How To Visit London On A Budget

Last Updated on January 15, 2026 by Lauren Allen

You may think that visiting London on a budget is impossible, but that’s not the case at all. There are many ways to cut costs and enjoy an affordable trip to England’s capital. 

Over the years, I’ve been to London countless times, both for work and pleasure. I’ve attended conferences, events, gigs and much more, but I’ve also been to explore. Despite living so close (about an hour away by train), I love playing tourist in the city and I often do so on the cheap. 

London has so much to offer – world-class museums, unique attractions, a vibrant nightlife and lots of incredible events. And believe it or not, you can do most of these things without charge. 

While it can be pricey, it doesn’t have to be. If you need to, you can visit The Big Smoke for just £50 per day. In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know including how to get around, how to find low-cost accommodation, free activities and much more. I hope it helps!

The cost of visiting London

The type of traveller you are will play a big part in the cost of your trip to London. For example, do you want to see the city as cheaply as possible or would you prefer to go all out? Or, are you looking to strike a balance? 

Here’s a quick run-down of how much you can expect to spend in each instance once you’ve arrived in London: 

Type of traveller	Daily budget
Budget	£50 – £75 per day
Mid-range	£150 – £250
Luxury	£500+

Prices will vary at different times of the year. This is based on solo travellers doing the following:

Budget travel: Hostel accommodation, cooking your own meals, getting around on foot and taking advantage of free activities.

Mid-range travel: Mid-range hotels, dining at restaurants once a day, using public transport, buying a London City Pass to save on attractions and enjoying happy hour. 

Luxury travel: High-end hotels, luxury restaurants, getting around via taxi, visiting multiple landmarks per day and sampling the nightlife.

You may think it’s not possible to visit for £50 a day, but I’ve done it many times myself. I typically spend between £20 – £40 per night on hostels depending on the time of year and that tends to be the biggest expense. 

How to get to London on a budget

The cost of getting to London will vary, but here is some general advice: 

Low-cost flights

If you’re coming from within Europe, you have a high chance of securing reduced flights to London. Budget airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 make it super affordable.

Flights from further afield obviously won’t be as cheap, but you can find some top deals by: 

• Comparing flight prices through several airlines
• Using a website/app like Hopper to track prices
• Keeping an eye out for flight sales 
• Booking in advance 

There are six major airports. The closest is London City Airport which is just 45 minutes away from Oxford Street via public transport. This journey will set you back between £3 – £3.70. 

Looking for more inspiration? Read these guides on the best places to visit in the UK in summer and the most beautiful places in Cornwall.

Hopping on a coach 

Already in the UK? Then travelling by coach is typically the most affordable. The most popular coach companies in the country are National Express and megabus. 

National Express has an extensive coach network in the UK and you can even use them to travel between city centres and airports. Rates are pretty reasonable.

As an example, you can get last-minute tickets between Edinburgh and London for around £27. For a direct 10-11 hour trip with no changes, that’s not bad at all.

National Express also have Coachcards for young people, seniors and disabled passengers which offer up to a third of standard and fully flexible fares. If you’re eligible and plan to travel a lot within the UK, this is worth looking into. 

On the other hand, megabus sells extremely cheap fares to London from most towns and cities throughout the UK. Using the same example as earlier, you can book a same-day ticket between Edinburgh and London for just £23. Plus, you may be able to get even better rates from both National Express and Megabus by booking in advance. 

Like National Express, megabus have some offers. Students and kids between the ages of 4-14 can get 10% off and they regularly run limited-time deals. 

Coaches can save you a lot of money, but it’s not always fast. Sometimes it can add hours to your journey. 

Catching a train 

When you’re in the UK, train travel is one of the quickest options. But, that generally comes with much higher prices. At the time of writing, a one-way same-day train ticket from Edinburgh to London will set you back a whopping £69. But, it only takes approximately 4.5 hours. 

Although you can get more affordable train tickets by booking in advance or using a Railcard, it won’t be as cheap as travelling by coach (depending on your route). Book your train tickets here.

Fancy seeingt the most charming villages in the Cotswolds? Check out this post to discover how to get to there from London.

