3 Ways To Experience London On A Budget

London: it’s one of the most famous cities in the world but it can be pricey making it hard to visit London on a budget.

Thousands of tourists flock here every year, no doubt aching to get a glimpse of the Royal Family while immersing themselves in both the modern and olde worlde charms of the city. It’s one of the top student cities in the UK too; not only because it’s home to some of the UK’s best universities, but also because of the eclectic nightlife that becomes a traditional part of student life in the city. Chances are, be you tourist or student; you may have experienced the delights of London already. If so, you will have experienced something else London is famous for. The expense!

This is not a cheap city to live in or visit. Still, there are ways to cut costs. So if you are a resident or a visitor to the city, here are some of the ways you can experience the best of London on a budget.

See a discounted show at the West End

From the fantastical delights of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to the popular Jungle beats of The Lion King, there are hundreds of incredible shows to catch at London’s West End. Tickets can be pricey, however, but there are ways to get discounts. Todaytix.com is a great place to grab yourself last-minute theatre tickets in London, many at discounted prices, partly due to their Rush and Lottery programmes that can afford you top seats for an affordable cost. If you’re happy to put up with slightly restricted seating, you can also get cheaper tickets when booking online at the theatres you favour. If you keep your eye on local media or sites such as Londontheatre.co.uk, you can also get the first word on preview showings of the latest shows, many of which cost less before they start an official run.

Visit London’s free attractions

Not everything in London requires an entry fee. Many of the city’s best attractions are available for free, and these include the British Museum, the National History Museum, the National Gallery, and Queen’s House Greenwich (not the actual Queen’s house). You can check out these and other free attractions here; top places that won’t cost you a single British penny. Well, we say they won’t cost you; you might still be lured in by the gift shops within each place, especially if you’re looking for some souvenirs to take home with you, but at least you won’t have paid a fortune to gain entry to begin with.

Pay less with the London Pass

Unfortunately, the London Pass isn’t particularly cheap. For a weekend stay in the city, you’re looking at paying around £99. However, because the London Pass gives you access to over 80 expensive London tourist attractions, including the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, as well as Riverboat cruises on the Thames and hop-on-and-off bus tours, you will literally save yourself a fortune. Pick up a London Pass here, and then start to plan your itinerary of things to do, so you can get as much bang for your buck (or British pound) as possible. 

Finally

So, if you’re visiting London this Summer, or if you’re about to embark on student life in the city, know that you don’t have to break the bank when spending time here. Follow our suggestions to help you see top places for less. And if you have found other ways to experience London on a budget, let us know your money-savings tips too. 

What are your favourite ways to experience London on a budget?

*This is a collaborative post*