No matter how many times we visit London, we experience sticker shock. However, the city is also full of free things to do and can be affordable with a carefully planned London on a budget trip!
Sure, it can be very expensive. The price of hotels is astronomical and most dining options can put a real dent in any travel budget.
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Along with high entrance fees to the top attractions, the very thought of planning a budget trip to London is daunting.
We assure you, cheap trips to London are feasible. While visiting on a budget does take a little finesse, the effort is well worth it…and your wallet will thank you!
London on a Budget: Trip Planning
As you plan a London vacation, we believe it’s important to consider your budget from the get-go. Factor in all expenses – from flights to sights to hotels and food – with our Free Budget Planner.
Those looking for the top things to do in London on a budget should also read our detailed 3-Day Itinerary. We specifically created it for cost-conscious travelers who want to see everything…without going broke.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our London Budget Guide for your getaway to England!
10 Money-Saving Tips for London
After dozens of trips, we have amassed an amazing collection of budget tips for London. As frugal travelers ourselves, these cost-saving travel hacks are ones we put to use every time we return.
Now we are divulging our honest advice so that you, too, can see how to visit London on a budget!
#1 Free London Attractions
One of the best parts about traveling in London on a budget is that there is an absolute onslaught of free things to see.
Many of the Famous Museums, gorgeous green spaces, rooftop perches and magnificent markets can be visited free of charge.
Those looking for the cheapest way to visit London should focus on these sights. Therefore, we are highlighting some of the best free attractions in London!
Our Favorite Free London Museums
- The British Museum
- The National Gallery
- Tate Britain and Tate Modern
- Sir John Soane’s Museum
- The Wallace Collection
- Imperial War Museum
Beautiful London Outdoor Spaces for Free
- Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
- Green Park and St James’s Park
- Regent Park and Primrose Hill
- Battersea Park
- Hampstead Heath
Free Rooftops in London
- Sky Garden
- The Garden at 120
- Horizon 22
- The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate
- One New Change
Fabulous Free London Markets
- Borough Market
- Covent Garden Markets
- Portobello Road Market
- Columbia Road Flower Market
- Spitalfields Market
#2 Seek Out Hacks to Ticketed London Sights
In an effort to keep our London budget in check, we search for places with free entry and steer clear of over-hyped, high-priced spots.
However, that’s not the whole story. We don’t plan a vacation to London and then purposely avoid all ticketed attractions.
We carefully consider which places are actually worth the money. Then, seek out discounts, ways to visit for free and consider alternatives. To demonstrate, we are sharing a few examples.
Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral
A single, adult ticket to St. Paul’s Cathedral or Westminster Abbey costs more than $30. However, by attending a service, you can go inside free of charge.
Granted, you won’t be able to snag an audio guide or see all the nooks and crannies, but it does get you in the door without spending a dime.
Additionally, Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral and All Hallows by the Tower are always free to visit!
Skip The Shard
It costs nearly $40 for a general admission ticket to The Shard. While it is the highest London viewpoint, we don’t believe it’s actually the best. Not only is it pricey, but it lacks atmosphere.
Instead, make a free online reservation to the lush and beautiful Sky Garden for an impressive view from a unique space.
Score Cheap London Theater Tickets
Watching a performance in London’s West End is a popular thing to do. However, the price of admission can be exorbitant.
One way to score a discount is to check for day-of deals at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square.
Another hack is by securing a £5 or £10 Groundling Ticket at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. If the cheap seats are already sold out, try the £5 Rush Sale on Fridays!
Inexpensive Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea is quintessentially British – but it can be a bewilderingly expensive affair. The late afternoon meal of finger sandwiches, scones and tea is raved about from high-end hotels and posh restaurants.
However, it is far less costly at cafes, such as The English Rose – and the cozy tearoom is delightfully charming!
Self-Guided London Tours
Our free-to-use Westminster Walk highlights the important places to see, our Guide to Greenwich details the top sights and our City of London Guide makes it easy to tour the oldest area of the capital.
