London is an expensive city, no matter what the circumstances. Factor in the exchange rate (1 GBP=1.90 USD at press time) and you can blow your budget faster than you can say "Blimey!" Follow our tips below and experience one of the most fascinating cities in the world with money left over for tea and crumpets. Have a jolly good time!
Accommodations:
Options abound for where to lay your head in London. Our choice is hostels as most are centrally located, inexpensive and offer good resources to budget minded travelers. They also give you the option to save on food costs by offering breakfast and/or kitchen facilities.
Our favorite: International Students House, 229 Great Portland St., London. This place is hard to beat as it is right across the street from the Great Portland Tube station, offers free breakfast and an
inexpensive cafeteria, lounge with Internet access and a secured entrance. This hostel also has female only rooms, an increasingly rare offer amongst hostels. Price is about 18.50
pounds (about 33 US Dollars).
If hostels don't work for you, consider one of London's budget hotels. We like the Andrews House Hotel, near Lancaster Gate and Hyde Park. Continental breakfast is given from 8-9:30am and prices
start at 25 pounds (about 48 US Dollars).
Free Things To Do:
While London can easily break your bank in some respects, there is so much to do there that is FREE. It doesn't get more "On The Cheap" than that. Here are some our favorite free things to do in London:
Natural History Museum, Museum of London, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum (our favorite!), National Gallery, Tate Britain and Modern Galleries, National Portrait Gallery, Serpentine Gallery, plus:
Lunchtime Concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields (M, T, F @ 1:05pm.)
Notting Hill Farmer's Market (Saturday mornings, get off at Notting Hill tube.)
Covent Garden Market (M-Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6, Tube: Leicester Square.)
Portabello Road Market/Shops (Market open Saturdays, Tube: Notting Hill.)
Getting Around London
London is fairly easy to navigate via public transportation with a little research. Try to avoid cabs as the clogged traffic will almost certainly make it an expensive ride.
The Tube is London's underground subway network. It was the world's first subway system and
some of the station platforms were used as air raid shelters in WWII. It is usually the fastest way to get around town and Travelcards (available in 1 or 3 day lengths) will allow you to travel as much as you'd like for one set price. Also, children under 11 travel free after 9:30am on weekdays and all day on weekends.
London is famous for it's double decker buses. Although much slower than the Tube, it is a very
inexpensive way to see the city. One popular route is number 11, which will take you by St. Paul's Church, Fleet St, Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace Rd, and
Chelsea. A one-way fare is just 1.50 pounds...compare that to the 20-30 pounds for the pricey tourist buses that will take you by the same sights!
Cheap Eats
One major way to save costs is to select lodging that comes with a meal and/or inexpensive eating options. Picnic meals are also a good way to save money and enjoy a local park or plaza at the same time. However, part of the fun of traveling is discovering local restaurants. London is home to delights from all over the world.
Don't miss the Café in the Crypt, St Martin-In-The-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square. So good we returned several times. The Café is in the lower level of the church and has tons of ambiance with brick walls, curved archways and classical music in the background. Meals are served cafeteria style with several selections, including vegetarian. Afternoon tea is offered every day, so check upstairs in the chapel and you might get to hear the world famous musicians practicing for that nights program.
Listening to the practice is free and afternoon tea is very reasonably priced. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also offered, with dinners by candlelight offered on select evenings.
London is a city that shouldn't be missed. Don't let the high prices and painful exchange rate keep you from the treasures that this city holds.
For more tips and ideas on how to travel on the cheap, please visit our website: www.onthecheaptravel.com .Kadie Kozee is the founder and editor of On The Cheap Travel (http://www.onthecheaptravel.com ). She takes great delight in visiting the world's most fascinating places on a budget.
