Tips on how to do London for less
Tips for how to save on airfare, lodging and more
LONDON — The sun-kissed scenes from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s storybook wedding at Windsor might have put you in the mood to visit the Old Country.
But what if you’re just looking to feel like a prince (or princess), not spend like one?
Here are a few tips on enjoying London on a budget. (Just don’t count on the sunshine that blessed the royal wedding in a place where, on average, it rains about one out of every three days.)
Go low (season)
London’s high season is late spring and summer and it’s also popular in December. Prices and crowds drop outside those months. I chose March and had typically damp and chilly weather with a few sunny afternoons. Right now, when all your friends are complaining about how much they’re spending on summer trips to Europe, is the time to book your trip for autumn.
Fly frugally
North American-to-U.K. tourism is up, in part due to the proliferation of cheap flights to Europe. I flew Norwegian nonstop from Oakland, California. For about $445 US (that included an extra $45 to book a window seat), I had a seat, but not much else. I took my own blanket, pillow, water and snack, and slept pretty much straight through to Gatwick Airport. From there, you can ride the Gatwick Express to Victoria station for about $24.
Drawbacks: I couldn’t check in online or take advantage of my TSA Precheck status. Note: The luggage limit, one carry-on, one purse-type item, about 22 pounds (10 kilograms) total, was enforced. You’ll pay a lot for checked bags — nearly $70 each way if you pay for it last-minute at the airport. Another new low-cost, but definitely no-frills airline to London is WOW. You can find complaints online about these cut-rate flights, but you can also save a lot of money.
Bet on the burbs
The farther out you go from the heart of London, the cheaper the lodging. Just make sure you’re within an easy walk from the subway (known here as the underground or tube) and build a little extra time into your itinerary for your commute into town. I chose an Airbnb in suburban Hammersmith, which came to about $80 a night.
Take a pass
Since I knew I was going to be visiting a lot of paid attractions, I bought a London Pass, a multivenue card. The drawback to this kind of option is one can feel pressured to rush around and get maximum value. My goal was to avoid ticket lines and not lose money. I paid about $200 for a six-day pass that came with an Oyster transit card preloaded with about $50. I visited all the places I wanted, including Windsor Castle (train fare is included in the pass) and rode a hop-on, hop-off bus for a day. I didn’t max out the pass but did come out about $125 ahead. If you’d rather take a more curated approach, look online for pay-inadvance discounts and combination specials such as the two-forone ticket to the Queen’s Gallery and Royal Mews.
West End shows are another area where you can easily drop a bundle. But if you’re flexible on times and shows, discount tickets and last-minute bargains are available in-person at the TKTS office in Leicester Square. You can also book online at officiallondontheatre.com /theatre-tickets/.
See, stroll, sip
Most museums in London are free (special exhibitions might cost extra). A good, cheap, expedition is to head for the South Bank and the Tate Modern. Afterward, walk along the river path (past Shakespeare’s Globe) to Borough Market Hall (2-4 Bedale St., closed Sundays), a trendy spot where you can try specialties such as the cheese toastie at Kappacasein. Keep walking to reach London Bridge and, if you’re thirsty, stay on the south side of the river and check out the 17th-century George Inn (77 Borough High St.). Or retrace your steps to the Tate and cross the pedestrian Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s. If it’s close to 5 p.m. you’ll catch evensong at the cathedral, which is free.
High, low teas
There are plenty of lavish teas to be had in London, including the swanky spread at gourmet grocer Fortnum & Mason that comes to about $75. Harrods, too, has an excellent option if you are in the mood to splurge. Or, you can stop by F&M’s more casual restaurant, The Parlour, where, for about $15, I enjoyed excellent scones, free WiFi and, quite simply, the best cup of tea of my life. If the weather’s fine, consider an al fresco repast, picking up some snacks at Harrods famous food hall and enjoying them in nearby Hyde Park.
Reach for the sky
A relatively new, and free, thing to do in London is visit the Sky Garden, a green space with a bar and restaurants at the top of the 34-storey building known as the Walkie Talkie because of its bulging top (20 Fenchurch St.). It’s hard to walk in for a look without a ticket, but timed tickets are free, though sunset hours go fast: skygarden.london/booking.
You’re not obligated to buy anything at the bar, but if you do, the drinks, not surprisingly, come at a premium.
Sometimes, of course, one simply must splash out. For my visit, I paid 15 pounds ($20) for a glass of Champagne, sat back, savoured the view and slowly sipped, enjoying every last, overpriced bubble.
Cheers, indeed.