London for less: How to save on airfare, lodging, more
LONDON — The sun-kissed scenes from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s storybook wedding at Windsor may 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.
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 is the time to book your trip for fall.
Fly frugally
U.S.-U.K. tourism is up, in part due to the proliferation of cheap flights to Europe. I flew Norwegian nonstop from Oakland, Calif. For about $445 (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 pursetype item, about 22 pounds 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 nofrills 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 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 multi-venue 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, hopoff 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-in-advance discounts and combination specials such as the two-for-one 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.
See, stroll, sip
Most museums in London are free (special exhibitions may 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.), a trendy spot where you can try specialties like 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.
Hi-low teas
There are plenty of lavish teas to be had in London, including the swank 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 Wi-Fi and, quite simply, the best cup of tea of my life.
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-story building known as the Walkie Talkie for its bulging top (20 Fenchurch St.). It’s hard to walk in for a look without a ticket, but timed tickets are free: http://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, savored the view, and slowly sipped, enjoying every last, overpriced bubble.