Money Saving Tips for People Visiting London
Paradoxical as they may seem, the facts that London is the most visited country in the world with more people visiting it than any other city in the world and that it is one of the most expensive cities on this globe, there is a plausible explanation. There is no denying the fact that London has a plethora of attractions and things to do that attract people from all across the world. It is also quite costly to stay, move around and visit attractions and yet people flock to this city in their millions each year. This is because the city offers different ways in which visitors can save money without upsetting their plans. Given below are some of these money-saving tips.
Get an Oyster Card:
Moving around in London even by using public transport is way more expensive than in other cities of the world but you can save money by getting yourself an Oyster Card travel smartcard that can be used on the public transport system. It is best to order an Oyster card online before coming to London as it will be delivered to your home and with this card in your hand when you land in London, you will start saving more than 50% than buying one-day paper Travelcards or single tickets with cash. The other advantage is that you need not stand in long queues to get a paper ticket each time you need to use a bus or a tube service. The card can be topped up easily as if its balance diminishes. With an Oyster card you will also qualify for a range of food, drink and other discounts and special offers.
Walk - It is a Good Exercise:
One of the salient features of the city is that most attractions and other places of interest are located in and around central London and most of them are within walking distance of each other. As such, it is best to walk between these attractions and use the public transport for only longer journeys. Besides being a convenient way to see the attractions, walking is also good for your health and it affords the opportunity to get the feel of the place and interact with the locals to get familiar with their traditions and culture. Sometimes, it is faster to walk between two nearby stations than taking a tube, such as between Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
Visit Free Attractions:
Although many of the top attractions in London attract a steep entry fee, there are many others that offer free admission. In order to save money, it is best to do some research and visit only the free attractions that include top galleries and museums including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the British Museum, Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre and open-air spaces such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Hampstead Heath.
Stay in Affordable Accommodation:
Accommodation cost is quite high in London but there is no dearth of Discount Hotels London where you can get affordable rates. Moreover, there are many friendly hostels, B&Bs and Halls of Residence where you can stay quite cheaply in reasonably good accommodation in a clean and healthy environment.
See West End Shows Cheaply:
The theatres in West End are quite expensive but it is possible to buy tickets in advance and get big discounts, Last minute, discounted tickets can also be procured from the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. You can also go to the theatre of your choice on the day of the show and hope to get cheap last minute standby ticket and returns.
Get the London Pass:
Get a London Pass as soon as you arrive in London and then avail of free entry to more than 60 top London attractions including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge Experience and the Thames River Cruise along with discounts at some restaurants and shops.
An effective way of staying in luxury hotels at affordable cost is to try and avail of London Hotels Packages that come in different forms but they all provide attractive discounts on room rates along with many freebies.
Book Online in Advance:
Another way of saving on entry fee to some attractions is to book online and in advance as the fee will reduce by 10%, but you must plan ahead as tickets are often issued in time slots.
Cheap Nights Out:
For an economical night out, you can visit pubs during their happy hours or you can go to one of London’s many student club nights. You will be able to enjoy your night out with drink promotions, two-for-one deals and other incentives to save money. You can also get cheap gig tickets and then dance the night away.
If you can avail of London Hotels Special Offers especially from luxury hotels, you will be able to stay in a top hotel at an affordable cost because of the discounts and other incentives that are offered.
Visit Small Shows:
Instead of going to big-name traditional theatre shows or music gigs, you should visit smaller shows of live music, comedy and cabaret as these are lot more affordable and provide equal entertainment.
Bargain Shopping:
London has its fair share of boutiques and other high-end shopping outlets on its high streets and at other places. However, it also offers other affordable shopping options such as affordable fashion in high street stores such as Primark or at other vintage emporiums. Moreover, London’s markets offer many bargain deals and plenty of savings.
Enjoy Cheap but Delicious Food:
Whereas there are many top restaurants that are quite expensive, London also offers many chain restaurants, buffets and traditional cafes that offer affordable food. You can also dine al fresco at London’s parks, gardens and courtyards. The cheapest but most delicious food is available at the street food trucks. You can also get cheap packed meals at most of the supermarkets.