Money-Saving Tips In London
The UK’s capital city is a great place for a holiday, but as you will know if you have stepped into the city, it can be rather expensive. The cost of a hotel can cost the earth, especially if you are looking to accommodate your family as well as yourself, and some of the more popular tourist attractions – we are looking at you Madame Tussauds – are particularly pricey. Thankfully, there ways to save money, so if you are thinking about visiting London, here are some tips we think you will find useful.
Say goodbye to hotel prices, and see London in a campervan instead. Not only will this save you money on your sleeping arrangements, as you can save money on meals as well. Well, if you have a flair for cooking, that is. If this idea doesn’t suit you, the University also offers cheaper accommodation for holidaymakers, and there are a range of homestays and hostels available if you book early, all of which are cheaper than paying exorbitant hotel prices.
Use your legs, rather than paying for public transport. While you will need to use the tube or bus for longer journeys, you can get around Central London on two wheels thanks to the city’s cycle scheme. It’s also faster to cycle or walk between certain stations, especially during the busier times of the day. Not only will you get to see more of London this way, but you will also up your fitness level as well. Result!
See a West-End show cheaply, rather than paying full-whack for a ticket. Choose your show in advance – we chose Wicked – and you will get a big discount. You should also compare ticket prices. Rather than buying directly from the theatre, you can use sites such as Comparetheatretickets.com to find cheap deals, or StubHub to buy tickets at resale prices from people who can no longer make the trip. Of course, if you have any students or elderly relatives within your family, they are also eligible for exclusive discounts, and there are often promotional deals to allow kids under 16 to get in for free. You will still have to pay for popcorn, etc. though you can always bring your own goodies in with you!
Visit free attractions, rather than paying to enter those places that are happy to rob you of your hard-earned cash (blasted waxworks). Check out this list of free things to do in London, and you may find you won’t have to spend very much money at all. From some of the capital’s top art galleries to sightseeing attractions, such as the Changing of the Guard, your needs will be well-catered for, at no cost to yourself.
Find cheap places to eat, rather than sitting down to expensive meals. You have a mouthwatering choice of places to eat, from chain restaurants to street vendors, so it’s worth checking an insider guide to find the very best (and cheapest) eateries available. Of course, you can also save money by preparing a picnic, especially in the fine weather. You can set up a blanket at one of London’s many beautiful parks and enjoy the scenery while feasting on food you have prepared yourself.
Pick up the London Pass, which is a sightseeing card to help you see top attractions cheaply or for free. It will also let you fast-track your way into places, so you won’t have to endure the many queues populated by those silly tourists who forgot to pick up the pass themselves. Not only is this a great way to save money, but it also acts as an all-in-one inclusive ticket, meaning you don’t have to fill your purse with tickets and cash for every attraction on your itinerary. Of course, if you don’t intend to see that many attractions to warrant the price of a pass, you can also book in advance at your chosen venues for other discounts. Either way, you can see the best of London at a lower cost.
Watch the pennies when you shop, and opt for the bargain options, rather than risking the temptation to spend money at some of London’s most expensive boutiques. Check out this handy shopping guide as an example of cheaper places to spend your money, and don’t forget to explore the side streets and hidden places within London, as you may find a gem of a shop that is cheaper than those you would find on the high street.
So, there we have it, some very useful ways to save yourself some cash should you decide to visit London. We hope you found our advice helpful, but if you have visited London yourself, let us know if you were able to save money while you were away, and how you did it.
** This is a collaborative post **
