How To Save Money When Traveling To London

London is expensive.

AND it’s even more expensive since they are using the pound, which is currently 1.5x the amount of the dollar. If that doesn’t sound like a lot to you, imagine paying $80 for a cab (that alone is crazy) and then seeing it as $121 on your credit card bill.

That being said, here are a list of things that will show you how to save money when traveling to London, learned the hard way.

Public Transportation

Do not take a cab from the airport. You may be tired and think it’s worth it, but it isn’t. Use google maps beforehand to figure out how to get to your hotel using public transportation. You will likely take a bus, train or a combination of both. Even if you get confused, you can always ask someone nearby for help if you speak English (which you do since you are reading this).

Here is an example of how this is done:

Make sure that you highlight the train option at the top instead of the car option. Next, hit the blue “details” button in the bottom left hand corner for more precise directions.

So, if you are staying at the Pride of Paddington Hostel (1-3 Craven Rd, London W2 3BP, UK), you will take the train from the airport towards Paddington and get off at London Paddington Station. For walking directions, zoom into the walking section of the map or change the search for directions from London Paddington Station to 1-3 Craven Road.

Even after your arrival from the airport, you will still need to use public transportation while you are in London, it is an enormous city and impossible to see on foot. Luckily, the train, buses, and tube are all fairly easy to use. Use this system to figure it out yourself, or ask your hostel/hotel for help.

2. Pay for Public Transportation Using an Oyster Card

The Oyster Card is a pay-as-you-go electronic card that can be used to pay for all public transport in London. It’s accepted everywhere, is cheaper than using regular money and you won’t need to spend extra time buying tickets. Also, if you still have cash on it at the end of your trip, you can get the cash back.

3. Conveniently Located Accommodation

I save money by staying at hostels (which are still pretty pricey when you’re in London). Although public transportation can save you money, you can save even more money if you are conveniently located by attractions you know you want to visit and if you are conveniently located next to a train/bus station. I chose to stay in Paddington because I have a short amount of time in London and it is a straight shot to a lot of attractions and the airport via public trans.

4. Use Your Bank For Money Exchange

Ordering money from your bank beforehand is a lot cheaper than exchanging money at the airport or anywhere in the city. This goes for any destination. I have PNC, which also has a new feature where they reimburse you for ATM fees, meaning I could also use any overseas ATM without surcharges. If you have PNC, this is definitely something you should ask your bank about.

5. Booking the Right Flight

Read up on our guide to finding cheap flights. It is also worth mentioning that London has four different airports and some may be cheaper than others. However, make sure you know how much money the train will cost to and from each airport, although your flight may be cheaper into one of them, the public transportation might actually be more expensive.

6. Avoid Baggage Fees

If you are flying on a large airline, you probably won’t have to worry about this. However, if you are flying on a smaller airline from Europe, such as EasyJet or RyanAir (ugh) , you will want to check the baggage requirements before you book. Baggage fees can cost you up to $100.

RyanAir Baggage Guidelines

EasyJet Baggage Guidelines

7. Eat & Drink Cheaply

If it isn’t raining, purchase sandwiches from supermarkets or small cafes like Pret A Manger and Eat, and hang out in one of London’s many parks or gardens. If you are looking for a dine out fish and chips night, try eating in one of the less touristy areas to save some money.

While walking around London, you will also notice there are several great happy hour deals (2 for 1 cocktails anyone?) Here is a list of several bars that have cocktail happy hours. Here’s another. Doing research can save you a lot of money.

8. Free Attractions

Luckily, this is one area that London isn’t expensive in. London has many amazing free attractions that you can visit without spending a penny.

These include:

Tate Modern
Tate Britain
National Gallery
British Museum
Hyde Park
Hampstead Heath
Changing of the Guard
The outside of Parliament & Big Ben
A walk over the Tower Bridge
The outside of the London Tower

If you want to save money on the London Eye (about £19.35 ), here are some other views of London that are FREE:

Level 6 of Tate Modern gives a great view of St. Pauls Cathedral
The top floor of the Centre Point building gives you amazing panoramic views across London (this is a bar so get a drink or take your pictures quickly)
Sky Garden also gives an amazing view over all of London