cost-effective in doing so.

Thanks!

[surfcam]

I'm a student in high school, but I'll be graduating in the spring of next year. I don't think I can get over to London this year, but I would like to go next fall. I've been to Europe three times before, but I've never been to London or the UK.

How much would I need to budget, based on all of your experiences for a 4-5 day trip?

Round Trip Airfare from the US
4-5 Nights at a Youth Hostel (I have to save money)
Pass for the London Underground
Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks)
Tours: London Eye, Parliament, Big Ben, British Museum, Buckingham Palace,
and maybe a few others.
Arsenal Match (Cheapest Tickets Avaliable....North Bank and the like)
Optional: Tour of Ashburton Grove

If anyone could give me a rough estimate, that would be fantastic. When I'm over in London I want to be able to see the sights and experience the vibe of the city, but also be cost-effective in doing so.

Thanks!

Did you read the thread? There is a bunch of info on all of these topics.

[Publius]

I'm a student in high school, but I'll be graduating in the spring of next year. I don't think I can get over to London this year, but I would like to go next fall. I've been to Europe three times before, but I've never been to London or the UK.

How much would I need to budget, based on all of your experiences for a 4-5 day trip?

Round Trip Airfare from the US
4-5 Nights at a Youth Hostel (I have to save money)
Pass for the London Underground
Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks)
Tours: London Eye, Parliament, Big Ben, British Museum, Buckingham Palace,
and maybe a few others.
Arsenal Match (Cheapest Tickets Avaliable....North Bank and the like)
Optional: Tour of Ashburton Grove

If anyone could give me a rough estimate, that would be fantastic. When I'm over in London I want to be able to see the sights and experience the vibe of the city, but also be cost-effective in doing so.

Thanks!

My trip last November came in approximately as follows: $950 package for airfare/2-3 star hotel for 5 nights; $175 for 2 match tickets; $500 for walking around money (ie. money blown in pubs, but also including Oyster pass, dining and incidental exenses like the Paddington Express which can be a godsend if you're brutally hung over and you've overslept and are in danger of missing your flight but otherwise it's about a $50 return trip ticket). The stadium tour at Highbury was comped for the ArseAm roadtrip. I don't know what the cost may be at the new place and I guess I'll find out myself in December. I don't include money spent at the team store or for a side train trip to Liverpool in that. I suspect that you'll spend significantly less on lodging and pub money than I did, but for that length of your trip what I've given you should be a pretty decent ballpark figure.

[joehill]

I just tried to pm RickB with a question about getting tickets for a group of arsenal supporters travelling to london for a game, and got this message:

RickB has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her.

what's the deal?

[antifan]

I just tried to pm RickB with a question about getting tickets for a group of arsenal supporters travelling to london for a game, and got this message:



what's the deal?
His inbox is probably full, it happens alot with the number of PM's he gets. Send him a message to clear it out via the Rep button, and try again in a day or two.

[The Grimster]

Have you got the balls to try a traditional London speciality?

I haven't had Pie & Mash for years - think I'll have to pay this place a visit!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5301158.stm

[Rick B]

I just tried to pm RickB with a question about getting tickets for a group of arsenal supporters travelling to london for a game, and got this message:



what's the deal?

Make sure you use the link from one of my posts. My inbox is not full at the moment. Often someone else gets my PM's as people try to type out the name and forget the space or that it's not capitals. Always link from a post of mine.

Thanks!!

[joehill]

Make sure you use the link from one of my posts. My inbox is not full at the moment. Often someone else gets my PM's as people try to type out the name and forget the space or that it's not capitals. Always link from a post of mine.

Thanks!!

ah, ok, i just copied the text from the first message in this thread that says "PM "RickB" with the following information:" and there's no space there, i couldn't find one of your actual posts. pm'ing now!

[The Lieutenant]

For those of you that have gone to a game this year. Would it be safe to bring a 2 year old to the new stadium, where Arsenal America would get seats? Would love to take my boy with me to my/his first live Arsenal match.

[Goldy]

For those of you that have gone to a game this year. Would it be safe to bring a 2 year old to the new stadium, where Arsenal America would get seats? Would love to take my boy with me to my/his first live Arsenal match.


