Travel & Accomodations

Yep, we have uber!

pussycat
Rumour has it the night tube will start operating in August/ September

Sure it's not a case of them not trusting you?!

We have Uber and Lyft here in Austin but I've not used either. Like you I prefer traditional cabs. But if it's the right price I might consider it in the UK. We shall see.

steve: I hope the night tube comes to fruition!

Night tube was all over the evening papers yesterday. Jubilee and Victoria Line are starting in August. The rest to follow...

Yes a black cab is a safer option, by far. Non licensed taxis touting for business should be avoided after the gig. If anyone asks you if you want a cab, that's likely to be a non-licensed taxi, so avoid and be safe.

Why??! Well, they're unregulated so many have no insurance, no problem with being abusive to you, ripping you off and don't know the roads as well as they should - so it can take longer to get anywhere, thus costing you more. Licensed black cabs are actually very reasonable in cost, clean, safe, trained on the maps and usually the drivers are up for a bit of 'banter', making the whole London experience more memorable. I'd recommend any friend visiting from abroad to give them a go rather than the tube, just for the experience. 

The Tube will be fine during the gigs - although keep in mind it will be busy with people heading back to Wembley Park Tube Station afterwards. Expect London Underground to close the barriers to stop too many people being on the platform at one time after the gig. They open them again as the platform clears. I've waited 30-40 minutes sometimes, as the trains at that time are infrequent. Expect to queue. One option is to get some food in Wembley (there are some nice Indian restaurants that are open late for a curry!), then either try for the Tube or get a black cab. Tubes are safe with plain-clothed police and visible police around all the time, so okay to use late at night.

The Tube is easy to navigate to Wembley Arena. Baker Street is the main station that takes you to gig. Get to Baker Street then follow the signs for the Metropolitan Line (the purple one). Its about a 10-15 minute walk to the venue once you get off at Wembley Park. If its raining bring an umbrella. Its the UK in December so (my Michael Fish prediction is that)  its going to chuck it down! There are no covered walk-ways. Its open streets and crossing a few roads, so expect to get wet without a brolly/raincoat.

As for hotels... yes there are a few in the Wembley area, but I would suggest that you do not stay in Wembley as its a total dump. There are much nicer places in London that have good access to Wembley and are reasonably priced in comparison to Wembley. Wembley tends to be more expensive as they know people are flying in just for gigs at the Arena and Stadium, so put the prices up. You can get just as good a deal closer to central London. Yes the West End... Mayfair, Piccadilly, Chelsea and so on can be expensive and as a few posts on this thread mention, the rooms are small and uncomfortable if you're staying for a few days. 

My hotel recommendation would be looking around the west side. Anywhere from Marble Arch to Earl's Court. Paddington or around Reagents Park. That way you're both close to getting to/from the gigs and also in the day you're closer to central London - so its easy to do the tourist things, or visit a nice restaurant or interesting music shops and so on. Do not stay in Docklands for example... after the gig you'll be travelling for over an hour to get there! Do not stay south of the Thames. You'll want to get out, get back quickly and have a chilled evening with a few glasses of your favourite tipple with your friends whilst recanting the awesomeness of The Cure!

Personally ... I will be in Wembley for the minimal amount of time I can possibly be. I'll be staying in Central London and going to the gig about 90 minutes before The Twilight Sad are due to take the stage. That way I'll have time for some merchandise shopping and find our seats. Wembley is horrible, so don't go too early. I only want to get there and get inside the venue ASAP. Afterwards - black cab - hotel - sleep and ready for the next day!

Hopefully this post has helped some of our members outside the UK/London. If you have any questions ahead of the gigs, please just post and I'd be happy to assist where I can.

All the best for now. Still recovering from the NYC gigs which were awesome. Amsterdam and Barcelona next for me... can't wait for those and for London. I think this is my favourite tour ever!

Kind regards,
Fangler

Calling all my British lovelies! Ok so we are staying at The Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London on the 29th. I plan on getting there and taking off exploring five minutes after I store my luggage! Hitting the ground running as it were. Is this a good section of London? Bad? Should I bring my taser? haha Black cab only yes? I am not really a bus person. I prefer cabs and would rather pay for the convenience of them. Is that silly? I know I was advised to get an oyster card but I researched them and they are pretty pricey or was I looking in the wrong section? Any help is appreciated.

Here is where our hotel is.
www.parkplaza.com/london-hotel-gb-se1-7tj/gbriver?facilitatorId=PARKPLAZAPPCBMM&mt=b