How to Have Fun in London Without Breaking the Bank

Without careful budgeting and self-restraint, it is easy to spend large sums of money in a city like London. There are a plethora of free and low-cost experiences here, but there are also lots of expensive restaurants and other venues targeting oblivious tourists. By following these tips, you can have fun in the city without blowing through your savings.

Take Advantage of Free Museums

Some of the most iconic museums in the city are free of cost to visitors. This includes 

The British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial War Museum, Victoria and Albert, Tate Modern, British Library, Museum of Brands, and many others. Make sure to plan ahead and take advantage of the close proximity of many of these museums. For example, South Kensington has a street including several of these museums. 

Visit Parks and Make Picnics

London is one of the best cities in the world when it comes to parks and greenspaces. The city is 40% public greenspace, making parks easily accessible to most Londoners. One of my favourite activities is taking a blanket to a park and eating, reading, and people watching. Going on walks around parks can also be fun. For a cheap meal with a great view, I recommend visiting a park with a group of friends and each of you bringing a snack. Some of my favourite parks in London include Hampstead Heath, Regents Park, Battersea Park, Greenwich Park, and Hyde Park. 

Take Advantage of Student and Youth Discounts

Although military and senior discounts are common in the U.S., it is rare to see a student or youth discount. While staying here, I have noticed that British businesses are more considerate of the budgetary constraints of these groups. Therefore, when trying to do anything in the city, it’s worth asking whether there is a discount for students or under 25s. Apps like UNiDAYS and StudentBean can also be helpful for finding student discounts at a variety of places, including large chains.

Use Discount Theatre and Cinema Tickets

London is renowned for its theatre scene. However, tickets for shows can get quite pricey. The website TodayTix has deals and ticket lotteries for some of the most popular shows. You can also go directly to box offices on the mornings of shows to get discounted tickets. There are also cheap ways to see the newest and hottest films. Many cinemas, including Picturehouse, BFI, and Curzon offer cinema tickets under £8 to students. Others also have discounts for off-peak times.

Limit Eating Out and Find Deals

London is known for its vast culinary options and quality. However, meals out can add up. Personally, I restrict my eating out to weekends. I also avoid restaurants serving meals out of cheap ingredients that I could easily make myself. I suggest setting a weekly food out limit for yourself, either in terms of budget or frequency. A helpful app for saving money eating out is Too Good to Go, which has discounted excess food from local restaurants. Some other helpful websites for finding deals include the Fork, First Table, and Design My Night.

Food Shop Multiple Times A Week

With 306 Tescos, 279 Sainsburys, and countless local markets in London, you’re more than likely always within walking distance to a grocery store. Therefore, I suggest doing your food shop in segments over different days so that you can take full advantage of deals and reduce food spoilage. I personally also choose to only buy premade foods if they’re clearanced. Finally, make sure to opt into the rewards for the shops that you frequent.

Happy Hour and Pregaming

Drinks are notoriously expensive in London. With most cocktails costing at least £10, they can easily break your budget. To save money, take advantage of Happy Hour deals or have a few drinks at home before going out. 

Walk or Cycle

Walking is a great way to see the city and get from place to place. There are also dozens of free walking tours that operate in the city. Tours range from Harry Potter themed to history themed, providing a worthwhile experience for a wide range of people. This is a much cheaper alternative to the city bus tours, which average £35 per adult. Many of these walking tours can be found through Strawberry Tours. 

I also suggest taking advantage of one of the many cycling schemes throughout the city. Santander cycles are very reasonably priced, with the first 30 minutes being free of charge.