<p>If your flight gets in at 6am and you are going on a business trip, condsider renting your hotel room for the night before you arrive. That way, when you get to your hotel around 9am and it has a 3pm check in, you can go to the room that you reserved the night before. Take a shower, freshen up, then get going-----do not nap- you want to be very tired when you go to bed the first night to help with the jet lag.
Also, since this is your first business trip, save all of your receipts- for everything, and… if you are still nervous about the subway, take a taxi- it is a legitimate business expense.</p>
<p>Thanks all…I leave in a couple days.</p>
<p>Yes, my firm’s travel service did make sure to reserve my hotel room from the previous night so that I could get into the room upon arrival. If I can sleep a little on the plane, I won’t go to sleep right away in the hotel or else it’ll really make Monday meetings difficult.</p>
<p>Just remembered…I should probably take a camera because if I show up any place without a camera, I always regret it and end up using the low quality camera phone. So I guess I’ll buy fresh batteries and consider upgrading the picture card. Thanks for ALL the help…I’ll let you know how it goes.</p>
<p>Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but many, if not all, of the museums are free. Some may charge for special exhibits. There are excellent museums - The British Museum, The Tate, The Tate Modern, The National Gallery, etc. You can pop in for 5 minutes, check out some art and then be on your way…</p>
<p>I took the train from Heathrow this summer, and it was easy and pleasant. There is a direct train into the city. It cost me approx 15 pounds, followed by a 14 pound cab ride to my hotel.</p>
<p>We lived in London for 3 years, and we always took money out of the ATM. It was by far the best rate. You can check with AAA for pounds. Some carry “starter” packs for $100.00, you can get about 60 pounds, or whatever. Use your credit card as much as possible. That is the best exchange rate. We just got back from France and Prague, and the credit card beat the ATM’s by just a hair. The train should take credit cards.<br>
The London Cabs are fabulous. They know everywhere. They spend 2 years in class before the drivers qualify. Give a tip when you finish, but not more than 10% or so.<br>
The Tower is my favorite place in London. I can’t tell you how fantastic it was to walk about so much history. You can spend several hours going through everything. The earlier in the day you get there, the better. Fewer crowds. The Beefeater’s walking tours are good. But don’t forget to go to all of the buildings. Oh, you can leave the Tower through the river exit, have your hand stamped, and have lunch at Pret a Mange. It is a great sandwich chain that has a shop outside of the Tower. When you go out of that exit, go left, Great sandwiches and not too expensive.
When we lived there, my brother took a walking tour of the legal district. The walking tours are wonderful. My brother is a judge, so he was interested in their system.
There are so many wonderful restaurants in London that you won’t have time to eat at all of them. China town has some good places. There are a number of great Italian and Indian restaurants.<br>
When you get to your hotel, go for a long walk. We always had trouble sleeping as soon as we got to London. You will want to walk after the long flight.<br>
I wish my husband’s company would send him to London for 10 days or so. I would love to go back. If you can, go to Hampton Court Palace. It is a wonderful day trip. Windsor Castle is also wonderful.<br>
I wouldn’t miss Westminster Abbey, walking around Buckingham palace, British Museum, National Gallery, the list is endless. Once you are there, you will beg to go back. If the company is paying for everything, that is the way to go.
Have a wonderful trip, and be sure to let all of us know how it went. Cheers!</p>
<p>ik this was ages ago, but i can’t help but still put in my 2p…</p>
<p>I lived in Lancs for 9 months and only rarely had trouble understanding my flatmates; the only one I really had problems understanding sometimes was the Scouser. lol</p>
<p>You can also get your money exchanged at the post office. There’s no fee and the rates are usually better than anywhere else. But then there’s the problem of tracking down a post office…look for the round red signs.</p>
<p>I didn’t know that, but I did know that the Post Office has cheap international phone cards…</p>