Best Ways to Travel in London on a Budget
Central London offers a variety of choices for transportation, and knowing which fares and rates are available to tourists and travelers may be tricky. Here are your best ways to travel in London on a budget:
âÂ?¢ Avoid taxis! Yes, they’re fun and look great, but the costs of a taxi can quickly add up. Since most are fit for 4-5 people, you may end up with all sorts of people and destinations that don’t quite get you where you want to go. . ..use these only in an emergency situation, or for a ‘tourist’ trip!
âÂ?¢ Don’t drive in the city. It’s tempting to rent a car to get around, but it’s not worth the stress or tension getting around central London. Heavy traffic, one way streets, unfamiliar road signs, and crowds of pedestrians will leave you sressed and burned out before you arrive at your destination. Find a better alternative whenever possible.
âÂ?¢ Ride the bus. The classic London bus awaits you on every street and corner. The bus system in London is one of the best (and budget friendly) ways to get around quickly, and the bus experience is one-of-a-kind. You’ll see London from a fresh perspective on top of London’s famous #23 bus, and be paying a marginal price compared to a coach. You can pick up bus maps from any newspaper agent (‘British’ for small convenience store), and you’ll be on your way!
âÂ?¢ Purchase a Travelcard, such as the Oyster card. This is an absolute must to get around for a days worth of traveling to different areas and parts of London on a budget. The Travelcard gives you the opportunity to enjoy unlimited transportation on the London Underground AND the bus system. You’ll get to move around with ease, and hassle-free. This will also save time at each stop to purchase a new ticket, and the cost of buying individual tickets.
âÂ?¢ Keep spare change and coins handy; you’ll need these to buy tickets/tokens at various stations (if you decide not to use a Travelcard). You don’t want to lose anytime trying to withdraw money from a long-lined ATM machine, so do be sure to pack extra bills and coins just for traveling purposes. Depending on the length of your stay, you can coordinate how much this adds up towards your weekly or daily budget in London.
âÂ?¢ Walk! Sometimes it’s faster, easier, and even fun to simply walk to your next spot. Depending on the nature of your destination, London offers plenty of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly tunnels to get you where you need to be. A Walking tour is also a great way to learn the ‘city ropes’ when you first arrive, as this guided tour will take you through all of the primary walking areas as well as tourist hotspots.
âÂ?¢ Purchase a London ‘A to Z.’ This details all of the maps, underground stations, and walking opportunities throughout London, and can help you plan your trip better, or simply serve as a guide when you get lost!
Traveling in London on a budget does not have to difficult; all it takes is a little bit of savvy and know-how, and you’ll learn the city fairly quickly. Do make note of particular bus and tube ‘last stop’ times, as they do close at different hours depending on month and location. It’s wise to keep all of your personal belongings close by when traveling, so avoid over-packing since you may have to walk long distances, even to the next tube or bus station. Be cautious in the evenings and after hours, as these are potentially dangerous times for tourists and natives of Londoners alike. You’ll enjoy traveling cheap, and London at its best when you experience the busy city and all of its transportation options; take the opportunity to try them all, and you’ll have a trip to remember!
