Budget London in a Nutshell

By Air: If you fly into London, you'll most likely come into Heathrow or Gatwick airports. Sometimes, you'll have to transfer for connecting flights. There are many options to do so, depending on your budget and timetable.

 

 To get into the city from Heathrow airport, you can use Heathrow Express. However, I recommend using The Tube as a more affordable option (see Transporation section below for more information).

 

Gatwick isn't connected directly to the Tube, but you can use Gatwick Express to Victoria Station and transfer to the Tube from there. If you'd rather splurge on door-to-door service, check out Hotelink or National Express Dot2Dot. They're usually more affordable than taking a cab.

 

 

If you come into London by train, you'll most likely come into one of the following stations. These usually have Tube stations attached or nearby for a quick and easy transfer to the rest of the city:

Paddington Station

Waterloo Station

St. Pancras Station

King's Cross Station

Victoria Station

 

 

 

 

Ramada Jarvis Hyde Park, Bayswater

Tube Stations: Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate

I've also stayed twice at this typically comfortable midline London hotel. It’s comfy, quiet and clean. The full English breakfast included with most rooms is rather decent compared to some. It hosts lots of groups so it can be busy for such a small hotel, but it’s still quiet. Kensington Gardens is right across the street.

 

 

Central Park Hotel, Bayswater

Tube Stations: Lancaster Gate, Bayswater

I’ve stayed here twice; it’s a decent budget option in a quaint neighborhood. The keyword here is budget: you get what you pay for. The beds are entertainingly British, but comfortable. The bathrooms are small but clean. The walls are unbearably thin; bring earplugs. It’s been remodeled since we last stayed there, as well. But avoiding the breakfast is probably wise; it’s packed and the food isn’t worth the line.

 

 

Hilton London Metropole, Edgeware Road

Tube Station: Paddington

In a word, huge. And it's not cheap either. It’s the only non-budget London hotel I’ve stayed in, the largest hotel in the city. Restaurant options are plentiful, but prices are high. Food is tasty, but lines are long. Overall, it’s a Hilton so don’t look for London flavor. But compared to a budget option, it’s a nice little bit of luxury.

 

 

 

 

Royal National Hotel, Russell Square

Tube Station: Russell Square

Another huge hotel you will get lost in, but don't expect luxury. It's rudimentary yet sufficient and comfortable enough. The rooms are large and tourist resources are plentiful, but there are always crowds around. Bring ear plugs; this hotel caters to younger groups, and lots of them. It can feel a bit like a cattle call at times.

 

 

Russell Hotel, Russell Square

Tube Station: Russell Square

Absolutely lovely, but you'll pay for it! If you can afford to splurge, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this hotel. It provides luxury while refusing to sacrifice the flavor of London. You can usually snag a good deal during the winter months.

 

 

 

Rent a short-term flat: These options are usually located in more residential areas of the city and frequently have a 1-week minimum rental charge, but they can be wonderful options if you'd like to feel more "at home" in London. Always proceed with caution when dealing with private leasing agents, but these companies screen for reputable landlords:

Holiday Rentals UK

Vacation Rentals By Owner

 

 

For the most affordable option, try staying at one of the many London hostels.  I haven't ever done this myself, but there are countless travelers that swear by this method of budget travel.  Thanks to Russell for recommending International Student's House in Regent's Crescent.

 

 

Book The London Eye online to save some money and schedule a boarding time.

 

Though you can't miss seeing Big Ben and Parliament from outside any time of year, you can go inside and watch proceedings during its Summer Opening.

 

Tower of London - take a Beefeater tour, free with admission. Prepare to wait in line to see the Crown Jewels. Don't miss a walk through the White Tower. You can indeed go inside Tower Bridge, most often mistaken for London Bridge.

 

Westminster Abbey - Stunning gothic architecture; don't miss Poet's Corner. Get in for free if you visit for Evensong.

 

St. Paul's Cathedral - The Whispering Gallery is amazing, but climb to the very top for an awesome view of the city. Also has a free daily Evensong.

 

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre offers tours, but see a play to fully experience it!

 

British Library - The Treasure's Gallery can't be missed!

 

There are parts of Buckingham Palace you can visit, in addition to seeing The Changing of the Guard.

 

Millennium Bridge is one of my favorite spots in the entire city.

 

Head down The Strand if just to see Blitz schrapnel ridden St. Clement Danes Chapel, the infamously narrow Twinings tea shop, and the Royal Courts of Justice, all kitty-corner from each other.

