Family trip to London late 2024 or 2025

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#3177231 3-Jan-2024 07:58

We were in London in May 2018 (would love to go back). We had 5 days there, and it wasn't enough.

It is expensive to do just about everything, but that was expected. We budgeted for it, and probably blew the budget.

The best value thing in our opinion though was the accommodation. We stayed in the Travelodge in Covent Garden (Drury Lane). From memory for the 5 nights we were there, it was around $700 (NZ), including breakfasts (that was for a queen room, pretty basic but it did the job nicely).

From Covent Garden you're. close to the Tube, smack bang in the middle of the West-End, really close to the theaters and walking distance to the river and Leicester Square.

Paris, the same - we lucked out on a really central AirBnB in the Latin Quarter with a view down the street to the Eiffel tower. We were there 4 nights, needed another 4 I reckon.

Have you asked the kids about Disney? They may be of the age they'd rather actually see a real city than a made up one? I only ask this as we took the kids, then 9 and 10, to Canada (therefore via the US) back in 2002 and gave them the choice of Disney in LA on the way home, or a weekend in New York. They both chose New York, and they still talk about it today.

Goosey

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#3177337 3-Jan-2024 14:44

Book some time with a couple travel agents. Send them your requirements prior and then go have a chat.

they would be happy to give you an idea of price and package it all up in a single place (accomodation, transfers, flights, activities).

easy.

Stu1

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#3177342 3-Jan-2024 16:24

you so much for all the advice, I have learned the following so far

Least three weeks minimum, don’t fly home from London, January probably not the best
Month, not worth doing LA stop over, and it’s expensive. I was thinking 10 for travel , 5 to 7 for accommodation . Will start doing some better planning and start the saving :)

Stu1

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#3177343 3-Jan-2024 16:26

Goosey:
Book some time with a couple travel agents. Send them your requirements prior and then go have a chat.

they would be happy to give you an idea of price and package it all up in a single place (accomodation, transfers, flights, activities).

easy.

I have been looking at a few but always think they clip their ticket a lot compared to webjet , Expedia ect . I will get some quotes though

thermonuclear

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#3177376 3-Jan-2024 17:18

I traveled to the UK in mid-2022 and spent 10 days in London at the time of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations (to watch NZ play England at Lords). It was a relatively last minute decision to make the trip, with Covid considerations still being a factor for me, and I only booked the core elements (flights/accommodation) about six weeks out from deciding to make the journey.

I'd agree with the bulk of what other contributors have had to say. My immediate thought is that the length of trip you're considering is far too short. I found the travel to and from the UK to be much more grueling than anticipated, I didn't suffer from jet-lag as such, but it was just a grind to get there which perhaps you shouldn't underestimate especially for your kids.

For the London part of my trip, I did stay in Earl's Court at a hotel about 150m from the tube station. Agree with the comments about room sizes but, as a single traveller booking last minute in early British summer in the middle of huge Royal celebrations, I found what I paid to be very reasonable and not hugely more expensive than any of my other stops around the UK. Obviously, not doing what I did and getting booked in as soon as you can as you are suggesting is definitely a good idea.

Aside from the cricket, I tried to pack in as much sight-seeing around London as I could. Out the door of the hotel at dawn and back again after dark each night. A lot of it was planned and booked from NZ ahead of the trip. I've personally have had nothing but positive outcomes with the "Get Your Guide" app so can recommend that, but many of my experiences were planned on the fly. Saw Queen & Lambert at the O2, Crowded House at the Roundhouse, Only Fools & Horses stage show in the West End, all booked on the day.

Despite seeing what I considered to be quite a lot of what London has to offer in the ten days I had, there is just so much to see around every corner. If I have a "regret" it is that I didn't budget more days to see even more than I did. Outside of the attractions the kids want to hit, there is a massive amount to experience with much of it cheap or free outside of the time needed to explore and the strength in your legs.

To journey all that way for so few days in situ, I'd hate for you to regret you didn't allow more time after the fact. If you can afford it in terms of the additional time and finances, I can promise you will be rewarded many times over by spending more days there.

