Going to be in London march 24-April 2nd HELP ALL ALONE!

I'm sure you know this already, but London is incredibly expensive. The area you are staying in is perfect for a budget traveler as just on Queensway there are plenty of cafes and there is a mall (Whitely's) further down where you can catch up on some fab architecture whilst eating dim sum or partake in the other restaurants. Best possible thing to do is buy all your groceries and cook at the hostel. There is a Tesco express on Queensway.

And buying your own groceries is a great way to meet people as you can offer up extras at the hostel. I backpacked around Europe not too long ago by myself for just over three months and spent a week and a half in London. I was alone for about 6 hours. Made friends at the hostel almost immediately and although I spent most of my time alone anyway - so many free museums to get lost in - I don't recall having a meal time to myself.

I agree with everyone below you talks about getting a travel card for the length of time you will be staying here. You can get it at any station. The people at the windows are really nice and are used to (what we may think are) stupid questions. If you are feeling adventurous DO take the buses. It is the best way to see the city. Take a look at www.tfl.gov.uk you can get heaps of info on the city. My parents will recommend that you get the Visitor travelcard. Go to the TFL site, click on Tickets&Oyster and go from there. It is the same as one you would buy here, you just don't have to queue and it gets rid of all confusion as it is shipped to your house before you leave. Voila!

My key piece of advice is never buy a travelcard before 9:30am as it is extortionately expensive. After 9:30am they are 5.20 for a 1-4 travelcard which is all you will every need. Travelcards are valid on buses so if you go over zone 4 (ie, to Hampton Court or something similar) you can just hop on a bus instead.

Are you flying into Heathrow? If so, you'll need a ticket valid for zone 6.

Drop me a private message if you need any more information. You'll be aces as long as you carry an umbrella!

Definitely come! I actually prefer to travel alone (or at least I did 'til I got married - dh and I travel pretty well together) and the first time I came to London I came on my own. It's a fab. city - SO much to see. I'm pretty much always vaguely lost and I work there! LOL. The tube is super easy to navigate and the buses actually are as well! Like onetiger said - remind us all before you arrive and we'll get together for drinks!

A site which lots of travellers use to meet people is www.gumtree.com  You can post now and say when you are coming over and get chatting to people now and arrange to meet.  Most are Australian/South African/New Zealanders, and in exactly the same position as you.

Victoria

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My friend and i were coming to London for a holiday, she backed out at the last minute, but i came over anyway, on my own.   To be honest, it was BETTER for me this way, because she was wanting to do all sorts of stuff that i wasnt interested in, so this way i could do what i wanted without having to worry about pleasing anyone else.

I went to London with a friend, a good friend at the time.  I really regret taking her with me, really, I'd rather come alone.  Not only she wanted to do different things, but she also turned out to be a completely immature about some things.  Needless to say, the trip ended our friendship.  It was her first time outside of the US and she was really a child.  I really wish I went by myself.

. There is one...I think it was called St. Christophers Inn that even has a pub on the front of it! How long will you be in London? Where will you be staying?

Hehe, I lived in St. Christophers for over a week.  It's a nice hostel, yes, with a pub.  And really friendly people as well.

I didn't try to meet people... that wasnt my purpose in coming here. 
But one day i was in a pub, looking at a guide book and trying to decide where to go next, and a cute guy walked up to me and asked if i spoke English... i said yes, we chatted, and he asked me to join his table with his friends. 
I did... and several years later, i ended up marrying one of his friends!   

Wow, thanks for posting that.  I love your story dearly! I think it can cheer anybody up (to be honest, I am too sometimes worrying that once I move I won't meet anybody to hang out with.

I went to London with a friend, a good friend at the time.  I really regret taking her with me, really, I'd rather come alone.  Not only she wanted to do different things, but she also turned out to be a completely immature about some things.  Needless to say, the trip ended our friendship.  It was her first time outside of the US and she was really a child.  I really wish I went by myself.

I can relate to this!  The friend that cancelled out on coming to London with me, did so because she wanted to go on an organised sort of 'if its tuesday this must be belgium' sort of tour, and i didnt.   
So after she bailed on me, she organised her trip seperately, but our stays overlapped, and she had a 'free day' in London at the same time i was there.   So i contacted her and said lets go to the pub.
She wouldnt ... she was 'scared' . 
I said, right, how about a meal then... i found a good Indian not too far from her hotel... but she didnt even want to try it.   Okay, how about just going to a British restaurant then?  No... she only wanted McDonalds.
I told her there was no way in hell i was coming to London on holiday and eating in McDonalds.

We ended up sitting in her hotel room that night, watching TV, which she denounced as crap.   Anything i suggested, she didnt want to do.
I started getting hungry, so popped out to a wee shop (she didnt want to come with me) and got some crisps and Cokes.  I was all excited to show her all the different flavours of crisps they have here! 
She wouldnt eat them... she only liked Doritos.  (21 years ago, they did not have Doritos here, so i couldnt help her out with that.)
I was so exasperated with her, that i left by about 10pm.
Exciting Friday night on holiday in London!

Funnily enough, for years afterward, she used to always tell people what a brilliant time she and I had in London!   

I lived in London for 2 years waterloo is the center you can get anywhere from there the buses are cheap taxis are about £5.00 $10.00 from waterloo to Oxford street there are some very nice hotels but expensive you would be looking at around £50 to £150 a night Covent garden is wonderful there are some really nice food places china town, cinema's and the like and theaters.  You can walk to buckingham palace from there about 20 min walk depending on where you are.
In waterloo there is the London eye and the walk along the themes is really niceand some really nice shops just a small selection and expensive. There are also alot of tv studies there.

Hope you enjoy yourself have fun

Hey guys thanks for all the tips!!! I fell a lot better going by my self now. I finally bought my ticket so now it is official,,,,,,I AM GOING TO LONDON. I am so excited.
I can't wait! Hearing your stories has made me realize that maybe I will be better off on my own.  I think it will force me to be more open to meeting new people.

Amanda

Congrats!!! You will most likely have time TIME OF YOUR LIFE in London! Good luck!