The Budget Destination Guide:
London, England

Any way you choose to get to London, the important thing is getting there. Everyone who has been there will tell you what you cannot miss. However, in a city where even the inexpensive stuff costs more than you thought you'd spend, it's always good to know what you can do for free or for less than most other people.

Read about London's Top Free Attractions

Getting Oriented
When you arrive, purchase a Time Out magazine as soon as you can. It will be the most relevant source of the most current entertainment information for your trip. It can be costly to travel in London, so walk when you can and you'll experience more than most, but be sure you don't use the underground (Tube) map as your guide, get a street map. If you have time to figure out the bus schedule, that's another fun way to get around; be sure to sit up top, but don't miss your stop!

Where to Stay In London
Where you'll want to stay depends on your budget and what you want to be close to. For American travelers, pretty much anywhere will seem expensive considering the current exchange rate. The best deals you can usually be found at Bayswater and Marble Arch. Bayswater is close to Notting Hill, but not as snobish. Marble Arch is another convenient location, situated near Edgeware Road and its inexpensive Middle Eastern Restaurants. You should still check out rates at the chain hotels and others in other neighborhoods such as South Kensington, Earl's Court which is full of budget hotels and B&B's, and also West Brompton.
Keep in mind that London has a VAT, or value-added-tax of 17.5% added to all restaurant and hotel bills and even to many items you'll purchase.



Going Out for Drinks in London
To get your money's worth when you want to go out at night for a drink, one thing you could do is check out which nights what bars have their college night. This does NOT mean you will be surrounded by students, it means, pints and shots can be a mere 1 pound sterling, like at the Sports Cafe in Piccadilly Circus on Tuesday nights. (Tip: Call during the day to reserve a table for something like a birthday party, and you'll skip the line outside and be guaranteed a place to sit and catch some American sports if you'd like.) If you see people queuing up (forming a line), it's probably a good place; the English love to stand in lines. Another reminder for those who have never been to London, public drinking is not only legal, it's acceptable. You can go to any small grocery store, buy some beers and drink on your way to your destination--even on the tube. One good destination is Leicester Square; you'll find a substantial variety of nightlife, theatre, and restaurant choices.
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Finding Cheap Food in London
If you are fortunate enough to have a kitchen where you're staying, cooking basic meals is the ultimate way to get cheap eats. Go to Sainsbury's supermarket and get some pastas or anything that is the store brand, it will be the cheapest, but unlike in the US, they will be the best products too.
Everywhere you go, you'll be able find fish and chip shops, or a pub serving "food," but if you want to know what the locals know, well, ask the locals! If you're looking for cut-rate prices, head over to Camden town on the Northern line of the Tube. That's where you'll find vendors dishing out noodles and the like as well as a section devoted to offering you many varieties of food. Around the Notting Hill Gate area, where the Central, District, and Circle lines intersect, you'll find Portobello Road, which especially on Saturday mornings is full of food and fresh fruits and veggies. Situated close by is a pub called The Churchill, which has a surprisingly exceptional Thai restaurant inside that is actually very inexpensive.(Make sure you try their draught honey ale, too.) The grand Spitalfields market, Sunday mornings, is a great way to find cheap foods as well as spend some time interacting with the Londoners.

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