London on a Budget: 10 Money-Saving Tips

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No matter how many times we visit London, we experience sticker shock. The price of everything seems to be just a bit higher than we anticipate – and it increases with each stay. 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, London can be very expensive. The price of hotels in central London is astronomical and most dining options can put a real dent in any travel budget. Along with entrance fees to the top attractions costing upwards of $40, the very thought of planning a budget trip to London is daunting.

We assure you, cheap trips to London are feasible. While visiting London on a budget does take a little finesse, the effort is well worth it…and your wallet will thank you!

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. At first glance, budget travelers might believe a visit to London to be cost prohibitive. However, it is possible to see London on the cheap and we will show you how!

London on a Budget: Trip Planning

Planning budget travel to London can feel like quite the task – but our money-saving tips are designed to point you in the right direction. The first step is to determine your overall UK trip budget with our Free Vacation Planner.

Those looking for an outline of the top things to do in London on a budget should also read our detailed 3-Day Itinerary. We specifically created it for budget-conscious travelers who want to see everything…without going broke.

Save, Pin or Bookmark our London Budget Guide for your trip 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 to the Big Smoke. 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 easy 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.

Travelers looking for the cheapest way to visit London should focus on free 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 & Modern
Sir John Soane’s Museum

Beautiful Gardens for Free

Hyde Park
Kensington Palace Gardens
Regent Park

Free Rooftops in London

Sky Garden
The Garden at 120
Horizon 22
The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate

Fabulous Free London Markets

Columbia Road Flower Market
Spitalfields Market
Borough Market
Covent Garden Markets

#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 attractions. 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 admission fees are actually worth the money. Then, seek out discounts, ways to visit for free and consider comparable alternatives. To demonstrate, we are sharing a few examples of how you can see top London attractions on a budget.

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, guests 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

Visitors need to pay nearly $40 for a general admission ticket to The Shard viewing platform. While it is the highest London viewpoint, we don’t think it’s 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 Theater Tickets

Watching a performance in London’s West End theater district 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 cheap way to watch a theater performance is by securing a £5 or £10 Groundling Ticket at the re-created Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. The inexpensive Yard Standing Room Only ticket can be purchased in advance. 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 in London. The late afternoon meal of finger sandwiches, scones and tea is served at high-end hotels and posh restaurants.

The Ritz charges well over $100 per person for the experience when accompanied with a glass of champagne. However, it is far less costly at cafes, such as The English Rose Café – and the cozy tearoom is delightfully charming.

Self-Guided London Tours

Taking tours in London can cost a bundle – and the proclaimed ‘Free’ guided tours aren’t truly free, as you are expected to offer a substantial tip. Instead, embark on your own self-guided walks.

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. There are two main types for London sightseeing. 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 some math to see which pass – if any – is worth your money. Keep in mind that the best London City Sightseeing Pass is the one that works in your favor financially.

As you calculate 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 sights 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. The London Pass is valid for 1 to 10 days and includes more than 90 attractions. Also included in the price 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 of sights 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 sights, like the Tower of London, the Shard and Westminster Abbey. Once activated the card is good for 60 days. This pass 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 National Rail passes entitles you to more than 150 2-for-1 offers in London. Of course, these London sightseeing discounts only make sense if you are traveling in pairs and plan on using National Rail.

When my family visited us London, they purchased National Rail TravelCards that worked on the entire Transport for London network with the extra benefit of the 2-for-1 offers. However, be sure to read the fine print to make sure this offer works for you!

Choosing the Right London Sightseeing Card

Before purchasing a pass for your London budget vacation, we recommend researching all the options. Determine which spots are at the top of your list and then compare the passes to find the one that best suits you and your London budget!

#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. The city is dotted with cool neighborhoods and hidden enclaves.

After checking off your list of must-see sights, leave the tourist trail and dive into one of the lesser-known neighborhoods. Bermondsey, Clapham, Wandsworth, Brixton, Richmond, Bethnal Green and Stoke Newington are some of our favorites!

For tips on what to see and do in these off-the-radar locales, use our guide to Fun London Neighborhoods.

#5 Become a Pro at London Transport

If you want to travel to London on a budget, then you need to embrace public transportation. Besides using your own two feet, public transit is the best way to travel in London. While many Londoners might disagree with us here, we find it fairly clean and usually efficient. Plus, it’s way more affordable than Uber or pricey Black Cabs.

Learning how to use the transit system is essential on a budget London trip. The city has an extensive network, collectively called Transport for London (TfL).

London Underground – The Tube – is the robust subway system. With 11 lines and 272 stations, visitors can quickly get around to the top attractions.

The DLR – Docklands Light Rail – primarily serves the east side of 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, it only costs a flat-rate £1.75 per ride (with unlimited transfers to other buses or trams within an hour). Additionally, using buses can be a cheap sightseeing option. London Bus Routes 9, 11 and 24 pass some of London’s best sights.

London Overground – as you may have guessed – is an above ground railway network that covers areas that are not served by the Tube. 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 official website offers helpful advice on how to choose the correct card for your visit to London. The main options to consider are an Oyster Card, the National Rail Pass or a contactless credit card.

Oyster Card

This card can be used on all modes of public transport in Greater London. They can be easily topped up and calculate the daily cap automatically. However, the card costs £7, so you’ll need to decide whether or not it will be beneficial.

