Cheap Things To Do In London Today 2024

London – the city of Big Ben, bustling markets, and iconic history. But let’s be honest, it can also be a city that’s easy on the eyes but tough on the wallet. Well, that’s not to scare you. London can also be an iconic city known for its good reputation. It has various attractions and has a lot of enjoyable experiences. Despite being an expensive place to visit, several affordable things can be done there.

Today, we’re ditching the guidebooks and expensive tourist traps to embark on a budget-friendly adventure through London. We’ll explore some hidden gems, uncover free cultural treasures, and indulge in delicious (and affordable!) eats, all while leaving your wallet happy and your heart full.

If you want to visit London with little money, this article is for you. Read on and learn the cheap things to do in London today!

Can you visit London on a budget?

Absolutely! London, despite its reputation as a pricey city, can be a fantastic destination for budget-conscious travelers. Here are some ways to make your trip to London affordable:

Accommodation: Consider staying in zones outside central London. Look for hostels, budget hotels, or Airbnbs in areas like Stratford, Islington, or near King’s Cross. These areas are well-connected to the city center by public transport and offer lower accommodation rates.
Transportation: Utilize the extensive and affordable public transportation network in London. Purchase an Oyster card for pay-as-you-go travel or consider a travelcard for longer stays.
Free Activities: Explore London’s numerous free attractions, including world-class museums like the British Museum, National Gallery, and Natural History Museum, as well as beautiful parks like Hyde Park and St. James’s Park.
Food: Skip expensive restaurants and opt for budget-friendly options like street food stalls, picnics in parks, or pub lunches. Sample diverse and delicious cuisines from around the world at affordable prices.
Entertainment: Look for free events and activities happening throughout the city, such as open-air concerts, theater performances, and cultural festivals.

Planning your trip strategically and taking advantage of these budget-friendly options will give you a wonderful and affordable experience in London.

CHEAP THINGS TO DO IN LONDON TODAY

1. JOIN A BORIS BIKE RIDE

Although London is one of the most crowded and heavily inhabited cities in the world, bikers will find it surprisingly well-equipped. Joining a Boris bike ride is one of the cheap things to do in London.

With the help of Santander and Transport for London, you may rent a bike using your credit or debit card. Locals may call the cycles “Boris Bikes” because Boris Johnson was the city’s mayor when the program was implemented.

Hence, avoid confusion! Your Boris Bike can take you to many locations, thanks to the abundance of docking stations across the city and the large cycling lanes on practically every route. Confusion can result from the bikes’ charging system.

Cheap things to do in london — Boris bike ride| Cheap Things To Do in London

2. VIEW A CHANGING OF GUARD CEREMONY

This is also one of the cheapest things to do in London. It would help if you encountered a pompous exhibition of men wearing red tunics and funny-looking bearskin hats to understand London truly. Possibly not. But we can’t complain because it’s free!

The 45-minute-long Changing of the Guard ceremony occurs in front of Buckingham Palace. The New Guard replaces the Old Guard in a solemn, possibly too extravagant ceremony with music.

3. VISIT HIGHGATE CEMETERY TO PAY YOUR RESPECTS

You might not put visiting a cemetery at the top of your list of cheap things to do in London. But we promise that this one is worthwhile. Highgate Cemetery, near North London (the Archway tube stop), is a hauntingly beautiful maze of graves and monuments containing the remains of notable philosophers, writers, and everyday Londoners.

The graves of writers George Eliot and Christina Rossetti, as well as sociologist and Communist Manifesto author Karl Marx, are also nearby. You can explore the cemetery more to find Marx’s original grave if your inner communist feels very daring. It is more authentic and smaller than the new tomb where his remains were reinterred in 1954. It is also less elaborate.

4. VIEW THE CITY FROM A MASSIVE WALKIE-TALKIE

The Sky Garden is most likely the most excellent location to get an incredible, cost-free view of downtown London’s skyline. Viewing the city from a massive walkie-talkie is also one of the cheap things to do in London.

Don’t be shocked if you hear locals discussing an item that seems out-of-date frequently since 20 Fenchurch Street has earned the moniker “the walkie-talkie” thanks to its peculiar and recognizable design.

Even if this skyscraper isn’t the most attractive addition to London’s skyline, its flaws in terms of architecture are overlookable. By offering a free viewing garden where you can observe London from above, they made up for the horrifying visuals.

If you want to eat here, you could spend a lot of money making a reservation, but if you’re on a budget, all you have to do is schedule your complimentary visit in advance.

5. TRY OUT A QUESTO GAME

A Questo game may be the best option for cheap things to do in London. You can play the lead role in a make-believe story, solve a quest, and take a thematic tour around the city all at once in an outdoor game that involves following clues. You can learn a lot of exciting things about the city from the games, which are reasonably priced.

