Looking for the best tips for visiting London on a budget? If yes, in this London Budget Guide, a Native Londoner tells us all of her insider tips and tricks to have the best trip to London on a budget!
Shopping, Nightlife, Big Ben, Red Buses & Phone Boxes – For sure, London is famous for a number of things. But the one thing the big smoke certainly isn’t renowned for is being budget-friendly. I’ve lived in London most of my life, and I’ve experienced just how expensive the city can be. However, at the same time, I’ve discovered so many money-saving tips and tricks that have proved it’s also possible to enjoy London on a budget.
Of course, sacrifices will have to be made if you want to achieve a budget-friendly trip to London. Paying for all the major attractions, splurging on luxury hotels and fancy restaurants, or going out drinking every night will soon burn a deep hole in your pocket. But by making some cutbacks and following the advice in this blog, you’ll be surprised at just how affordable London can be.
In this London budget guide, I share all my insider knowledge to help you maximise your time in the city but minimise your spends. I include where to eat and sleep for cheap, the most affordable ways to get around, as well as all of my money-saving tips and tricks. So that by the time you leave; you’ll feel like you haven’t missed out on a thing.
Where to Stay in London on a Budget
When considering your daily London budget, your biggest expense is going to be your accommodation. You can expect a dorm bed in a hostel to set you back $25-40 per night, while private budget rooms are easily $60-75.
To keep costs down, you could stay outside of the city centre. London’s transport network is one of the best in the world, and you can reach the city in less than 30-minutes from neighbourhoods such as Shepherds Bush, Greenwich & Clapham. Here is a guide to the best London Neighborhoods.
Staying on the outskirts of London is certainly a viable option if you’re planning to spend 4 days in London or more, but any less than that the additional travel may cost you both time and money.
Booking.comThings to do in London on a Budget
Thanks to iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, The Tower of London, and St Pauls Cathedral, the sightseeing opportunities in London are world-famous. Of course, steeped in history, these significant buildings and structures are famous for a good reason. But many of them will cost you a pretty penny if you want to explore inside.
If I were you, I’d do your research before paying for any of the big attractions. Pick a couple of things that sound most interesting to you and save the others for another time. Personally, I’d make the London Eye or the Shard a priority so that you can get a breathtaking view of the city from above. I also think the Tower of London is an attraction worth paying for, and if you can stretch to it, a West End Show.
Otherwise, take advantage of the budget-friendly and free things to do in London. There’s plenty of them, and below I list some of my favourites including some cool hidden gems.
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Take a Free Walking Tour
When visiting London on a budget, one of the first things you should consider doing is a free walking tour. Walking tours are a fantastic way to get to know a new city, and the team at Strawberry Tours offer various carefully designed tours covering the most exciting parts of London.
From sightseeing tours and tours fit for foodies, to street art tours and tours of terror, there’s something for everybody. And accompanied by a certified guide, you’ll get to learn a wealth of knowledge and history about the city. Who knows, if you go on multiple tours you might end up knowing more about London than I do!
*While the walking tours are free to attend, please do tip your guide what you think the experience was worth.
Visit London’s Free Museums
London is home to some of the greatest museums in the world, and best of all, most of them are free to enter. I’ve visited some of London museums such as the National History Museum and the British Museum countless times, and I never get bored of walking amongst the realm of fascinating artefacts. Even if you don’t consider yourself a museum buff, you should allocate some time to visit one of London’s free museums.
Take a Leisurely Stroll in Hyde Park
Or any of London’s parks really. There are 8 Royal Parks in London, each equally beautiful and pleasant to explore, but Hyde Park is the biggest and most famous of them all. Hyde Park is to London, what Central Park is to New York.
A sprawling open space of meadows, lakes, flower gardens, and old trees, you could easily forget you’re at the heart of a bustling city. Take some time to wander around and spot landmarks such as the Princess Diana Memorial, The Serpentine Lake, and Speakers Corner. The latter is an interesting spot to catch open-air discussions and debates.
You might also enjoy this: Off The Beaten Path Things to do in London
Hunt for Street Art in Shoreditch
Shoreditch is an uber-cool neighbourhood in the East of London. Famed for its diverse nightlife, eclectic culinary scene, hipster street markets, and quirky street art, the past ten years have seen this once-neglected area, transform into one of the trendiest places in London.
Shoreditch is also a great place to explore for anybody visiting London on a budget, as hunting for street art is completely free, and you can pick up some cheap grub on Brick Lane or at the Box Park food market. If your budget can stretch to it, I’d recommend a night out here as well.
Wander in the Footsteps of Rockstars in Camden
Another hip neighbourhood worth checking out, and perhaps slightly less pretentious than Shoreditch is Camden. This neighbourhood is probably my favourite in London, and it’s somewhere I always recommend to anybody visiting the city for the first time.
Camden is renowned for its legendary music scene, paving the way to success for many iconic British artists, including The Beatles, Madness, and Madonna. Amy Winehouse also lived here, and fans will be excited to find a statue in memory of her.
The music scene is still prevalent here, and you can watch some excellent local bands for the price of a pint in many of Camden’s acclaimed pubs. There’s also a market and other weird & whacky things going on to keep you entertained for cheap.
Go Sightseeing Along the Thames
Possibly the best way to view the sights of this gorgeous city is on the water. With many significant landmarks such as Big Ben, The Tower of London, and London’s famous bridges set along the Thames, it’s the perfect way to take it all in without the pressure of crowds.