Martynnz

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#3177397 3-Jan-2024 19:39

Hi Stu,

We did a similar trip this year with 14 and 11 yo over Sept/Oct school holidays (we took some extra either side). This a good time with reasonable weather but also Europe and US are all back at work. We spent 3 days at disneyland LA. You could do it in two. Can't comment on how it compares to Disney Paris.

We then went onto London for 10 days with a couple of days in Paris after. 10 days in London was comfortable and could be shortened. We stayed at an Air BNB in Greenwich. Easy to get into town. The further out you stay means that you change tube zones (so spend more on getting around). Expect to spend half a day at each museum/attraction. As mentioned earlier a lot of things are on timed tickets. It helps to get the early ones so things don't fill up esp for Lourve. It also makes you get out of bed. It pays to prebook if you can, for example the top of the Eiffel tower was sold out when we went up (we'd pre booked). it does mean some late nights trying to grab tickets online. It also gives your days some structure.

We went to Harry Potter studio. That is an all day activity. We drove ourselves up in a rental but there are train and bus options. The early tickets are booked out quickly by the tour groups so get in early. Budget extra for the exit through the gift shop.

Some tips:

Consider joining Historic Royal Palaces if you are going to two or more of their properties as it is cheaper

Everything has an app (esp Disneyland) so getting data is a must

Try melatonin for jet lag (it seemed to work).

Cash isn't king anymore so a debit card is a good idea (we used Wise which was fine).

Half the fun is the planning esp with the kids

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Stu1

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#3177454 3-Jan-2024 21:56

Martynnz:
Hi Stu,

We did a similar trip this year with 14 and 11 yo over Sept/Oct school holidays (we took some extra either side). This a good time with reasonable weather but also Europe and US are all back at work. We spent 3 days at disneyland LA. You could do it in two. Can't comment on how it compares to Disney Paris.

We then went onto London for 10 days with a couple of days in Paris after. 10 days in London was comfortable and could be shortened. We stayed at an Air BNB in Greenwich. Easy to get into town. The further out you stay means that you change tube zones (so spend more on getting around). Expect to spend half a day at each museum/attraction. As mentioned earlier a lot of things are on timed tickets. It helps to get the early ones so things don't fill up esp for Lourve. It also makes you get out of bed. It pays to prebook if you can, for example the top of the Eiffel tower was sold out when we went up (we'd pre booked). it does mean some late nights trying to grab tickets online. It also gives your days some structure.

We went to Harry Potter studio. That is an all day activity. We drove ourselves up in a rental but there are train and bus options. The early tickets are booked out quickly by the tour groups so get in early. Budget extra for the exit through the gift shop.

Some tips:

Consider joining Historic Royal Palaces if you are going to two or more of their properties as it is cheaper

Everything has an app (esp Disneyland) so getting data is a must

Try melatonin for jet lag (it seemed to work).

Cash isn't king anymore so a debit card is a good idea (we used Wise which was fine).

Half the fun is the planning esp with the kids

Thank you for sharing really good information really appreciated it, out of interest roughly how much did the trip cost ?

Stu1

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#3177456 3-Jan-2024 22:00

thermonuclear:
I traveled to the UK in mid-2022 and spent 10 days in London at the time of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations (to watch NZ play England at Lords). It was a relatively last minute decision to make the trip, with Covid considerations still being a factor for me, and I only booked the core elements (flights/accommodation) about six weeks out from deciding to make the journey.

I'd agree with the bulk of what other contributors have had to say. My immediate thought is that the length of trip you're considering is far too short. I found the travel to and from the UK to be much more grueling than anticipated, I didn't suffer from jet-lag as such, but it was just a grind to get there which perhaps you shouldn't underestimate especially for your kids.

For the London part of my trip, I did stay in Earl's Court at a hotel about 150m from the tube station. Agree with the comments about room sizes but, as a single traveller booking last minute in early British summer in the middle of huge Royal celebrations, I found what I paid to be very reasonable and not hugely more expensive than any of my other stops around the UK. Obviously, not doing what I did and getting booked in as soon as you can as you are suggesting is definitely a good idea.

