Tips for Travelling to London on a Budget

Are you like me who has always dreamed of experiencing Christmas in London? Especially to see the Christmas lights and experience the Christmas markets in person? Have you ever wanted to travel on a budget? Well, we are definitely in the same WhatsApp group.

I travelled to London last Christmas on an almost ridiculous budget, so I thought I’d share my experience with you. I’m sure you can pick a lesson or two. Even though Christmas is past, you can still use these tips for your next trip to London, another city, or next Christmas.

To provide a bit more context, as much as I wanted to experience Christmas in London, I live in a city that is over two (2) hours away from London. I was working with a budget significantly lower than 200 pounds, and I needed to find a way to make a three-day vacation in London for a family of three (3) work on a budget.

As a natural planner, I got to work early. Key things that I needed to consider were transportation, lodging, feeding, and the places to visit; these guided my search.

N.B: Though this post may be more relatable to folks in the United Kingdom, you can apply these steps/tips when travelling within Europe or elsewhere.

Pro tip: You can use Trainline to book your tickets for your travels around Europe

Now, to the meat of the matter. Here is how I navigated travelling on a budget with my family and steps you can also follow:

1. Plan Ahead and Book Early

For transportation, I started searching for trains about a month ahead. I had a date in mind but was flexible with the time, and this was the key to finding a sweet deal.

A normal train ride from my city to London typically costs about 60 pounds or more per person, but by booking ahead and being flexible with my time, I was able to book return tickets for my family for less than 50 pounds—yes, you read that right. To search for and book our trip, I used Trainline.

Depending on the city you are travelling to, flights and accommodations can also quickly eat up your budget, so book well in advance to secure better deals.

Pro-tip: Compare prices across platforms, and don’t shy away from accommodation-sharing services like Airbnb.

Lesson: Flexibility in your travel dates and early booking can save you significant money.

2. Get Creative with Accommodation

Initially, I searched for hotels within travelling distance of places we would like to visit in London, but the costs exceeded my budget. So, I switched to Airbnb and found some affordable places with good reviews.

However, I wanted to streamline our spending even more.

After much thought, I decided to leverage my circle and reached out to a friend whose family lives close to London. I asked if my family could spend the weekend with them, and they agreed. And that, my friends, was how I was able to save over 200 pounds in accommodation and feeding costs, plus there were more people to hang out with. The more, the merrier, innit?

Pro-tip: When planning your accommodation, check as many reviews as possible before booking.

Lesson: Don’t underestimate the power of your network. Sometimes, the best options are just a call away.

 

3. Use Public Transport 

Planning ahead for your trips within London helps. I had to spend extra money on a trip to Dartford because I didn’t plan our transportation options well.

Trains and buses are available to connect most places in London and you can use Oyster card or contactless payment for easy movement.

Pro-tip: When taking walks through the city with a baby, it is helpful to filter your Google Maps or any other navigation app to show you a wheelchair or buggy-friendly path because of the endless flight of stairs you may experience.

Lesson: Walking or using the bus is often the best way to explore central London. You’ll save money and discover hidden gems along the way.

Suggested Read : 3 Things To Do At Kintampo Waterfalls

4. Take Advantage of Free and Affordable Attractions

For activities, I first leveraged ChatGPT to curate a list of places to go. I also created a Travel Instagram collection where I saved travel videos inspo. I refined the suggestions and came up with an itinerary that was family-friendly and affordable.

Places we visited included Covent Garden, walking to see the lights around and visiting the Christmas Market there; Kew Gardens with friends to see the lights (but we missed it. #sigh); Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, there was also Winter Wonderland close by, but we couldn’t go since we didn’t book ahead.

There are free attractions to visit in London like the British Museum, the National Gallery, and more. Thankfully, you can leverage the internet and social media to find these places.

Lesson: Not everything valuable has a price tag. Make a list of must-see free attractions and enjoy the richness of the city without spending a dime.

5. Get Smart About Meals

Eating out in London can get pricey, but you can find affordable options. With street food markets, supermarkets, and fast-food restaurants, you can get meals and snacks at affordable prices. Staying with friends also meant saving on feeding costs, as we often shared meals.

Lesson: Splurging on one or two memorable meals is fine, but balance it with affordable options.

6. Shop Savvy for Souvenirs

Visiting local markets or off-the-beaten-path stores for unique and affordable keepsakes is one way to find unique souvenirs within your budget.

Pro-tip: You may want to avoid tourist hotspots that overcharge for souvenirs.

Lesson: A thoughtful souvenir doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Sometimes, the simplest items carry the most memories.

7. Leverage Technology

Use apps like Google, Citymapper, ChatGPT, and Google Maps to navigate the city, look for buggy-friendly walking paths, find discounts, and locate free activities and events.

Lesson: A little research goes a long way in maximizing your experience while staying on budget.

In Summary

Travelling on a budget is about prioritizing experiences, early preparation and research. By being intentional, you can create lasting memories within your budget.

Cheers to 2025 travels!

Travelling on a budget is about prioritizing experiences, early preparation and research. By being intentional, you can create lasting memories within your budget. Share on X

What are your favorite budget travel tips for London or any other destination? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!