{"id":48224,"date":"2023-03-28T10:36:05","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T10:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omio.com\/window-seat\/discovery\/london-on-a-budget-how-to-take-on-the-city-without-breaking-the-bank\/"},"modified":"2023-05-02T08:09:40","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T08:09:40","slug":"london-on-a-budget-how-to-take-on-the-city-without-breaking-the-bank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omio.com\/window-seat\/discovery\/london-on-a-budget-how-to-take-on-the-city-without-breaking-the-bank\/","title":{"rendered":"London on a budget: how to take on the city without breaking the bank"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With London the fourth most expensive city in the world, you might think that the city caters only for those with deep pockets. But London absolutely lends itself to a very affordable visit. In fact, the city offers an incredible range of activities and destinations at zero cost. We\u2019ll tell you how to arrive, stay, eat and sightsee, all within a reasonable budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

London is in fact far from being a city only for the rich \u2013 for locals and tourists alike. Many of the city\u2019s world-class museums and galleries are free to enter \u2013 you simply choose whether you want to make a donation. The architecture of centuries past is on permanent, glorious display \u2013 and walking the streets is always the best way to see the city. And the green \u201clungs\u201d of the city \u2013 the expansive royal parks \u2013 are there for all to enjoy, all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cheapest way to get there<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To get you off to a flying start, you can easily fly to London from cities across the world. Wherever you happen to be, you can book cheap flights to London easily by heading head to Omio<\/a>. Plan well in advance and you\u2019ll get the cheapest tickets by booking a few months ahead of time. Travelling during quieter periods (November to March) will also save you money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book in advance and you can travel fairly cheaply by getting the train to London<\/a>, too. The Eurostar<\/a> connects Great Britain to Continental Europe. Simply plan your train journey to London by making the Eurostar connection in Paris from cities across Europe. Scheduled coaches<\/a> are probably your cheapest travel option if you\u2019re off to London on a budget. London\u2019s European terminus for both Eurolines and National Express is at Victoria Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-cost travel from the airport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of London on a budget is that you have multiple low-cost travel options. When you\u2019re staying in London on a budget, it\u2019s vital to max out the public transport system \u2013 there\u2019s absolutely no need to hail an expensive taxi. Buy a Visitor Oyster card online before arriving and you can jump on and off buses, overground trains and the underground services, plus the wonderfully fast river buses (Thames Clippers), saving money every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve touched down at London Heathrow Airport<\/a>, the cheapest way to reach the city center (or your hotel) is via London\u2019s subway, the London Underground (aka \u201cthe Tube\u201d). The Piccadilly Line runs through central London with multiple stops to choose from, so this is definitely the easiest and most affordable way to go. If you\u2019re in a hurry, take the non-stop, reasonably priced Heathrow Express train, which reaches Paddington Station in 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The London Pass is your other low-budget London must-have. Buying this handy, pay-as-you-go smartcard online in advance of your trip, will save you money by giving you discounts on many of London attractions. To squeeze the most value out of your stay, purchase the combined London Pass + Visitor Oyster card online beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve settled in, a relatively new addition to the low-cost London staples are the very affordable electric bikes, or the so-called \u201cBoris bike\u201d after the tousle-haired former Prime Minister who introduced them. These handy contraptions open up the city, bringing total freedom and flexibility for a small fee paid at the docking station with your credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit London, London bus shopping on Oxford Street. Source: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

London accommodation on a budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for hotels in London on budget, you won\u2019t be short of choice. In London, budget hotels are part of the landscape and there\u2019s a huge range of cheap accommodations. Choose from no-nonsense budget hotels, affordable B&Bs, hip hostels and even boats. Stay a little further out from the center, and you\u2019ll save even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budget chain hotels are the obvious choice with Ibis, Premier Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Comfort Inn and Travelodge topping the league with solid value for money. Perhaps cool budget hotels in London are your vibe, in which case the hipster East London neighborhoods will be more your style. For quirky British style on a budget, CitizenM delivers cool and eclectic in roomfuls at its trendy Shoreditch location, plus two other hotels at Bankside (near Tate Modern) and the Tower of London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternately, why not sleep among the glitzy skyscrapers in ultra-modern Canary Wharf, London\u2019s financial district further east? Point A Canary Wharf is simple and stylish and has other locations throughout the capital. You could grab a G&T on the Thames Clipper and get there by boat \u2013 it\u2019s an inspired way to watch the city flash by as you ride the waves from Embankment Pier to Canary Wharf Pier in just 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent B&Bs are a brilliant solution if you\u2019re staying in London on a budget. They\u2019re often family run with friendly hosts who can give you insider tips on their beloved city and cook you a fresh breakfast to start your day. For example, Temple Lodge Club in Hammersmith offers restful, beautifully decorated bedrooms in a Victorian house with a garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further south, surrender to the charms of the River Thames and stay on Flicka, a spacious and warmly decorated old Dutch barge on Plantation Wharf, between Battersea and Wandsworth Bridges. From here, you can catch the bus or ferry to Greenwich and beyond. Flicka has just one gorgeous double room, so book well in advance!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want relaxed, no-frills accommodation that fits perfectly with London on a budget, a hostel might suit. Safestay offers two rather funky specimens, located in Elephant & Castle, south of the river, and near verdant Holland Park in super-smart Kensington. Sharing a dorm is probably your cheapest option, but you can choose rooms here, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

London\u2019s top free museums<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

