Any London or Paris loungers here?

[fedoralover]

This coming spring in may of 2017 my wife and I are going to celebrate 40 years of marriage by going to London and Paris for 17 days. We've never traveled abroad before and I'd welcome any suggestions from you who live there or have been there. Idea's on lodging and transportation are especially needed. Thanks for any helpful tips.

regards fedoralover

 

[rocketeer]

Well thats a BIG ask as they say. I could not give you any advice even though I know London quite well and also a fair bit of Paris. Why? Because to be honest even though we are both on this site your interests may differ vastly, also our presumptions on Hotels could be totally different.
Ie, do you like art deco or art nouveau or the latest modern hotels? Are you coming for historical interest or just doing a tourist thing and don't wish to plod around museums etc.
Myself and Mrs T walked miles around Paris looking at everything from all the usual tourist sights such as the Tower, to the tunnel where Lady Di was killed. In London (we live a short train ride away) we went to see a show then just walked around looking at all the latest shops(closed) but didn't touch any antiques markets.
Your best bet is to know what you want to do and research that rather than someone else's idea of a good time. Kew Gardens is fabulous, you could spend a whole day there. But don't take my word for it
J.

 

[rocketeer]

Oh yes, tube is ok but crowded during rush hrs like any city but Paris is easier to understand, buses same but regular, Boris bikes both in London and the Paris version may or may not be available, again depends on time of day.

 

[fedoralover]

Sorry, I see the question was too broad. We are checking into using Airbnb to find a bread and breakfast place. I've never used it before. I'm hoping it's reliable. But I've checked out the prices and it seems the further out from the city centers the lower the prices, but the question is will I end up paying more for transportation back into the city than if I just paid more to be closer in to begin with. I see that I can buy a Travel Card or an Oyster card in London. Are those the best for getting around London? I have to do more research on Paris. My wife and I love the flea markets and old buildings. I wouldn't mind a museum but dont want to spend all the time inside a building. The hop on, hop off tours would appeal to us. We will be spending about 7 days each in both London and Paris.

Thanks fedoralover

 

[rocketeer]

Travelling by tube you will need to buy an Oyster card. Technically you don't have to. There are now NO ticket offices to buy individual tickets so you can actually use a debit, possibly credit card. Just tap on the reader and tap out at journey's end but you will pay more than if you buy the oyster card. And keep them separate as the reader will read 2-3 or more cards and charge you for 1 journey on each of the cards read. never used busses since they got rid of the original Routemaster bus. I'm not against bus travel, that is just a measure since I last used one in the city/west end.
As for Flea Markets, prepared to pay over the odds or at least above the normal market value in London, Paris is slightly better except Porte de Clignancourte. Don't get involved in gold ring scams or board games(pea under cup) the French police have better things to do than stop you getting beaten up and won't answer your calls for help unless they are bored

 

[Edward]

I'm not sure if contactless-pay cards are a thing in the US yet? (Sadly, they are here - I have to fight my bank for a card without that facility every time I need a new one.) If not, an Oyster card is the best option. It's about three pounds for a deposit, then whatever you spend. Used on both tubes and busses, top up pay as you go credit at tube stations and some small shops. The bus system is entirely cashless - without a contactless card or oyster, you can't ride. Most buses are front entry / rear exit, though some you can get on at any one of three points and then swipe your card.

As a rule, it will get cheaper for accomodation the further you go out, though, as you've noted, more expensive for trsvel. That said, it shouldn't be hard to find somewhere in Zone 2 (especially more eastwards) near a convenient tube station that will work out significantly cheaper than Zone 1; the extra pound or so on the journey in will be only a fraction of the saving.

You're also coming at a great time, as it's unlikely, based on current trends, the pound will have recovered significantly against the dollar by then (it's even possible it could dip further around that point, depending on various announcements due to be made in early 2017). That'll help significantly in London!

There are quite a few TFL Londoners; with a bit of notice, we could try and organise a night out if you'd like.

 

[fedoralover]

Thanks for all the advice. I've just booked an apartment in Paris and one in London. I was surprised at how many places were already booked up. People must be taking advantage of the low air fares from the U.S. to london.

In london I got a place at what's called "The Pavilions". In Paris we got one at Tiquetonne Apartment. A night out with some fellow loungers would be pretty awesome. I'll have to see how our schedules work out and let you know. Thanks for the offer.

regards fedoralover

 

[Edward]

Sounds good. Yes, the weak pound has seen a bit of a tourism boom this year. This will probably continue for a while; it's down to something like 1.24 dollars now.