A Backpacker’s Guide to London

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Out of all the destinations in the world, London is definitely not one of the cheapest places for backpackers to travel to. Even though the Evening Standard indicates that the capital no longer falls under the world’s top ten most expensive cities to live in, London travel doesn’t come cheap.

There are many ways to save money in London, whether it’s from choosing a hostel over a boutique hotel or eating directly from markets instead of restaurants – there’s always ways to make your money go further. This has even extended to parking options, if as a backpacker, you have the allowance to acquire a hire car for a short period, Parking4Less outlines that Mid-stay parking is the cheaper option compared to the rather pricey, valet parking. People are constantly looking for ways to maximize their budget while still making the most out of their travels. Despite it being so expensive, London is still a spectacular destination with so much to offer that people simply cannot miss out on. There are still plenty of options for backpackers and budget travelers alike, and here we’ve broken down how you can make the most out of your money in a city with a notoriously high cost of living.

Hostels
Look past all the luxury and boutique hotels and you’ll discover that the capital has a multitude of options for reasonably priced hostels, many of them centrally located or nearby Tube or train stations. TripAdvisor has rounded up some of the most highly recommended hostels.

Free Attractions
The London Pass is available for tourists that want to explore all the city’s exhibits, but you’re probably more likely to just check out just a couple so the pass won’t be worth your money, especially when there are plenty of free galleries and museums you can visit. These include the British Museum, National Gallery, and the Natural History Museum. Also, London is sprawling with loads of nature parks and gardens, all of which are free to check out. Have a picnic, go for a hike, or simply bask in the beauty of these green spaces listed on TimeOut.

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Tower Bridge

Food & Drink
Here is where you’ll be spending a lot of your money. Like The Savvy Backpacker says, “London does have a world-renowned food scene but that high-end food is a budget killer.” Some hostels provide basic breakfast staples, such as cereals, bread, croissants, coffee and such. So the best thing to do is load up on breakfast to save money for your other meals. Cheap meals can cost you up to £20 while affordable alcoholic beverages average at about £5.

Transportation
Public transport is kind of pricey, so you should definitely purchase an Oyster Card, as it will give you discounted fares.

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