Travelling by car

Alternatively, driving could be a good choice if you’re travelling as a group. By splitting the cost of petrol, it may end up cheaper. Driving in London can be particularly challenging so that’s worth keeping in mind. Ultimately, you should compare all routes and figure out the best one for you and your pals.

As a solo traveller, I tend to get to London either by coach or train. While I much prefer the train due to its convenience, I hop on a coach when I want to save some cash!

Cheap accommodation in London 

As a rule, booking somewhere to stay in London is not cheap. However, I’ve found low-cost stays countless times over the years by staying in hostels. Although sharing a room with strangers isn’t for everyone, hostels can save you a lot of money.

Here are some that I’ve previously stayed at and recommend if you’re looking for a no-frills place to stay: 

YHA London Central

It’s not quite as cheap as it used to be, but YHA London Central boasts one of the best locations in the city about a five-minute walk from Regent Street. 

The rooms are basic (but still clean) and they have a 24/7 reception and bar area serving food and drinks. Furthermore, there are plenty of seating areas if you want to relax or do some work at night without disturbing your roommates.

I used to stay here a lot back in the day and I have absolutely zero complaints. It’s very good value! I’d stay here again, but I often find it’s fully booked when I’m booking a stay (I’m a last-minute kinda gal). 

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Astor Hyde Park

Another hostel, another great location. From Astor Hyde Park, you can get to the Natural History Museum, V&A Museum and Hyde Park (obviously) within 10 minutes or less. It’s also close to the Royal Albert Hall if you’re attending an event there. 

There are nice communal areas, but there is one downside – no lift. If you’re staying on one of the higher floors like I was, it can be a struggle to carry lots of luggage. Regardless, I’d recommend it if you need a budget-friendly spot to rest your head. 

Kabanna’s London St Pancras

Just up the road from St Pancras station, Kabanna’s offers a low-cost London stay with a fab location. Its close proximity to the station makes it easy to get around. 

Like YHA, the rooms are simple but clean and they have an on-site cafe serving things like pizza, hot drinks and alcohol. The staff here were also happy to help with any questions.

Again, I’ve stayed here a few times now and I’d book again in the future. 

Note: The bathroom situation in hostels isn’t always ideal. I’ve previously had to wait around or go searching for more facilities to shower or use the toilet. However, this is pretty standard across the globe. I guess that’s what happens when multiple people are sharing small spaces!

Cheap hotels in London

Not a fan of hostels? Don’t worry! Consider booking these hotels instead:

• St. David’s Hotels, Paddington
• Dockers Inn, Tower Hamlets
• Keystone House, Islington

Note: Keep in mind that prices will vary depending on the time of year. 

How to get around in London 

London has an extensive public transport network so it’s easy to get from A to B. If you’re trying to save some cash, here are your options:

Walking

If you’re visiting London on a budget, the best way to get around is on foot. Although it may be cheaper to stay outside of the centre, staying central will allow you to walk to many tourist attractions without public transport.

You’ll also see more of the city this way. I often stumble upon cute stores or unique places because I’ve chosen to walk instead of hopping on the underground. 

Don’t mind walking? Consider joining these unique London walking tours.

London Underground 

Taking the tube is the most convenient method of transportation in London. With over 270 stations, you’ll never be too far away. Prices vary depending on the zones you’re travelling between, but they’re typically a few pounds per ride. 

Buses 

If you’d rather skip the crowded underground, London runs 675 bus routes with 97 night buses. This means that even after a night out, you can save on transportation by getting the bus. No need to take an Uber!

Tickets are just £1.75 for a single journey and bus travel in London is capped at £5.25 a day. After jumping on your first bus, you can take advantage of unlimited bus travel for one hour. Besides walking, this makes taking the bus the most affordable way to get around. 

Free things to do in London 

Believe it or not, you don’t need to blow a small fortune on activities in London. While the likes of the London Eye will set you back £42 if you book on the day (yikes!), there are many things to do without spending a penny. 

