London is a famously expensive city. However, there are certain things that you can consider when planning a trip to the UK capital that could help you save money.
London does not get perishingly freezing in the winter, and it doesn’t get stifling sizzling in summer. A mild and somewhat grey city for much of the year, there is never a bad time to visit London in terms of peak or off-peak seasons. Whilst the weather is warmer in the summer, if you are prepared to visit with your jacket and maybe a scarf, things like accommodation and even tickets to attractions will be cheaper in the autumn and winter months.
Think about what airports can provide a realistic connection for you to get to London. Whilst Heathrow flies to over 200 destinations, it is by far the most expensive airport to fly into in London. Depending on where you are coming from, you might have other much cheaper options in Luton, Stansted, City and Gatwick airports, all of which have great public transport links into the centre of the city. Depending on which airport you fly into, you can get train tickets online, in advance. This can save you a lot of money, plus it means that you will not have to wait in the queue when you first arrive in London.
Public transport in London is pretty expensive, especially compared with some other major cities. Prior to your arrival, purchase an Oyster card online. This is a prepaid card that you can reload with funds as much as you need. You use this card for travel on buses, trams, trains and London Underground trains. Whilst the trains can be quite expensive, taking a famous red, London bus around the city will get you from A to B and beyond, for only £1.50.
A good daily budget to have in London is about £75 per person, per day for accommodation, transport, food and everything else. It can be done cheaper, especially if you book tickets to attractions such as the London Eye online, in advance. Booking a hotel in advance is also a great idea, and finding one that has breakfast included in the price will save you both time and money on your visit.
If you are visiting the capital and plan to get some work done whilst you are here, head to a coworking space in London. Spaces here are chic, professional zones with great internet connection and plenty of space for those tasks that just can’t wait until you are home. Serviced offices in Canary Wharf, for example, will put you in the heart of London’s financial district, with the best part being you can pay by the hour or by the day for the use of some of the spaces.
The sites you want to see in London, buying a London Pass can save you lots of money when visiting top attractions such as the Shard, Kensington Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and many, many more. It quickly becomes great value for money, as tickets to just one of these places can often exceed £20. Passes can be bought online covering between 1 and 10 days at a time.