#3 Price Out Money-Saving London Passes
One way to squeeze ticketed sights into a London trip budget is by utilizing a sightseeing pass and there are two main types.
One offers unlimited attractions within a specified number of days. The other is for a specific number of places that can be visited over a longer period of time.
One of our best London on a Budget Tips is to calculate your savings before buying a card. You will need to actually do the math to see which pass – if any – is worth your money.
As you add-up the possible savings, note that any multi-attraction pass you buy needs to make sense in terms of your time and interests.
Gaining free entry into spots that are not on your list of things to see – just so that you get value out of the card – is not a beneficial use of your vacation time!
The London Pass
This is the most popular London sightseeing pass. It is valid for 1 to 10 days and includes more than 90 attractions. Also included is a Thames River Boat Ride and a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour.
For ambitious sightseers, the London Pass could be very beneficial, as it is certainly possible to visit a multitude in one day. Although, be aware, there is a one-day value cap.
Top Tip: If purchasing an unlimited sightseeing pass for your London trip, arrange your schedule to visit these attractions in one or two consecutive days. (Without going over the daily cap.)
Explorer Pass
The London Explorer Pass is based on the number of sights (2 to 7) and offers 20 to choose from. These include prime places, like the Tower of London, the Shard and Westminster Abbey.
Once activated, it is good for 60 days. This is great for those who may be bookending their UK vacation with stays in London.
National Rail Pass 2-for-1 London Passes
Another option for discounted admission into London’s attractions is 2-for-1 deals with the National Rail Pass.
Purchasing these entitles you to more than 150 2-for-1 offers in London. Of course, these discounts only make sense if you are traveling in pairs and plan on using National Rail.
When my family visited us, they had National Rail Travel Cards for the entire Transport for London network with the extra benefit of the 2-for-1 offers. Just be sure to read the fine print to make sure this offer works for you!
#4 Explore London Like a Local
One of our favorite money-saving tips for visiting London is to get off the beaten path and mingle with the locals.
After checking off your list of must-see sights, leave the tourist trail and dive into one of the lesser-known neighborhoods.
Chiswick, Wandsworth, Brixton, Richmond, Bethnal Green and Balham are some of our favorites!
For tips on what to see and do in some off-the-radar locales, use our guides to Fun London Neighborhoods and Top Places To See in West London.
#5 Become a Pro at London Transport
If you want to travel to London on a budget, you will need to embrace public transportation. While many Londoners might disagree with us here, we find it fairly clean and usually efficient.
The extensive network, collectively called Transport for London (TfL), is made up of 4 primary systems.
- London Underground – The Tube – is the robust subway system. With 11 lines and 272 stations, visitors can quickly get around town.
- The DLR – Docklands Light Rail – primarily serves east London. It is particularly useful when visiting Greenwich and Canary Wharf or utilizing London City Airport.
- London Buses offer the most connections with more than 700 routes. Even better, rides only cost £1.75 (with unlimited transfers within an hour). Additionally, routes 9, 11 and 24 can be used as cheap sightseeing routes!
- London Overground – as you may have guessed – is the (mostly) above ground railway network that covers areas that are not served by the Tube.
The Elizabeth Line is London’s newest transit system and is a bit of a hybrid between the Underground and Overground. It’s best for trips to or from Heathrow Airport (in air conditioning).
There are also tram lines in southwest London, which may be helpful when visiting Wimbledon.
Understanding London Public Transport Prices
The best way to save money on public transportation in London is by paying with a card. Not only are the fares discounted, daily caps will put a ceiling on your costs.
The main options to consider are an Oyster Card, the National Rail Pass or a contactless credit card.
Oyster Card
This can be used on all modes of public transport in Greater London. They can be topped up and calculate the daily cap automatically. However, the card costs £10.50.
Contactless Credit Cards
Rather than buying an Oyster and worrying about topping up, you can now pay for all TfL services with your own credit card.
This includes using mobile payment services like Apple and Google Pay. You’ll generally receive the same discounts and daily caps as when using an Oyster Card.