I have seen two year olds there a number of times but frankly they are a bit young. I took my son to his first game when he was 6 which is probably the better age to start b/c they remember it.

[Shibby13]

If you're worried about safety though I think it's really safe to take a 2 year old kid. Granted he might not remember it but if your concern is safety I don't see a problem.

[The Lieutenant]

Thanks, he won't remember it, but we will only be living there for two years so it will at least make for a couple of cool pictures.

[Rick B]

Thanks, he won't remember it, but we will only be living there for two years so it will at least make for a couple of cool pictures.

Well you don't have a choice as Ive ordered you 3 tickets and the game is sold out and sorted.......:D

(Ive requested the tickets in the Family enclosure which will be more peaceful. I won't know until nearer the time, but please put your confirmation post on the ticket thread. Cheers)

[thierry14henry]

I will arrive in London on March 1st in order to watch the game against Reading on the 3rd....I'm planning to stay 4 days in London and I will stay at the Best Western Burns Hotel Kensington located in Kensington of course.......It is a nice hotel in a good neighborhood......If there is any other Arsenal fan who will travel to London and have not chosen a hotel yet, let me know( PM me)...I can get you a nice room in this hotel for only 42 pounds because of my employee discount...I only have one room available..the standard rate is around 200 pounds I guess, so do not hesitate to contact me........I don't want you to thank me , I just want you to buy me a Theo Walcott Arsenal shirt....lol.............I'm kidding.....


this is the hotel link ........http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=83801&disablenav=false#null

[Rick B]

I will arrive in London on March 1st in order to watch the game against Reading on the 3rd....I'm planning to stay 4 days in London and I will stay at the Best Western Burns Hotel Kensington located in Kensington of course.......It is a nice hotel in a good neighborhood......If there is any other Arsenal fan who will travel to London and have not chosen a hotel yet, let me know( PM me)...I can get you a nice room in this hotel for only 42 pounds because of my employee discount...I only have one room available..the standard rate is around 200 pounds I guess, so do not hesitate to contact me........I don't want you to thank me , I just want you to buy me a Theo Walcott Arsenal shirt....lol.............I'm kidding.....


this is the hotel link ........http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=83801&disablenav=false#null

Offers like that are always appreciated, I just hope you don't get too many people wanting!!!!

As an aside comment, please will people (I know it's not possible all the time) book from Friday to Tuesday for a weekend game. The games can be moved to the Monday night and two people were not able to see games when they were over last year because of games being moved. The Readig game is fine as there is a CL game on the Tues/Wed so it won't be moved.

[pookspur]

I will arrive in London on March 1st in order to watch the game against Reading on the 3rd....I'm planning to stay 4 days in London and I will stay at the Best Western Burns Hotel Kensington located in Kensington of course.......It is a nice hotel in a good neighborhood......If there is any other Arsenal fan who will travel to London and have not chosen a hotel yet, let me know( PM me)...I can get you a nice room in this hotel for only 42 pounds because of my employee discount...I only have one room available..the standard rate is around 200 pounds I guess, so do not hesitate to contact me........I don't want you to thank me , I just want you to buy me a Theo Walcott Arsenal shirt....lol.............I'm kidding.....


i suspect the highlighted part is an essential component of this generous offer, huh?

:o

[GunneRy]

Anyone know when the best time is to buy air tickets is for a March visit?

I have some vouchers for British Airways, so I have to use that airline. My question is, considering I am travelling in March, when should I buy the tickets so that they will be at their cheapest rates?

Any help would be appreciated.

[deaner1971]

i suspect the highlighted part is an essential component of this generous offer, huh?

:o

Maybe not if you are willing to attend the derby and wear our kit in your part of the stands (and you can't explain why...).:D

[Frankgarrison]

Anyone know when the best time is to buy air tickets is for a March visit?

I have some vouchers for British Airways, so I have to use that airline. My question is, considering I am travelling in March, when should I buy the tickets so that they will be at their cheapest rates?

Any help would be appreciated.


I've gone in March once and in April and both times decent fares were found in November and then again in January. A tip: the travelocity farewatcher email feature will email you when the fare goes down by $25 or more.