How to Explore London On a Budget

Camden Market. Photo by Javier Martinez on Unsplash

London is an expensive city to visit and unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot you can do to get around that. If you’re looking to explore the city on a budget, these tips may help save you a pretty penny.

Don’t Get a Travelcard

London travel cards are one of the biggest tourist traps. When you use the underground, the cutoff point over the day is £8 whereas a travel card will cost you £12. When you are in central London, you can explore most of the attractions by foot.

Wetherspoons

If you are planning on having a drink or two in the evening, avoid swanky bars in Soho or Covent Garden. Instead, pop into a local Wetherspoons where you can enjoy a pint or two on a tight budget. When you’re feeling merry, head to a fancy bar for a soft drink.

Museums

Most of the top museums in London are free entry. If you’re looking to keep busy in the afternoons, the Natural History Museum and Science Museum are both free to enter and are definitely worth a visit.

Meal Deals

If you don’t want to eat out, a cheaper alternative is to have a picnic in Hyde Park or South Bank. Shops like Tesco or Boots offer reasonably priced meal deals and there are always tasty vegan and gluten-free options.

Camden Market

If strolling up Oxford Street isn’t your thing, Camden is a great neighborhood full of eccentric thrift stores and colorful markets. The alternative culture is vibrant and you can easily spend a day people-watching.