Tips for Doing London on a Student Budget
Written: Aug 01 '05 (Updated Aug 01 '05)
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Pros: Free museums, parks, and historic sites, food is cheap if you know where to go!
Cons: Searching out inexpensive options can be a lot of effort!
The Bottom Line: This is ridiculously long...but I have a lot to say about living on a student budget!
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| chelledun's Full Review: London |
I’ve spent the past five and a half weeks in London on a student budget. My total spending averaged out to less than my goal of 50 pounds a day for the days I spent in London. This included housing, meals, school supplies, and a whole lot of fabulous experiences. Keeping under my loan budget enabled me to have some money left over for a few great weekend trips as well. I’ve been keeping a list of helpful tips to those wishing to travel in London on a small budget without sacrificing a great time.
Sleep for Cheap
1. College Dorms - If you are not picky about such things as a private bathroom and are visiting London in the summer, I suggest you do as I have done and reserve a room in one of the dozens of vacant college dorms around the city. Most of the students in my group are staying in the same dorm as I am for several weeks but the dorm functions as a bed and breakfast as well, as do many others on the University of London Campus. I see travelers of all different ages checking in and out on a daily basis and taking advantage of the free breakfast. The lodgings are not so great and the customer service is nonexistent, but sometimes you just need a bed. Showers and toilets are available on each floor as is a small kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave. The cost is 25 pounds per night.
2. Hostels - Another very inexpensive option is to stay at a London hostel. Hostels.com is a fabulous website with hundreds of ratings for each location. A listing of London hostels is available at http://www.hostels.com/en/gb.en.lo.html. Prices start as low as $30 and many include a breakfast as well.
Eating – Where Most of My Money Went
It took a bit for me to get a hang of eating in London. For one thing, many casual restaurants close much earlier than I am accustomed to. Pubs and such often stop serving food as early as three p.m. I feel like I’ve finally gotten the hang of getting some cheap and semi-nutritious meals, however. These suggestions are not gourmet but they will fill your belly.
1. Grocery Stores - I found the grocery stores in London to be of generally fabulous quality. If you have access to a microwave you are in great shape because the grocery stores almost all have a selection of interesting microwaveable meals. Even if you can’t heat food you can take your pick from a huge variety of fresh salads and sandwiches for a reasonable price. Don’t miss the fresh fruit and baked goods, either. You can purchase pastries here for about half of the price you would pay at an upscale bakery.
2. Fruit Stands - London has a large number of fresh fruit stands throughout the city. I have found that the selection and quality of fruit is best in the morning, which is not surprising. Some of my classmates almost live off the fruit stands, buying massive quantities of grapes, oranges, and raspberries.
3. Pub Food - Of course, one can not live on pub food alone but dining in a pub is an experience everyone must have at least once during a London trip. I have found the food to be from slightly below average to slightly above average but the beer is always fabulous. Stick with specials like fish and chips and stay away from elaborate pastas and such and you will probably get your food quicker. Look for pubs which offer specials such as two entrees for a set price or throw in a beer with your meal. My favorite pub with a decent food selection is Waxy O’Conner’s located between Picadilly Circus and Liecester Square.
4. Pasties! - Yes, I’m talking about those scrumptious meet and veggie-filled pies in a pastry crust. These guys will only run you a couple of pounds but they are one filling meal. I enjoy the chicken with vegetables and potatoes as well as the cheese and onion varieties. My husband liked the exotic lamb and mint combination on his visit. This is almost always a takeaway meal sold from a stand. And on that note…
5. Always Say Takeaway! - The British version of ‘to go’, taking your food on the run will save you cash as opposed to dining in the restaurant. This is even the case with beverages. Anyway, who wants to sit in some crowded little coffee shop when you can drink your latte sitting in Trafalgar Square?
6. For Sit-Down try Italian. - Sometimes one gets tired of eating on the go all the time. My friends and I found some of the best deals for full-service restaurants at the hundreds of Italian restaurants scattered around. The food was generally pretty good as well. One pre-theatre special I enjoyed included any pizza or pasta, garlic bread, and coffee for 8 Euros. Bellia Italia is a pretty decent Italian chain with many locations in the theater district.