6. TAKE A FREE WALKING TOUR OF LONDON

A walking tour paid for by tips is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for cheap things to do in London. These trips are often led by informed, enthusiastic locals. The best part is that you must pay what you believe the tour was worth. They are thus a fantastic choice for travelers on a tight budget. Various businesses offer these excursions, so do your homework before choosing one.

7. RIDE A BIKE AROUND LONDON AND TAKE IN ITS SIGHTS

This is also known to be one of the cheap things to do in London. Visit the city’s most well-known landmarks on a bicycle while touring central London. To find London’s heart, follow cycle paths, side streets, and alleys with the assistance of knowledgeable tour guides.

What would it cost? A cycle tour typically costs between 30 and 35 GBP. However, you may also hire a bike for the day or utilize an app to rent bikes on demand, like Santander or Free Now.

8. TAKE A GUIDED TOUR OF THE ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE GROUNDS IF YOU ENJOY FILMS

Taking a guided tour of the Royal Naval College grounds is one of the cheap things to do in London. Location scouts for film and television adore Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College. Given its gorgeous architecture and riverbank position, it is unsurprising that the college has served as a filming site for several prestigious shows, including The Crown, Les Miserables, and Sherlock Holmes.

Find places like Bridgerton, Thor, and more. A walking campus tour is essential if you enjoy films and television. You’ll get to visit some of the college’s most well-known places and learn some behind-the-scenes details from the location scouts who assisted in finding them.

9. ON A WALKING MUSIC TOUR, DISCOVER LONDON’S MUSICAL HISTORY

London has a long and rich history of music, although it is most known for its royals, Big Ben, and double-decker buses. London has fostered some of the world’s most famous musicians, from punk rockers to classical composers.

Several companies are currently conducting music-focused walking tours for visitors who want to learn more about the city’s musical heritage. Discovering London’s musical history on a walking tour is also one of the cheap things to do in London.

These tours, performed by professional guides, take guests to some of London’s most influential music venues, ranging from early jazz clubs to modern stadiums. Most trips bring you to the renowned street where the Rolling Stones produced their debut album and David Bowie stayed in a caravan.

10. TAKE A TRIP TO THE CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM

A trip to the Charles Dickens Museum in London is essential if you love the author and are looking for cheap things to do in London. The museum, housed in Dickens’ former residence, provides a fascinating look into the life and writings of one of Victorian England’s most well-known authors.

The museum includes a recreation of Dickens’ study, complete with his desk and chair, and original manuscripts and correspondence. The basement kitchen, where Dickens’s maid Ellen Ternan used to cook his meals, is also open to visitors. Thanks to its interactive exhibits and exciting audio guides, the Dickens Museum is a terrific place to learn more about the famous author and his work.

FAQs

Does free food exist in London?

Families in London experiencing hunger have access to various programs and organizations, including free food banks, council crisis payments, and help from nonprofit groups. Every borough has a place that distributes free emergency food or grocery deliveries.

How do I acquire money in London?

You can withdraw money with a Visa or Mastercard from an ATM (also known as a cash point or cash machine) anywhere in London. Generally speaking, using a debit card in a foreign ATM is less expensive than a credit card because the fees are usually cheaper.

What area of London is the most expensive?

The cost of living in London is currently among the highest in the world, and several of its neighborhoods are much more expensive. Some of the most costly properties in the country are located in areas like Westminster, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge, where many people are famous or have influential positions. Britannica: “London.”

What do people in London eat for breakfast?

The dish as we know it now, which originated in Edwardian England, often consists of bacon, sausage, black pudding, eggs, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and toast, although there are many variations.

What is London’s full name?

Old English stole this and translated it into Latin as Londinium. Officially speaking, the term “London” only applied to the City of London before 1889, although it has since come to include the County of London and Greater London.

Are buses in London free?

You must have an Oyster card, Travelcard, or contactless payment card to ride a bus in London, as they are entirely cashless. Bus fares are £1.75, and a day’s worth of bus travel can cost up to £5.25. Within an hour of touching in for your initial trip, you may transfer to another bus or tram as many times as you’d like for free.

CONCLUSION

In this article, we’ve explored the cheap things to do in London and we can see that activities in this city don’t have to be expensive. Every budget can enjoy London’s appeal, from strolling through lovely parks to savoring street food at lively markets.

Although the city offers plenty of opulent pleasures, London’s genuine magic frequently rests in its simplicity. You may discover the soul of London without spending a fortune thanks to the free museums, the peaceful walks along the Thames, and the bustling neighborhoods alive with character.

Cheap Things To Do In London Today

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Can you visit London on a budget?