Travelling to UK - Need Some Suggestions

coffeeinstance on 25/08/2019 - 00:43

Dear all

I'm taking a Qantas flight to London in a couple of weeks (although I am now dreading their economy seating - I've heard its not great for a 14 hr flight). However, it was the cheapest option. I'm looking for some suggestions from you guys on the following:

  1. I have heaps of videos and tv series that I can watch during the flight but I dont have any tablet to watch it on, as I usually dont need one, but now that I am looking for one, any decent one is not cheaper than $300. What suggestion do you guys have? Being stuck in a 14 hr economy flight will require some binge watching. I'm also getting some headphones that are reasonably priced.

  2. I'm going to be travelling around England and Scotland for a couple of weeks. However, I dont have any schedule or list of whats must see. Can you guys share any tips on travelling in the UK? Is there any must do things that us Aussies will love? What are some good value things to do? Anything to watch out for? Planning to rent a car too.

  3. In the spirit of Ozbargain, whats the best stuff to buy from there? I've heard clothes are good quality and cheap over there but would love to know your ideas.

About me, I'm a single guy of around 35. Would be happy to see your ideas.

Thank you.

Travel

Comments

  • Fysh on 25/08/2019 - 03:26
    +1

    Ok tips for flying. Try to get your clock ready for their time a few days before. Stay up late. On the flight watch the time and sleep at normal UK hours if you can. Noise cancelling headphones if you can afford them. Hydrate hydrate hydrate. Avoid alcohol it's not worth the extra toilet visits. Get an isle seat if you have a small bladder.

  • Halo375 on 25/08/2019 - 04:43
    +1

    Long flights aren’t that bad if you’re prepared. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, hydrate and don’t overeat. Sleep as much as you can, dress in long sleeves as the plane can be cold. Online entertainment is fine but consider some noise cancelling headphones. Qantas economy isn’t bad… but its still economy. You’ll be fine.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2019 - 21:26

      Would recommend a hoodie, the hood is incredibly useful on long haul use as a pillow or to block out the lights and your neighbour's

  • Bourb on 25/08/2019 - 05:41

    All up you will be looking at about 23 hours in your economy seat! I did it 10 months ago, and it isn't something that I look forward to doing again any time soon.
    There are plenty of Movies and TV shows available through the Qantas Entertainment System, so there is no need to have your own Device for watching shows.

    As others have said, noise cancelling headphones are a must, even if it is only the Sony cheapies that sell for under one hundred dollars. They will not only make watching movies more enjoyable, they are also handy when trying to sleep to cut down on the engine noise.

  • Bourb on 25/08/2019 - 05:54

    I spent most of my time in Europe in London, so I can't really comment on the rest of the UK.
    Even if you are not into history a visit to the Tower of London is a must, there is an incredible amount of history tied up in that place.
    Camden Markets, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, riding a Double Decker Red Bus, fish and chips in a Pub, there is so much to do and see in London that you will never be bored. Yes I admit I was a typical 'Tourist Nerd', but I enjoyed every minute :)

  • altomic on 25/08/2019 - 07:38
    +1

    Nobody flies without medication anymore, why shouldn't you enjoy the same luxuries as a dog?

    I usually take Comanaprosil- May cause dizzyness, sexual nightmares and sleep crime.

    It's… very good.

  • Ozbargainite on 25/08/2019 - 08:23

    Earplugs.

  • Yizzur on 25/08/2019 - 08:55

    Borough Markets are well worth a visit- amazing food markets with loads of traditional English street food- salt beef sandwiches, cockles & whelks, all that sort of thing. Buying food there isn't cheap but it is very good. That being said plenty of vendors give out free samples so you can go Costco style and get a free brunch if you really try.

  • Yizzur on 25/08/2019 - 08:58

    From what I remember clothing and the like wasn't noticeably cheaper than here unless you were looking at really high end brands. I was looking at Loakes shoes and Barbour jackets and they were both significantly cheaper than buying at home, but high street brands seemed to be about on par. Results may vary depending on you exchange rate of course, and you might get lucky with clearance sales, but yeah, don't expect huge bargains.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 25/08/2019 - 09:42
    +1

    Museums. Lots are free and they're great.

  • Randxyz123 on 25/08/2019 - 10:40

    In the spirit of Ozbargain, whats the best stuff to buy from there? I've heard clothes are good quality and cheap over there but would love to know your ideas.

    This is mostly rubbish. You could probably get some decent deals along with the VAT refund.

    For the tablet maybe this deal?? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/479207

    Get the Bose QC35 ii. No

    What to do?

