London is home to some of the most amazing attractions, iconic buildings and beautiful parks anywhere in the world.
It’s a city with 2,000 years of history and is home to 9 million people; some of the world’s greatest sports teams call the city home, you can visit some of the best shopping districts in any city and eat some of the best food that it’s possible to find.
As you can probably imagine, most of this stuff comes with a hefty price tag; so is there a way to do London without busting your budget and spending all your hard earned cash?
Well actually, yes.
London does not have to be an expensive place to visit at all, there are plenty of free things to be found, and some great ways to save cash on the things you do have to pay for.
Make the most of your budget and book The Montcalm London, Marble Arch hotel; not only is it one of the best 5 star hotels in London West End, it’s also home to The Crescent Restaurant & Lounge where you can enjoy one of the best meals in the city.
Now let’s take a look at the ways you can explore London, and not break the bank!
Walk
People get so wrapped up in the amazing public transport in London; especially with the iconic tube.
And fair enough, it is a great way to get around.
But Lonon is an incredibly walkable place. Simply following the banks of the Thames from Westminster to Canary Wharf will allow you to see all the major sights the city offers.
Joining a walking tour is a great way to orientate yourself and visit some of the best spots on offer; some are free, some only cost around £10 and they will all include the gorgeous sights of the city.
Cycle
If wheels are better than feet in your opinion, then cycling is also a great way to see London.
Every year the city becomes more and more cycle friendly; you can even find several cycle super highways in the city that connect the suburbs to major parts of London.
Cycling along the banks of the Thames in the London sunshine with stunning sights and landmarks all around you is a pretty hard thing to beat- why travel underground at all?
You can also take full advantage of the Santander Cycle Share Scheme that is easy to use and budget friendly.
The Oyster Card
If you feel like you really do need to use public transport then make sure you grab yourself an Oyster Card- it’s one of the essential tools for maximising the potential of London’s public transport.
It essentially allows you to ‘tap-on’ and ‘tap-off’ when using the Tube, the bus network and even the river taxis.
You’ll be able to top up your card with any currency using the handy app and best of all? You’ll get massive discounts on fares, certain restaurants and many concessions around the city.
Make your life as easy as possible by using the Oyster Card and travelling the public transport network like a seasoned pro!
Discounted West End Tickets
London’s West End theatre is one of the best in the world. You can find world renowned shows like The Lion King, Wicked and Les Miserables playing in historic theatres, as well as massive amounts of smaller productions dotted around the area.
But it can get a little pricey.
If you have your heart set on seeing a West End show, but can’t decide which one then don’t book anything!
Instead, head to TKTS in Leicester Square. This is a ticket stand run by the Society of London Theatre with the sole aim of filling unsold seats.
You might get a last minute ticket to one of the major productions in the city, or a smaller but just as impressive show- and you won’t know what’s available until you get there!
Buy Attraction Bundles
As we already know; London can be expensive.
Especially when you start to visit some of the city’s attractions- which are really worth doing.
If your budget is starting to spiral out of control then choose a few attractions that you can’t possibly miss out on- The Tower of London, The London Eye and the Shard, for example.
If you combine these attractions into a multi-pass purchase, like The London Pass, then you can save up to 55%!
It’s worth checking out what’s on offer as there are many deals and many attractions- pick the one that’s best for you and start saving.
Hit the Museums
London is home to some of the best museums in the world- this is indisputable fact.
The British Museum tells the most comprehensive story of humanity from its very inception, to the modern day. There are over 6 million artefacts collected from all over the world that offer incredible insight thousands of years into the past.
The Natural History Museum offers a one of a kind glimpse into the evolution of the natural world; go face to face with the mighty T-Rex, explore the world of extinct creatures and experience an earthquake in this mind blowing institution.
There are hundreds of world class museums in the city, so choose a subject and go check it out!
So, why are we telling you this?
Well, many of the major museums are totally free to enter- so what are you waiting for?
Explore the Markets
London has a long and deep connection with markets.
Some of the city’s very best have been around for at least 1,000 years.
Borough Market for example, was mentioned in the Doomsday Book- and many think it has been around longer. Now it’s a foodie’s heaven, and one of the best places in the city to head for lunch.
Then you have Camden Markets that have only been around since the 1980s, where you can find awesome vintage clothing, boutique music shops, locally made goods and even antiques and street food!
Just exploring some of the markets in the city is a great way to spend a day!
London for Everyone
So there you have it, just a few ways to make London way more affordable.
Sure you can head to the city and spend the big bucks, or you could follow these tips and save a bit of cash on your way around the city.
If you save enough you could enjoy one the best spa breaks London has to offer at one of the Montcalm Hotels in the city centre.
Just make sure you get out there and explore!
