How to visit London with a low budget?

Definetely get a pre-paid Oyster card from Heathrow (or the first undergound station you visit). The card will cost you a deposit of £3 but you will get this back when you hand back the card at the end of your stay. Load it up with around £30 worth of credit, that should be enough for 5 days if you stay in the city centre. You can use it on buses, underground train and some overground suburban services. Each time you tap your card in at the gate it will deduct a fare automatically, but it's limited to a maximum each day. If you're flying into Gatwick take the normal train to Victoria (not the Gatwick Express which is quicker but twice the price). You can then buy the Oyster card from Victoria.

London can be very expensive so choose what you do carefully. Of course seeing most of the sights is free, you just have to go and stand outside them!

Here is a list of things that are free (and good!) to do:

The British Museum - Fabulous museum full of pretty much everything. The Ancient Egyptian section is the highlight. Nearest Tube - Holborn (see www.britishmuseum.org/)

The Natural History & Science Musuems - These two museums are right next to each other in Kensington. It's also a very nice area to wander around, with the Royal Albert Hall & Holland Park nearby. Nearest Tube - South Kensington

Primrose Hill - Best view in London, far superior to the London Eye and it doesn't cost a bean. If it's a nice day take a picnic up and a bottle of wine up with you. To get there take the underground to Chalk Farm and ask for directions from there, it's a two minute walk. There is a bakery, a grocery shop and a wine & beer shop in the area at the bottom of the hill.

Greenwich - You can get to Greenwich by train, but if you can afford it take a boat trip from Westminster pier, it's well worth the extra. Greenwich has a lovely park with excellent views over the docklands. The observatory and naval musuems are here, both of which are free. The buildings here are very grand, you can visit Henry VIII former palace and the former Naval Academy. There is also a market here at the weekends. Nearest Tube - Cutty Sark on the Dockland Light Railway. (see http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/nav.2857)

Portobello Road Market - A Huge street market held on Saturdays. The first part is clothes and fashion, then it moves more into food before you get to Notting Hill and the antiques market. Worth a look even if you're not interested in buying! Some the food from the stalls is excellent, and cheap! Nearest Tube - Ladbroke Grove

Tate Modern - If you like modern art then the Tate Modern is a must see. The world's largest collection of modern art and most of it is free to enter. Nearest Tube - St Pauls (see http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/)

Some of the attractions that charge are worth splashing out for. I would recommend the following:

The Tower of London, entry £16 for adults - Former Royal Palace, prison, mint record store and loads more in between. This is probably the most interesting building in London. The entrance fee includes the jewel house where the Crown Jewels are kept. Nearest Tube - Tower Hill (see http://www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon/)

St Paul's Cathedral entry £10 for adults - Sir Christopher Wren's fabulous cathedral is well worth the entrance fee. Take the guided tour (an extra £3) at 11am, 11.30 am, 1.30pm or 2pm to really get the full experience, although the more expensive audio guides aren't so good. (see http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngd...

Westminster Abbey, entry £10 for adults - Founded by William the Conquerer in 1066 this is where most of Britain's most famous kings, queens, prime ministers and artists are buried (or at least they have a memorial). Again, it's worth doing a tour as the place can be a bit of a maze, see the London Walks below. Nearest Tube - Westminster (see http://www.westminster-abbey.org)/

Guided Walks, various prices - Guided walks from London Walks are an excellent way to see some of things that most visitors miss. They are great value and well worth the cost. See their website at http://www.walks.com/ to see what is on on what day. I would recommend the Jack the Ripper Walk, The Royal London & Westminster Walk (excellent if you want to see the changing of the guard) and the Haunted London Walks, but I've never been on one of these I haven't enjoyed.

Food is a little trickier. If you're not careful you can end up spending a fortune of some very average eating experiences.

Before I reccomend anywhere I just want to warn you off a few places. Avoid Angus Steakhouses & Garfunkels Pizza. They are dotted around the city and they are overpriced and awful. Most central London pub food is also massively overpriced and not very good. The exception to this are Wetherspoons pubs, the quality still isn't fantastic but as you can get a burger, fries and a pint of beer for about £4.50 the price is a lot more realistic.

Supermarkets are dotted all around London if you want picnic food. I'd recommend Marks & Spencers and EAT! for sandwiches.

China town (near Leciester Square) is good for cheap eats of varying quality. Brick Lane in East London is good value for Indian food, go to Aldgate station and follow your nose! Dalston & Stoke Newington are great bets if you like Turkish food, take a train from Liverpool Street Station to Stoke Newington and walk down the high street. If you want pizza try Pizza Express, a chain restaurant that do good pizzas and pastas (http://www.pizzaexpress.com/).

For traditional British Fish & Chips go to Marylebone High Street to the Golden Hind (73 Marylebone Lane). If you want other traditional British meals I would recommend the S & M Cafe in Portobello Road Market, Spitalfields near Liverpool Street or in Islington http://www.sandmcafe.co.uk/index2.asp.

Try www.toptable.co.uk for restuarant bookings. They often have half price or discounted offers for restaurants all over London.

Hope this has been helpfull, if you would like any further advice I'd be happy to answer specific questions by e-mail, stuart_farr_uk@yahoo.co.uk.

How To Visit London Cheap

Tips for travel:

Buy a an oyster card as many other have also mentioned. Try to buy a weekly travel card, as it gives you unlimited travel on both train and bus.

