CONTENTS
Your Budget Travel Guide to London in 2025
It’s totally possible to do London on budget as well as many other destinations. Though a budget trip requires a bit of planning, nothing is really an impossible challenge if you’re well-prepared and have the right information.
In fact, there are plenty of low-cost (and even free!) things to do in London, such as visiting gardens, museums, and galleries. These are just as essentially “the capital” experiences as any other high-budget trip.
The blessing that be for London lovers with a tight budget is also its public transportation system. There are plenty of ways to get around the city for as low as £4.50. Besides these aspects, London on budget also means planning, packing, and getting to the capital in the most budget-friendly ways possible. We have them compiled all here for you!
How Much Money Do I Need Per Day In London?
It’s important to estimate your daily spending in London to avoid going over budget. Photo credit: Sandra Gasior / @oh_she_travels
Before we get down to the tips and tricks for your next dream London on a budget holiday, here’s a breakdown of how much money you should spend a day:
- Accommodation: £60-£100 per night (budget options)
- Food:
- Breakfast: £3-£5 (can be free if included in accommodation)
- Lunch: £5-£10
- Dinner: £10-£15
- Snacks and drinks: £5-£10
- Transportation:
- With London Oyster card: £6.80 for a daily cap
- Taxis or Uber: £10-£20
- Activities:
- Some parks, museums, art galleries, and markets: free entry
- Paid attractions: £10-£20 but can be cheaper or more expensive depending on where you buy tickets and the time of travel
- Other expenses, including souvenirs and shopping, can start from £10
Overall, you can expect to spend £100-£160 a day, depending on your plans and preferences. London is not a cheap travel destination; the city is up there with Hong Kong and Paris. But you can travel to this wonderful city in many ways without breaking the bank.
What Month Is The Cheapest To Go To London?
London is a year-round destination, so the price difference between attractions may not be as drastic as you’d expect, regardless of when you travel. But the great news is that you can have the same wondrous experience in the capital, no matter the month.
With that being said, late Winter months, like January and February, can have noticeably lower flight and accommodation fares. Avoid festive seasons such as Christmas and Summer (typically June).
According to Skyscanner, based on historical data, December is the cheapest month to book a flight to London, with prices averaging 13% less than the yearly ticket price. They advise against booking in June, when a round-trip ticket rises to as much as $830.
Flying To London On A Budget Trip
Getting to and around London can cost a hefty amount for tourists. And we’re not going to lie. It can be a bit confusing, too. You might wonder whether to buy a transport pass or not. Or, you may struggle to figure out how NOT to spend half your budget on flight tickets.
Before Flying
If you’re visiting London from outside the UK, make sure you have up-to-date information on what is needed to enter the country. Have your passport, visa, travel insurance, and everything else sorted out.
Ensure you know the difference between your country’s currency and the British pound sterling. Planning carefully in both gives you a clearer understanding of exactly how much you must pay. Sometimes, the numbers seem small in one currency but are actually not in the other.
For our American readers, note that the prices in London already include VAT/TAX. You’ll also often see a “service charge” (often 12.5%) pre-included in the bill. Unlike the US, London has a minimum wage, so the service charge is meant to supplement their income, not replace it. You can ask them to remove this amount if the service is subpar, or you can even tip an additional 10-12% if the service is stellar.
CabinZero’s advice: Use no foreign transaction fee card to pay, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Premier Card, and Discover It.
Choose The Right Airlines
Flying budget airlines is the best way to get to London. Photo by william87 - stock.adobe.com
If you’re from outside the UK, the cheapest way is flying with budget airlines. They’re buses in the sky, but knowing what they offer and preparing well are enough to keep you comfy and stress-free. Here are some popular budget airlines to London:
Flights are cheaper if you’re flying to London from another European country. Other than that, there is probably nowhere else that is as cheap. But it doesn’t mean you can’t get your hand on some sweet flight deals or hack your way into cheaper transportation. Here are some ideas you can try.
Don’t just blindly purchase the first ticket you see. With a little bit of research and planning you can save a hefty amount of money.
Compare Prices On Flight Booking Sites
Sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak are competitive, so one of them may give you a better flight deal than others. Try checking prices at different times of the day or days of the week because prices tend to change every day and at any hour, depending on site traffic.
Buying Cheaper Flights With VPN
Can you buy cheaper flights with a VPN? Maybe. Some globetrotters say it’s a myth, but some say they have been offered cheaper prices after changing their IP address or browsing in incognito mode.
The answers are mixed. Sometimes, the lower prices you’re seeing are just a glitch; sometimes, you see a local-only offer (rates only available within a specific region/country).