    • Tower of London

    • War rooms

    • Walk down Oxford St and get a bus down there as well

    • British Museum

    • Day trip to Bath

  • Iangh on 25/08/2019 - 10:46

    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/transport/
    Best site for deals, check forums for latest.
    Lot of cities with history. I would leapfrog to Scotland via different cities.
    London – 9,750,500.
    Birmingham – 2,453,700.
    Manchester – 1,903,100.
    Glasgow – 1,057,600.
    Newcastle – 837,500.
    Sheffield – 818,800.
    Liverpool – 793,100.
    Leeds – 761,500.
    London, Birmingham, Manchester and/or Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh. Depends on how much energy you have on how many you do. At least you'll be treated to a vastly different array of accents. Check out the local tourist info sites for what to do.

  • Donaldhump on 25/08/2019 - 12:17

    take sleeping pills once on plain, wake up as you land.
    get smashed on booze, till u pass out
    stay up previous 2 nights, so u pass out on the plane.
    don't eat much on a plane

  • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2019 - 21:24

    I think you should specify what are your interests e.g. history, art, sports cricket football rugby league food, music, architecture, literature, clubbing, and how large you want to go, because you are flying into London you are a couple of train rides away from Europe

  • lainey13 on 26/08/2019 - 18:04
    1. On a 14 hr flight you should be spending a good chunk of it sleeping. The rest is covered by the entertainment on the Qantas system. It should have something to occupy you for the rest of the time.
    2. Entirely dependent on your interests and why you should be googling top 10 lists or a guide book.
    3. Primark for cheap clothes. Supermarkets for food. Fancy tea. Yorkshire puddings. Cheap lager. But really I wouldn't be doing that much shopping there… it's not really that cheap unless you raid a poundland or if you really like British brands like Radley, Selfridges, Hamlets, Harrods, Marks and Spencer etc.

    Oh wait now I remember camping stuff was pretty cheap.

  • Tovers93 on 06/09/2019 - 10:23
    +2

    Some "interesting" recommendations. Personally just completed a 6 days roundtrip to the UK for a family wedding and here's my thoughts on the travel aspect:

    • Being well rested before the flight was actually more useful than forcing myself to be tired and expecting I'll then be able to sleep. All that does is compound the fatigue
    • Aisle seat in the middle 4 near the front of a given section is best, as you won't be disturbed as much and get served earlier
    • Some films and music downloaded on your phone/tablet are a good back up (try netflix free trial)
    • Drink plenty of water (bring an empty bottle to refill), avoid alcohol, bring a couple of small snacks, eyemask & earbuds are good to help you sleep

    Being a Brit, I'd recommend the following outside of London for culture & nature:
    - Oxford day trip. Easy using the "Oxford Tube" from Victoria Station. Join a free walking tour (tip the guide). Maybe visit the Cotswolds nearby too (additional day). Cambridge also worth a visit, very traditional.
    - Yorkshire dales & moors for great scenery. Easier done with a car. Perhaps stay near York so you can see the city too which is great.
    - Northumberland for scenery, visiting Lindesfarne, Bamburgh and Alnwick (Harry Potter castle)
    - Edinburgh as a city visit for a couple of nights. Easy access by train (recommend you book in advance, when fares are low).
    - Snowdonia national park, North Wales if you're in the summer and like hiking. Alternatively, Brecon in South Wales is great too.
    - Bath in South West England is a great city too, and can be combined with Stonehenge etc
    - In London there's loads of free museums which are incredible. Borough market is good for food. Richmond park is cool to see urban deer. Search online for discounted tickets to many of the attractions.

    Things to buy:
    - Primark is very cheap clothing but low quality and arguably unethical
    - Toiletries are a lot cheaper! My gf asked me to bring back a suitcase full of dry shampoo (5AUD v 13AUD here)!

    Enjoy!

  • cybapete on 15/09/2019 - 08:02

    apart from videos you can use a tablet to read ebooks as well

  • TanedaR on 15/09/2019 - 23:43

    If you travel by regional trains in UK, they're just never on time.
    If you have a connecting train after one, 30 mins buffer is a must
    metro trains are frequent thou, every 3-5 mins

    Also, they is no mobile reception in London Underground tunnels. Depending on where you stay and where you go, it could be longer than 45 mins.
    So you better download an offline version of Google map first. Keep all useful information offline.

  • Eeples on 18/09/2019 - 20:53

    1st week in London visiting all the museums and art galleries and Greenwich and other sites eg. Abbey Road, Tower of London. Also take in a show.
    2nd week depends on your interests; Stonehenge? Castles? Canals? Towns?
    I haven't been to Scotland.

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