I have been trying some products like solid shampoo and solid lotion to cut down on extra water weight in my bag. However, it occurred to me that since I am going to Europe I should consider just buying some toiletries when I arrive and throwing them away before I leave. Although, not terribly green - it may be cheaper than buying expensive Lush products. Can anyone let me know if there is a Walgreen's or CVS equivalent in London? Can you find similar brand names in London as in the US? And any thoughts on taking your own vs. buying it there? Thanks!

Megan, Try Boots. They have stores all over the place. Monte

Boots the chemist is everywhere and sells all the brands as well as it's own, you'll also find them at all the airports.
There is a cheaper chain equivalent of Boots, akin to Shoppers Drug Mart in N.A. I forget the name of it but they sell all the brands too.
You can pick up brand toiletries at Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury etc supermarkets.

Where are you staying in London? I can tell you what shops will be near you.

Thanks Monte!

Paula - I believe we are staying near the Euston Tube Station. Thanks!

Megan, you have to think about how important it is for you to cut weight or to travel without liquids. This will dictate whether it is worth the hassle and price of buying stuff there.

How long are you staying? Only London or all over Europe? Will you be in hotels where you can use their products? This is obviously the lightest and cheapest solution. Will you be traveling by plane or train or car within Europe? How much are you willing to cut back on number of liquid products used and quantity of each product used, e.g. can you do with a simple moisturizer only or do yo need the hand, the foot, the eye and the night cream plus the sun screen? Also, are you alone or can you share the products with someone. Than it would make sense to buy a bigger bottle there and share.

Personally, I use and love the humangear GoToob. They are easily refillable, do not leak, are clean to squeeze out stuff, look good and come in good sizes and different colors. I use the 1.25oz size mostly. For bigger things the 2oz size will do. Measure 2oz of shampoo and moisturizer. This is what most women need the highest quantity of, in my experience. See how many uses you get out of 2oz and if that is enough for the trip.

See here: http://www.humangear.com/GoToob.html

Not having more specifics than what you provided, the above would be my advice.

If you decide to buy there because 2oz are not enough, note that bottle sizes in Europe tend to be smaller. That will work in your favor.

We've used Boots all over the UK. They're a little sleeker, brighter, and cleaner than a Walgreen's but have less to choose from - probably because of the high price of high street retail square footage over there.

Till - I will be staying for about 10 days starting in London -> Amsterdam -> Lucerne -> Paris on a Cosmos tour. Looking at the hotels, they are pretty budget so I can't count on toiletries there. I will fly to London and pretty much take a bus/coach the rest of the way and then fly home from Paris. I will be traveling solo (no friends or family) with the larger tour group so sharing isn't really an option. Looking at Monte & Paula's suggestion of Boots, I took a look at their website. It looks like I can pretty much get everything I use there. Plus, they also have the option of ordering online with in store delivery so I can just go pick it up at a store of my choice. I think that may be the best option as long as I can find a store close enough to my first hotel.

Thanks, Megan. That helps. In that case I would most likely buy locally, too. On your way back you might actually check the suitcase, so you can bring back the products and don't waste anything. Or look for max size containers if 2oz are not enough for ten days.

I mean you are really talking only about a maximum weight saving of about 1 pound tops, no? So unless you are trying to beat the ultralight record for reasons of being a good sportswoman, this won't be necessary on this trip.

I often do that. When I fly to a destination where I need my stuff I do not check the bag. But when I fly home, I try to take as many of the valuables out and check what is left. Obviously, this does include a two bag approach.

When you have the time, it can be nice to shop around for products abroad that fulfill your needs and that might not exist at home or which you might like even better than those at home. Of course, this creates new problems of how to get that product in the future...:)

Boy, oh, boy. Semantically that was about the worst post I ever wrote. Those paragraphs are really messed up. Sorry. I hope you understand what I mean anyway.

LOL - no problem Till, it makes perfect sense! Thanks for all the replies and advice! I really appreciate it.

