August Brill |
I love going on a day out, and I especially love London. It's a great city, and there's so much to do there. However, I have one big problem with it: it's expensive. A day out in London can end up costing me a lot of money if I'm not careful, so I'm always looking for ways to save. If you're worried about spending too much in London, I have some great tips to help you save money. It doesn't have to empty your bank account or even your wallet. You can save on getting around, food and drink and even things to do. Keep reading to find out how I save when I'm in London town.
Getting Around
It's no secret that using public transport in London can be expensive. However, the worst thing you can do is buy individual tickets for your journeys. A day ticket or a single ticket will cost you much more than a single journey on an Oyster card. The best thing you can do is to buy an Oyster card, and you can even get a Visitor Oyster card. This card is designed especially for people only in London for a short time, and it comes with discounts at a number of places. Top it up with credit and scan it when you go in and out of stations (or on and off buses). You can also save by walking or cycling. Many locations are much closer to each other than you think.
Free Activities
Naturally, you want to have some fun while you're in London. I love going shopping and having a meal while I'm there, but I also want to get around and explore the city. You might be surprised by how many free things there are to do, which are excellent for saving you money. The obvious thing to do is to visit galleries and museums for free. There are lots of them, and it's one of my favourite things to do while I'm in London. But if you prefer to be outside than in, there are lots of parks to choose from too.
Eating and Drinking
You might think it's extremely expensive to eat and drink in London. To a certain extent, you would be right, but you can hunt down some bargains too. If you want to drink cheaply, look for happy hours and stick to pubs over fancy bars or clubs with high entrance fees. When you're seeking out affordable food, there are a few options. The first is choosing a traditional café, where you can usually get a pot of tea and a light meal for not much at all. Chain restaurants can help you save too, and buffets will get you a lot of food for little cash.
When you're planning your day out, try to book things in advance. It can save you a lot of money on things like hotel rooms. However, you might also be able to grab a bargain by waiting until the last minute. For example, you might be able to snatch up some cheap theatre tickets right before the show.