LONDON WEEKEND BREAKS - Maps and Tourist Pass
Successful London weekend breaks require good planning to optimize the available time and maximize the real-time spent seeing and doing things. One of the easiest ways to waste this time is by floundering around when
trying to get from one city location to another. For this reason, a good transport and sightseeing map is an essential London weekend break accessory.
Depending on how you want to travel around London and what you want to see, there are a number of maps that may be of interest to you.
On the face of it, the most obvious maps to think about obtaining are a city street map, or an A to Z map, but in reality these maps will offer very little help.
The kinds of map that you really need are those that show you the places that you are likely to visit and the travel system that you are likely to use to reach them. This means that the two types of map that will be of the greatest assistance to you are a London transport map and a tourist map.
London transport maps
You can obtain all kinds of London transport system maps, some free and others at a charge.
All tube stations offer free tube layout maps and you can also get maps that show the bus routes and stops (i.e. points to embark and disembark) for the main city area. These map are a necessity if you intend (as you probably will) to use London’s public transportation system.
You can also get hold of these maps at Tourist offices and even some stores.
Tourist maps
Whilst a map showing London’s tube system is useful, if you are unfamiliar with London and make up one of many visitors taking a weekend break in the city, you may need more help.
Tourist maps combine the best of both worlds by showing you all of the city’s key attractions and visitor exhibits, whilst indicating tube stations, tube lines and bus routes and bus-stops. This kind of map is invaluable and will make moving around the city quick and hassle free.
These tourist maps are available in a range of scales and, whilst you can get some free versions from tourism offices, the best maps do require a small expenditure.
The London tourist pass
Known as the London Pass, this city tourist passport can get you access into over 50 major city attractions
for a single one time payment including the Tower of London and Windsor Castle.
The London Pass saves you time queuing for individual tickets when you reach the attractions of your choice and it also saves you money because one fee covers all. Additionally, you also get priority access at busy times and presenting the pass can gets you bonuses and fee offers at some of the tourist attractions where it is valid.
Buying a London Pass gets you a free guide book and you can even buy a London Pass that includes travel on the Tube and buses (i.e. a London Pass with Travel).
The London pass is available for adults and children with validity for 1, 2, 3 or 6 days.