Train/Tube/Taxi advice please

[tattie]

Hi all,
My son is heading down to Wimbeldon for the tennis around the end of June so I am looking for advice for him on how to get about when he gets there.
As far as I know he is planning the train from Inverness to kings Cross then he has to get to a premier inn over Wimbeldon way, he has been told that the closest tube station (5 mins from where he is staying) is Colliers Wood.
For someone from the Highlands where everybody speaks and generally helps one and other out,how easyis it to get about on the tube system or would he be better getting a Taxi from kings Cross to where he is staying. Money is not a major issue but I would not like to see him getting ripped off.
Also are there any train ticket websites that he should be looking at ?


Cheers

A.M.

[simo]

Hi , East coast trains is the web we use. When planning ahead we usually pay about £15 there and £20 back as its cheaper to book separate journeys even for the same day. Hope this might help.

[Furrybiker]

You say money isn't a problem, but the prices black cabs charge could make it one, also it is a standing joke in London that you cant get a cab to go south of the water!

The tube map is very easy to follow, but for the trip to Colliers Wood he needs, The Northern Line (Southbound) to Colliers Wood, it is a direct service with no changes, he needs a train with Morden on the front of it, otherwise he may stop short and get confused (Easily done!)

The only thing is to be sure to keep an eye on his belongings as some of the places the tube goes through are not very salubrious.............

When he isn't watching tennis the tube will get him into Central London quickly but once in he should use the buses otherwise you miss the sights, try the TFL (Transport for London) website for info, it is pretty good.

[BarryH]

I was born in Wimbledon, lived there for a good bit of my life. The Premier Inn in Colliers Wood is in fact 5 mins, or less, from the tube station. But its a shithole of an area....no honestly a real crap hole of an area. If he stays there then there are a number of buses that run from the colliers wood area upto the tennis. The 93 runs from south wimbeldon, 5 min walk from colliers wood, upto wimbledon parkside, again a 5 min walk from the Tennis.
Black cabs will run there while wimbledon is on, its a money spinner for them. I wouldn't get in a mini scab. 90% of them don't know their way around and half can't speak English. Plus they will rip you off at the drop of a hat.
There are smaller independant hotels and B&B's in Wimbledon itself. If he stayed there he could get the shuttle bus from wimbledon station upto the tennis. If he does use the buses then it would be best to buy a travel card which will cover both the tubes and the buses. Its about 5 quid for a 2 zone card going upto a tenner or so for a 6 zone card. That will cover all of london. Its not bad value as the buses charge a flat far of £2.20 a pop.
Wimbledon goes into overdrive whilst the tennis is on. Nearly everything goes up in price. Even the hookers!
In all the time I lived in the Wimbledon area I never went to the tennis. Over rated and over priced, but if thats your thing then go for it. The ques are manic.
Beware of the touts. They are rife, though in the last few years the local plod have tried to hit them hard. Don't let all that put him off. There are actually some nice areas around there. Some good eating places. If he's after totty then a trip to the Dog and Fox or the Hand in Hand up on the common will display a fair range. They're pretty easy to. I ended marrying one of them. She was a Nymphomaniac. Dunno what happened. The Nympho buggered off and I'm just left with the maniac!!

Closer to the time I'll let you have my mobile. If he needs owt whilst he's down here I'm 20 mins outside london on the southside. My ma still lives in wimbledon and I pop up there most days.