London is one of my most favorite cities in the whole world. It’s full of diversity, incredible bars and eateries, and a fantastic community. But just one step into the city and you may be wondering how to save money on travel in London, or how to do London on a budget.
It’s an expensive place, but for good reason. There’s endless activities to sink your teeth into, beautiful architecture, and it’s well located to a whole host of adventures – across Europe and the rest of the UK.
I visit London roughly once a month, when not traveling, because it’s a great networking hub for entrepreneurs and small business owners. There’s also an abundance of coworking opportunities.
But there’s no shying away from the costs. London is the fourth most expensive city in the world.
And it often shows!
Even just grabbing a quick breakfast in the morning can cost the same as a dinner up North, where prices are much cheaper.
Don’t let that put you off though. There are lots of ways to conquer London on a budget, travel included. Here’s how to save money on travel in London…
Top tips on how to save money on travel in London:
Despite the staggering costs, there are many easy ways to save money on travel through this capital city.
Secure a key location
If you’re not local to London, you’ll likely be staying in a hotel or AirBnB.
Finding a great deal on city center living is made easier with apps like Voyage Prive, Secret Escapes, and Booking.com. Being right at the heart of London will save you significantly on travel costs.
I recently stayed at Hilton London Tower Bridge which was a great location
The hotel on the outskirts may look ideal, but how far away are you? Are you going to have to call a cab or Uber every time you want to get closer to the action?
While being in the city center is more expensive, you can walk to most hotspots and utilize inner city transport which can be done on a budget.
Get your walking boots on
While London is made up of 32 boroughs, tourists are most likely to travel in and around the center of the city.
Much of this is easily walkable, with various pedestrianized streets in central and easy routes along the usual city streets.
Traffic can be frustrating, but by walking you’ll be avoiding the stress. It’s also free and healthy.
The main attraction-areas can be quicker to walk between than using the tube.
Use the Transport for London’s plan a journey tool to find your way around the city.
Utilize the bike scheme
The ‘Santander Cycle’ scheme, or also known as ‘Boris Bikes,’ was created by the government to meet the evolving needs of the city.
With the city attracting over 30 million tourists every year, these bikes are a great way to get around with a bit of exercise blended in too.
Visit one of the 800 docking stations located around the city, tap your card, and choose the right bike for you.
The first half an hour on the bike costs £1.65 and each additional 30 minutes costs £1.65.
Just remember to return the cycle within 24 hours, otherwise you’ll face a nasty charge.
Download CityMapper
This handy little app holds a major secret: the quickest and cheapest ways to get around the city.
It’s really easy to use, simply pop in your current address and where you’d like to go and it’ll then bring up the best options for you.
No more aimlessly wandering around trying to figure out what bus or underground you should get on!
Use the tube
The black cabs may look like the best way to get around, but the Tube (like the subway in New York) can be much quicker – and way cheaper.
Using maps on your phone or CityMapper will tell you which tube you need to get on to reach your desired destination.
It will look overwhelming and confusing when you first see the maps and various passages. But it’s really simple to get the hang off.
I was so worried about using the tube the first time I visited and put it off for a while, but it’s now my preferred way to move around the city. I love it. It’s so quick and effortless.
Don’t buy a ticket from the machine
There are several machines dotted around the underground / tube, these aren’t the most budget-friendly way to book your ticket.
Instead, opt for an Oyster card or use a contactless debit or credit card. Check you have GBP in there.
You can tap these against the machines at the entryways.
Travel off-peak
The underground network is more expensive to jump on between the hours of 06:30 – 09:30 & 16:00 and 19:00. This is Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Traveling off peak is cheaper and less busy.
Trust me, peak travel during rush hour in the work week is not pleasant. It’s very hot and sweaty. Not fun in a heat wave, either.
Big red bus
Utilizing the buses is another great way to get around. London is well connected when it comes to travel.
You’ll see these iconic big red buses moving around the city and they’re super affordable.
Each journey is only £1.65 – no matter where you go. And there’s a daily cap of £4.95, meaning you won’t be charged more than this.
There are passes for longer visits, like the 7-day bus and tram pass which is only £23.30.
Free walking tours
Want to see as many sights as possible, but not sure where to start or how to get around?
Join one of the many free walking tours (tipping optional but always appreciated) to hear all the best tidbits of knowledge from a local.
These can range from 2 hours to 5 hours, depending on who you book with.
Is the visitor Oyster card worth it?
This depends. How long are you staying in London and how often are you planning on using public transport?
The ‘Visitor Oyster card’ is different from the usual one, but the premise is the same. It’s a smartcard which can be used to load money onto public transport. With the visitor one, you can have it delivered to you so you don’t have to queue for it at the stations.
It is cheaper than buying a paper single ticket or day travelcard.
I prefer to use my contactless card as it’s easier. But you must check your bank’s policies for using your card abroad before going ahead. And to learn more about the oyster card, check out the government’s run-down here.
What is the cheapest way to travel in London?
Walking everywhere will always be the cheapest.
But coming in second (if you’re looking for a long day of travel) is the classic double-decker bus.
Thirdly, we have the infamous underground.
And for something a bit different, take one of the Santander/Boris bikes for a spin!
These are the most friendly options for your wallet. To keep your finances in check, here are some steps you can take before visiting London…
Do your research
Only you will know which option is truly best for you. After all, you’re on vacation or a business trip and you’ll likely want to enjoy your time rather than panicking about using a certain transport or you might not want to walk all day.
That’s the fun of it, it’s completely up to you.
London is very well connected, with lots of transport options to suit everyone.
The people are friendly and will help you out when you have a question.
Take in the sights
There’s so much to see and do in London, but spending some time on your first day to take in the sights can be a great way to get your bearings.
I personally do this in every new destination. I like taking a stroll as soon as possible to see where I’m located (Google images can’t always tell the full story!) as well as what’s nearby and what’s going on in the area.
This is good to gauge if you’ll even need to use transport at all.
Utilize the free activities
There are lots of fun and free things to do in the capital.
And believe it or not, most of the museums are completely free to enter.
Some top ones include the British Museum, the National History Museum, and the Tate Modern.
Various gardens are free, too. These make for a beautiful day out with a picnic.
Enjoy!
This wonderful capital city is bursting at the seams with activities, tourist-friendly transport, and incredible people.
My top recommendations are:
- A walk around Hyde Park
- Visit Westminster, the home of UK politics. Here you’ll find the Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
- Eat around Camden Market
- Spend a night out in Soho
- Check out Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Oxford Street
- Do some window shopping at Harrods
Many of these are free and much of London revolves around sightseeing. But for those trips that take a little longer to get to, bear in mind there’s lots of ways for how to save money on travel in London.