Try to take your oyster card everywhere you go as paying in cash can be very expensive compared to the oyster card rates.

Going for walks on a sunny summer day along the embankment and westminster bridge is beautiful, you can visit the tate modern/Britain art museum (free entry)and then watch the sun set, go on a boat cruise (few pounds), have dinner in Sohos has many wonderful Chinese restaurants or other great places to eat on a budget: Nandos, Mcdonalds, Wagamama.

London has lots to offer so your going to have a nice time, with endless shops, museums, cinemas, clubs, restaurants, bars and landscapes which you could admire all day.What ever you do do not stand on the pavement with your street maps where people are about to cross the road because this blocks peoples way and during the rush hour it can get very busy. Have fun

Hi yeah, I went last year for 3 days, I stayed at the Easy Hotel in Victoria, London and it was £22 a night plus a £5 remote for all day telly. It was small but crammed everything you need in if you want somewhere nice to stay that's basic. It has a flat screen TV in the wall, a shower/toilet and a bed. I went on the Megabus for £10 each which goes from a capital city straight to London non-stop. On the megabus website you can find how much it will cost before having to buy - you have to say how many passengers, the leaving date and return date and your city and will say how much it will be.

So as someone else said get an Oyster Card. It's a "smart card" that you can use on all of the transit (tube, buses, etc.).

If you are staying with friends you might try a hostel. Otherwise, I've found some budget hotels at http://www.priceline-europe.com/

Buy one of those hop on - hop off bus tours of the city the first or second day you are their, it will help you get your orientation and determine where you do and do not want to go or see.

As said above, couchsurfing and gumtree are good places to start.

Also, try http://www.moneysupermarket.com/?Source=TS for cheap places to stay and things to do etc. The forums on that site are often helpful too.

I don't know if they have Greggs bakers in London, but if they do - go there! Wetherspoons is also good value, if you dont mind microwaved food - if you go to their site, you can check out if one will be close to where you're staying and you can also get loads of free vouchers too http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk!/

Good places in London - art galleries and museums are generally cheap or free, check them out on this website http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/ (search London, free attractions!).

A good idea would be to go to a tourist information office and have a look around there, as I don't really know what you're into! Also, just type in 'things to do in london' in google, there are loads of websites with advice and suggestions. Try http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/ for more ideas.

And finally, try this site: http://www.helium.com/items/489845-youre-student-b... it is a page designed for students/ budget travellers in london so it gives many cheap/ free suggestions!!

Have an amazing time :D

For cheap place to live , try student hostels.

For transport, buy an Oyster card Gives very cheap travel all day on buses and trains

For sandwiches, buy a loaf and make yourself a pack lunch easy to carry in your bag and bottled water.

Places to visit.Madame Tussuad's, London Dungeon. London eye,Trafalgar square and a canal boat trip.

Evening time, go to Leicester Square.

For shopping, go to Oxford Street

London is expensive...no doubt about that. There are ways to save a bit though. I typically visit London once a year.

1- invest in an Oyster card: its a prepaid card used for the subway and bus lines in London. Much cheaper way to go. You can buy it right at the Heathrow underground station and use it to get into town!

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronli...

2- Look for deals on accommodations:

http://www.hostelworld.com/ will let you shop for hostels. Some give deals for longer stays

http://www.gumtree.com/ you can look for short term sublets. People list their apartments or even their room in a house share. You pay their rent and use their room while they are away. Stays range from a few days to months. Very inexpensive way to go.

http://www.couchsurfing.com/ this is a networking site that lets you find people who are willing to lend you their couch for a few nights for FREE! You can choose from people who have been verified and rated by other surfers.

3- A big way to save cash is to get your food from supermarkets instead of restaurants. Even if you're in a hotel or a hostel with no kitchen you can save by buying prepared foods from the market. Marks and Spencers have a GREAT range of sandwiches, salads, etc.

4- You can save cash on sightseeing and hanging out as well.

Check out these sites for ideas:

http://www.visitlondon.com/

http://www.londonforfree.net/

http://www.londonisfree.com/

http://www.london4free.net/

5- Invest in a good guide book. I like the Eyewitness Top Ten series. Their guides are small, easy to read and give the most important info on sights, restaurants, transport, etc. They also cost about $10 and fit easily into a purse or large pocket.

6- Enjoy your trip!

I've just been to London.

1) NEVER buy pre-made sandwiches ANYWHERE, especially not London. They are a complete waste of money. Make them up in the morning and take them with you.

2) If you/your parents have done much shopping at Tescos, the clubcard points can be exchanged for 4 times their value in vouchers for various attractions, many in London.

That's how we got throught :) I hope this helps.

Also, I agree, free museums are good...

London taxis are the best and safest form of transport but they are expensive however, if there are four or five of you travelling together they are very reasonable. Make sure it is a London type taxi with a meter and not a private hire saloon car. They will rip you off as the fare is not metered.

If you are still students, make sure you bring your student card (student union, uni card, etc.) because many places have reductions for students. Best place to stay, if you can get in, is a YHA place because you have food preparation areas and you can buy food from supermarkets and prepare your own meals. If you want to buy sandwiches, look out for Marks and Spencer which sells the best in town at quite reasonable prices. All the public-owned museums are now free so you can safe a lot there. Transport in London is never cheap, but you can try paying the minimum. I suggest you check out this site:

http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Travel/Transport/Lond...

Enjoy yourself, but always be sensible and play safe.