London is quite expensive for North Americans but it can be done on a budget definitely as others have mentioned. I stayed mostly at B&B's. The first time I went I was just a child with my parents. The second time I just finished high school and went with a classmate. We were really on a tight budget but managed to save money by walking everywhere and buying food at the grocery stores instead of spending money at restaurants. We got to so many places by just walking and we found little hidden gems.

The last couple of times I went there, I stayed with a Londoner "friend". I got an Oyster card, and I learned to get around on the "tube" and buses. I still walked a lot. My favourite place was Camden Market. So many options to shop, see, do, and eat there. Also some of the most bizarre things I had ever seen!!! I also LOVED the Tate Modern. I'm not into modern art but I thoroughly enjoyed the gallery. There are lots of little galleries that are free admission or cheap. Other places I enjoyed, Covent Garden and Notting Hill. My "friend" also took me to the theatre but he arranged everything so I had no idea how best to do that. If you get a chance, find tours to the countryside.

For every dollar you think you need, take two. Get a map of the underground (Tube). Take in a show. (street kiosks have discounted tix) "Girl from the north country" (Dylan inspired play is supposed to be good.)

Take lots of money.

hmm brexit will have just happened might be interesting times

Hi. Sent you a message. Talk to me. Kev

According to BBC news, London air is highly polluted and pollution is linked to declines in IQ, so don't breathe the air!

Marionville and Genessa both have really good advice. I just got back from London a couple weeks ago, and while I didn't have a great time, it was largely because it was expensive for me. I didn't follow their advice (I didn't really think to ask here - that was good thinking on your part), and ended up taking a cab for 300 pounds out into the boonies. I was there for a very specific reason, but I basically didn't get a chance to see anything cool, except Cambridge University very briefly.

I'd say definitely try to get the cards that have been recommended for the Tube, and don't be afraid of getting on the Tube unless, like me, you have slight/severe claustrophobia (mine is slight, but it was worse at the time after getting off the plane). Marionville's recommendation in re: food is so much better than what I did as well. This was the second time I was in London. The first time, I got fish and chips once, and it was amazing - just a gigantic, fried fish in a newspaper, and the chips were the big steak fries (we'd call them), which were tolerable. I also got an Indian curry that was absurdly bland at the time, but I imagine if I hadn't gone into some low-quality pub, the food would have been much better. The second time around (most recently), I just ordered from the hotel most of the time, although that's because I wasn't really near too many places to go to eat, and didn't have a lot of time.

All in all, I love London, but, at least in my mind, it's only worth going if you have enough time to explore the sights and the attractions. But it's very, very worth that if you have the time - like, basically my favorite city if I could spend a real amount of time there.

Buy an Oyster card on line from Transport for London....they do one for visitors. You load the card with a certain amount and then it allows you to travel on all Undergound, overground Rail, Bus and River Bus services. You just need to swipe it when you go through the barriers on the Tube. London has so much to do and see it would be impossible to recommend anything in particular. All the famous sights such as Buckingham Palace and Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are fairly close together so a lot can be seen on foot. Do some research online before you go and plan a rough itinerary so that you can make sure you see all the things that are a priority. There are great places to eat, including great street markets....such as Camden Market where there are over 1000 stalls selling everything including food, and Southbank Market....again great food stalls. It is close to the London Eye, and the Royal Festival Hall in Lambeth. You will have a great time...April is a good month to visit as it can get pretty hot in London in the summer....enjoy!

oh and you may run into people who ask you for help, and they may offer something in exchange that they either haven't got (definitely haven't got on hand) or have but have no intention of sending you (later, of course). it's a scam. wear a waist pack and wear the money in front. don't call it a fanny pack; you'll be giggled at. fanny isn't your bum over there; it's a private female part. mind the gap! the tube system isn't that hard; the lines are color-coded. don't take tours; look up the london stuff that interests you, look at a tube map online and plot your courses. oh yeah i forgot, on many weekdays, the parish church of st martin-in-the-fields, near leicester and trafalgar squares, has chamber music concerts that are free if you show up before 1:05 pm. if you went in the summer you'd find a small flea market in the parking lot in the back of the church on weekends. i don't know if the cambridge market is open in april. time out should say, i think.

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get london time out to see what's on during the week.

g

get a combined bus/tube day pass each day. it's worth it. when you go home, give it to someone who is about to buy a ticket.

if you like theatre, go to leicester square the same day as the show, stand in line and get half-price (plus one pound) tickets. you don't get to choose the seats but it's still worth it!

the tate gallery has a whole floor dedicated to jmw turner. at first his stuff seems ordinarily competent and then it gets wonderful.

too bad it'll be april; in the summer you could stay cheaply at a university dorm.

g