London’s packed with amazing history, cool culture, and famous sights, but it doesn’t have to be expensive to enjoy. There are tons of budget-friendly things to do that let you soak up the city’s vibe without spending a fortune. From awesome museums that are free to beautiful parks where you can relax and people-watch, I’ve got the best tips for enjoying London. Check out this guide for the top things to do in London on a budget, and get ready to have a blast without breaking the bank. Whether you love history, art, or just exploring new places, London has something affordable for you!
There are a couple items on here that are free, while some are cheap and others cost a bit more. There are a ton of ways to get discounts though, which you should absolutely take advantage of! For example, you can buy the London Pass (here), which allows you to access a ton of sights for a low price rather than paying for everything individually! If you prefer a different option, I recommend this highly rated tour that includes Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace (here)!!! Additionally, you can bring your student ID pretty much everywhere to get discounts on tickets and entrances!
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Long websites tend to stress me out. So many words! I condensed this post down for you to include the main important details and not much more! I hope you get inspired by this London Guide!
The Best Apps to Use to Save Money, Find Prices, and Get Around!
- Omio: the best way to find transportation!
- TrainLine: best to use between cities. Find the lowest prices on trains.
- Viator: a great way to buy tickets in advance and book tours!
- HostelWorld: the best way to find hostels for the best prices!
Trailers For Your Trip!
1. Big Ben
Duh. Classic London. A must-see for sure.
2. Camden Market
Camden Market is so fun. It’s full of quirky and random sights, smells, and foods. It’s pretty indescribable and has everything that you could possibly think. Here’s a direct link to their website so you can get a little bit of a taste! Make sure to bring some cash along, as some places don’t accept card! Also look into the canal and canal tours! I’ve honestly found the best thing to do here is just wander around. Soak it all in! If you’re looking for a little more direct information and tours, there are unlimited ways to do that! Click here for any tour information!
Get drinks at The Lucky Club while you’re in Camden Market! It’s SO CUTE!
3. The Globe
Seeing a play at Shakespeare’s Globe was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. My sister and I saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the rain at the globe. Sitting in the circle theatre and watching the incredible talent of the performers is worth every penny. If you’re going to splurge on anything, this should be it! If anything, get a tour of the inside.
4. St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is absolutely gorgeous. I had never heard of it before going to London, so it was a very fun and unexpected surprise. You have to buy a ticket to enter (click here), however I felt that it was well worth it! It’s exquisite, and the details of every small thing in there is perfectly crafted.
5. Trafalgar Square
This is an Italian style piazza at the heart of London with a statue in the middle of Lord Nelson. It also has some pretty cool lion statues. It’s another classic London spot to check out. It’s also a great place to grab lunch!
6. Westminster Abbey
INCREDIBLE! Holy cow. This is a must see if you go to London. It needs to be at the top of your list for sure! However, it closes at 3:30 pm, so make sure that you get there early; maybe make it your first stop. It’s not free unless you’re a church member; look online for prices as the vary depending of age, student access, etc. You can book a ticket directly here.
7. British Museum
The British Museum is actually free to enter! However, you do need to “purchase” a ticket before. I’m not a big museum person most of the time, but this place blew my mind! It has thousands of years of history stored in this gigantic building! You can also book tours and audioguides here if you’re interested!
9. Tower Bridge
There are lots of cool things to see at Tower Bridge from incredible sights to glass floors! However, if you’re in crunch time or on a budget, you can just gape at it from the shoreline (which is what I did!).
10. Tower of London
It’s important to arrive here early as well. I got to the Tower of London 30 minutes before it opened and waited in a line that wrapped around the entire tower! I recommend arriving at leave 30-45 min before opening.
This is a really awesome experience. The tour guides (who are representative of old guards) are called Beef Eaters (weird name…) are hilarious and so fun to follow around! They tell great stories, and you really get to understand this history of this incredible place.
Don’t forget to check out the Crown Jewels, the Line of Kings, and the White Tower while you’re there!
This is the tour that I would recommend to the get all the best things out of your time at the Tower of London!
11. Buckingham Palace
Duh. Another London classic that needs to be mentioned. Be sure to explore the gardens around it and try to catch the changing of the guards! For those of you on a budget (aka me), just take the time to look at the palace from the outside. You can also get a guided tour and entry tickets (click here to book), but it depends on your price range! Also be sure to check if the palace is open on your visit, as it is not always open to visitors.
12. Get High Tea!
If you’re a fan of that Pride and Prejudice -esque, you’ve got to take the time to drink some tea out of pretty teacups and enjoy some biscuits. Feels like a classic London move. My sister and I went to Trafalgar Square and found an adorable little cafe and drank tea and felt right at home!
Extra Tips
- Another experience worth looking into is the hop-on hop-off bus that goes all around London! It’s a convenient way to get around that will save you some money. It also brings you by a lot of the classic London sights. It’s included in the London pass or you can buy it individually. Again, I really think the pass is worth your money!
- If you’re loving the idea of the basic tourist bus, you can also do some research into figuring out the famous “tube”, which is the London metro system. It will save you a ton of walking and a ton of money and is the ultimate budget experience.
- It’s smart to have 20-30 euros on you at all times. Buses frequently only take cash. Also, many churches and cathedrals are free to enter, but they often have chapels, catacombs, or extra rooms that you have to pay a few euros to enter (cash only)! So it’s a good idea to always have cash on hand.
- Many churches and cathedrals have strict dress codes; it’s necessary to cover your shoulders and knees. Be smart about how you dress so you don’t miss out on some of London’s best sights!
- BRING AN UMBRELLA AND A RAIN JACKET! London: rainy.
Some Fun Restaurants/Pubs/Cafes To Check Out!
- Shakespeare’s Head
- The Argyll Arms
- Ye Olde London
- Horse and Guardsman
While You’re in England…
Tips and tricks from my trip to the UK! Click below!