1st time visit to London on August 31st

We're a couple traveling to London for the first time on a budget for 1 week. What are the "must see" places to go to in London for a couple ages 29 and 31? What is the cheapest way to travel within the city of London?

After the first week, we would like to travel somewhere else like Paris, or Rome, or Amsterdam but don't know where would be the next best place to visit on a budget. Depending on the next country to visit, what is the best way to get there in terms of cheapest and fastest way (by plane, train, or coach)?

Thank you to anyone who replies to our post!!!

I'm seeing and London and Paris for the first time about a week before you are...I'm also squeezing Stockholm in.

The best way to research cheap airfare (which sounds like it might determine your next destination) is www.whichbudget.com. From London, it's possible to arrange cheap flights to almost anywhere, though be forewarned that it might not take you to a city's main airport (for example, Ryan Air often flies to an airport an hour or so outside the city, but offers buses etc to the city centers...it's not difficult to work out if you plan ahead). I would recommend booking flights sooner rather than later though, because even the cheapest flights will start to rise in price in the last week or two.

For train info, check out http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en? ... the Germain railways website that is the most reliable source of train information on the European continent.

Which city you should go to depends on what your interests are...you have plenty of options flying out of London though.

Happy travels.

See the FAQ for things to do in London.

For getting to your next city,the coach is almost always the cheapest, the train is the most interesting (www.eurostar.com), or to get there quick get a budget airline - see www.skyscanner.net but allow for costs financially and timewise from getting to/from airports - if it's the near continent take the train.

The Eurostar train is very quick (in France especially where the track is of a higher standard) and takes you from the centre of London to the centre of Paris. Flying would not be much quicker because of all the time spent at airports and the journeys to and from them. It is a long journey by coach. I took it once, before Eurostar, but never again. Paris is a great city to visit, far nicer than London because its historic character has been preserved. The sky line is not spoilt by modern buildings as in London. Amsterdam is also nice. I have not visited Rome.

Walking, buses and the tube are the best way to travel in London. Buy the zones 1-6 day pass which can be used above and below ground. The majority of museums are free in London. My favorite place to visit is the British Library and the John Ritblat Room. click here Just walking around Hyde Park is a day in itself people watching, enjoying the statues and monuments, the flora and fauna, visting the Albert Memorial, Diana's home, feeding the geese and ducks, etc. All free, all fun and good exercise. The Highgate Cemetary and Camden Locks are places to enjoy firsthand. As far as cheap eats Wagamama's are everywhere. The MuffinMan on Wrights Lane in Kensington isn't that cheap but great place for coffee and food. Pub food is quite reasonable and if you are going to the theatre (after buying your tix at the half price ticket booth in Leicester Square) many of the restaurants that surround the square offer reduced meals before the show. I love the fresh soups and sandwiches that are made daily at the Pret Manger's. Good for eat in and take out. Have a wonderful visit. London is a fabulous place.

Cheapest for City of London is walking - it's only a mile square

For travelling in the rest of Central London a 7 day Zone 1-2 Travelcard is the best bet. If you are arriving at Heathrow you can buy it there and if you are travelling by Tube you can add additional money to cover the trip from Heathrow (zone 6) to zone 1-2. If you aren't arriving at Heathrow you can buy it at the first Tube station you reach in London.

Travelcard

A travelcard will also allow you to use the offers on 1for1entry

What a lazy OP. I feel bad saying it as the author is probably a nice chap/lass, but it is, whatever happened to investigating things for yourself before a holiday?

The cheapest way to visit london is to walk through the town :-)
And when you're so tired you can catch a bus, always cheaper than a tube ticket.
After visiting, come to Paris,a wonderful but exepensive town also...
Have a nice trip,
Mathieu.