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 mobile services like Apple and Google Pay. You’ll generally receive the same discounts and daily caps as when using an Oyster Card.

However, there a few things to consider. Each person traveling must use their own card and unique account. For example, if you and your spouse have duplicate cards for the same account, that won’t work. You also need to be comfortable constantly handling it in crowded public places. Additionally, foreign credit cards may be charged an international transaction fee.

If you decide to pay for London transport by a contactless method, we highly recommend getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Although there is an annual fee, the initial sign-up bonus points compensate for it. Most importantly, there are no international transaction fees!

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. Find out more on the National Rail website.

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 London 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 on booking cheap hotels in London. You can find all of our hacks in our article, Booking Top Hotels for Cheap.

Additionally, here is some sage advice: Stay near a main transit line. You will then be able to easily move around London from wherever you are located. For short stays, we prefer Victoria/Pimlico, Paddington and King’s Cross.

London Budget Trip Hotels

Finding affordable hotels in London is a real struggle…but not impossible. We have stayed in numerous locations – but rarely for less than $150 per night (and it keeps pushing upwards).

Of course, prices fluctuate by season and demand, so be sure to check early and often. Summertime rates skyrocket and hotels are expensive during Christmas in London, as well.

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 transit and a fair amount to do in the immediate area.

Yotel Shoreditch

Within steps of the Tube (Central Line) and close to an Overground station, Yotel 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 hotel without any additional costs.

Of course, traveling into Central London over the course of several days may wipe out any savings. However, buses to Windsor and Richmond pick up nearby.

London Hostels

To be honest, we have never stayed in a hostel in London. We have found that with 2 people, it is not much more expensive to find a cheap hotel. That said, these London hostels are top rated: Park Villa Boutique Hostel, Wombats City Hostel and Astor Hyde Park Hostel.

Airbnb

We have stayed in numerous Airbnb Apartments in London. We have found that staying in apartments for at least a week is less expensive than hotel rooms – 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.

Staying in London for Free: Housesitting

To save money on accommodations in expensive destinations, we offer our services as house and pet-sitters. While planning a busy London itinerary around housesitting may be difficult with the added responsibility, it can be a fun way to travel on a budget! We’ve found numerous housesitting gigs in London with Trusted Housesitters.

#7 Find Cheap Tickets to London

While London is well-connected by all modes of transport – most travelers arrive by plane. If flying into London from the US, it will likely be a pricey ticket.

Read our top tips for flying to London for cheap in our Guide to Booking Flights. Before you begin your search on Skyscanner, it 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 – as there are astronomical taxes attached to your ticket. Plus, getting 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 from Heathrow to central London. The Elizabeth Line gets you to Paddington in 30 mins. The Piccadilly Line connects Heathrow to the West End in about 50 mins. Additionally, coach buses make the journey to Victoria in about an hour.

The low-cost carriers that fly to London use Gatwick, Stansted and Luton Airports. To get from these airports into the city, travelers can use inexpensive buses that can cost as little as £6. However, the journey takes about 2 hours to get to central London.

London City Airport is the most centrally located. 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, Bristol and Manchester – can travel by train. While not always as cheap as one might think, trains in the UK are fairly efficient and 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 your dining experiences to cheap eats. 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 & Meal Deals

Our best tip for eating in London on a budget is to buy food at one of the grocery stores, 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 – and really delicious – take away kebab.

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. Two artisan bakeries that offer inexpensive food for breakfast and lunch are Gail’s and Bread Ahead. However, Greggs chain bakery doles out savory meat pastries at bargain prices.

Cheap London Pubs & Restaurants

Eating in London 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.

A Note on Tipping

Some sit-down restaurants automatically add a service charge to your bill. It’s usually 10-12.5% of the total. It is not required that you pay it, but it is expected. If the charge is not added, a 10% tip is appreciated for good service.

Alcohol

While there are ways to eat for cheap in London, finding inexpensive booze is nearly impossible. The average price of a pint of beer in London is now £8 – basic cocktails begin at around £15.

Therefore, spending an evening Pub Hopping or sampling craft brew on the Bermondsey Beer Mile is not a London budget activity. That said, in trendy spots – like Soho and Shoreditch – it is possible to score happy hour deals.

#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. Of course, there are group tours that shuttle tourists to the top regional destinations – but high-dollar organized excursions don’t jive with London budget travel.

No problem, savvy travelers can save a bundle by planning their own day trips! Windsor – home to the royal Windsor Castle – is just an hour from London by train. Historic Bath and intriguing Bristol both take less than 2 hours to reach by rail.

#10 Budget for the Cost of Money

While it is easy (and at times painful) to calculate the cost to visit London, one item that often gets lost is the cost of currency. Travelers visiting London will likely be faced with fees for exchanging or paying in foreign funds.

First, check with your bank to understand which foreign transaction fees may be applicable. We use the Chase Sapphire, as there are no extra fees. Also keep in mind that most places in London are now cashless.

Finally, in order to stay on budget throughout your London trip, track your spending and request receipts. Knowing how you’re doing will help determine when to splurge, because you’re still on vacation!

Plan your Budget London Vacation

With our tips for saving money, you can start planning your trip without going over budget. 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 more travel tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

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