London\u2019s museums are portals to the past, immersive treasure troves within awe-inspiring historic buildings that are stunning in their own right. And if you\u2019re on a budget in London, no problem \u2013 here we set out London\u2019s premier museums, the permanent collections of which are absolutely free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First up, the British Museum, exhibiting countless objects and artworks from prehistoric to modern times. Don\u2019t worry if there\u2019s a queue around the block, you\u2019ll move through quickly. Plan ahead and make a beeline for the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the best collection of ancient mummies this side of Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square holds over 2,000 paintings from the Middle Ages onwards. Go here to see glorious works by masters including Botticelli, Titian, Leonardo Da Vinci, Caravaggio and Van Gogh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The well-to-do district of Kensington is home to three quintessential London museums, all of which are free to enter and in close proximity. Make a day of it and tick these gems off your to-marvel-at list. The Science Museum on Exhibition Road holds centuries of scientific and technical evolution, from the first steam engines to Amy Johnson\u2019s Gypsy Moth and the 1969 Apollo 10 command module. It\u2019s highly interactive and very much geared to engaging kids of all ages, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the corner on Cromwell Road, The Natural History Museum unquestionably takes the cake for best animatronic dinosaur attraction in London. In these spectacular Victorian halls, you\u2019ll glimpse the evolution of life itself. Across the way, the Victoria & Albert museum offers countless art and design treasures from across the globe. Take a mesmerizing walk through fashion and clothing from the centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit London, British Museum on a sunny day. Source: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An absolute must while you\u2019re walking London on a budget \u2013 and a personal favorite here at Window Seat \u2013 is Sir John Soane\u2019s Museum. This elegant house holds a beautifully eccentric and unswervingly romantic collection of paintings, antiquities and drawings collected by one man on his travels around the world \u2013 Victorian architect John Soane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back on the river, Tate Modern\u2019s vast Turbine Hall was once a power station \u2013 head inside to see the transformation and witness powerful contemporary paintings, photographs and performance art. Outside, catch the Thames Clipper<\/a> Tate to Tate boat service, speeding straight from Bankside Pier to Millbank Pier and Tate Britain in 19 minutes. Pay with your Visitor Oyster card \u2013 boats leave every 20 minutes or so. Inside Tate Britain \u2013 also free \u2013 you can follow the fabulous Walk Through British Art to see masterpieces by Turner, Gainsborough and Bacon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many other wonderfully accessible museums across London. Be prepared and plan your own free-of-charge itinerary in advance of your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choral evensong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every afternoon, London\u2019s iconic churches offer up a very special \u2013 and completely free \u2013 experience that blends historic architecture with exquisite music. This is choral evensong, sung in the capital\u2019s churches, cathedrals and chapels, and featuring the city\u2019s most exclusive choirs and choral groups. Expect 45 minutes of tranquil music, open to all, from St. Martin-in-the-Fields to Westminster Abbey and St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trooping the Colour \u2013 and changing the guard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every year, the Sovereign’s birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony Trooping the Colour. This regal display of British pageantry takes place on a Saturday in June with the King\u2019s personal troops, the Household Division. The King himself takes the salute. Over 1,400 officers and men are on parade, along with hundreds of horses and musicians. The parade route leads from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall, and back again. If you\u2019re keen to watch for free, simply stand on The Mall or on the edge of St. James\u2019s Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade and watch the events begin at 10:00 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a more accessible dose of royal formality, you can catch the half-hour Changing of the Guard every day, on the hour, at the entrance to Horse Guard\u2019s Parade on Whitehall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

London\u2019s free festivals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why not plan your visit around one of London\u2019s amazing free street festivals? These are our absolute top picks for when you\u2019re in London on a budget. First up, start the year with a bang at London\u2019s spectacular New Year\u2019s Eve fireworks. Just head over to the river and join the party before the big show at midnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

London\u2019s colorful Chinese New Year celebrations kick off in February with dynamic parades, performances and displays in and around Chinatown and the West End. March (or April) brings the long-established London Marathon, where over 50,000 runners race past London landmarks including Tower Bridge, The London Eye and Buckingham Palace. This is your chance to see the city in a different light with all roads cleared to make way for the greatest race in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April also sees the eclectic riverside streets and pubs of west London thronging with springtime excitement, as fans, friends and family gather to cheer on the annual Oxford vs Cambridge university boat race along the Thames. The race goes by in an instant \u2013 but it\u2019s the heady, celebratory atmosphere you\u2019ll remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the weather warms up in July, come and celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community at Pride \u2013 the annual parade through central London. Join in the free events and festivities in Trafalgar Square and citywide. West London comes come alive on August bank holiday weekend with a loud, life-enhancing Caribbean party. Welcome to Europe\u2019s biggest street festival: Notting Hill Carnival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The parks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

London\u2019s parks are among the best in the world \u2013 and an absolute must if you\u2019re in London on a budget. Take your own refreshments and you could wander for an entire day among these landscaped beauties without touching your wallet. Almost all of them feature tranquil lakes, delivering some R&R away from crowded streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To the west, Holland Park boasts peacocks and a Japanese garden. Further south, go boating or take the kids to the zoo in Battersea Park. Kensington Gardens offers a royal palace, a statue of Peter Pan commissioned by the author himself and the pirate-themed Diana Memorial Playground. Magnificent Hyde Park is the largest, while Green Park brings soothing deckchairs and gentle slopes. A little further north, you\u2019ll discover Regents Park. Originally part of Henry VIII\u2019s hunting forest, it even has its own outdoor theater! And if you\u2019re staying in fashionable East London, don\u2019t miss Victoria Park, Britain\u2019s oldest public park.<\/p>\n\n\n

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