7. Mmm…Kebabs… - Not to be confused with a ‘shish-ka-bob,’ kebab means ‘grilled meat’ in Persian or Turkish. Meat is the key word here as you can have lamb, beef, or chicken scraped off of giant cones into a yummy pita type bread all for a very low price. If the choice is between small or large, I can tell you the answer should probably be small. Kebab stands are located all around London but I have found them to be particularly numerous around Leicester Square.
Free Museums
London is amazing in that it offers a huge variety of free museums and tourist attractions. This makes bopping around the city and spending a short time at each attraction a lot more economically feasible. The following attractions are free and very worthwhile.
1. The British Museum - An amazing collection of historical artifacts from around the world. Don’t miss the fabulous collection of mummies and Sarcophaguses or the amazing Greek and Rome statue galleries. A special charge may apply for some special exhibitions.
2. The National Gallery - If you know very little about art like me, you can still enjoy the clearly marked highlight paintings and are likely to be familiar with some of them. The building is beautiful and the galleries are spotless. Handy audio tours and highlights brochures are available for free.
3. The National Portrait Gallery - This museum is full of paintings and photographs of people ranging from monarchs to present day celebrities. I enjoyed the historical galleries the most, particularly the portrayals of kings and queens with their families or as children. This museum is right next door to the National Gallery.
4. Science and Natural History Museums - Located right next door to each other in South Kensington, these are definitely the most child-friendly of the free attractions. I like the History museum a lot better with its amazing hall of mammals and audio-animatronic tyrannosaurus. Checking out one of these museums is a nice break from all the art and culture offered by the others.
5. And many more! - Even after being here for six weeks I have been unable to make it to all the amazing free attractions London offers. Also free are the Tate and Tate Modern, which thrilled the art lovers in our group. The Imperial War Museum does not charge admission and neither does the Victoria & Albert Museum. I am still hoping to make it to the free John Soane’s Museum in the next day or two.
Other Money Saving Tips
Of course, museums are not the only thing to be enjoyed on a shoestring budget. Here are some other tips for fun for free (or at least reduced) prices.
1. Enjoy the London Parks - Hyde Park is gigantic and worth a walk-through, but Regent’s Park is my absolute favorite with its elaborate fountains and floral planters. Any of London’s parks are a great place to take an inexpensive picnic lunch or just wander around and people watch. Sometimes special events such as free concerts or dance parties go on in the evenings.
2. Changing of the Guard - Of course, this is a must-do for any first time London visitor. The changing takes place at 11:30 every day during the summer and every other day during the off-season. To check on dates visit the official website at http://www.changing-the-guard.com/sched.htm. I’ve seen this twice and I feel that it is a lot more fun when you have a good viewing location so do consider arriving early.
3. Get Reduced Price Theatre Tickets - Even the hottest shows offer discounts if you are flexible about where (or if) you sit and when you go. I actually had better luck obtaining discounts from the theatres themselves on the day of the show rather than the half-price ticket booth. Sunday through Tuesdays also seemed to be the best days for discounts. I was able to get a standing room ticket to “Guys and Dolls” with Ewan McGregor for only 15 pounds and the show was so great I didn’t even notice I was standing. Fame had great seats available for 26 pounds the day of the show. I know someone who was able to get a seat for Les Miserables an hour before the show at a price of only 20 pounds. Tickets for most shows will never really be ‘cheap,’ but there is generally no need to pay 50 pounds or more unless you really want to sit in front or obtain your tickets well in advance.
4. See Movie Matinees - Seeing a movie during the day (before 5:00 p.m.) can cost about half of the evening price. I also have to say that seeing a movie in London was a very exciting experience complete with an elegant theatre and comfortable seats. There is a real feeling that the movie is art and it is a privilege to watch. I was able to go to a matinee of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for 7 pounds with my student and matinee discounts.