However, each person traveling must use their own unique card. You also need to be comfortable constantly handling it in crowded public places.
National Rail Pass
As mentioned earlier, The National Rail Pass can offer huge savings in London. Especially if traveling in pairs and utilizing their 2-for-1 sightseeing passes to top attractions.
Big Bus London
An alternative to taking public transportation is the hop-on hop-off London Big Bus. Although it costs more, it makes stops at all the top tourist spots and includes a Thames River boat ride. Plus, it can be a real time-saver.
#6 Get an Affordable Place to Stay in London
Where you decide to stay can make or break your budget. So, if you are trying to visit London for cheap, you will need to carefully consider your accommodation options.
We have scoured the city for great deals and are sharing a few specific tips for cheap hotels in London. You can find all of our hacks in our article, Booking Top Hotels for Cheap.
Of course, prices fluctuate by season and demand, so be sure to check early and often. Summertime rates skyrocket and during Christmas in London, as well.
Additionally, here is some sage advice: Stay near a main transit line. For short stays, we prefer Victoria/Pimlico, Paddington and King’s Cross.
EasyHotel Victoria
Located in Pimlico, not far from Victoria Station, EasyHotel offers tiny, windowless rooms at a budget rate.
Let us be clear: this is just a space to sleep. However, with limited funds, it is a good place to stay in London for sightseeing on a budget.
Hub by Premier Inn at King’s Cross
Tucked along the east side of King’s Cross Station, Hub by Premier Inn sits in an excellent location.
The minimalist rooms, while small and compact, are also modern and clean. What we loved about staying here was the convenient access to transport and a fair amount to do in the immediate area.
Four Points Flex Shoreditch (Formerly Yotel)
Within steps of the Tube (Central Line) and close to Cambridge Heath Overground station, Four Points Shoreditch at Bethnal Green is a solid option for travelers on a budget.
The modern rooms make good use of space and East End sights and entertainment are close by.
Locke at Broken Wharf
Occupying a great spot on the Thames Riverside, Locke at Broken Wharf is an aparthotel that is ideal for those staying longer than just a few days.
Although a bit more expensive than our other recommendations for budget London hotels, each stylishly decorated room is outfitted with a small kitchenette.
This can save you some dough by making simple meals in. Plus, the property has a laundry room, an onsite restaurant and café, a gym and a coworking space.
Holiday Inn Express Heathrow T4
While not centrally located, this Holiday Inn Express is surprisingly affordable with a great buffet breakfast included.
Transport within Heathrow Airport is free, so even those not arriving at Terminal 4 can easily get to the property without any additional costs.
Of course, traveling into Central London over several days may wipe out any savings. However, buses to Windsor and Richmond pick up nearby.
Airbnb
We have booked numerous Airbnb’s in London over the years. We have found that staying in apartments for at least a week is less expensive – with the added benefit of a kitchen and more space.
In London, the cheapest options are usually to book a private room, rather than the entire place. Just read all the reviews carefully!
Housesitting
To save money on accommodations in expensive destinations, we offer our services as house and pet-sitters.
While sightseeing may be difficult with the added responsibility, it can be a fun way to live like a local. We’ve secured numerous housesitting gigs in London with Trusted Housesitters.
#7 Find Cheap Tickets to London
While well-connected by all modes of transport – most travelers arrive by plane. If coming from the US, it will likely be a pricey ticket. Read our top tips for flying to London in our Guide to Booking Flights.
Before you begin your search on Skyscanner, it also helps to have a basic understanding of the different airports in London.
London Airports
The major airports serving London are Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), London City (LCY), Luton (LTN) and Stansted (STN).
While Heathrow is the busiest London airport, it’s also the most expensive. Plus, traveling from LHR to Paddington Station in 15 mins on the Heathrow Express costs a pretty penny.
Budget travelers will want to use TfL to get into central London. The Elizabeth Line gets you to Paddington in 30 mins and the Piccadilly Line reaches the West End in about 50 mins. Additionally, buses make the journey to Victoria in about an hour.