Aside from the cricket, I tried to pack in as much sight-seeing around London as I could. Out the door of the hotel at dawn and back again after dark each night. A lot of it was planned and booked from NZ ahead of the trip. I've personally have had nothing but positive outcomes with the "Get Your Guide" app so can recommend that, but many of my experiences were planned on the fly. Saw Queen & Lambert at the O2, Crowded House at the Roundhouse, Only Fools & Horses stage show in the West End, all booked on the day.

Despite seeing what I considered to be quite a lot of what London has to offer in the ten days I had, there is just so much to see around every corner. If I have a "regret" it is that I didn't budget more days to see even more than I did. Outside of the attractions the kids want to hit, there is a massive amount to experience with much of it cheap or free outside of the time needed to explore and the strength in your legs.

To journey all that way for so few days in situ, I'd hate for you to regret you didn't allow more time after the fact. If you can afford it in terms of the additional time and finances, I can promise you will be rewarded many times over by spending more days there.

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime , would have been amazing to be the jubilee. Thanks heaps for sharing . Lords is on my bucket list as well, the west end shows sound amazing

eracode

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#3177471 4-Jan-2024 01:02

Stu1:

I have been looking at a few but always think they clip their ticket a lot compared to webjet , Expedia ect . I will get some quotes though

Surely you don’t begrudge them making some income out of the service they provide you.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

jarledb

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#3177473 4-Jan-2024 02:14

A tip about an airline you might want to check out: Emirates

They fly direct Auckland to Dubai, and then onward from Dubai to London. Both flights with A380.

Love not having to do a lot of stops to get there, and the A380 is a pretty comfortable plane.

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Stu1

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#3177483 4-Jan-2024 07:51

eracode:
Stu1:

I have been looking at a few but always think they clip their ticket a lot compared to webjet , Expedia ect . I will get some quotes though

Surely you don’t begrudge them making some income out of the service they provide you.

no for sure they provided a good service just wanted to see if I could book workout them . I prefer to do things myself if I can

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kiwiace

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#3177488 4-Jan-2024 09:50

I have lived in London and gone back for work but never took the kids (yet). I agree its worth adding on some more time (but maybe going to some smaller places in UK, or Amsterdam, or stop off in Lille on the Eurostar?) and going in a warmer month. You can picnic in parks and maybe ride the Boris bikes around that way. e.g. around the Serpentine, down to the Science museum, then over to Harrods.

Its great to stay central for the museums (interesting about the timed tickets, thats new) and shows. For me, I'd aim between Covent Garden and Kings Cross, or maybe Southbank. Find a walking guidebook (Southbank, Bloomsbury, the City) and you will see so much. There is a lovely chap called Jools guides on youtube - worth watching some videos and I think he does private tours.

Some of the University dorms rent rooms during summerbreak.

Find specialist sites for the things you are interested in (Eater London, Londonist, etc)

cddt

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#3177505 4-Jan-2024 10:35

Stu1:

I have been looking at a few but always think they clip their ticket a lot compared to webjet , Expedia ect . I will get some quotes though

All good until there's a flight cancellation due to a volcano, a pandemic, "engineering", etc.

If you book yourself, if there are any problems you are on your own.

If you go through a travel agent they will sort out the rebooking for you including any cascading problems like subsequent connections missed etc.

I say this as someone who planned and organised all my own travel during a three year OE - fine when you're single, but now I have kids I would seriously consider using a travel agent.

Stu1

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#3177533 4-Jan-2024 11:51

cddt:
Stu1:

I have been looking at a few but always think they clip their ticket a lot compared to webjet , Expedia ect . I will get some quotes though

All good until there's a flight cancellation due to a volcano, a pandemic, "engineering", etc.

If you book yourself, if there are any problems you are on your own.

If you go through a travel agent they will sort out the rebooking for you including any cascading problems like subsequent connections missed etc.

I say this as someone who planned and organised all my own travel during a three year OE - fine when you're single, but now I have kids I would seriously consider using a travel agent.

That’s a good point will see what’s around and get some quotes

jonb

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#3177923 5-Jan-2024 09:39

Thanks all, has been a good thread for me too. Going to UK in April for three weeks, mostly family in North of England but planning a few days in London and realise need to start planning and booking time slots etc.

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