The draw of London as a city to visit is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the world. Not just the modern vibrancy, the 24-hour possibilities and the never-ending list of things to see and do, but also the olde world charm of it. Many tourists come to London for its history and heritage, to explore museums, take guided tours and get their photos taken near any number of attractions. Unfortunately for a lot of visitors, the reality of visiting London can often be overwhelming as the day-to-day expenses can easily take their toll on even the most liberal of travel budgets. For those who have always dreamed of adding London to their tour itinerary, here are some essential tips for enjoying England’s capital on a shoestring.

So vast and full that it can feel like its constantly evolving, London is certainly a city of temptation where, if you’re not careful, world-famous shopping havens, superb eateries and hundreds of shows and concerts to choose from can all impact heavily on your budget. First things first though, organise your accommodation before you go. There are many hotels that offer a great and memorable service at a good price, like The Beaufort Hotel or any of the Travelodges, but if even these are a little too pricey, don’t forget that London is extremely well catered for when it comes to hostels. However, booking a hotel before you go can be surprisingly good value.

Next you need to be able to get around the city. London is certainly not small and when you are taking any public transport you will undoubtedly see many Londoners using a small blue card to pay for their transport; this is an Oyster Card. These pre-paid travel cards are redeemable against buses, inner-city trains and the Underground, so really take the hassle out of the everyday commute, however they’re not ideal for visitors unless you plan to be in London quite often. A simple day ticket travel card from one of the vending machines in any underground stations will be all most visitors need to get around this colourful city.

Once you are able to get about easily, the world’s your oyster, as London is full of cheap and free attractions; not least is Buckingham Palace. Obviously you can’t get inside it, but getting your photo taken standing in front of it, or next to one of the traditional Queen’s Guards, is a great London souvenir. Likewise, famous sites like Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Houses of Parliament are equally easy to get to.

Many of London museums and galleries are free entry, so it’s easy to make the most of it by spending the day asking up the culture and heritage of fascinating buildings like The National Gallery or The British Museum. Though many, like The Tate Modern and Madam Tussauds, do charge entry, they usually still offer a cheap day out, especially if the weather turns.

So, once you’ve chosen from one of the many budget hotels London has to offer, and then grabbed a day ticket, you’ll never be short of an experience to enjoy on a shoestring budget trip to England’s capital.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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