London on a budget

Vast, vibrant and teeming with energy and culture, London is one of the world’s most exciting cities to visit. Budget travellers need not be put off by the city’s notoriously high prices, as with a little imagination and some good local knowledge it is easy to have an unforgettable time without breaking the bank.

London’s famous black cabs may be sleek and iconic, but jump in one of these and you will blow your day’s budget in one 20 minute ride. The tube & bus systems are daunting at first but straightforward in reality. TFL’s Journey Planner will help you plan your route: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ For an al fresco experience hop on a Boris Bike (blue Barclays bikes) which are dotted around town and cheap to hire.

The cheapest method of travelling is, of course, by foot. London is huge and it is advisable to tackle only sections at a time, so wandering around by foot is a great way to absorb the atmosphere and get your bearings. In fact if it is a walk you want, then there are some beautiful routes. Time Out has some original versions:

https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/londons-prettiest-walks. Completely free, this is a good way of spending a day on a budget if you are feeling energetic, and you can take in some of London’s famous landmarks as well as local landscape. You could also wander through one of London’s many beautiful parks to get away from the noise and fumes of the city.

If your idea of shopping in London is a trip to the sleek haute couture on Bond Street then you are not looking carefully enough. London is renowned for its love of all things vintage, and various markets (Portobello & Spitalfields) and areas (Covent Garden and Brick Lane) are full of places to hunt for retro bargains - clothing and otherwise. High street fashion is also popular and trend-led here - you will find a Topshop on every corner.

Food & drink play a significant role in London’s culture. The city benefits from being hugely cosmopolitan and street food is increasingly popular, which is good news for budget travellers. Borough Market in London Bridge sells quality produce on stalls from around the world, Brick Lane has an exciting variety of street food and excellent, cheap curry houses and Soho has plenty of low key cafes and bars catering for the trendy locals and office workers. Chinatown is a memorable eating experience and prices are competitive.

To enjoy a taste of London’s rich culture, the key is to be selective and avoid the expensive, gimmicky shows and sights. Most of the museums and art galleries are free to visit, as are the churches. A trip down the Thames on a riverboat (Thames Clipper are frequent and cheap) is a refreshing and interesting way to see some of the city’s prominent landmarks and get to grips with the layout. Even theatre trips in London’s famous West End can be affordable - it is worth turning up on the night to buy last minute cheap tickets!

Accommodation in London, whilst abundant, can be expensive. You could search for cheap hotels are an option, and of course staying with friends and relatives is free and equips you with local knowledge. My preferred way to stay in London is Airbnb, quirky real ‘homes’ around the city to stay in - a fantastic way to have a personal, unique experience.

London is all about the atmosphere, and if you focus on absorbing its energy and the different ‘villages’ that make up the city then you cannot fail to fall in love with the place. All you need is a little imagination and some local tips, and you’re off, whatever your budget…