The London Eye: Getting The Best View of London
The London Eye, also known as the millennium wheel is the world’s tallest observation wheel, and the fourth tallest structure in London. At one hundred and thirty five meters high, a person on the London eye can see a view on London extending for over twenty-five miles.
The London Eye has been awarded a variety of different awards and achievements from London’s first Millennium ward in the year 2000, for its outstanding contribution to the capitals architecture, to the best attraction for group travel in 2003.
One of the largest of its kind, the London Eye can carry eight hundred passengers at a time, within its thirty-two different passenger pods, on a thirty-minute sight seeing journey from above. Over the course of a day, the London Eye can carry over 15,000 separate visitors, as many people as it would take to fill the Concorde one hundred and fifty times.
The London Eye is a wonderful trip for children, and adults alike, offering every passenger a fantastic view of London and a fantastic time. There are a variety of different “flight” options you can make for your trip on the London Eye depending on what you would like to gain out of your travel experience on the eye.
For instance, the London Eye offers “Discovery Flights”. A Discovery flight will be a flight just the same as any other, but a tour guide will be present to point out special landmarks to those who are on the flight. If this is your first trip to London, you may appreciate taking one of these flights and having a local point out special landmarks that you might have otherwise missed.
If you are trying to plan the perfect evening, then you might start with a private capsule on the London Eye. The London Eye will allow you to book an entire capsule for you and up to twenty-five guests on the London Eye.
Those who pre-book their excursion will also enjoy priority boarding, and guest can also choose from a list of food and drink that can be served during the flight. A private capsule on the London Eye can be the perfect way to spend a special occasion, or celebrate an event with those close to you while soaring above the London skyline.
Going on a trip with your sweetie? What would an attraction with so many breathtaking views, and wonderful sights be without a romance package? The London eye offers a “Cupids Capsule” package, which is designed for two lovebirds to soar through the London skyline all by them.
The package includes a bottle of Perrier, and a box or chocolates, as well as the couple’s very own pod for their trip through the London skyline. Nothing could be more romantic than floating through the stars with a loved one enjoying champagne and luxury chocolates.
If your Cupids capsule was successful, then why not try getting married on the London Eye as well. The London Eye offers reasonable priced weddings that allow the bridge, groom and guests to board a private capsule where the wedding ceremony takes place. You and your significant other are pronounced married, as the capsule reaches its highest point, and as the capsule begins its decent the party can begin complete with Perrier champagne.
The London Eye is one of the most fantastic attractions in the world. It is designed so that anyone, at any age can have a wonderful time paying the London Eye a visit, and spending a few minutes of their lives soaring above the clouds and looking out on the magnificent London skyline.
Simple Guide for Airport Transportation in London
Europe’s capital, London is located at the centre of the continent and serves as a hub for European, US and many other flights connecting to the rest of the world. A large number of flights start off and land at London airports. At all London airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City airport, there is huge amount of passenger traffic.
London is one amongst the world destinations that serves as a major hub connecting different global destinations. To meet the traffic and requirements, flights operate at five airports.
Travelling between the airports and transfers to and from airports and other destinations is very convenient in London. London has good airport transportation services. You have plenty of options including coaches, buses, black cabs, private hire vehicles and the tube also. You have the flexibility to travel anywhere in, and across the city. You can travel in trains and buses.
When you land at any London airport, the options to pick your mode of transport on the spot can be daunting. You may find difficulty in locating the best form of transport out of the airport. Black cabs and buses could be used instantly, provided there is availability for you and your luggage. You will have to queue. This is not a very good idea if you are travelling with kids or the elderly and have a lot of luggage.
The best option for your airport transfer would be a private hire vehicle. When you land, the driver waits for you at the arrivals or the information desk with a sign board bearing your name. He helps you with your luggage and escorts you to the taxi. Drivers who work for private transport companies are licensed by the Public Carriage Office as are their cars.
In addition, you get a vehicle that fits all your baggage and has seats for children and infants, all at your convenience. Pre-book your transfer if you need any diversions along the way. If you are new to London, the drivers tend to be quite knowledgeable about London and do give information during your transfer travel in the taxi, just ask.
The main plus of pre-booking a transfer in advance is that it is convenient. You can feel safe in the knowledge that you have organized your transport in advance.
All said above sounds good, right?
You should always do your research. There are a lot of companies offering private taxi services. Make sure you choose the right one. Look at how long they have been operating, look at their customer feedback, do they offer 24 hours telephone support? Just do some basic checks. Book with the right company and enjoy your taxi transfer and have a relaxed and hassle free journey.
