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Is London worth it? How to Visit on a Budget
Is London worth it? How to Visit on a Budget
London Budget Guide: What to Expect and How to Save Money
Welcome to London: the epicentre of English culture, theatre, music, finance, and art. It’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world. But if you know what to expect, and are armed with a few tips on how to save money, then you can explore London on a budget.
A Breakdown of Average Travel Costs in London
How Much Do Things Cost in London
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Eating Out | £7 for breakfast £10 for lunch £30 for dinner and a drink at a mid-range restaurant |
| London Underground | Off-peak £2.80 | Peak £3.40 per journey |
| Taxi | From £1.90 per km |
| Bus | £1.75 |
| Cup of Coffee | £3 |
| Beer | £5.90 |
| Local Wine | £4.90 for 175ml |
| Accommodation | £130 for a double room in a 3* or 4* hotel |
| Attractions | Most museums and galleries: £0 Tower of London: £30 London Eye: From £31 St Paul’s Cathedral: £20.50 Westminster Abbey: £27 |
Where to Stay in London on a Budget
London might be home to some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, such as the Corinthia and the Savoy, but the city also does budget-friendly hotels very well. Here’s where to stay in London on a budget:
Budget chain hotels: In any city you visit, there will be a handful of reliable budget chain hotels to stay in. You can expect basic but useful amenities: a comfortable bed, a TV in the room, tea and coffee-making facilities, a desk area, and toiletries. Most of the time, budget chain hotel rooms will also have ironing facilities and a hair dryer. There’s little room for disappointment in hotels like the Ibis London Blackfriars, Travelodge London Central Southwark, and Premier Inn Westminster Abbey – you know what you’re getting.
Z Hotels: The Z brand offers something different to travellers. The rooms are small, the prices are low, but the quality is high – it’s compact luxury for great value for money. Z properties across London include Soho, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, and Covent Garden.
Boutique hotels: With beautiful townhouses aplenty, London has a good selection of boutique hotels. Boutique hotels tend to have less than 100 rooms and offer a personalised service. While they might not be as budget-friendly as chain hotels, you can find good deals if you know where to look. Hotels like the Langham Court Hotel, the Wellington Hotel, and the Ruby Lucy Hotel offer rooms for under £120 per night.
The Best Options for Finding Affordable Accommodation in London
London is often described as a collection of towns and cities. Every borough and neighbourhood offers something different, from leafy Richmond to ever-cool Dalston. While Central London (Kensington, Soho, Covent Garden, Mayfair, etc.) is the most popular place to stay, it’s also the priceiest. Make the most of London’s abundance – explore a new pocket of the city while saving some cash.
Whitechapel: This cool corner of East London is a great choice for independent, budget-friendly hotels while having good transport links.
Greenwich: With a beautiful riverbank and lush parks, Greenwich is ideal for those who like to stay out of the hustle and bustle. This family-friendly neighbourhood has fantastic affordable accommodations.
Islington: Find some of the city’s most affordable accommodation in Islington, amongst the leafy streets, international restaurants, and buzzy high streets.
What to Expect from Staying in London and How to Book a Cheap Room
Gone are the days of shabby budget-friendly hotels. You can expect modern, clean rooms and excellent amenities when staying in London. Amenities will typically include toiletries, ironing facilities, on-site restaurants, a desk, and a TV. Most hotels will also offer breakfast, although it will usually incur an extra charge.
Luxurious hotels will have a wider range of amenities and facilities, but if you’re searching for comfort and convenience, you can find it on a budget. Here’s how to book a cheap room:
- Book in advance: Book at least 60 days in advance to access the best London hotel deals.
- Stay on a Sunday: The cheapest night to stay in London is on a Sunday, while the most expensive is a Friday.
- Be flexible with your dates: Tourism is seasonal in London, with the slowest months being January to March.
How to Get Around London Easily and Cheaply
The most convenient way to get around London is undoubtedly the London Underground, or the Tube. It’s affordable and easy to navigate. However, those quick journeys can add up. Here are some tips to get around London for cheap:
- Walk where you can: Not all journeys need to be on the Tube, and London is a lovely city to explore on foot. The main shopping areas in London’s West End (Bond Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby, etc.) are all easily accessible to one another on foot.