The low-cost carriers that fly to London use Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. To get from these into the city, you can use inexpensive buses that can cost as little as £6. However, the journey takes about 2 hours.
London City Airport is the most centrally located of the four. It’s well connected by the DLR, but flights are limited and typically priced for business travelers to London.
Trains to London
Those visiting London from other United Kingdom cities – like Birmingham and Manchester – can travel by train. While not always as cheap as one might think, they are fairly punctual.
Eurostar quickly connects Paris and Brussels with London via the Chunnel under the English Channel, but book early for the lowest fares.
Buses to London
London is well-connected to other places in the UK by bus. National Express has the most robust schedule, good service and excellent fares when booked in advance.
#8 Hunt Down Cheap Eats in London
One of our hacks for how to save money in London is to limit what you spend on food. While there are many free and cheap London attractions, seeking out inexpensive places to eat is a little more difficult.
No need to worry, we are highlighting some of our Favorite London Foods to help you better plan your meals.
Grocery Stores and Meal Deals
Our best tip for eating in London on a budget is to buy food at one of the grocery store chains, like Sainsbury’s or Tesco.
These supermarkets offer convenient, grab-and-go meals at a bundled price. The insanely popular Meal Deals usually cost under £4, which is about $5.
The Tesco Meal Deal includes a Main (sandwich, wrap or pasta), Snack (chips, fruit or sweets) and a Drink (soda, juice or water). It’s truly a bargain and another way to London like a local!
London Fast Food
Eating on a budget in London isn’t always healthy, but it can be incredibly tasty! Some of the cheapest places to eat in London are kebab shops, falafel stands and bakeries.
Cyprus Mangal in Victoria makes an excellent kebab. Although the prices keep increasing, it still is about £10 for a really big – like you could share – kebab wrap to-go.
For cheap and filling falafel, we love Pipel – of which there are multiple locations. The relatively healthy and absolutely packed pitas are less than £10.
In Shoreditch, Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop on Brick Lane offer stacked salted beef sandwiches 24 hours a day. They’re massive and an excellent value, so it’s worth waiting in line!
Bakeries are golden for keeping your London trip on budget. Sausage rolls and pizza-by-the-slice both offer a great value. Greggs doles out both at bargain prices.
Cheap London Pubs and Restaurants
Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to forego traditional cuisine. We prefer the food and ambiance of Nicholson’s pubs, but for the cheapest option, seek out a JD Weatherspoon.
For international cuisine, Chinatown is still home to a few low-cost eateries and Brick Lane has numerous inexpensive Indian restaurants.
#9 Plan your Own Day Trips from London
While London has no problem entertaining its guests, there are attractions outside of the city that are equally enthralling.
There are group tours to the top regional destinations – but organized excursions don’t jive with London budget travel. Savvy travelers can save a bundle by planning their own London Day Trips!
Windsor – home to the royal castle – and Canterbury – famous for it’s mighty cathedral – are just an hour from London by train.
Historic Bath, stunning Cambridge , the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and intriguing Bristol all take less than 2 hours to reach by rail.
#10 Budget for the Cost of Money
While it is at times painful to calculate the cost to visit London, one item that often gets lost is currency considerations. You will likely be faced with fees for exchanging or paying in foreign funds.
First, check with your bank to understand which transaction fees may be applicable. We use the Chase Sapphire, as there are no extra charges. Also, most places in London are now cashless.
Finally, in order to stay on budget throughout your London trip, track your spending. Knowing how you’re doing will help determine when to splurge, because you’re still on vacation!
Plan your Budget London Vacation
As you begin to make reservations and outline your affordable London itinerary, keeping up with the details is key. Use our Printable Travel Planner to stay organized!
Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More London & UK Itineraries
- One Week London Itinerary
- Best of London in 1 Day
- 10-Day Scotland Itinerary and What To Eat
- Discover Inverness and the Scottish Highlands
- What To Do in Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Plan a Trip to Isle of Skye
- How To Spend One Day in Cardiff, Bath or Bristol
- 3 Fun Days in Belfast and What To Eat
- What To See in Rye, Norwich and Cambridge
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