LONDON:
If you go to London, you must realize it is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Yet it is still possible to experience the city without breaking your budget.
Here is a list of low cost things to do in London:
Get a Free Map. The official tourist office charges for maps but if you grab the pamphlets for the walking or bus tours, they contain maps. Also, the Museum of London gives away a map for free if you ask. Some Travel Guide maps can sometimes be hard to read and these others maps give you a good idea as to where the location of all the sites and underground stops are without having squint at a book.
Visit Museums. Most of the museums in London are free- the Museum of London, the British History Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum are all free. Get your fill of British history without spending a pence!
Vist an Art Gallery. The National Gallery and the Tate Modern are also free.
Buy an Oyster Card. This may not be free but for 28 pounds, you get unlimited usage of the bus and trains. I’m not sure why they call it an Oyster card. It’s not shaped like one.
People Watch. Sunday is market day in London. There’s the Camden Market, the Portobello Market, the Flower Market, and a million more markets. People watch, get great photos, and enjoy local London life without spending a dime.
Watch Iconic Symbols. The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace at 11:30 a.m. as well as the horse guards at Whitehall at 11:00 a.m. are both free and interesting to watch.
Free Internet. Looking for your online fix? The city libraries offer free internet. There are five library locations around the city. You get a free half hour but if it’s not busy you can stay on until you are finished.
Walk Around. London is a huge city and there are beautiful historic buildings all around. In fact, London beat me. I found this city to be totally un-walkable. I walked for four hours and barely made a dent on the route I was going to take (hence the need to get the Oyster Card.) I’ve walked countless other European cities and never had this problem but there is simply too much to see here. However, once you walk and get out of the tourist area around the Thames, you’ll get to see London the way the locals do.
Lounge in the Parks. Spending a day in the park is free wherever you go. London has some great parks and when the sun comes out (which hasn’t been too often), Londoners flock outside. Join them for some fun in the sun.
See Westminster Abbey. You can get into Westminster for free. You have to cheat slightly though. Westminster will not charge you entrance if you’re there for worship. (Maybe worshiping its beauty?) If you want to get in and not pay, say you are worshiping. I didn’t do it but I’m just putting it out there that you can do it.
Get Cheap Theater Tickets- The theater in London is one of the best in the world. However, it’s also bloody expensive. A night at the theater can blow any traveler’s budget. However, there are plenty of ways to find discount tickets.
Get a river taxi pass and hop on hop off sightsee from the riverside stops. Much more interesting than the godawful tube. Go for a drink in Chelsea then hit the west end.
Time: Extended-stay passes will bring down your daily rate. And because you are not in a rush to see everything in a day, you now have time to shop for other deals on food and souvenirs. Plus relax and skip the stress of rushing.
London maybe expensive but it is very possible to fill your days with free activities. If you do want to go in to see the sights you will have to pay, sometimes as much as £25!!! So try out the above activities and save some money.
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