There is no use denying the fact that London is the most expensive city in the world. However, you can certainly enjoy its rich culture and history without much expense if you plan your trip right. This guide answers your questions about how to cabin with the capital of the UK under a tight budget.
Smart Stays and Cheap Eats
Finding affordable accommodation is often the first step in a budget trip to London. Consider areas like Hackney, Peckham, or Camden instead of the London city centre itself. These areas are very local and come with some good hotels or hostels at cheaper rates. Websites like Airbnb and Hostelworld are good sites for finding affordable lodging.
Instead of feeding fresh tourists near their major attractions, find old-fashioned pubs where you can pay comparatively less for your meals. Alternatively, try visiting one of London’s many food markets, like Borough Market, Camden Market, or others, where a wide variety of cheap and delicious eats can be found. For a quick and cheap lunch, head to Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and M&S supermarkets for outstanding “meal deals“.
Getting Around for Less
London’s transport system is best used by a contactless credit/debit card or an oyster card. The daily price cap guarantees that no matter how much you travel in a single day, your transit use will not be charged for more than a certain limit. Definitely avoid buying expensive single-journey paper tickets. The Tube is fast; however, walking is free and really gives a very nice taste of the city. In fact, for long distances, London’s red buses are cheaper than the subterranean ones and offer a good way to sightsee.
Free Attractions and Entertainment
Free activities abound in London. Almost all world-class museums and art galleries, including the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the National Gallery, let you walk through their halls without having to pay an entrance fee. Moreover, one can spend hours in London’s splendid parks, such as Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, without shedding a single penny. Yet another free, if not the best free option, is watching the guards change at Buckingham Palace.
Last-minute deals for cheap West End theater tickets can be obtained by visiting the TKTS booth at Leicester Square on the performance date. Additionally, several theatres sell inexpensive day seats or lottery tickets, so checking the theatres’ websites directly is worthwhile.
Airport Transfers and Hidden Tips
Railways from the various London airports to the centre of town need not cost an arm and a leg; they often are the cheapest means by which the National Express and easyBus coach services transfer from Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton airports. However, in the case of Heathrow, the cheapest travel method into the city is the Tube’s Piccadilly Line.
Another tip is thus to benefit from one of the many companies that provide free walking tours on a pay-what-you-feel basis, perfectly compelling to give you all the information on key points of interest in London without a set price. Tipping is appreciated but optional. One of the best ways to overview the city from a local’s perspective. Apps like Too Good To Go also come handy since they let users buy at extremely discounted rates unsold food from restaurants and bakeries at the end of the day.