Traveling to European countries can definitely be intimidating — especially for budget travelers. But, who says you can’t travel to London on a budget? We’re sharing loads of things to do in London for free or without bank-breaking prices. Keep reading to find out our top tips and tricks to saving a few bucks on accommodations, transportation, and attractions in the land of red telephone booths and double decker buses.
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Traveling to London
Find the best time to travel
Make the most of your budget in London. Credits to Marcin Nowak on Unsplash
London welcomes lots of tourists year-round, but it still has its peaks and off-seasons. It’s an extremely popular spot from June through August because of the summer weather and the seasonal attractions and festivals going on in the city, while low seasons are typically from November to February because the winter is colder and wetter. All in all, the good times to visit would be around March to April when the weather begins to get warmer, but there aren’t as many crowds, as well as September to October right before the weather gets chillier.
Compare prices
Are your passports ready? Credits to Spencer Davis on Unsplash
One travel hack that’s saved bank accounts multiple times has been booking ahead of time! As soon as you get that visa (at least three months prior to your trip), start comparing airline prices for your intended dates of travel! One platform you can refer to is Skyscanner. All you need to do is input where you’re traveling to and your preferred dates, then adjust according to your budget!
Another thing you can do is to compare the airfare prices to the different airlines within England. For instance, there may be cheaper flights flying to Gatwick Airport as opposed to Heathrow airport, so if you’re on a tight budget, this is worth checking!
Klook Tip: If possible, compare airline prices even before getting your visa to target the travel dates with lower prices.
Staying in London
Venture outside of the city
There’s a view no matter where you decide to stay. Credits to Andrei Ianovskii on Unsplash
If you’re looking for where to stay in London on a budget, we highly recommend looking for places outside the city. The closer you get to the city center, the more expensive the accommodation costs become. But thanks to London’s incredible transportation system, living 20 to 30 minutes away from the city isn’t so bad!
As much as possible, avoid looking for accommodations in Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Knightsbridge, and Brompton. These are the city’s posh areas, and they come with a very expensive price tag. Instead, opt for locations such as Shoreditch, Paddington, King’s Cross, and Camden Town — all of which are around 20 to 30 minutes to the city center via tube!
Try a hostel
Hostels are a popular choice for tourists; hence, there’s a wide selection in London. They offer more affordable prices per night than hotels. Most hostels have shared rooms, which are great opportunities to easily meet fellow travelers, but there are also hostels with private rooms if that’s what you prefer.
Rent an Airbnb
Another option would be to rent out a room or an apartment in London through Airbnb. It’s actually pretty easy to find a place within your budget. Do note that it’s way cheaper to rent out a private room as opposed to a whole apartment, so that’s definitely something to consider when traveling on a budget.
Sightseeing in London
Now that you’ve got your flight and accommodation sorted out, you can start looking into the places you wanna visit. Here’s a mix of things to do in London for free or at budget-friendly prices!
1. London Eye
The London Eye is one of the most visited paid attractions in the UK! Credits to John Cameron on Unsplash
There’s no better place to capture panoramic views of the city than from the glass pods of the London Eye. Tourists who board this observation wheel have 30 minutes to marvel at the incredible sights and learn about the other attractions seen from inside the pod as well.
Klook Tip: Ride the Eye at night when the wheel, along with the rest of the city, is beautifully lit up.
2. Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge is known for its Neo-Gothic architecture. Credits to Charles Postiaux on Unsplash
Contrary to popular belief, this is actually not the London Bridge, but it does in fact go down, somehow! Just down the road from the Shard, you’ll be able to walk through one of London’s most iconic attractions. Although there isn’t much to the bridge apart from a great photo opportunity, its surrounding areas are very enjoyable.
3. London City Sightseeing Bus
Royal Albert Hall is one of the stops on the Tootbus. Credits to Johen Redman on Unsplash
The London City Sightseeing Bus is the most cost-efficient way to see London’s main attractions all in one day! Tourists can opt to ride through the whole 150 minutes of the tour of the city, or hop off the bus to explore certain attractions even further! Some of the attractions dotted on the map are the British Museum, the London Eye, Kensington Gardens, and Notting Hill. There are also multiple routes available, so just choose based on preference and you’ll be granted 24 hours to hop on and off the bus!
4. Museums
What better way to immerse yourself in London than learning about its history? Credits to Nicolas Lysandrou on Unsplash
One of the best things to do in London for free is to explore its museums. The city’s got some of the best museums in the world — and most are free-of-charge! So if you’re a culture buff or an art lover, you definitely won’t feel guilty for spending half of your trip in one of London’s museums! Now it’s time to free up a day or two in your itinerary for museum hopping at The Tate Modern, British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Britain to name a few.
5. Buckingham Palace and Kensington Gardens
Another must-try thing to do in London for free: watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony! Credits to Sung Shin on Unsplash
With the British Royal Family residing in the city, visiting some of the Royal residences is almost like a right of passage when in London! Can’t say you’ve been to London without a picture by the crowded gates of Buckingham Palace, right? Afterwards, make your way down to the Kensington Gardens and watch the day go by at this public park located just next to the residence of Will and Kate. Who knows? You might just catch a glimpse of one of the members of the Royal Family!
6. Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath Day Tour
Learn all about the wonders of Stonehenge and more! Credits to Sung Shin on Unsplash
There are so many great places to see in England, so take the opportunity to travel beyond London and explore! One of the popular day trips include a visit to the Roman Baths in Bath, a visit to the Stonehenge — a prehistoric UNESCO protected site — and a tour of Windsor Castle! Easily tick off three major historical attractions in one day with this tour.
7. Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Picadilly Circus
If you’re sticking to a budget, then you can have fun by window shopping in these areas. Regent, Oxford, and Picadilly are known as prime destinations for luxury shopping. But if you still wanna get some shopping done, head on over to TK Maxx or Primark for some stylish and affordable pieces!
8. Covent Garden
It’s the perfect place for people-watching. Credits to Tania Mousinho on Unsplash
Walking around Covent Garden is a treat in itself! Watch the street performances at the Piazza and observe the local life, take endless photos for the Gram at Neal’s Yard, or simply just scan through the selection at the market!
9. Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Yup, that’s the Weasley House!
Harry Potter fan or not, this experience will surely be a magical one! Just an hour away from London, you’ll be able to live out your Wizarding World dreams at the Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour! Apart from the original props, costumes, and sets featured in the studio, visitors can also take part in exciting activities and interactive displays such as flying a broomstick in a green screen experience!
10. Notting Hill and Portobello Road
Everywhere you turn is a photo opportunity. Credits to Norali Nayla on Unsplash
You can’t miss a visit to one of London’s swankiest neighborhoods — Notting Hill. Located on the west side of town, this district’s colorful homes and lively markets lure in both tourists and locals alike. This activity is technically free, since taking photos by strangers’ homes and scanning bookshops won’t cost anything, anyway. But if you find yourself in London on a weekend, make sure to drop by the Portobello market for some food, music, and vintage shopping!
Dining in London
London is filled with amazing food, so you don’t necessarily have to cash out for a good, hearty meal! There are various food trucks and markets scattered all throughout the city, so you definitely won’t run out of delicious options! To narrow down your options, here are some places to check out for cheap eats:
1. Markets
If you have a kitchen or a kitchenette, then one cost-efficient thing you can do is to cook your own food! Organic produce in London markets and groceries happen to be pretty inexpensive, so use this to your advantage.
Spot the nearest Sainsbury, Waitrose, or Whole Foods from your accommodation and stock up on a week’s worth of food. You can also make a trip to Camden Market or Borough Market and check out their food selection. These markets are also a great place to have a scrumptious sit-down meal that won’t cost an arm and a leg!
2. Pubs
You won’t be able to walk a block in London without passing by at least two pubs, so this means that there’s quite a large selection you can choose from! Pub food tends to be quite cheap (USD5 to USD15), so if you’ve spotted at least three pubs in your area, you’re pretty much set for your entire trip!
3. Camden Town
Explore Michelin-worthy flavors at the most affordable prices! Credits to Javier Martinez on Unsplash
Apart from the wide selection of food at Camden Market, you can also check out the other restaurants and markets in Camden for more food options! Camden Town is known for its more affordable range of food, so you’re bound to find Michelin-worthy dishes here for cheap! Some recommendations within the USD3.81 to USD12.70 budget are Arancini Brothers Factory Café, The Cheese Bar, or Temple of Seitan!
4. SoHo
London’s SoHo area is home to a plethora of mouthwatering dishes perfect for any budget! Check out Honi Poke for their signature poke with salmon at just USD10.03. If you fancy some Chinese food, Bao and Bun House come highly recommended by locals! No matter what you’re craving, there are a variety of choices at mouth-watering prices, from local dishes to international cuisine.
Exploring London
1. London Underground
The tube, as it is locally called, is the most commonly used mode of transportation in London, and the cheapest option too. Since every section of London is connected through the tube, you’ll have no problem getting around and checking off your London bucket list!
All you’ll need is an Oyster Card for your transfers. This option is much cheaper than purchasing multiple travel cards per trip, especially if you’ll be staying in the city for more than five days. As far as your transportation budget would go, a safe amount for daily trips would range from USD8.89 to USD12.70. If you aren’t able to spend it all during your trip, Oyster Card offers refunds for the unused credits.
2. Double Decker Bus
You have to ride the iconic double decker bus at least once. Credits to Anna Claire Schellenberg on Unsplash
You’ll be glad to know that you can also ride the iconic red double decker bus with an Oyster Card to get to Point A to Point B! So if you’ve already topped up your Oyster Card, all you need to do is figure out what route you’re taking, and hop on the bus! A flat fare of USD1.91 is applied to all buses.
3. Boris Bikes or Santander Cycles
Feel like a main character in a British film as you bike around London! Credits to Taylor Floyd Mews on Unsplash
For 24 hours, you can roam around the whole of London with just USD2.54! Renting out a Boris Bike is a great way to see London and really travel at your own pace. Although it’s the cheapest alternative on the list, you will need to return the bike at one of the docking stations near you. Thankfully, there are over 750 docking stations in London, so there’s a big chance there’s one nearby your accommodation! But if not, you may still need to get a bus to head home.
4. Rental Cars
Remember: they drive on the left side here! Credits to Anna Claire Schellenberg on Unsplash
If you’re going to be hopping from one attraction to another, then you might prefer to drive yourself around. You can research cheap rental cars in London, so you can explore at your own convenience without worrying about tube or bus fares.
Now that you know all the tips and tricks to saving on airfare, accommodations, transportation, dining, as well as things to do in London for free, you can feel more confident about booking your European adventure!