 

  

The British Museum - The Reading Room and the Parthenon exhibit are amazing!

 

The Tate Britain, British art from 1500 AD.

 

The Tate Modern, the building and views are worth it, even if you aren't into modern art.

 

 The National Gallery and The National Portrait Gallery, next to each other, do them together.

 

 

 

The Imperial War Museum has a very powerful WWII exhibit.  Parts of this museum may be frightening for children.

 

London's Natural History Museum is great for kids and families. Pair it with the reknowned Victoria and Albert Museum, as they're near each other.

 

 

 

Some of my favorite spots are in London's parks; they are part of the experience! Stroll through the Green Park at lunchtime, have a picnic in St. James Park, go rollerblading along or take a paddleboat out on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.

 

 

I can't recommend everything in London. Some sites are overrun by tourists and not worth the money, in my opinion. However, I'll add the links in an effort to be thorough. Proceed with caution:

London Aquarium

The London Dungeon

Madame Tussaud's

 

Your best option by far is to use London's award-winning public transportation, including the London Underground (aka "the Tube") and an extensive bus system. (Most major London sites are within Zones 1-3, but Heathrow is in Zone 6.)

 

Your most affordable option is for each traveler to get an Oyster Card once you arrive. Oyster cards can seem quite complicated and intimidating for visitors at first, but it is worth the extra planning in the long run. A great basic rundown can be found here.  The basics to remember are:

 

~ It can be used on multiple London Transport options, including the Tube and buses.

~ The card and balance can be retained and used on future visits to London.

~ Adding more money to your Oyster balance (or topping up) can be done at many ticket offices and newsagents all over the city; it's very simple and convenient.

~ UK residents can register and maintain their account online, including auto top-up.

~ The fare you pay with an Oyster card is almost guaranteed to be lower than the price of buying tickets individually.

~ How much money to put on your Oyster card depends on how many days you'll be staying, what time of day you need to travel and how many zones you intend to travel to. Price cap information can be found here:

If public transportation is not for you, taxi cabs abound on the streets of London. London cabbies are some of the best tour guides in the city. But be advised: traffic in the city can be horrendous, so travel time above ground could be slow-going and therefore expensive. Also, always ensure you are using a licensed cab company, for example London Black Cabs.

 

 

Not many would recommend renting a car in London. Traffic and parking can be a nightmare, and you'll always have to deal with the added expense of driving within the congestion zone. With so many better options, I do not recommend it.

 

Double-decker bus tours: A great first day investment to get acquainted with the city. They can also double as your transportation for the day. Choose from the reputable Original Tour or Big Bus Tour companies. Also popular are Thames River Cruises.

 

 

Eating options are plentiful in London. You will find familiar chain restaurants a-plenty.  TGI-Fridays frequently has a 2-hour waiting list, and I'm convinced there are more Pizza Huts and KFCs in London than in my own American hometown. But don't be afraid to wander and try new places!  And even though you can break the bank on world-renowned restaurants if you so choose, these are a few of my favorite spots to grab an affordable bite:

Pret a Manger - Chain soup and sandwich shop, great for fast, healthy and on-the-go

Pizza Express - Chain Italian restaurant, decent pasta

Bella Italia - Another chain Italian restaurant I usually end up in at some point

Wagamama - Very popular noodle bar

Gourmet Burger Kitchen - the name says it all

Giraffe - Thanks to Laurimi for this tip!

S&M Cafe - Thank Laurimi for this one, too!

Chop'd - Make your own salads and soups

Leon - Thanks to Patricia for this tip!

Cafe Diana - Quirky cafe in Notting Hill

The Cow Pub - popular for seafood, also in Notting Hill

Camden Market food stalls have great options for international dishes

Mermaid's Tail Restaurant - Relatively new in Leicester Square, offers decently priced yet elegantly presented seafood in the heart of the city.

Chinatown is also conveniently located right off Leicester Square.

 

Also, don't underestimate cheap pub grub, especially a pub with lots of locals.

 

London has some of the best Indian food outside of India. Check out highly-recommended spots like Rasa.

 

These will never be very cheap, but they can be incredibly fun!

