Choosing London hotels based on location can make getting around during your vacation both simple and affordable. Renting a car while on vacation can be very costly. Between the rental fees, additional insurance, parking, and tollbooths, transportation expenses stack up quickly. Fortunately, public transportation is readily available in magnificent London and there are a number of hotels located just a short walking distance to various underground and rail stations. Because many of the city s attractions are also located close to these stations, sightseeing can be done quickly, easily, and affordably.
Unlike the roadways in the United States, the streets in London are tight and narrow, making them difficult to navigate. Excessive vehicles on the streets cause traffic congestion and delays. It is estimated that close to 250,000 automobiles circulate in the central zone of London every day. Speed during rush hour averages 10 miles per hour. Travelers can avoid much stress on their vacations and holidays if they skip the rental cars and opt for London s various public transportation systems.
The Tube is what Londoners call the London Underground (subway system). The Tube has 275 stations located throughout the city, many of which are in close proximity to both prominent hotels and popular attractions, such as museums, parks, theatres, and restaurants. The Tube operates 12 different lines throughout London, making it the fastest and easiest way to get around the city. It is the most popular mode of transportation for local residents. London s rail system operates similarly to The Tube, but runs above ground. By using The Tube or London Rail, travelers may cross the city quickly and be delivered within an easy walking distance to just about any of London s major attractions. Best of all, there are no traffic jams to cause delays, parking fees to pay, or surface streets to get lost on.
There are many London hotels in convenient locations. Most hotels are less than one kilometer (.6 miles) from several Tube stations and have at least one London Rail station located within the same distance. Additionally, vacationers can select a hotel based on its proximity to a certain park or museum and still enjoy other attractions that are located on the other side of the city. This opens up the entire city of London for exploration from one central location a hotel room.
Museums are popular attractions for London visitors and there are several different museums dispersed amongst the city. History lovers may indulge in the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Architecture buffs can take in attractions such as the Tower Bridge, the Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. London also features many parks and green areas: Hyde Park, Greenwich Park, and the Kew Gardens Royal Botanical Gardens. By choosing a hotel with easy access to a rail or Tube station, a traveler s biggest dilemma will be how to fit everything into one trip not how to get from attraction to the next. London s public transportation system makes it easy to see the entire city and to quickly get from one point to the next.
Staying at a hotel with convenient access to rail (both ground and underground) transportation makes it possible to spend the entire day sightseeing around the city and then enjoy an evening of fine dining and theatre. And all of this activity can take place in opposite areas of the city.
Convenience does not have to come at a steep price. Sure, the money saved by foregoing the rental car could be used to splurge on a luxury hotel, but frugal vacationers have affordable lodging options as well. Hotels range in price from 25 (approximately US $49) to 441 (approximately US $862) and offer a number of different features and amenities. Several of the lower priced lodging options are B&B s or 2-star/diamond hotels. While their facilities and amenities may be minimal, the ambience of London is still unmistakable. Hotels in the higher price range are generally 4- and 5-star/diamond luxury hotels, with all modern amenities as well as some little extras to make the London visit even more enjoyable and memorable. Regardless of price or amenities, many hotels offer easy access to the London Rail and the Tube, as well as close proximity to many popular attractions.
With so many different accommodation options to choose from, selecting a hotel can be mind boggling. Holiday and vacation planners can benefit from using a website that offers information on several different London hotels, including price, location, and amenities. Some websites also provide data on the many London landmarks and attractions, as well as directions and transportation options for getting to the sights. Instead of researching hotels individually, travelers can look at options based on price, location, proximity to various attractions and destinations, or ratings. In addition to booking all reservations online through one website, vacationers may also take advantage of special offers and discounted pricing.
When selecting London hotels, making a decision based on location significantly increases the quality of the vacation or holiday. Staying in a hotel located near a London Rail or Tube station eliminates the need to rent a car while visiting London. Not only do travelers save money on rental charges, parking fees, fuel, and other automobile expenses, they can also enjoy more of what the city has to offer by avoiding traffic jams, automobile accidents, and construction zones. The Tube is the fastest and easiest way to get around London. With 275 stops and 12 lines, the Tube makes it possible to deliver passengers within a short walking distance to most hotels, museums, restaurants, theatres and hotels. The right hotel can be a portal to the many destinations of London.