It may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but there are many ways to save money in London. Once you’ve struck a deal on your flight and hotel, check out our guide to cutting costs at Big Smoke, from affordable meals to free attractions.
Get around for less
Invest in a Visitor Oyster Card if you plan to travel by Tube, Bus, Tram, DLR, London Overground, TFL Rail or River Bus. Fares are cheaper than buying paper tickets and have a daily limit so you can travel as many times as you wish in one day for a maximum charge of £ 6.60 (compared to a paper Travelcard priced at £ 12.30). You can also take advantage of discounts and special offers throughout the city. Cards can be purchased and delivered to your home before a trip to London.
London City wide bike hire service Santander Cycles (or Boris Bikes) offers bike hire from just £ 2. There are docking stations all over the city and the process to rent a bike is simple. Simply bring your bank card to the terminal, follow the payment instructions to get a printed code, and write it at the dock to release a bike. There is a £ 2 bike access fee and the first 30 minutes of each ride are free. It’s an additional £ 2 for every additional 30 minutes.
Ride the Night Bus or Night Tube to avoid taxi or Uber fares. You can use your Oyster card to pay for trips on both services. The night bus connects much of central London and the outer areas and runs all week. The Night Tube operates on Fridays and Saturdays on the Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines. The rates are the same as during the day.
Enjoy a free cultural solution
Many of London’s top museums and galleries are free to visit so you can spend all your time hopping from one world-class attraction to the next without spending a penny. London landmarks such as the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Tate Britain, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum are completely free to visit.
Save money on views
While scanning the London skyline from The Shard and the London Eye can take a toll on your finances (especially when traveling as a family), there are plenty of ways to soak up spectacular views without draining your wallet. Book your Sky Garden tickets in advance and you can take in the breathtaking views of London for free. Or head up to the top of the A New Change from the mall and enjoy the rooftop views of St. Paul’s Cathedral. For some fresh air, take a trip to Primrose Hill and hike to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the horizon.
See West End shows for less
Schedule a trip in January or February to take advantage of the Get Into London Theater event, a huge promotion offering tickets to over 40 of the West End’s best shows from just £ 10. Tickets generally go on sale in December, for so it is better to subscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date. If you are traveling with children, consider visiting in August to coincide with Children’s Week, when children under the age of 16 can go free to any participating theater show when accompanied by a full-price paying adult. The TKTS booth in Leicester Square is the ideal place to enjoy last minute discounts on the best shows. The Book of Mormon runs a lottery for £ 20 tickets for each performance. Registrations must be made in person at the box office two and a half hours before the show and names will be drawn randomly.
Find the best cheap restaurants in the city
Eating in London doesn’t have to break the bank. Even some of the city’s most exclusive restaurants offer pre-theater deals or lunch discounts, and you can dine in the heart of the West End for as little as £ 10. Brasserie Zedel’s two-course prix fixe menu is a steal. from around £ 10. There are tons of affordable options across the city where you can fill up light fare for around £ 5. Top options include Herman ze German for tasty bratwurst, Beigel Bake for savory meat bagels, Homeslice for wood fired pizza , BAO for steamed buns and Leon for salads and healthy wraps. Head to Brick Lane for cheap curry and don’t be afraid to haggle for a free round of drinks or a discount on the total meal, especially if you’re in a group. London has an impressive array of food markets where you can sample a variety of dishes and snacks from stalls and food trucks, including Borough Market, Maltby Street Market, Flat Iron Square, Brixton Village, and many more seasonal pop-ups.