Fortnum and Mason

The Ritz Hotel

Laduree at Harrods

 

Options for retail therapy are seemingly endless in London. Outdoor markets abound, as well as large retail stores like Topshop. Some of the best spending spots are:

Harrods

Covent Garden

Camden Market

Portobello Road Market

Oxford, Bond & Regent Streets

Spitalfield's Market

Leadenhall Market

Borough Market

 

 

The crowds of London are half the fun for locals and tourists alike. Get out and just wander. Some of the best spots to see and be seen are:

Leicester Square

Piccadilly Circus

South Bank

Trafalgar Square

 

 

 

It's okay if you forgot your toothbrush or need a bottle of water. Options are everywhere! The most common shops are:

Boots the Chemist

Sainsburys

Marks and Spencer

Tesco

 

 

Nightlife:

Take advantage of some of the world's best theatre! The Half Price Ticket Booth will get you the best price for that day's West End shows. Put on your dancing shoes, because London also has some of the best nightclubs in the world.

 

Enjoyable spots within London yet beyond the city center:

Primrose Hill - fashionable shopping and a great view of Central London

Hampstead Heath - beautiful parkland with a stellar view of the city

Greenwich - International date line

Kew Gardens - London's Royal Botanical Gardens

Richmond - lots of literary history in this southwest London town

 

 

 

Daytrips outside London:

Traveling outside London can be done by escorted coach companies like Evan Evans Tours or independently by car or rail. Thanks to Abby for recommending The Train Line for rail travel, but be aware that the best fares are booked early. Choose which option works best for you.

 

Canterbury - Awesome cathedral (pictured above), incredible walled city

Leeds Castle - fun garden maze

Warwick Castle - My favorite English castle

Bath - Stunning Georgian architecture

Stonehenge - can be done easily on the way to Bath

Stratford-Upon-Avon - Shakespeare's birthplace

The Cotswolds - Stow-on-the-Wold is my favorite village

Blenheim Palace - Find Winston Churchill's burial site

Hampton Court Palace - Henry VIII's stomping grounds

Oxford - Tolkien & CS Lewis country (pictured at left)

Cambridge - Gorgeous university town; try punting!

Dover - White cliffs are also at Seven Sisters Park further east

Windsor - visit historic Windsor Castle

 

 

 

 

 

Stay at least a night or two: These locations are easily accessible from London. However, I don't recommend trying to squeeze them into a single daytrip. Stay at least a night or two:

Edinburgh, Scotland - Scotland's capital with an amazing castle

Paris, France via Eurostar - The French capital; don't miss Chateau de Versailles

Brussels, Belgium via Eurostar - Capital of the European Union

York, England (pictured above) - Historic medieval city with a stunning cathedral

Brighton, England - Very popular for locals on holiday, don't miss the Pavilion

England's Lake District - Stunning landscapes for a relaxing holiday

Cardiff, Wales - The Welsh capital; have fun with the language!

 

 

Great Britain uses the Pound Sterling. The current exchange rate can be found here, though it's safe for Americans to assume everything will cost approximately twice as much. Several credit cards nowadays don't charge foreign transaction fees (ie. Capital One) making them the best method of payment abroad.

 

However, if currency conversion is not free on your credit card, you will be charged a small fee every single time you use it. This can add up. In that case, use your ATM/debit card to withdraw cash at an ATM. Choose an ATM attached to a bank to avoid any additional ATM fees, and withdraw the maximum amount of cash at a time, usually £250. This way, you'll be charged the minimum amount of fees possible. I recommend carrying your ATM card and your cash in a money belt, as well.

 

 

The best currency exchange rates can frequently be found with credit unions. Opening a separate travel account at a low-rate credit union before leaving home can be worth the saved money in the long run. If you ever need to deal with an exchange bureau, pay attention not only to the rate of exchange, but whether or not you will be charged commission fees. I try to use exchange bureaus as little as possible for this reason. Some Marks and Spencer stores have commission free exchange bureaus inside. These give you a much better exchange rate than the desks on the streets and at the airports. Some larger stores, like Harrods, can run your transaction in your home currency. This avoids any foreign transaction fees, as the store is pulling your own currency out of your acccount instead converting it to pounds first.

 

 

 

Most everything in the UK has a 17.5% Value-Added-Tax (VAT) already included in the price. However, as a visitor, you are eligible to get this money back upon your departure from the country. To do this, you must remember to ask for a VAT refund form from the sales clerk every time you make a purchase. Make certain you retain this form and the transaction receipt throughout the duration of your trip. Once you arrive at the airport to depart the country, you take all these forms and receipts to the customs office to process your refund. Allow a healthy amount of extra time for this; the customs queue is often long.