LONDON — In this city, some things are best done in advance.
Obviously, hotel and airline reservations are always necessary. But what about train tickets and rides on the London Eye? What about Buckingham Palace? In London, it’s possible to book almost anything ahead of time. But is it worth it? I wanted to find out.
(For this story, I’ve changed British pounds into U.S. dollar equivalents.)
Heathrow Express
What: Fast train (15 minutes) between Heathrow Airport and London’s Paddington Station.
Buy when you get there: Buy ticket from an airport kiosk ($25) or on the train ($25 plus $7.50 surcharge).
In advance: One day before my trip to England, I bought a one-way ticket with a credit card at . Cost was $25, same price as the kiosk. I printed the ticket at home, a single sheet of paper with a UPC code on it.
Result: At Heathrow, I bypassed long lines at ticket kiosks and hopped aboard the train. The conductor accepted my home-printed ticket without a problem.
Worth it? Yes. And if your flight or trip is delayed, a ticket bought online is good for six months.
Train to Scotland
What: Long-distance train from London’s Kings Cross Station to Edinburgh, Scotland, on the East Coast Line.
Buy when you get there: You can buy train tickets when you get to London. However, since UK rail was privatized, each company has its own trains, schedules and prices — and like airlines, cheap advance tickets.
In advance: Four weeks ahead, I ordered a one-way ticket ($57) to Edinburgh through . I received an immediate e-mail voucher with a code on it. The code would let me print my ticket at King’s Cross Station.
Result: I’d heard that U.S. credit cards did not always work at train kiosks in the UK, so I stopped by Kings Cross a day early to make sure. No problem — tickets printed. If they don’t, don’t panic. A human at the ticket counter can also give you the tickets.
At the station, I also checked how much the ticket would have cost if I had waited and bought it that day. It was $209.
Worth it? Definitely. I saved $152.
The London Eye
What: London’s top tourist attraction, a giant revolving wheel with fantastic views.
Buy when you get there: At the ticket office next to the ride ($28 standard or $43 fast track ticket with a shorter line).
In advance: The last time I was in London I booked a fast-track ticket one day ahead at — and it helped me avoid a long line. This time I booked a fast-track ticket through ($34) two months ahead and got a voucher.
Result: The voucher required me to call the London Eye ticket office 48 hours ahead (in my case, that meant long distance from the U.S.) to reserve an exact ticket time. And when I arrived, only six people were in line — no need for fast-tracking, and no wait.
Worth it? No. But it might be worth it in midsummer when crowds are heavier.
Buckingham Palace
What: The royal residence is open for tours only in August and September.
Buy when you get there: At the Buckingham Palace ticket office, but you risk its being sold out.
In advance: Buy from ($26) — they’ll mail you tickets if it’s at least two weeks ahead or hold them for pickup. I booked a combo Buckingham Palace/high tea ticket through ($53).
Result: The voucher required me to show up at the Grosvenor Hotel near the palace at 1:30 p.m. on tour day. From there, a guide walked our small group of four to the palace group entrance for a 2 p.m. admission. In 5 minutes we were through the gates and on the tour. Later, the tea back at the hotel was classic.
Worth it? Yes, mainly because we had access to the faster group entrance, and the tea was a nice perk.
