Jan 30, 2014

Top Tips for Visiting the London on a Budget

Justin Jones / -SP, Budget, England, Europe Travel, Travel Abroad / 0 Comments

Anyone who has been to, or read about London will know that it’s a fantastic city to explore, no matter how old you are, or what interests you. However, you will also be aware of the associated costs that can come with a weekend in London – it’s not always cheap, that’s for sure! While for those that live there, the London wages can certainly help when it comes to affording to do things in the capital, for visitors it can be a different story entirely.

If you travel without planning ahead, the cost of visiting the capital can soon add up. Whether its food and drink, travel components or the cost of entry to the various attractions, it can easily get out of hand. However, if you stick to a budget and pay attention to these tips we’ve put together, you can enjoy all that the city holds without worrying about the effect the weekend will have on your bank account balance.

Pick Your Hotel / Hostel Wisely

While it may be tempting to book a hotel room at one of the central hotels, the high flyers can cost a fortune, especially if you look at the boutique offerings. While this may seem tempting, if you chose to stay at a budget hotel, you will be able to benefit from comfort and relaxation without the associated price tag. What’s more, stay a little further afield, such as at Travelodge hotel in Clapham, Battersea or Fulham, and you can save yourself even more cash.

Don’t Forget About Travel Expenses Around the City

If you are staying in London and plan to see the sights, you’re going to need a ticket for the Underground. Taxis can cost an absolute fortune so should be best avoided unless absolutely necessary, and while buses are a great alternative to the tube, they’re not always as quick due to the traffic. Pick up a Travelcard to ride the tube and the buses, or top up an Oyster card (pre-paid tube card)  if you think you’ll use it – they can be much better value. This is particularly important to consider if you are staying outside of the city center.

Take Advantage of Online Deals

You can often find some fabulous deals online so that you can visit the local attractions without spending through the nose at the door. Snap up any online deals that you can, and take advantage of discounts where applicable. Alternatively, look into the London Pass, particularly if your journey is all about the sight-seeing, because you can save substantially.

Stick to the Free Attractions

Most of the museums and galleries in the city are completely free, so add them to the list of things to do on a budget. While special exhibitions usually cost extra, the main collections are often more than enough to engross you for a few hours. Also remember that, despite it being a bustling city, London has an enormous amount of parks that you can enjoy for free, too. On a dry day, that is.

Set yourself a budget and stick to it when you take a trip to London – if you do that, and book what you can in advance, your wallet won’t hate you for it!