London is an incredible city to explore. History, culture and modern life sit side by side, offering endless things to see and do. Yet, London is also famous for being expensive. If you don’t plan carefully, it’s easy to spend a small fortune on food, transport and attractions.

The good news is that London can be surprisingly affordable when you know how to approach it. With plenty of free attractions, cheap transport options, and clever planning, it’s possible to enjoy a memorable trip without overspending.

I’ve been to London on a budget with my family, including a two-night stay with the kids, so I’ll also share first-hand tips that worked for us. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with children in tow, these budget-friendly ideas will help you make the most of London without breaking the bank.

 

Getting to London on a Budget

Travel is often one of the biggest costs, but there are ways to keep it affordable.

• Coaches: Companies like National Express and Megabus offer some of the cheapest tickets to London. We travelled by coach from Gloucester to Victoria coach station, and it worked out far cheaper than the train or driving. The kids enjoyed the novelty too.

• Trains: If you prefer the train, book in advance through National Rail or Trainline. Look out for Super Off-Peak tickets and use Railcards to save a third off fares.

• Driving: Parking in central London is expensive and stressful, plus you’ll face congestion charges. If you must drive, park outside the city and use the Underground.

For families, coaches are usually the best balance of cost and convenience, though trains can work if you snap up advance deals.

Budget Accommodation in London

Hotels in London can quickly eat up your budget, but there are options:

• Budget hotel chains: We stayed at a Premier Inn in Earl’s Court, which was walking distance from the free museums. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked well for our short family trip.

• Hostels: Many London hostels now have private family rooms. YHA London and Generator Hostel are good options.

• Airbnb and guesthouses: Sometimes cheaper than hotels, especially for longer stays.

• Stay outside the centre: London accommodation prices drop if you look beyond Zones 1–2. With an Oyster or contactless card, it’s easy to travel in.

If you’re only in London for a couple of nights, staying close to free attractions like the Natural History Museum or Science Museum helps save on transport too.

London travel print

Free Attractions in London

London is one of the best cities in the world for free attractions. Perfect for families on a budget with many free entry museums.

Free Museums and Galleries

• Natural History Museum: A highlight for us. Dinosaur skeletons, the blue whale skeleton, and interactive displays kept the kids fascinated. Free entry with optional donation.

• Science Museum: Huge, hands-on and educational - a great family-friendly attraction in London. Some areas are better for older children, but younger kids will enjoy “The Garden” play zone.

• British Museum: One of the world’s greatest museums, home to treasures such as the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.

• National Gallery: See works by Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci and more – all for free.

• Tate Modern: A must for modern art fans, located by the River Thames.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Despite being a busy city, London has many green spaces that are completely free:

• Hyde Park: Great for a walk, picnic or just letting the kids run around.

• St James’s Park: We loved this park – the kids were amazed by the parakeets, pelicans and squirrels that come right up to people.

• Primrose Hill: Offers one of the best free views of London’s skyline.

• Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens: Perfect for a peaceful break.

London Skyline Hoodie

Walking Tours and Self-Guided Sightseeing

London is very walkable if you plan your days carefully. On our trip, we walked around 12km a day – a lot for kids, but it saved money and allowed us to see more.

There are free walking tours that cover everything from Jack the Ripper’s East End to Harry Potter filming locations. Just tip your guide at the end if you can.

Alternatively, create your own walking route. On our family trip, we walked from Victoria coach station to Buckingham Palace, then through Kensington and Chelsea to our hotel, spotting landmarks along the way.

Cheap Food in London

Eating out can be pricey, but we managed to keep costs low with a mix of packed meals and budget-friendly options.

• Supermarket meal deals: Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Boots all offer cheap meal deals for lunch. We grabbed these to take into museums.

• High-street chains: Greggs vegan sausage rolls and chips became our dinner one night – quick, cheap and filling.

• Family-friendly restaurants: Pizza Express (look for voucher codes), Gourmet Burger Kitchen (we used a discount card), and Leon (great vegan options) are affordable compared to fancier restaurants.

• Self-catering: If your accommodation allows, buy groceries and make your own meals.

For breakfast, we ate at the hotel which was included in our stay. Lunches were packed or supermarket bought, and we treated ourselves to one sit-down dinner per day. This mix really helped us keep costs low while still enjoying some treats.

London Skyline Print

Budget-Friendly Itinerary: Our 3-Day London Trip

Here’s what we managed to see and do during our short stay, all on a tight budget:

• Day 1: Walked from Victoria to Buckingham Palace, then visited the Natural History Museum.

• Day 2: Spent the day at the Science Museum, stopped at Hyde Park, and had dinner at Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

• Day 3: Sightseeing around Westminster Abbey, London Eye and Downing Street. Finished with St James’s Park and a quick visit to Leon before heading home.

We skipped expensive attractions like the London Eye and Madame Tussauds, but still had a full itinerary with plenty of sightseeing.

Transport Within London: Saving Money

Transport can be another big cost, but there are ways to save:

• Oyster card vs contactless: Both cap daily spending, making it cheaper than buying paper tickets.

• Walking: We walked as much as possible, which saved money and allowed us to see more.

• Buses: London buses are cheaper than the Underground. Kids under 11 travel free on buses and the Tube.

• Travelcards: If you’re staying for several days and using lots of public transport, a 7-day Travelcard may be cheaper.

We mostly walked, but also tried a black cab for the novelty. While not the cheapest choice, it was a fun experience and one of the highlights for the children.

London Sleep Mask

Extra Tips for Visiting London on a Budget

• Book attractions in advance: Paid attractions like the Tower of London or London Eye are cheaper if you book online.  You can even get cheap tickets for West End shows online.

• Look for free events: London always has free attractions and events including festivals, markets and cultural events.

• Use discount passes carefully: London Pass and Merlin passes can save money if you’re visiting lots of paid attractions, but they aren’t worth it if you’re sticking to free activities.

• Take refillable water bottles: Many London attractions now have free water refill stations, saving money on drinks.

• Avoid peak times: Travel and accommodation are always more expensive during school holidays and weekends.

Final Word

London really can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. With free museums, parks and attractions, plus smart choices for transport and food, it’s possible to enjoy a trip on even the tightest budget.

Our family managed a short stay packed with sightseeing while keeping costs under control. Whether you’re travelling solo or with kids, London on a budget is absolutely possible – and it doesn’t mean missing out on the magic of the city.