A quick internet
search will probably turn up lots of websites and forums which claim that a
trip to London is extremely costly and not the ideal city for people who are
working to an extremely tight budget.
However, that is simply not the case.
Yes, London can be expensive to visit, as can anywhere if you spend your
money unwisely and without taking the time to research your travel options,
accommodation choices and activities whilst in the city.
If you want to visit
this historical and cultural city, but don’t have money to burn then don’t
worry. We have put together some top
tips on how to make your money go further, and how to still have a good time in
the process.
Research
This is a rather broad
category but basically research everything from your travel, whether that be
flights or trains, to your accommodation.
Whilst it might seem easier to book a travel package, especially if you
are travelling in from abroad actually you might find that you are paying over
the odds, and not getting much in return.
Breaking your trip down into the different elements and then conducting
your own online research and pricing it up could save you vital pennies which
could then be used towards something else.
For example, Heathrow is London’s main major airport and thousands of
flights arrive and depart from there every single day. It would be easy to book a flight from your
home country to Heathrow without a second glance but did you know that London
also has four other airports which often service budget airlines? You could potentially half the cost of your
flight by choosing to land in one of the other London airports (which are no
further away in reality than Heathrow from Central London); these savings could
then be put towards upgrading the level of hotel you can afford or ensuring you
can enjoy a meal out at one of London’s excellent restaurants.
The same principle
applies when you are looking to book your hotel. London has plenty of options from hostels
right through to 5 star establishments.
Many of the more upmarket hotels run special offers or have discounted
prices available through third party websites.
By looking around you may be surprised at the room and the hotel you can
afford, even on a budget. Before you
book be sure to check directly with the hotel’s website as many have special
deals which are only available direct from the hotel; you could end up staying
in a wonderful hotel such as TheShaftesbury Premier London Paddington for less than you would imagine.
Be
Careful
It might sound daft
but once you have made it to London, be careful what you spend your money
on. As with any major city which sees
millions of tourists descend every year, there are plenty of tourist traps just
waiting to swallow up money from the unsuspecting visitors. Simple things such as avoiding large chain
restaurants and heading for smaller, independent eateries instead. There are plenty of online forums which will
offer advice on great, good value, local places to eat in London from locals
who regularly frequent said restaurants.
Likewise, don’t waste money on taxis and private cars when you could
make use of London’s comprehensive public transport network. Services are regular, easy to access and
extremely cost-effective. Beyond this,
although London is a vast city, many of the main attractions are located within
Central London which is easily traversed on foot. Not only will this save you money but it’s
great exercise and offers you the opportunity to discover hidden gems and
admire the city’s amazing architecture which you might otherwise have missed
had you taken the tube.
Free
Attractions
One of the best things
about London is that it is literally stuffed full of free attractions. Some of the city’s most iconic landmarks are
completely free to enter and can make for a full and interesting day out. The British Museum, the Natural History
Museum, the Tate Modern and the National Gallery are all excellent examples of
attractions in London which cost nothing to enter but are very worthy of a
visit. If there’s a particular
attraction you want to visit which has a high entry price, consider the earlier
savings you might have made on your travel and accommodation and perhaps put
your savings towards your entry fee.
Alternatively booking online in advance can save money, as can booking
your tickets through certain third party websites.
Shows
London is well known
for its West End and the spectacular productions which it puts on. If you have your heart set on seeing a show
you might find your wallet wilting at the thought of paying the high ticket
price for the bigger theatres and more popular shows. But don’t despair; London has a flourishing
live music, cabaret and comedy scene.
The best thing about these smaller productions is that the ticket prices
are usually much more affordable than the larger and more popular theatre shows. Keep an eye online for adverts or whilst you
are walking out and about across the city.
Shopping
London is an ideal
place to visit if you want to indulge in a shopping in london spree but this can be
unkind to your bank balance. Whilst
there are many high end, designer stores in the city there are also plenty of
places to grab a bargain too from high street brands to the bustling market
scene where you can uncover vintage items, haggle on prices and maybe uncover a
treasure or two.
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