How long should I stay in England on my way back to the U.S.?

[Ro_Laren]

In July, I’m gonna be flying back home from Russia to America. I’m using my frequent flyer miles to make the journey cheaper, but because of my Visa expiration date and the available airline flights, I’m gonna have to stay in England for at least a couple days (it saves me at least 20k miles flying through the U.K. vs. another European city). I don’t really mind staying in England because I have always wanted to visit: especially London. I have four different options and I am having a REALLY hard time making a choice (f.y.i., I will be in England before the Olympics). My options are:

1. On a Sunday, fly from Russia to Manchester and fly out of Manchester airport for the U.S. on a Tuesday,
2. On a Sunday, fly from Russia to Manchester and fly out of Manchester airport for the U.S. on a Thursday (spending the whole time in Manchester and maybe close neighboring cities)
3. On a Sunday, fly from Russia to London & spend a couple days there, and then on Wednesday take the bus or train to Manchester where I will fly to America on a Thursday
4. On a Sunday fly from Russia to London and spend 8 or so days there before flying out of Heathrow to America.

My only problem with staying in England is the money factor (hotel, food, travel between cities, etc.). I’m a student now: meaning I’m not making money and cannot “save up” for the trip home. So, should I visit London or stay in Manchester? Does anyone have any advice on travelling between London and Manchester? I think I saw a bus trip that can take me straight to the airport Wednesday evening (hopefully the bus doesn’t break down and they don’t lose my bags)! Also, I won’t stay in a hostel ‘cause I don’t feel safe leaving my stuff in a room with a bunch of strangers.

 

[iguana_tonante]

For how much I'm sure Manchester is worth a visit, I suppose there is no comparison to London. In addition, a couple of days is really too little time to really visit it. So my advice is to take option 4, and do your best to plan ahead of time to reduce the cost (bed&breakfast instead of hotels, cheap food, take the underground instead of taking a cab, etc.)

I loved London, and I can't wait for the moment I can go back there to visit.

 

[Roger Wilco]

If time isn't an issue I would choose option #4 and spend the most days I can in London. It's not impossible to "do" London cheaply if you aren't that demanding - ie make your own sandwiches from stuff you buy in the supermarket instead of eating McDonald's twice a day etc and just immerse yourself in the culture instead of hopping from tourist spot to tourist spot.

And you could store your backpack at a train station or so if you're worried about a hostel (although I've never had any issues at all about that in hostels).

 

[Ro_Laren]

^ Yeah, I have no probs eating sandwiches instead of McDonalds or restaurants. Unfortunately, I have more than just a backpack. I have two big suitcases full of stuff in addition to my backpack. I'm living in Russia for 10 months. But, I actually want to do some of the "touristy" things!

Time isn't a prob for me... it's just the money. I'm wondering how much more expensive London is going to be in the months leading up to the Olympics!

 

[Deckerd]

Train stations have big lockers for big luggage. You could try youth hostels since they're usually a decent standard and cheap, although I don't know about London. July will be tough though. It's the most popular time of year, even without the Olympics. Your best bet is to try and kip on a friend's couch.

 

[Roger Wilco]

But, I actually want to do some of the "touristy" things!

I just meant because going to all the museums and stuff really eats into the travel budget in my experience. But I think it's absolutely worth staying regardless.

 

[Ro_Laren]

But, I actually want to do some of the "touristy" things!

I just meant because going to all the museums and stuff really eats into the travel budget in my experience. But I think it's absolutely worth staying regardless.

I thought that I saw on-line somewhere that museums in London are free. Of course, I sure there would be certain exhibits that would cost money, but not the general entrance into the museums.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I didn't know that.

 

[Sam_I_Am]

Megabus is quite cheap for intercity travel. I took one from Newcastle to Bristol (about 300 miles) for £20. On the downside they have absolutely no leg room. But I imagine Manchester-London would be even cheaper.

 

[Sean Aaron]

I really enjoyed Manchester myself on the trips I made there for business and the holiday week-end I spent there. I think it really depends on how badly you want to visit London. It's a little too "big city" and crowded for my taste so given the choice I'd hang out in Man-City.

 

[Ro_Laren]

Megabus is quite cheap for intercity travel. I took one from Newcastle to Bristol (about 300 miles) for £20. On the downside they have absolutely no leg room. But I imagine Manchester-London would be even cheaper.

Wow, they're super cheap! Too bad they only let you bring one piece of big luggage.

 

[judge alba]

But, I actually want to do some of the "touristy" things!

I just meant because going to all the museums and stuff really eats into the travel budget in my experience. But I think it's absolutely worth staying regardless.

I thought that I saw on-line somewhere that museums in London are free. Of course, I sure there would be certain exhibits that would cost money, but not the general entrance into the museums.

yep a lot of the museums like the science museum and the British museum are free to enter. though they do charge for some exhibits.

also alot of the attractions are fairly close to each other that you could walk them. like the national art gallery and Westminster abbey they are sort of opposite ends of the street.
mind you there is a charge for the abbey i think.

also there are hotels around paddington station that are from £60 a night upwards and i think a couple that charge £30 a night though they aren't particularly good ones.

oh and there is something called the londoin pass. you pay £80 or so for a couple of days and that gets you into a few of the other museums like the tower of london and the cabinet war rooms for nothing.

oh and if you do store your cases in a station they are charging £8.50 for the first 24 hours then £5.50 for each 24 hr period after that.

hope this helps, just got back from London myself after spending the weekend there.

 

[Kail]

I'd stay as long as it took me to visit all the Beatle hot spots in Liverpool.

 

[SmoothieX]

26 minutes, 4 seconds.

 

[TerokNor]

Hi,

I would take option 3, though no idea how expensive that would be. However you would see London, then see some more of the country while on the bus and then have at least a small impression of Manchester.

Maybe you can find a hostfamily or so? When I was in England last year (Southampton) I lived in a hostfamily (3 weeks). They had some spare rooms and just rented them to others (mostly language students, but also others). It was cheaper than a hotel, not more expensive than a hostel, but very save, as you had a single room etc. And its very interessting, as they live there, show you a bit of their life-style and have insider tips as for what to do and such.
Maybe they have something like this also in the cities you may go to.

I have one question myself. Can you book everything as "one" flight or do you book it as single flights each? Just thinking about, when I fly home from New Zealand next year, if I may do a stop here or there (like Australia, Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Ireland... ), but when I book single flights for each it is really expensive.

TerokNor

 

[iguana_tonante]

I thought that I saw on-line somewhere that museums in London are free. Of course, I sure there would be certain exhibits that would cost money, but not the general entrance into the museums.

Entrance in most museums in London is indeed free.