The UK’s capital has so much for tourists to see, do and explore but what if you’re on a tight budget? The great news is that there are plenty of ways to explore the city without spending a fortune so you can still plan a trip to London even if you’re watching the pennies. Here are our best travel tips and tricks to enjoying London on a budget.
London Attractions That Are Close Together
A great way to keep costs down is to plan your activities based on how close they are to each other geographically. Use popular train routes that will take you right into the heart of the capital. Once you’re in London, many of the tourist sights and attractions are within walking distance of each other. If you visit two or three attractions per day that are all in close proximity, not only will you minimise your travel time and save money on transport but you’ll probably enjoy yourself more too!
Seek Out the Free Stuff
There are lots of things to see and do in London that are completely free! From museums such as the Natural History Museum and the V&A to art galleries like the Tate Modern and the National Gallery.
There’s no charge to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony or for walking over the Abbey Road zebra crossing made famous by The Beatles. There are also many beautiful parks and stunning gardens to explore, like Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Hyde Park.
Use Public Transport With an ‘Oyster Card’
Although many tourist attractions are close-by to each other, to fully explore all the capital has to offer, you’re probably going to need to use transport at some point during your trip. Driving isn’t advisable unless you know the area well as the roads are busy and if you travel in peak times, you’ll be liable for a congestion charge.
Public transport is a cheaper alternative to taxis or cabs. You can also save yourself time and money by using an Oyster Card rather than cash when travelling on the London underground, buses and trains and this will also ensure that you always pay the correct fare for your journey.
Secure Discounts in Advance
The London Pass is a card (or smartphone app) that is prepaid and offers discounted or free entry into over 90 of the city’s main tourist attractions, such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Kensington Palace to name just a few.
If you’re planning to fit in as many activities as possible during your visit and you don’t want the hassle of booking and paying for everything separately, the London Pass is ideal. At some attractions, it also allows you to skip queues, making it perfect for tourists who are only visiting for a short stay or families with children who are likely to get bored waiting for their turn!