The most basic Thames cruise is a 1-hour sightseeing cruise, and you can book one for around $12-13. However, if that’s still a little steep for your London budget, you can always walk along the banks, which is free. If the weather is good, a walk along the Thames is a beautiful way to soak in the infectious London vibes.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of Britains Royal Family and a must-see when visiting the city. Although, while a tour of the palace will set you back around $35 and is only available for a few months of the year, to witness the changing of the guard is entirely free.
I’ve lived in London all my life and not once have I been inside Buckingham Palace. The view from outside alone is quite enough, and if you get to see the changing of the guard ceremony, it’s a bonus. Please note that the days and times of the ceremony differ from week to week. Always check the changing guard website on the date you plan to visit.
Check out the Free Church Services
Not many people know this, but you can visit some of London’s most beautiful cathedrals for free so long as there is a church service going on. Which means expensive London attractions such as St Pauls Cathedral and Westminster Abbey can be budget-friendly after all. Everyone is welcome to attend services at the cathedrals, but be sure to arrive early for a seat and behave respectfully.
Shop for Antiques at Portobello Market
Another of my favourite budget-friendly activities in London is to wander through Portobello Road Market on a Saturday. The market focuses on selling antiques – and I’m no antique collector – but it’s just an atmospheric place to be with a real, local neighbourhood vibe.
Its location is in Notting Hill, so first-timers to the city will have a lot of fun spotting iconic landmarks from the Hollywood movie of the same name. You can also find one of London’s best Instagram spots on Lancaster Road, where the houses are painted in pretty pastel shades.
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Visit Platform 9 and 3/4 at Kings Cross Station
I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge Harry Potter Fan – eh hm, Team Griffindor over here. Either way, you don’t need to be a Potterhead to appreciate the Platform 9 and 3/4 at Kings Cross Station. The scene at Kings Cross replicates the luggage trolley disappearing through the wall at the station.
You can capture some fun photos while pretending to be a witch or wizard, but prepare to wait in line. Did you know several spots in London inspired the Harry Potter films? You can take a Harry Potter Guided Tour of London to join in with the wizardry fun.
Check out this guide, including the best photo spots in London.
Where to Eat in London on a Budget
To eat out in London is generally expensive. Unlike some countries, it’s much cheaper to cook at home than to eat out, which is why we Londoners are such great cooks – even if I do say so myself. Saying that, if you’re only in London for a few days, there are ways to keep your food spends to a minimum.
First off, try to book a hotel or hostel that includes breakfast – That’s $10 saved right away. Even better would be for your accommodation to have kitchen facilities. That way, you can prepare your own meals. Supermarkets such as Tescos or Sainsburys are all over London, where you can buy all your supplies for relatively cheap.
The supermarkets are also great for lunchtime meal deals and bakery items. You can pick up a pretty decent meal for less than $5. Of course, this isn’t the most authentic option, but if you’re on a shoestring budget, these are the sacrifices you have to make.
If you can stretch to $10-15 for a meal, then a realm of other options open up for you. That will buy you some traditional pub grub in some pubs, but budget a few more quid on to that if you buy a drink. You can also get a yummy meal at a food market for that price. Food markets are all over London, and many are an attraction on their own.
Another great piece of advice is to look out for special offers at London restaurants. These run throughout the week and weekends, and you can usually find some great deals. Bottomless brunches are a trend in London, where you pay a fixed price for a meal and unlimited drinks.
Here’s a list of my favourite places to eat in London on a budget:
- Best Food Market: Borough Market
- Best Pub Grub: Coach & Horses (Soho)
- Best Dine-In: Nandos
- Best Hidden Gem: Cafe Metro Express (Fitzrovia)
- Best Late Night Meal: Any Kebab Shop
- Best Curry House: Brick Lane
How to Get Around London on a Budget
While I suggest getting around on foot as much as you can in London, it’s such a vast city you’ll inevitably need to take transport at some point. Thankfully, London’s public transport network is one of the best in the world. OK, it could do with some improvements here and there (erm, air conditioning on the Central Line would be a start), but it’s reliable, cheap-ish, and pretty easy to understand.
First off, order yourself an Oyster Card which ensures you get the cheapest rates when travelling around London. It also caps your spends once it reaches a certain amount, which is ideal if you’re moving around a lot throughout the day.
You also get the same deal if you use a contactless payment card. A great tip is to avoid travelling in peak hours because a) it’s more expensive, and b) you don’t want to experience a cramped and sweaty London train unless you have to.
Many transport networks are operating in London, from buses and trams to trains and riverboats. You’ll likely be using the underground and buses the most. Either way, use this Transport for London journey planner to map out your journey.
Finally, when you’re mooching around one particular neighbourhood or a London park, you can take advantage of the Santander Cycles scheme. There are stations all over the city, and you can rent by the hour for as little as $3. Just keep in mind that not all of London is cyclist-friendly.
Daily London Budget
Below is a breakdown of what your daily London budget might look like:
Dorm Bed in a Hostel: $25-40
Budget Private Room: $60-75
Premium Hotel Room: $100-300
Local Restaurant Meal: $20-30
Pub Grub/Food Market: $10-20
Supermarket Meal Deal: $4-5
Daily Transport Pass: $16
Coffee (Latte/Cappucino) : $3-5
Pint of Beer: $7-10
Cocktail: $10-15
Tower of London Entry: $28
Street Art Hunt in Shoreditch: $0
This is a post by guest contributors, Charlotte and Natalie from the blog Our Taste For Life.
Author’s Bio Charlotte and Natalie are the explorers and adventurers behind the LGBT+ & Adventure Travel Blog Our Taste For Life. You will often find them wandering off the beaten path, immersed in nature, or enjoying authentic cultural experiences. The rest of the time, you will find them eating. Follow their journey on their blog or Instagram.
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