Trip to London

The tube is very easy, as long as you look at a tube map first and know your north from south, east from west, etc.

OTOH sitting on top of a big red bus is slower, but enjoyable if you’re not in a mad hurry.

If you want to know how to get from A to B by bus or tube, do have a look at the very good TFL* website’s Journey Planner that will spell it out for you.
*Transport For London

I have no idea what apps are available but this live London bus map is fun. You just choose your route at the bottom. The buses are blue and red and the stops are yellow. You can zoom in and out.
traintimes.org.uk/map/london-buses/#211

My daughter and granddaughter, now 19, are there today. British Museum - pre booked - Covent Garden and Borough Market are on their list.

I see the "Young V&A" hasInside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friendsover in Bethnal Green.
My stomping ground, so if anyone chooses that way, Vicky (Victoria) Park is nice, especially the Pavillion Café for a bite.

There's a Schiaparelli exhibition on at the moment. I'd love to see that and think a 13 year old would probably do too.

I see the "Young V&A" has Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends over in Bethnal Green

A 13-year-old will have no trouble finding her way about the tube system. But you don't get to see many sights if you are underground.

I am interested in this thread as my son is taking his niece and nephew in the summer. (Aged 37, 11 and 12)

Is there an Oyster card that the children can get?
Do you have to use a debit card? Would a debit card from a foreign bank work? Can you use a credit card?
I can never remember if you have to tap when you get off a bus.

Thanks for the tips about booking the museums on line. Will tell him about that.

I found the comment that a black cab is not a taxi most odd. Taxi is short for taxicab, surely. They were the original taxis.

My great-grandfather ran a Hackney cab business back when they were horse drawn. We have a photo of him and my grandfather sitting on the carriage, driving two horses

Another vote for the V&A

Faringdon59
Was it your granddaughters wish to spend all day in museums?

Personally I'd walk as much as possible. You will see more, and can always stop off if somehere interesting catches her eye.
It's about half an hour's stroll through Hyde Park to the Museums, and there's a small coffee house en route if you need a quick caffeine fix.
If not, you could catch a bus for a different experience.
I've taken school parties to the Museums on many occasions, I would say that after two hours they reach saturation point and switch off, and that two in one day might be a tall order. I like the suggestion here of the Tower of London.
Or the London Eye/Covent Garden day out is nice.
Have fun!

Paddington to natural history museum is really easy on the tube, take circle or district line to South Kensington and it's a 5 minute walk to the museum using an underground walkway. Using the tube is part of the experience and tbh it's all pretty straightforward. I'd walk to the science museum from the NHM. It's a lot to do in a day though.

Using public transport is easy in London as you just tap in and out with your debit card. Your GD would need her own card though she could just get a day travel card from a machine. Travelling in a black cab is lovely but slow and expensive! Another thought- if she likes history she may enjoy the Tower of London its a nice walk across to the South Bank.

I don't think it's buying tickets that is putting the OP off using the Tube. It's more likely finding her way around and navigating the different Tube lines.

Even though the museums are free you do have to book online a slot to get into the NHM and the Science museum especially in the holidays. The SM have an exhibition called Power Up and one called Wonderlab which you have to book in advance and pay for but are worth it. I think a couple of museums , good though they are, which will be crowded with kids might be a bit disappointing for a teenager. Ive got 4 teenage GDs and I live in London so quite often take them out and about. Shopping and street entertainers in Covent Garden are good and they love the Sushi restaurant there. The South Bank and the London Eye are touristy but she maybe enjoy that, also the weather should be good so a boat trip to Battersea power station and have a look round the posh shops there is fun. Also theres Sloane Square and the Kings Road for shopping and cafes. You could book the Sky Garden which is free, and get great views and a lovely cafe. So much to choose from!

Yeah. Museums sound like school...boring.....

I think it qould be a pretty boring say for a 13 year old to do 2 museums.....why not ask her what she wants to do....my eldest GD is 11 and she wants to do all the Instagram stuff that she sees ...eg this time she wants to try certain macarons at Borough Market.....wanted a humble crumble last time ....so we always incorporate stuff like that

But I think her gd will have to pay full fare ?
I think teens need a special pass to get reduced fares. So may not be practical for a day trip?
I don't know the details. But u less you are disabled don't waste money on taxis. Walk or get the bus. You can tap in if you have a red rose bus pass.
And maybe use debit card for gd. Or she use her own preloaded card if she has one. Many teens do. They hardly use cash.
Sounds a bit heavy boring doing 2 museums unless she's mad keen on them.
Why not get out and about a bit. A river trip. Or the Borough Market. Or wander around Carnaby Street or Covent Garden or Soho.
Whatever you do have fun. Avoid tourist traps re food and drink.
And dont have your phone out on the street.

What a lovely thing to do with your dgd.
I was born , grew up and worked in London , so I know it well . I’d recommend downloading the tfl app. It will give routes for buses , tubes , trams as well as rail . Then you just tap in and out using your debit card . Take a cross body bag and be super careful of pickpockets.

We used the tube last year…..tap your debit card at the start station and again at the exit station, only charged for that journey. So simple.

Magenta8

The Victoria and Albert Museum, which is next door to the NHM is worth a visit if you have time.

I bring a picnic to eat in the garden in front of the NHM, weather permitting.

Whatever you do, I hope you have a lovely time.

A lovely cafe in the V and A .

Even though I am based in the North of the Country I use my free bus pass when I'm London. I just show it to the driver and have never had to pay.

I live in London and black cabs are horrendously expensive. Fortunately I know my way around the tube system having lived and worked here for so long.

I call a black cab that or a taxi and the other I call a minicab.

I hope you have a super day. If you have lunch, don't dine on the main thoroughfare. I nip down a side street where it will probably be cheaper, and I think the food better. Enjoy yourselves,

If it's buying tickets that put you off using the Underground, you no longer need to buy a paper ticket, you just tap in and out with your debit card. (The debit card needs to have the WiFi icon). It's so easy.

Enjoy your big day out.

When I took my granddaughter, she was nearly 10, we used the bus - upstairs of course - and visited Hamleys.

Try the bus,you can see more from a bus than a cab. Easy to pay,just tap with your debit card.Much,much cheaper.
Enjoy your day,I wish you pleasant weather.

I just googled "what to do day trip to london" and it came up with heaps of suggestions and tips. Too many to post here. Give it a go - and have a good day!