London for Dummies (Paperback)

by Donald Olson (Author) "So, you're going to London..." (more)
Key Phrases: tube stop, noodle bar, last admission, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, South Kensington (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"…an information packed book…don't leave home without it…" (All Info About London, 23 September 2002)

Review
"…an information packed book…don't leave home without it…" (All Info About London, 23 September 2002)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (April 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764554166
• ISBN-13: 978-0764554162
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,418,958 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave home without it., October 24, 2002

By	Dennis Phillips "The Book Friar" (Bulls Gap, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

We just returned from our first trip to the U.K. and this book was a lifesaver. I bought London for Dummies several months before we left along with several other more well known guides but I ended up using this guide more than all of the others put together. The advice on customs and the VAT saved me enough money to pay for the book several times over and made my trip back through U.S. customs a breeze.

The information in this book is very well organized and easy to follow. Special tips are found all through the book and get you ready for a few things you might not expect. I found that, mostly because of this book, I was able to travel around London as if I had been there many times.

If you are about to go to London for the first time don't go without this book. Nothing can ruin a trip like getting to a new city and feeling completely lost and alone. I never had that problem and I give a lot of credit to this book for that. Study it before you leave and be ready. It is an easy and fun read and once you get to London you will be glad you took the time to be ready.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended not only to tourists but also to expats, December 1, 2000

By	Azlan Adnan (Kota Kinabalu) - See all my reviews

This review is from: London for Dummies (Paperback)

Although obviously written for an American audience, this easy-to-understand guide is all you need to make the most of an unforgettable trip to, or an extended stay in, London. As someone who has lived in London for a total of eight years, I would recommend this guide not only to tourists but also to foreigners who live in London, including students and businessmen.

This guide is divided into seven parts, each consisting of between three and six chapters. Parts I & II, Getting Started and Ironing Out the Details are really meant to be read before you arrive in London as they deal with the advance planning aspects of your trip; such as booking your flight and hotel, and obtaining your passport.

The other Parts deal with transportation (including how to use London buses and The Tube), accommodation, dining, entertainment, and shopping. My favourite in Chapter 17: More Cool Things to See and Do which will really make your stay in London unforgettable. London has many unique sights and cultural features that are not available elsewhere. While many Londoners take these for granted, foreigners simply do not know that such places exist and tend to go to the usual tourist spots. Chapter 17 will be a real eye-opener to the heart and soul of historical and cultural London. Much of the information in the other chapters may be obtained for free from a number of sources, either on the Internet or tourist brochures but Chapter 17 and Part VII are what really make this guide unique and invaluable.

The final Part, Part VII, consists of various interesting odds and ends that don't fit into the other chapters. Overall, the many maps, addresses and websites make this guide extremely handy indeed.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan, MA who has lived in lived for a total of eight years, initially as a student at Brunel University, the University of Westminster and the University of London. He has also worked in London as a research officer and university lecturer. Azlan is currently Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. He may be contacted at Tel: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't want anyone to see the title, but..., August 31, 2003

By	felicitaz "felicitaz" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: London for Dummies (Paperback)

...it was VERY helpful. I bought 7 books on travel to England, but the ones I took with me on the trip were London for Dummies and Middleditch's London Mapguide.

The reason: "Dummies" is stuffed with practical nuts-&-bolts information. Not just suggestions of palaces & pubs, but tips on etiquette, taxes, and emergencies, and phone numbers & addresses on nearly every page. Having never been abroad on my own before, I wanted a reference with me that contained all the essential how-to information I needed-- especially on one panic-stricken morning when my credit card wouldn't work! You can believe I was hugging "Dummies" when I found my company's service number in the appendix.

When traveling, you don't want to carry unnecessary weight. Dummies gives you more practical information per oz. than the other books I examined.