Enjoy London on a Budget
A Traveler's Guide to One of the World's Most Expensive Cities
Aug 20, 2008
"Budget" isn't a term most people would use to describe London, but you can still find great bargains in the English capital if you know where to look, and some activities and events are even free.
2FOR1
2FOR1 entry is available at over 100 London museums, exhibitions, tours, and other attractions when traveling within the city or to London from other U.K. locations by train. To get the 2FOR1 discount, you must have a valid Travelcard with the National Rail symbol stamped on it, which can be purchased from any of the major stations. To gain admission, you'll need to present your Travelcard, along with a voucher that you can print from the 2FOR1 web site.
Museums
London boasts some of the world's most impressive museums, and it is free to view the permanent collections at many of these institutions, including the National Gallery, the British Museum, the Science Museum, and a host of others. You can use the 2FOR1 scheme to gain entry to several of the museums' temporary collections, which can sometimes cost up to £10.00 per person.
Theatre
London is renowned for its theatre, but the cost of an evening in the West End can quickly add up. Web sites such as DiscountLondonTheatre and lastminute offer tickets at significantly-reduced prices. Another option is the tkts booth in Leicester Square, which offers cheap tickets for shows playing that evening. Tickets for selected shows are also available through the 2FOR1 scheme.
Parks and Recreation
For such a large city, London has a remarkable number of parks and green spaces, all of which are free to explore. For a fantastic panoramic view of the city skyline, ascend Primrose Hill, located in the posh neighborhood of St. John's Wood. Or venture to Hampstead Heath in North London, where you can tour the seventeenth-century Kenwood House, wander through the almost-800 acres of parkland, take a dip in one of the open-air swimming pools, or enjoy an outdoor concert (seasonal).
And what first-time visitor to London could miss the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace? The ceremony takes place at 11:30 a.m. daily from April to July and on alternate days throughout the rest of the year. Still one of London's most time-honored displays of pageantry, it is free to the public.
Shopping and Markets
London is bursting with designer shops and luxury boutiques, but exploring some of the city's famous markets can be a lot more fun... and a lot less expensive. Borough Market, located under London Bridge, is a food-lover's paradise. Saturday is the market's biggest day, with hundreds of stalls offering organic fruit and vegetables, homemade pastas, creamy cheeses, succulent meats, and a variety of ethnic and specialty foods. Other well-known food markets include Smithfields Market and Old Spitalfields Market.
Perhaps the most famous of the London street markets are Portobello Market, Camden Market, and Petticoat Lane Market, where you can can find clothes, CDs and DVDs, antiques, and souvenirs.
For those with a green thumb, check out Columbia Road Flower Market, open Sundays throughout the year.
Harrod's department store is another London institution, and although it certainly can't be categorized as “budget,” it's worth a visit just to admire the art-deco style food halls and the ornate Egyptian escalators.
London will most certainly never be hailed as a cheap travel destination, but with the right information and a little flexibility, you don't have to make a huge dent in your savings to enjoy some of the exciting things the city has to offer.
To read more about money-saving tips for London, see How to Save on London Transport.
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