London is a year-round destination, and there’s no denying that it attracts everyone! From families to couples, and solo travellers to bigger groups, London knows well how to keep on giving!
But travelling to London can be expensive! That is unless you know a thing or two about how to keep costs low. Read on to find out the best ways to explore London on a budget.
Use public transport to get around
Leave behind the expensive taxis and travel throughout the city using the Tube and buses. The London buses are all cashless so you’ll need either an Oyster card or any contactless payment card to pay. With a day of bus-only travel costing £4.95 (single is £1.65), it really is the cheapest way to get around. As you use the buses throughout a 24-hour period, keep scanning your bank card and you’ll never pay more than £4.95. You can now use Google Maps to find out exactly what bus to take, which means not having to read the lengthy information boards. The tube costs are also pretty low. With a Day Anytime tube ticket costing only £20.30 (covering zones 1-6), you can ride the tube as many times as you like throughout the day. What’s more, this tube ticket will allow you to go from one tourist site to another easily and comfortably without breaking the bank or being stuff in traffic!
Take advantage of the free attractions
From free events to marvelling at street art, and awesome tower views to free entry to some great museums, London is bustling with free things to do. Take the morning to visit the British Museum where you can explore collections dating back millions of years. You can also visit the Natural History Museum for free to admire billions of years old objects! There are many free art galleries in London, but Tate Modern tops them all! This is an art gallery where you’ll find art dating back hundreds of years. Whether you’re a big fan of Pablo Picasso or Juan Muñoz, aesthetes will love this place!
Keeping costs low when it comes to food and drink
Let’s be real – we don’t want to get a quick sandwich or wrap for every meal! If you’re looking for the cheapest dine-in experiences in London, head over to East London. Filled with some great curry houses, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants here. Grab a cheap coffee on Columbia Road and visit Graam Bangla for a taste of some of the most exquisite curries of Bangladesh. Forget what you think you already know about Bangladeshi food – the food at Graam Bangla will awaken your tastebuds as it serves authentic Sylheti food. If you’re looking for some delicious Halal breakfast, head over to Dulce Cafe which serves some of the best brunch options. If you want a taste of some of the best Thai food in London, head over to Sushi and Thai Express which serves popular items such as Futomaki, Hosomaki and Uramaki. The great thing about all these places is that they are all 100% halal.
Visit these spots for awesome views of London
The best spot to admire panoramic views of London’s skyline is from the top of Oxo Tower. Of course, the Oxo Tower may not be as high as the Shard, but you’ll still be surprised by the views it offers. Other places to get awesome views include Primrose Hill, Greenwich Observatory, and Tate Modern (bankside). The Sky Garden is another great spot for views. Free to enter on weekdays from 10 am – 6 pm (11 am – 9 pm at weekends), the Sky Garden is known as London’s highest public garden! With 360-degree views of the city and beautiful lush gardens, the Sky Garden goes the extra mile with its open-air terrace!
Join a free walking tour
Thinking about exploring London on foot with a companion who knows it all? Look no further, as London city boasts some of the best guides in the country. Although they are technically free, a little gratuity at the end goes a long way. Strawberry Tours and Free Tours By Foot are great options if you’re looking to explore more of London. Free Tours By Foot offers awesome tours of Royal Westminster, London’s graffiti and street art scene, and the many foods on the streets of the capital.
Hop on and off the city tour bus
London’s Hop-On and Hop-Off bus is a perfect choice if you’re looking to visit as many attractions as possible in a limited time. For only £37, you can ride the bus around some of London’s most famous attractions with pre-recorded audio commentary providing valuable information about the places you visit. The thing that makes these bus tours great is that they now come with a FREE Thames River Cruise, which means being able to explore the city from a different point of view. The bus will stop at parks, cathedrals, museums, palaces, and shopping streets. You can hop off if you fancy exploring an attraction and, once ready to keep on going, hop right back on! It’s that simple!
Main Image Credit: Benjamin Davies (Unsplash)
Juber Ahmed is our Digital Editor and travel enthusiast with a keen interest in Islamic history and heritage. He travels with his wife to various places around the world and writes about his experiences.
Juber's favourite Quote...
"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" [Saint Augustine]