5. Invest in a Time-Out Magazine - These weekly publications sell for about three pounds and offer a great guide to the week’s concerts, films, and shows. It’s a one shop stop for most of the events going on in London. There are also some great buy one get one free type coupons inside so you can make your money back.
6. Take Advantage of Late Entry - Some tourist attractions such as Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum offer the option of paying a reduced price (about half) if you visit later in the day. Look into this any time you will not be making it to a tourist attraction until the afternoon. Of course, the disadvantage to this plan is that such attractions tend to be very crowded.
7. Walk Along the River - A fabulous area to walk around in is located across the river from Big Ben and Parliament. You will walk by the London Eye, the Aquarium, and a huge array of street performers. Stop and enjoy the music and acting and drop a few coins in for your favorites. I found this area to be one of the most enjoyable atmospheres in London even in the afternoon and early evening.
8. Try a Church Service - If you normally attend religious services, trying one out in London is a great experience. Some of the most historic cathedrals are located in the city and even Westminster Abby does not charge admission for Sunday services. I attended the Hillsong church in the “We Will Rock You” Theater and was treated to essentially a fabulous concert featuring Australian Matt Redman. There are mosques and Synogogues available as well. To find a church just google your religious denomination of choice and London, that is how I found one.
Transportation
1. The Tube - Clearly, the tubes have had some problems lately but I am confident they will soon be back to the easiest and least expensive way to travel around London. The tube is definitely the cheapest way to get to Heathrow Airport as well as most other locations. If you will be taking the tube more than two times during a day, it is probably cheapest to purchase a day’s travel pass. A full day travel pass for zones 1 and 2 (where most tourist attractions are located) will cost only 6 pounds and allows unlimited access to the tubes. If you will be there for at least a week you may want to look into one of the extended travelcards. Information and prices can be found at the Underground’s official website, http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tickets/2005/season/travelcard.shtml.
2. Student Travel Discounts - If you are a student it may be worth your while to swing by an STA travel location to purchase an International Student ID Card (ISIC). This card is most useful with regard to airfare if you will be traveling from London, as some rates require you to have a card. Similar cards are available for teachers and also non-student youth who are 25 years old or under.
Communication
Communicating with my husband and parents in the United States during this trip has been quite a challenge. It can be very expensive to keep in touch back home as well. I’ve come up with a couple of things that have worked for me without costing too much.
1. Purchase a Phone in London - If you are visiting for several weeks, it may actually be cheaper to purchase a new cell phone than to buy an international chip for a phone you already have. I purchased a used cell phone at Vodaphone on a pay as you go plan. I usually don’t put any money on my phone but just have my husband and parents call me using their less expensive long-distance plan. This does not cost the cell-phone holder anything. However, if you wish to do outgoing calls and text messages on your cell phone it is easy to ‘top up’ either at phone stores or online.
2. Skype - Before I left my husband purchased three sets of headphones so I could talk online with my mother and him. After messing around with AOL and MSN instant messengers we were still having trouble doing voice communications in real time. Skype.com has completely solved this problem. By simply downloading the program and using headphones we can talk for free over the internet in real time. This has been a great solution for us and I highly recommend it for anyone who will be internet accessible during their travels.
3. Payphones for Local Calls - To call another London location it is easiest and least expensive just to throw a pound or two into one of the numerous payphones around the city. Be warned, though, they may be attractive on the outside but they do tend to smell like drugs and urine. Just ignore the various advertisements for 900 numbers and you’ll be fine.
Overall…
Although London has been named the third most expensive city in the world, I haven’t entirely broken the bank while living here. By cutting back in a few areas I have been able to spend in others. That said, I am excited to head back to the United States on Thursday where my dollar is worth…a dollar. Hopefully these tips will be helpful to anyone planning a trip on a student budget and I will continue to add more as I think of them.
*Planning a trip to London? Here are some related reviews.
British Museum
National Potrait Gallery
Natural History Museum
London National Gallery
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
London Science Museum
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Students
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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