Travel Checklist- London!!!

Let me do another quick check list for a tropical gal hitting London in late November. This will be different from my warm and humid travel to Bangkok checklist.

This will be a long long trip, and I plan to shop for most of my winter clothings there. Have done my homework and here it goes!

Travel check list for London- what every woman should prepare/bring to London on a chilly November/December.
Added some new entries in BLUE: after try the trip (Jan 06).
Updated Oct 2007

The usual stuff and other things for the unpredictable weather:

1. Credit card- remember to ask for an increase in credit limit a few days before travelling. All your SGD, RM and Baths will melt into ounces when changed into pounds! [UOB was the most generous, and straight forward in it.] If possible, bring a credit card which has a chip and pin function. Those with magnetic strips should work, but at times, you will face sales staff who don't give a damn about trying to make them work.
   
2. Cash and ATM Card : How much? Depends on how much you want to shop and whether you are staying in some B&Bs or hostels that do not accept credit cards. Some establishments charge extra for credit cards. I think the ATM cards are a good option, at a fee of only around SGD5 per withdrawal. My only grouse is banks like DBS only allow up to S$2000 per day, and if you depend on it for something major like hotel bills; you are in trouble. And change your money to pound sterling before you leave. Not only will your cash be less "thick", the rates in UK are generally very bad.
   
3. Umbrella? Forget it... if it rains, your umbrella will not help much. My friend's theory is you need a British brolly to take the British rain. I am advised to bring a raincoat or a very good water resistant coat or Parkas. Rain? it never actually "rained"; not in the sense we actually understand what "rain is". It is the persistent, intermittent, whole day long, light showers . Most of the time, all I needed was a scarf over my head. A water proof jacket will be really useful. Wind could be strong though.
4. Disposable panties! Panty liners! Double protection to keep my long johns clean :P If you run out of it, go to Marks and Spencer and get "real" panties (5 in a pack for £4) good quality, and a good excuse to shop. Don't bother shopping for disposables here. They are almost always as expensive as the real thing.
   
5. Good comfortable pair of walking shoes or nice BOOTs. Non-slippery types. Not to forget SOCKS. Will buy SHOES there, since the shoes there are usually very comfy and perfect for Miss Big Foot. [P/S: I found out that the cheapish and a little ugly looking blue socks provided by BA or Qantas in their toiletry kits is the BEST in keeping warm, so dun throw those away. They are thin- dry quickly, light, but keep your feet warm better than most socks.]
6. Wet tissues ....esp if room is not ensuite. I just read that it is scientifically possible, although rare to get sexually transmitted diseases through the sharing of toilet seats. Otherwise, get those baby wipes from one of the supermarkets. Those supermarket brands are significantly cheaper than the branded ones.
   
7. Lip balm & super moisturising moisturiser. If you are not fussy about brands,you can always buy them in Boots, and travel lighter!
8. Your phone charger/extra battery
9. The key to stay warm is layering, esp when the weather fluctuates so much. Checked and confirmed that brands like Topshop is much cheaper here. Bringing along two FTY long johns (skin tight, warm enough), body hugging T-shirts, my turtle neck sweater and a warm jacket. Gonna take along my nylon stockings too. (need 2 layers under jeans if it is windy) Dun look down on these flimsy things. It keeps you warm!The multipurpose warm shawl(the best thing I brought, other than my jacket) as well.
10. 3 in 1 Milo!! Gonna make my own warm drink before I hit the bed. Unfortunately most hotels there still provide only coffee and tea. (no need to bring if you have time to hit some supermarkets) Food is generally cheaper in the UK! If you budget some time to visit a supermarket, then you can pack significantly less things!
    

This is something that can't be taken along but must be done. FLU JAB!! To be taken a few weeks before hitting London.

Bring along also a multimap printout of your hotel, or the area that you would like to stay in. (www.multimap.co.uk) You can print out the list of nearby supermarkets, restaurants, laundrettes within a certain distance from your hotel. etc I found this really useful. Look out for supermarkets or convenience stores. The common ones are Tesco, Sainsbury and M& S. Tesco is usually the cheapest of the lot. Some are smaller in size and meant to be 7-11 equivalents. Eg. Tesco Express is the smaller one, and things are more expensive than those in a Tesco Metro. Head for teh bigger supermarkets if there is one nearby. Not only you get more choice, things are cheaper!

check out my post about money saving tips when visiting Oxford.