How to Save Money in London
Visiting London is a once in a lifetime experience. As one of the world’s greatest cities there is an abundance of entertainments, sites to be seen and joys to be experienced in the United Kingdom’s capital. However, London is also a very expensive city and can therefore leave your pockets depleted sooner than you would’ve expected. Here are a few tips on saving money in London.
Buying Tickets for the Tube
A key sign of how expensive London is can be found in the cost of getting around the city. The London Underground in particular is notoriously expensive.
If you plan on using the Tube for only one day make sure to invest in an off-peak travel card for zones 1 and 2. They cost around £5 and allow you to use the Tube as much as you want, after 9.30am.
However, if you’re in London for more than 3 days, it will be best to invest in an Oyster Card. These work as a pay-as-you-go system and you can top them up in stations around the city. They make travelling cheaper, quicker and easier.
Make Use of Free Museums
Visit one of London’s many free museums and art galleries such as the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Others include the British Museum on Great Russell Street in Holborn which is one of the world’s most infamous museums, and the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum which are side by side on Exhibition Road in South Kensington.
Cheaper Sporting Events
One great way of spending a holiday day out is by enjoying a sporting event. In London there is a plethora of different sports and games that you can go to watch. Football matches however for the city’s top teams are rather expensive.
One alternative is to watch a game of one of London’s less famous but still very popular teams, such as Leyton Orient FC in East London or Barnet FC (managed by Edgar Davids) in North London.
Another alternative is to watch a different type of sporting event, such as horse racing at Kempton. Other sports will be cheaper than football and for some, just as enjoyable.
Save Money on West End Shows
If you plan on going to a show in the West End when you’re in London, you can get discounted tickets on the same day of the performance at a TKTS booth in Leicester Square.
But beware of other ticket booths in the same area as their commission rates tend to be higher and their seats aren’t as good.
Utilise Parks
One way of enjoying some free but quality time in the capital is by spending a couple of hours relaxing in one of London’s many city centre parks. These include St. James’ Park in front of Buckingham Palace and the best known of all, Hyde Park.
Free Walking Tour
If you want to enjoy a walking tour of London but you don’t have any money you’ll be happy to know that new London tours operate free walking tours everyday at 11am and 4pm at the Wellington Monument in Hype Park Corner in both English and Spanish.
The guides however, work on a tip only basis.
Photo Credit: Christopher Chan cc