In fact, you could easily spend days (or even weeks) checking out the city’s free attractions. Here are some of the top things to do in London for free: 

• Join a free walking tour: There are walking tours in London that cover all sorts of topics from Harry Potter filming locations to tales of Jack the Ripper, some of which are free to join. 
• Admire art: Tate Modern, Tate Britan and The National Gallery are all free, but there are plenty more too. You’ll also find small independent galleries that most people miss.
• Check out some museums: Some of the top museums in London are free to visit including the V&A Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Royal Air Force Museum and more. My personal fave is Sir John Soane’s for its impressive collection of paintings and sculptures.
• Explore bustling markets: They’re pretty touristy, but Borough Market and Camden Market are some of my favourite places in London. I love the atmosphere! They’re also great places to grab meals as opposed to expensive restaurants. 
• See Buckingham Palace: Watching the changing of the guards is one thing that everyone must do at least once. 
• Hit up the sky garden: Want free views of London? Then head to the Sky Garden! The views are amazing, but you should book in advance as it’s a popular spot. 

Budget-friendly meals in London 

There are many highly-rated restaurants in London, but they’re not exactly cheap. If you’re trying to save money, you’ll want to avoid the likes of Sketch and Fallow. To spend less on food, you could: 

Cook your own meals 

Booked a hostel with a kitchen? Go you! This is the best way to maximize savings, both with accommodation and food.

With a place to cook, you can head to the local supermarket and do a small food shop. Then, you can cook up a storm in the kitchen for much less than the cost of eating out. You could even buy the ingredients to make sandwiches so lunch each day is sorted too.

Even if you only do this for one meal a day, the savings will be huge. 

Eat at markets 

I touched on this earlier, but the markets are fab places to eat when you’re on a budget. Generally, you’ll be able to grab some grub at much lower prices. That doesn’t mean it’s not good though, I’ve had some of my most delicious meals from a market stall! 

Grab a meal on the go  

Not only is it better for your wallet, but grabbing a meal on the go is ideal if you’ve got a jam-packed London itinerary. The likes of Tesco and Sainsbury’s are good for this as you can pick up a meal deal for less than a fiver. It’s not quite as cheap as making your own lunch, but it’s not bad by London standards. 

Skip the coffee shop 

As tempting as it is, try to avoid Pret and Costa as you wander the streets of London. If you spend a few quid on your favourite drink each day, it can really add up! 

Other ways to save money in London

Think you’ve exhausted every avenue for saving on your London trip? Think again. These tips can help you save a small fortune: 

Visit outside of peak times 

January to April then September to November tend to be the quietest and cheapest months to visit the capital.

During these times, you’ll find that accommodation prices are slashed compared to summer or Christmas time. Additionally, there are fewer crowds so you can enjoy museums and landmarks a lot easier. 

Sometimes, even the attractions themselves have off-peak rates if you’re in London at a quieter time of year. 

However, you should try to avoid UK school holidays where possible as London will be busier. The only trouble is that this varies across the country so it can be hard to plan for. 

Consider buying a city pass

Dead set on visiting top landmarks? Luckily, there’s a way to do so for less than full price – buying a city card! The Go City London Pass can help you save up to 50%.

With Go City, you can pay for a set number of days (1-10) with unlimited access to attractions. Or, you can opt to pick a set number of attractions (2-7). Whichever option you go for, you’re bound to save money compared to buying tickets separately. 

It covers top activities like The London Eye, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Kew Gardens and lots more. Click here for the full list.

Personally, I’ve used city cards before and they make a huge difference, especially if you’re a big museum fan. 

Go to happy hour

Okay so technically, this isn’t a must. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to hit up London’s top cocktail bars (there’s a lot). 

The best way to do this without breaking the bank is to take advantage of happy hour. During this time, you’ll usually find 2-for-1 cocktails, discounted wine, low-cost beers and more. It will vary per bar, but it’s a good way to experience the nightlife for less. 

Use discounts 

Lastly, it’s worth noting that many attractions offer concession rates. You’ll get money off if you’re a student, young person, senior citizen or disabled visitor. 

FAQs about visiting London 

Final thoughts

Ultimately, budget travel in London isn’t as hard as you may think. There are many ways to cut costs if you’re willing to make some small sacrifices. For example, do you really need a fancy hotel if you’ll be out all day anyway? Probably not.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited London (20+ at least) and I’ve always had fun, even when I spend less. I’ve seen impressive street art, window-shopped in high-end stores and admired breathtaking views for next to nothing.

Trust me, you don’t need a lot of money to have a good time! 

Heading to England’s capital soon? Here are the best walking tours in London. 

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*Prices were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.