7 Travel Tips for an Affordable London Vacation

London is a dream vacation for almost everyone! The good news is that you can visit the cosmopolitan capital even when you’re on a budget. Discover with us the 7 smartest travel tips to explore London affordably!

Plane Ticket

The first thing every traveller should do is to search for plane tickets a few months in advance. Many low-cost airlines offer very competitive fares, mostly during off-peak periods. Generally, the peak seasons for London are December and January, especially during Christmas, and June to August. However, the best time to visit London is in spring when the temperatures are mild and days are longer, allowing you to spend more time sightseeing.

Airport Parking

As soon as you book your plane ticket, don’t overlook to pre-arrange airport parking. For many travellers, driving to the airport is the most convenient option as you can easily transport your baggage and arrive there on time before your flight. Booking parking at the very last minute is expensive. That’s why you can save money by pre-booking a parking space in advance.

Parkhero has been helping for many years now travellers from the UK and Ireland to find and compare cheap parking options near all major airports. For example, you can find affordable Dublin Airport parking and book it within a couple of minutes. Enjoy your vacation in London, knowing that your car is in safe hands back home.

Money Exchange

What troubles most travellers before any upcoming trip is the issue of the money exchange. In this case, you have to decide if you want to buy the currency from your country or use your card at ATMs. You may also think about exchanging money at a bureau de change or maybe end up doing all of the above depending on your time and needs.

The main thing to remember is to ask your bank about the cost of commission for withdrawals and purchases. Avoid in any way to buy foreign currency at the airport and be patient when searching for a bureau de change to find one that gives you the best price.

Accommodation

London is a large city of 11 million inhabitants with many scattered neighbourhoods. It is wise then to choose affordable accommodation close to the areas and the points of interest that you are planning to visit. Here, arises a reasonable dilemma where you must think about the time and cost of travel from your accommodation to the places you want to get to.

Areas, such as Earl’s Court, Bayswater and Kings Cross are clearly cheaper than the West End, Bloomsbury or Notting Hill, and have direct access to the public transport network. For those who do not have a specific plan, choosing a budget accommodation can turn out to be a good occasion for discovering the hidden gems and locals’ favourite hotspots.

Transportation

The map of urban transport is so complex to summarize it in a few words, and the sights of the city are so many that you certainly can not see them all in one visit. Before arriving at the capital, the best solution is to have already contacted your accommodation to ask them about the most economical way to get there.

The express train lines, Heathrow express, Gatwick express, Stansted express, are much more expensive than private buses, EasyBus, Terravision, National Express. There are also simple train lines and red double-decker buses, depending on the airport you land, that can take you to your accommodation or, at least, to the nearest metro station.

In case you arrive or depart during the rush hour, it may be worth investing your money in an express transfer because you may get stuck in traffic if you take a taxi or bus.

Purchasing a Visitor Oyster Card is an economical solution if you intend to make the most of the amount you will top it up with as the card issuance will cost you a few more pounds. If you plan to stay in London for more than a week and wish to visit a few areas more than once, you can opt for a Standard Oyster card.

Food and Drinks

London's multicultural centre offers endless gastronomic options, but the prices are usually not very friendly for a budget-conscious visitor. Choosing an accommodation that allows you to prepare meals will also save you money.

If you want to immerse yourself in the local cuisine and lifestyle, you can also buy unique products from the street markets. London is famous for its street food markets, such as the Southbank Center Market, and the Borough Market, where you can explore the delicious food options.

Restaurants with Asian flavours from Vietnam, Turkey, the Middle East and China traditionally have the cheapest dishes. What you should not deprive yourself of is to enjoy a rich English breakfast, which will keep you full for the most part of the day. English breakfast is served in almost all the cafes in the city.

Free London Guide Tours

Free tours allow you to discover the history of London and the UK in general. In addition to the historical monuments tours, you can also take part in more original activities with themes such as Harry Potter and Jack the Ripper. You can also take a guided tour to the Broadway theatre stage and get to know the most historic pubs in one night.

London may probably be the city with the most museums and galleries in the world. The greatest thing about it is that many of them have a free of charge entrance. The British Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Tate Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of London allow you to discover their enchanting collections without having to put your hand in your pocket. Many museums also offer free tours that will introduce you to the historical past of England and many other countries of the world.