That’s not to say it’s impossible to enjoy a trip to the capital on a budget – you just have to know where to look for savings. And during my 18 months training as a Blue Badge guide – the only external guides allowed to work inside top attractions such as the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey – I’ve really got to know the city, and the best ways to explore it on a budget. Here are my top money-saving tips if you’re visiting the capital this summer.
London is best seen at street level (Photo: Marco Bottigelli/Getty)
For example, you can get from the London Eye to the Tate Modern gallery on foot in 25 minutes and from Trafalgar Square to Big Ben in around 15. Walking from Harrods department store to Piccadilly Circus via Green Park takes about 35 minutes.
2. Tap for longer journeys
However, you might want to buy an Oyster (£7) if you have a 16-25, 26-30, Senior, HM Forces Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard, because you can get a 30 per cent discount for off-peak Tube and bus journeys – you just need to ask a member of TfL staff to link them.
Hop on the No 9 at Piccadilly Circus and you’ll pass Green Park, the Duke of Wellington’s former home at Hyde Park Corner, then Knightsbridge, the Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace.
Hop on the bus to see Piccadilly Circus among many other landmarks (Photo: Alexander Spatari/Getty)4. Cruise the Thames for less than £11
Get a good-value cruise along the River Thames, passing by the Tower of London and under Tower Bridge. An adult one-way ticket on a Thames Clipper (river bus) from Westminster to Greenwich is £10.80.
A Thames Clipper river boat passes the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich (Photo: Getty)The trick for better value is to look further out but in areas but that have quick links into the centre of town. So, that means areas like Stratford (on the Central line and speedy Elizabeth line), Bermondsey (near London Bridge station) or Hammersmith (Piccadilly line).
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square WALKINGRead More6. Enjoy world-class culture, for free
London has a mind-boggling array of world-class attractions that are absolutely free: The National Gallery, British Museum, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, National Portrait Gallery and Natural History Museum could keep you busy for years, never mind a weekend.
The South London Jazz Orchestra at the bandstand in Ruskin Park (Photo: Richard Baker/Getty)
You can also enjoy free or cheap lunchtime concerts at some churches and parks – check out the programme at the Sir Christopher Wren-designed St James’s in Piccadilly, the Royal Parks and Ruskin Park in south-east London.
7. Sniff out the best meal deals
When it comes to eating in London, you can of course get the usual supermarket meal deals, but if you want to push the gravy boat out, there are ways of doing so at a discount.
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Even Michelin-starred spots are in on it: Murano in Mayfair offers modern Italian with three courses at lunch for £60.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan at the Wolseley restaurant on Piccadilly (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty)
9. Contact your local MP for a tour
9. Guided tours of Parliament cost £34, but if you contact your local MP in advance you can arrange one for free.
The 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper is the tallest in the City of London (Photo: Shomos Uddin/Getty)
11. But splash out on The London Eye
The London Eye is pricey but worth it. Online prices are always lower than walk up – £29 vs £42 currently. Last summer there were deeper discounts for some mid-afternoon time slots so keep an eye on the website.
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The TKTS booth in Leicester Square, meanwhile, has last-minute deals for a range of shows, and you can check out the website too. The Royal Opera House has “Friday Rush” tickets available on the day at 1pm. Although prices vary, you can pay from just £8. And if Shakespeare’s your thing, the Globe theatre has standing tickets close to the stage for £10.
13. Join a service
14. Follow the experts
Banding together for a morning or afternoon walking tour with a Blue Badge tour guide isn’t that expensive – around £15 per person if there are 15 of you – and you’ll see a new side of London, thanks to their expertise.
Blue Badge guides must study for at least 18 months and take 12 exams, so they know their stuff, whether it’s rock’n’roll in Soho or pomp and majesty in Mayfair. You’ll find more details at britainsbestguides.org and guidelondon.org.
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