Hello

Can anyone recommend a decent hotel near the Royal College of Music please? 2/3 star is fine, but must have single ensuite room, and be clean, and preferably not too noisy...

Many thanks

Depends on your budget, when you're visiting, and just how close you want! Nearest I know of is Imperial College, which is available during the summer.

Thanks. Had a quick look at laterooms, and there are a couple reasonably near between about 50 and 70 pounds per night. I just don't know what the quality is like in that area. I hadn't thought of Imperial College - will give them a go later.

We (daughter + me) recently stayed at Imperial College (Beit Hall). We had a twin ensuite room which was spacious and clean and the rate included a hearty breakfast. It could hardly be closer to Royal Albert Hall/RCM. I'd definitely recommend it BUT with the windows open, it wasn't quiet, at least not until quite late. The Students Union was in the same complex, and still seemed to be doing a roaring trade despite the holiday. This was good in that we could get a cheap meal there on our arrival, but eaters and drinkers sitting outside generated a lot of noise which seemed to be amplified by the courtyard setting...

You could do a lot worse than the Travelodge in North End Road, Fulham. Just a short distance from Fulham Broadway tube, on the District line.

Oops! Sorry folks, it's the Royal Academy of Music on Marylebone Road. Not too far away, but certainly not as grand....

Now that I am looking in the right place, a hotel has miraculously appeared. Now booked. Thanks for all your help.

OK, so got the hotel booked, and I know I am now going to the right college.

Question now is - do I buy an Oyster card? Where and how?

This really is an amazing forum with folks who know everything!!

Thanks

Of course this Forum is amazing!

How much travelling you intend to do by public transport dictates on whether it's worth buying an Oystercard. Oyster fares are cheaper than paying cash, so it's probably worth it. Fares, how to buy, where to buy &c are all on the TfL website.

It will be worth it if you think you will visit London again in not too long, as you can reuse it. If you only visit London every ten years, you may be better off buying a (paper) travelcard but the TFL website mentioned above can help you work that out.

Thank you

I have just had a look at the website. Like any government website it is hard to get the exact information you need. Normally London is a day trip, so I just get a travelcard.

Going to be there for five days, with tube journey to and from station on Monday and Friday, plus any jaunts I may wish to take, but as I'll be walking distance from many places, it's hard to know. Not sure there will be much time to fit in shopping. But it does look as if oyster fares are cheaper, so probably best to get one. Just not sure if I end up with credit at the end of the week if it is refunded. Could always give it to someone at the station....

This may help you: http://www.toptiplondon.com/transport/tick...er-card-refunds

You could also give or sell it to relatives / friends whom you know may visit soon. If it doesn't have a long term travelcard on it, it's transferable.

Thank you!! I would never have found that page. Gosh I feel like such a country bumpkin....

Nah, don't feel like a bumpkin please I didn't know about it either until I googled "oyster card balance refunds", and I live here! It was something I wanted to find out because visitors have actually asked me before.

However, I think the Oyster card deposit itself is *not* refundable - that's the charge for the actual card itself. Best ask at the counter if you buy one.

This might help as a summary:

If you're staying in zone 1 (near the Academy) and going around in central London, then you probably wouldn't need a travel card for more than zone 1-2.

A 1 day travelcard is ?7 (same as the capped daily rate on a pay as you go Oyster card) providing you don't travel before 9.30am. It's worth it if you are going to do a couple of tube journeys, out/return instead of paying a cash fare which in zone 1-2 is ?4.30 each.

A 7 day weekly travelcard is ?29.20 for zones 1-2 - ie roughly ?6 a day if you use transport every day. You would get this on an Oyster card, no deposit. This would cover bus, tube and national rail in the two zones.

You have to pay a ?5 deposit on a pay as you go oyster now. I think the deposit is refundable if you give the card back at a tube station when you leave London. A single bus journey is ?1.35, capped at ?4.20 for a 1 day bus travelcard.

A single tube journey in zone 1 with Oyster pay as you go is ?2 - same peak/off peak but for zones 1-2. A peak fare is ?2.70. A cash tube ticket from a machine in the station is ?4.30 - ie pay as you go Oyster is much cheaper.

You can order an Oyster card online and get it delivered to you before you travel - saves you queuing at the station when you arrive.