5 Tips for a Cost-Effective Break in London

Whether you’re considering a last-minute winter break or are already filling up your diary for 2017, we’re bringing you some top tips for a cost-effective break in the capital.

As England’s capital, London is a vibrant hub of culture and diversity - so it’s little wonder the city continues to bring in record-breaking numbers of tourists each year. From pounding the pavement on Oxford Street to trying typical tourist activities, you’ll be spoilt for choice when you choose to take a trip to London.

Explore Discount Sites

From cocktail classes and club entry to afternoon tea and city tours, you’ll find plenty of savings online by shopping on discount sites ahead of your trip. You can often find group discounts online and if you shop around, you can find some big savings on things that may otherwise have cost you a small fortune. If you’re keen to pack plenty of activities into your trip, why not choose to eat in restaurants that offer discounts and are close to where your activities are? This way, you’ll be able to spend less time and money travelling around the city.

Find out more: groupon.co.uk

Find Affordable Accommodation

When planning your weekend city break, your accommodation choices will largely depend on two factors: who you’re travelling with and how far your budget can stretch. Many people book bundle trips online, combining the cost of the journey into the capital with the price of accommodation - but this often leads to tourists paying over the odds. If you can book your train, plane or bus tickets in advance, it’s well worth exploring accommodation separately.

While hotels might seem like the most obvious choice when it comes to lodgings, there are a number of other options that might just help you avoid eating into your budget and leave you more cash for your time in the capital. If you’re travelling in a group, it’s worth considering hiring an apartment - where you can benefit from a private kitchen, bathroom and lounge area, and could end up paying far less than you would for a hotel stay.

Find out more: ownersdirect.co.uk or AirBnB

Invest in an Oyster Card

Once in the heart of the city, you’ll find new and exciting experiences on every corner, but getting across London can be a little trickier. Travel can be expensive, so avoid falling into the tourist traps by planning how you’ll navigate your way around the city in advance. The Tube is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to travel. You can pick up an Oyster card from almost any underground station and simply use the ticket machines to select how much you think you’ll spend during the course of your trip. It’s always better to overestimate, as you’ll be refunded any remaining budget - and the cost of the Oyster card (£5) - at the end of your stay.

Find out more: gov.uk

Bag Last-Minute Bargains

While it often pays to buy in advance, you can also miss out on some great deals. If you’re considering going to see a West End show, resist the urge to buy your tickets ahead of time and wait until the day. There are a number of stands in Leicester Square where you can buy discounted tickets on the day for a selection of London’s most famous shows - and you can often get really great seats, too!

Find out more: tkts.co.uk

Hunt Down the Freebies

There are tons of free things to do in London - you just need to know where to look. If you want to find out more about the city, you can take part in free, guided city walks, where you’ll be regaled with tales of London’s history. If you’re visiting the capital with little ones, there’s plenty to keep them entertained, too. From exploring the Natural History Museum to experiencing the ultimate muggle treat - a chance to push a trolley through the wall at King’s Cross - your kids will love their time in London as much as you do.

Find out more here: visitlondon.com

So, there you have it: 5 cost-effective tips for making the most of your next trip to London! And of course all the London Treasure Trails are very good value too!