Guide to London’s Airports
Heathrow Airport
Heathrow is London’s largest and busiest airport and is also the world’s busiest for international passengers. It had five terminals and is home to 90 airlines flying to over 170 destinations worldwide. It is located in the Borough of Hillingdon which is located 22km west of Central London.
The cheapest way into Central London from Heathrow is to take the London Underground. This trip takes about 50 minutes depending on your final destination and costs £4.00 one-way. If you are travelling during rush hour be prepared to have to fight your way on and off the busy trains.
A faster and more relaxed option is the Heathrow Express which takes about 15 minutes to get to Paddington Station. This option is far more expensive though at £16.50 one-way.
Gatwick Airport
Gatwick is London’s second-largest airport and is located 45km south of the city center. It is a major hub for charter airlines such as Thomas Cook, Thomson Airways and Monarch and discount airlines like easyJet and Ryanair. Gatwick Airport is accessible by both bus and train.
Buses operated by National Express and easyBus run between the airport and Victoria Coach Station several times per hour. The cheapest fare (as low as £2 one-way) is on easyBus you need to book well in advance. The journey takes anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
Trains also run regularly to Victoria Station. The Gatwick Express is the most expensive option at £16.90 one-way but it will get you into town without stopping in 30 minutes. First Capital and Southern also run trains make stops along the route but still only take about 45 minutes and they are a cheaper option.
Stansted Airport
It is located 48km northeast of the city center and there are bus and train connections from Stansted Airport to London. Standsted Bus, Terravision and easyBus all send vehicles into Victoria Station with stops long the way at Marble Arch and sometimes Golders Green and Baker Street as well.
Stansted Express trains operate between the airport and Liverpool Street but are more expensive. Stansted is truly a budget airline hub with easyJet and Ryanair dominating the runways with the occasional flight from such masters of the air as Air Moldova or Air Berlin. Despite the limited number of airlines though, Stansted is London’s third busiest airport.
Luton Airport
Luton Airport is located 56km north of London in Bedforshire and it is a small, one-runway airport used mostly by budget carriers flying to destinations around Europe. Because the airport is so far from Central London, getting to Luton Airport takes a bit of time and planning.
It is connected to Victoria Station by two companies offering 24 hour bus services: Green Line and easyBus. Buses stop at Brent Cross, Finchley Road, Baker Street, and Marble Arch on their way to Victoria Station. First capital operates a train from the airport with stops at King’s Cross, Farringdon, Blackfriars and London Bridge.
London City Airport
London City Airport is London’s smallest and the main users tend to be business travelers as it is located so close to Central London. It is located in the Borough of Newham, 11km southeast of the city center and near to Canary Wharf, London’s financial district.
London City Airport only has one runway and can only accommodate planes able to do short take-offs and landings. The airport is connected to Central London by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). This rail line transports passengers to several destinations in East London and also allows them to connect with the London Underground to reach multiple destinations in the city.
9 Great Facts About London Stansted Airport
London Stansted Airport has tended to be a major hub for low-cost airlines from across Europe. It is Ryanair’s largest base with over 100 routes served by the airline from London Stansted Airport.
The airport was first used in the Second World War as RAF Stansted Mountfitchet by the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force as a major maintenance centre and a bomber airfield.
The airport began commercial operations in 1966 and was given to BAA to control, and Stansted was mainly used for holiday charter airlines who could make the most of cheaper costs as opposed to using Gatwick and Heathrow.
It is London’s third largest airport, after Heathrow and Gatwick after the British government in 1984 approved a plan to develop the airport in two phases to ease pressure from Heathrow and Gatwick. The plan was for an airport that could handle up to 15 million passengers a year with a new terminal building that would be built in 1991.
The main terminal building that was built, is an oblong glass building designed by the world renown architects, Foster & Partners. The design of airport provides an unobstructed flow for passengers to arrive at the short-stay car park and move into the check in hall, through security and to the departure gates which are all on the same level in the airport.
It has one passenger terminal and three passenger satellites where the departure gates are located. One of the departure gates is connected to the main terminal by an air-bridge and the other two are connected by the Stansted Airport transit System people mover.
The airport is connected to London by trains from Stansted Airport railway station which run hourly to London Liverpool Street station, and regular coach services to Stratford, Golders Green and London Victoria. It is also located close to the M11 motorway which connects London to Cambridge and is about 30 minutes drive from London, to give quick links into the capital.
London Stansted Airport only has one runway which serves the airport. There have been plans for a second runway but these have been postponed because of protests from residents of nearby villages.
London Stansted’s air traffic control tower is one of the tallest air traffic control towers in Britain and is located at the north east end of the airfield. It is so tall because it needs to be able to view satellite 3 clearly as that is where most of Stansted’s aircraft movements occur.
