If you are staying in the UK for your vacation this year, there is no shortage of things to do and see in the capital of London. However, London isone of the UK’s largest metropolitan areas, it comes with larger prices to boot. If you want to discover London on a budget, here are our tips for making your money stretch.
1. Location
One of the best ways to save money is to visit the attractions close together in groups. Consider the fact that, on the South Bank of the River Thames, you have Tate Modern, Borough Market and Shakespeare’s Globe – and then there’s Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral all physically close together, too.
The ‘Westminster’ group includes Big Ben and the London Eye, while Kensington has Hyde Park and three free museums: the V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum.
2. Walk if you can
This can be made even easier if you choose a hotel which is close to all local tourist attractions. A hotel like Dorsett Hotel, City can save you time, effort and money trying to get around, as it means you can walk to most of the tourist attractions.
If you don’t feel up to walking, you can hire a bike for £2 every 30 minutes for up to 24 hours and unlimited journeys. Known colloquially as ‘Boris bikes’, these can be budget-friendly for short journeys when you get tired feet.
3. Public transport
The great thing about central hotels is, if you want to go further afield, you will also be near great public transport links. The London Underground, or “the Tube”, provides a fantastic way to quickly get from A to B.
To keep this budget-friendly, instead of buying multiple tickets, consider taking advantage of the contactless payment system. This ‘tap in, tap out’ system allows you to make many ‘pay as you go’ journeys on a contactless card, device or Oyster card in one day at a capped price.
The price you pay is determined by when, where and how you travel throughout the day or week you are using the transport network.
4. Find out where the locals eat
A fantastic way to stay on budget, and get some delicious food in the process, is by asking for dinner recommendations from the locals. London locals are more likely to know where to get the best food at the best price, as they won’t want to pay hiked tourist prices.
Some people could be inclined to travel to a London neighbourhood outside of Central London or off the beaten track in some other fashion. A hipster neighbourhood with heaps of character, Shoreditch is home to Brick Lane, which also houses some of the best curry in the capital.
Affordable travel does not have to mean missing out on anything. In fact, exploring London on a budget can provide you with a more authentic view of the city. Now that you’ve got these travel tips, you are ready and prepared to see the sights of London without hurting your wallet.
