Affordable London: 21 ways to explore the city on a budget
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With 18.8 million international visitors in 2023, London’s popularity as a tourist destination shows no sign of waning, despite the fact that it’s known almost as well for its priciness as for its rich history, diverse culture and unmissable landmarks.
That said, the UK capital has plenty to offer the budget-conscious traveller … you just need to know where to look.
London’s skyline, with its mix of historical architecture, graceful spires, magnificent domes, imposing modern skyscrapers, and vast green spaces is best seen from on high.
Nearest station: Monument
Cost: Free
From the 43rd floor of London’s ‘Walkie Talkie’ (20 Fenchurch St), admire the view of London’s iconic skyline while surrounded by a verdant indoor garden. With observation decks and an open-air terrace, there’s also a handful of restaurants and bars.
Nearest station: Battersea Park Station
Cost: From £12.60
Reopened to the public in 2022, Battersea Power Station is full of buzzy restaurants and stores, but its most unique experience takes place in one of its skyline-punctuating chimneys. Shoot up to 109 metres in a glass lift, for a 360-degree view of the city: the ticket price includes an immersive exhibition at ground level.
Nearest station: Chalk Farm
Cost: Free
With views over Regent’s Park and the city, Primrose Hill is a glorious vantage point. Walk just 10 minutes along the towpath from Camden, take in the sorbet shades of Regency townhouses and grab a bottle of something bubbly from one of the neighbourhood’s chic delis in time for sunset.
Nearest station: North Greenwich
Cost: From £3 one way
Some like their views on the move — hence the popularity of the much-pricier London Eye. Head to historic Greenwich and its O2 Arena (formerly the Millennium Dome) and you can sail above the snaking Thames, with views towards London’s industrial areas in one direction, and the city centre in the other.
Nearest station: Monument
Cost: From £3.00
Standing 62m tall — and 62m from the bakery where the Great Fire of London started in 1666 — the Monument was erected as a memorial to the event that gutted swathes of the capital, including the original St Paul’s Cathedral. Ascend 311 steps of a spiral staircase for views over the Thames and the city.
London is one of the best cities in the world for free museums and galleries: these form only the tip of an awe-inspiring iceberg.
Nearest station: South Kensington
Cost: Free
Not one museum, but a forgivable cheat, when three such institutions are within spitting distance of one another. The V&A is a haven of art and design housed in a building created in the Italian Renaissance style; over the road, The Natural History Museum has a collection of dinosaurs to intrigue any child, and the Science Museum houses educational and entertaining interactive displays.
Nearest station: Blackfriars
Cost: Free; temporary exhibitions usually have an admission fee
The vastness of the Turbine Hall is just the beginning: venture beyond this post-industrial space for works by Picasso, Matisse, and Yayoi Kusama, as well as Jackson Pollock, Anish Kapoor, and Andy Warhol.
Nearest station: Kings Cross
Cost: Free
Located in vibrant Granary Square, the UK’s first and only LGBTQ+ museum has an ever-evolving ‘We Are Queer Britain’ exhibition. Visitors can engage with a melange of images, objects, and voices touching upon queer culture, activism, and social history.
Nearest station: Tottenham Court Rd
Cost: Free
With a permanent collection including the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures (including the controversial Elgin Marbles) plus more recent additions such as Grayson Perry’s Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, the British Museum has artefacts from all over the world.
London’s theatrical and musical history is deservedly legendary, but you don’t need to pay a fortune to access it.
Nearest station: Earls Court
Cost: Free
As the first place that Bob Dylan ever played in the UK, this venue has an inimitable jazz heritage, and still holds free jazz nights with up and coming musicians every Sunday and Monday, with a suggested spend of £20.
Nearest station: various, including Leicester Square and Charing Cross
Cost: Save up to 68%
London’s theatre district stages a huge variety of shows, ranging from racy and macabre to family-friendly and uplifting. There are several kiosks in the area where you can grab greatly-reduced tickets, or buy online from a trusted site.
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus
Cost: Free
Within the walls of this 340-year-old, Christopher Wren-designed church, visitors can join a service or simply take time to reflect. Regular talks are also held plus, best of all, free lunchtime recitals take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1.10pm.
It’s one of the fashion capitals of the world, so leave space in your luggage for your London purchases.
Nearest station: Covent Garden
Cost: From £30 per kilo
Rail upon rail of thrifted finery awaits you at Picknweight, where carefully curated pieces and a distinctly hipster vibe are perhaps reflected in the per-kilo price, which is a little more than what’s charged at London’s regular pop-up kilo sales. Check eventbrite.co.uk for details of these to score even bigger vintage bargains.
Nearest station: various, including Oxford Circus
Cost: Free entry
With its first London incarnation opening in a disused dairy in 2002, Beyond Retro is a vintage shopping stalwart. Expect lush seventies frocks, quality knitwear, covetable cowboy boots, and a range of labels from Levi’s to Ralph Lauren.
Nearest station: Wembley Park
Cost: Free entry
Thrift stores abound in London, but if you prefer your bargains new, head to Wembley’s designer outlet, where you’ll find labels such as Calvin Klein, Kurt Geiger, Nike, Next, and Superdry — all at up to 70% less than the RRP.
For a metropolis so bustling, it may be surprising to know that around 20% of London is given over to public green spaces.
Nearest station: Archway
Cost: From £10
The Gothic splendour and verdant beauty of Highgate Cemetery is the stuff of a tapophile’s dreams — and that’s even before you consider its rich history and famous residents, which include Karl Marx, Christina Rossetti, and George Michael.
Nearest station: Various, including Green Park
Cost: Free
There are eight Royal Parks in London, but four of them — Green Park, Hyde Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens — are closely linked in London’s centre, with the added attractions of Kensington Palace; Buckingham Palace; The Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Walk (and Playground), and the Serpentine Lido (from £3.50)
Nearest station: Stratford
Cost: Free
Reopened in 2012, this sprawling, 560-acre park is free to simply roam around in, but also offers several budget-friendly activities, such as swimming in the Olympic Pool, pedal boating, or BMXing — each at under £10. Regular events and performances are also held here — check the website for details.
A city as multicultural as London is guaranteed to have something to agree with every palate - and budget.
Nearest station: Shoreditch
Cost: Donations welcome, plus cost of food
London’s East End is a beguiling mix of cultures and, therefore, food. Join a free tour to learn more about the history of the area, as well as the influence of immigrant populations and modern trends, sampling tasty treats as you go.
Nearest station: Various, including Waterloo for riverside Southbank
Cost: From £12.95 per person
Many of London’s big-name eateries offer all-you-can-eat deals, but this Chinese dim sum chain has one of the best: you’re not limited to the 90 minutes that many establishments offer and you can upgrade with a bottle of fizz for £15. Dim it on.
Nearest station: London Bridge
Cost: various
It’s not the cheapest market in London, but its history, plus its proximity to other attractions, balances the equation — and the variety of food on offer is incredible. People-watch, graze free samples, and challenge yourself to limit your purchases to just a few: the struggle is real.
- Plan ahead and map out your route. Many of London’s best sights are within walking distance of one another, saving you transport costs.
- Take advantage of London’s public bike sharing scheme. There are more than 12,000 Santander bikes in the capital, priced at £1.65 per 30 minutes, or £3 for a 24-hour Day Pass.
- The London Pass (londonpass.com) grants sizable discounts on over 90 ticketed attractions.
- The water in London is safe to drink, so bring your own refillable bottle.
- Planning on eating out a lot? Consider signing up to Tastecard (tastecard.co.uk) for savings on restaurant meals.