- Pay with your contactless card: Visitors have to pay for the physical Oyster Card, and the rates are the same as your usual contactless card.
- Avoid travelling outside of Zone 1 during rush hour: Monday to Friday, travelling through Zones 2, 3, and 4 will incur a peak price from 6.30am to 9.30am and 4pm and 7pm.
- The cheapest way to get around London is by bus: although the journeys take longer.
- Hop on a sharing bike scheme (Forest, Santander, etc.): for a cheap and scenic journey.
London is just an hour away from the beautiful coast, where you’ll find dramatic cliff walks, quaint beach towns, and historical castles. Go on an adventure with an affordable hire car. You can start your journey from various pick-up points, including London Heathrow Airport, London Euston Station, London Gatwick Airport, and London Victoria Station.
How to Eat Well in London Without Spending a Fortune
Save your drinks for the pub: Even in London’s most popular restaurants, a main won’t usually cost more than £15. However, drinks rack up the bill considerably. Don’t waste £6 on a lukewarm bottle of beer, save your pounds for a cosy London pub.
Avoid the popular markets: If you want a filling meal for good value, Borough Market is not the place to find it. While the food is delicious, it’s the same price as you’d pay for a sit-down meal on a non-paper plate. If you do want to try independent street food vendors, we recommend Seven Dials Market.
Be open to new cuisines: Some of the most affordable restaurants in London are international spots. You can find any cuisine in London, from Kurdish to West African. There are affordable international restaurants across the city, but there are certain enclaves where one cuisine rules all. Find budget-friendly Nigerian food in Peckham, affordable Vietnamese spots in Deptford, and relaxed Turkish restaurants in Harringay.
Our Top Picks for Free and Cheap Activities in London
London might be considered an expensive city, but this metropolis has so much to offer those on a budget.
London has its fair share of museums, and most of them are free. Here are our top picks:
The National Gallery: The National Gallery is one of Europe's most prestigious art museums. It houses a huge collection of over 2,300 paintings, with artwork from the 13th century to 1900. Entry is free.
Wallace Collection: Visit this impressive museum for a collection of opulence and grandeur. You can admire the beautiful paintings in the permanent collection for free, and pay a small fee for the seasonal exhibitions. Top tip: Hop on a bike outside Green Park, cycle past Buckingham Palace towards Hyde Park, loop around Kensington Gardens, and then finish at the Wallace Collection.
Here’s what to do in London for £5 or less:
Catch a flick: If you vowed to see London like a local this trip, head to Whitechapel’s Genesis Cinema. On a Thursday, this cosy, no-frills East End cinema sells cinema tickets (to any film, blockbuster or not) for £3.
Soar above the Thames: Ride the UK’s first urban cable car across the Thames for just £5 (if you book in advance – it’s £6 at the door). Hop on at Greenwich Peninsula and disembark at Royal Victoria Docks.
Make a splash: Take a dip in the Hampstead Heath ponds. There are mixed, female, and male ponds. The waters are full of serious swimmers who come here every week, even during the brittle winter months. But in the summer, everyone’s taking a dip, whether that’s a doggy paddle or backstroking like a pro. You can get access for the whole day for £4.25.
How to Enjoy the Nightlife and Culture in London on a Budget
Go along to a free (or cheap) comedy night: Top Secret Comedy Club and Angel Comedy are great options.
Make use of happy hours: The Drunken Oyster, Burlock, and the Social do wallet-friendly happy hours, even on weekends.
Catch a show: Tickets for West End shows don’t come cheap, but you can secure affordable last-minute tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. They release tickets on the day of the performance but bear in mind your group might not be sat together.
Watch a band: There are tonnes of grassroots venues across London to watch up-and-coming bands. The 100 Club on Oxford Street, the Waiting Room in Stoke Newington, and Oslo in Hackney are excellent options.
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Tourist Board Info For London
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