Hi Megan,
If you are close to Euston Tube / Euston Railway Station, then your nearest Boots is on the main concourse of the Euston Railway station.
tel: 20 7388-3498
Mon-Fri - 7am to 10pm
Sat - 8am to 10pm
Sun - 9am to 7pm

If you are to the west of there, nearer to Tottenham Court Road, then this one is located at the corner of Tottenham Court Rd and Grafton Way, approx 1 block south of Euston Road.
tel: 20 7383-0226
Mon-Fri - 8am to 8pm
Sat - 9.30am to 6pm
Sun - 11am to 5pm

See the google map - gives you an idea what the store fronts look like......
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=120-122+Tottenham+Court+Rd&sll=51.523851,-0.137383&sspn=0.003024,0.010525&ie=UTF8&ll=51.523858,-0.137372&spn=0.005447,0.0421&z=15&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=51.523848,-0.137381&panoid=Rw0hZFV_d1VU1OTvxC8wAA&cbp=11,200.02,,0,2.98

This streetmap link shows the Euston area. Where the blue & orange bed is located, (where it says WC1 / Hunter St), is a holiday inn link, it's on top of Brunswick Square shopping centre, there is a Boots there too.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=529291&y=182773&z=120&sv=Euston+Station&st=3&tl=Map+of+Euston+Station,+Greater+London+[Station]&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf

Kings Cross Rail Station also has Boots.

As a former Cosmos Tour Director, let me pipe in. (Are you doing the European Sampler?)

While most of the hotels you'll be at are considered budget, they'll definitely have soap and more than likely shampoo and conditioner. (You may want to think twice about buying large sized shampoo and conditioner. You might want to google the hotels to see what they offer.)

When you get to your hotel in London, just ask the front desk where the closest Boots or similar chemist is located. As previously mentioned, the major supermarkets also carry these products.

If you're packing light, that's very commendable. You do realize, however, that bellman service is included as part of the tour. You don't have to lug your bag at any time during the tour.

Yes - you are correct Buzz - European Sampler! I did do some looking into the hotels but couldn't find much info on what toiletries they supply. I will dig a little deeper on that one.

And yes, I am aware that my bags will be carried for me most of the time. However, I am trying to avoid any checked bag fees and extra time at the luggage carousel and potentially lost luggage. Also, it's a personal challenge since I am typically the girl who needs an entire suitcase for her shoes! =) Finally, I feel it is just a courtesy to whoever ends up carrying my bag to make sure it's not too heavy and overstuffed (like I saw on my Globus tour to Italy in 2006!)

I would love to hear your opinion on Cosmos vs. Globus especially when it comes to hotel standards. Our Italy Globus tour was awesome but since I am travelling alone I need the extra cash for my single supplement on a Cosmos tour. Also, any recommendations on other Cosmos tours? I was thinking of the Britain, Wales & Ireland tour in 2011.

Thanks!

Good for you for packing light...i's the only way to travel. Bravo.

I haven't toured for a very long time so I can't comment on the other Cosmos tours. In general, Cosmos tours stay at a class of hotel one level below Globus and offer more optionals. Other than that, they are the same. Globus and Cosmos tour directors interchange between the two since it's the same company. You might also find that average age a little younger than Globus. (I don't know your age group so I can't really say much else on that.)

If you're under 38, you might want to check out Trafalgar Tours. They have a group of tours limited to ages 21-38. Excellent company. Their tours are similar to Globus/Cosmos

If you want to know more about your hotels, go over to tripadvisor.com and read the comments made by people who have stayed in them. (But be aware, your hotels might change and you won't know until the tour starts.)

Thanks everyone for the info. Still a lot to consider - good thing I have a few months to think abou it!

Hi Megan
Just to let you know that the Boots stores at the railway stations in the UK are more expensive than their normal stores - you may find the Tottenham Court Road store a little cheaper

Try Lush, they are are a british company with stores around London and make probably the best solid shampoos around.