Low Cost Hotels London

How to visit London with a low budget?

i’m planning to go to London this Summer with some friends.
we’re still students (and going on our savings/parents money… -. -’) so we’re kinda “short” on the money issue! (low-cost flight, low-cost hotel, …)

we’re now planning a budget for meals, transport, visits and stuff…

what’s the best choice for transport? is there some kind of a card that allow us to go anywhere in London for 5 days?

and if we’re planning to have light meals or fast-food, how much should we expect to spend? do you know places with nice (but cheap ) places to eat?
we’re also thinking of buying some sandwiches and make picnicks at lunch time. where can we find nice sandwiches?

and last, but not the least, which places would you recommend us not to miss?
feel free to give us any advice!

Definetely get a pre-paid Oyster card from Heathrow (or the first undergound station you visit). The card will cost you a deposit of £3 but you will get this back when you hand back the card at the end of your stay. Load it up with around £30 worth of credit, that should be enough for 5 days if you stay in the city centre. You can use it on buses, underground train and some overground suburban services. Each time you tap your card in at the gate it will deduct a fare automatically, but it’s limited to a maximum each day. If you’re flying into Gatwick take the normal train to Victoria (not the Gatwick Express which is quicker but twice the price). You can then buy the Oyster card from Victoria.

London can be very expensive so choose what you do carefully. Of course seeing most of the sights is free, you just have to go and stand outside them!

Here is a list of things that are free (and good!) to do:

The British Museum – Fabulous museum full of pretty much everything. The Ancient Egyptian section is the highlight. Nearest Tube – Holborn (see www.britishmuseum.org/)

The Natural History & Science Musuems – These two museums are right next to each other in Kensington. It’s also a very nice area to wander around, with the Royal Albert Hall & Holland Park nearby. Nearest Tube – South Kensington

Primrose Hill – Best view in London, far superior to the London Eye and it doesn’t cost a bean. If it’s a nice day take a picnic up and a bottle of wine up with you. To get there take the underground to Chalk Farm and ask for directions from there, it’s a two minute walk. There is a bakery, a grocery shop and a wine & beer shop in the area at the bottom of the hill.

Greenwich – You can get to Greenwich by train, but if you can afford it take a boat trip from Westminster pier, it’s well worth the extra. Greenwich has a lovely park with excellent views over the docklands. The observatory and naval musuems are here, both of which are free. The buildings here are very grand, you can visit Henry VIII former palace and the former Naval Academy. There is also a market here at the weekends. Nearest Tube – Cutty Sark on the Dockland Light Railway. (see http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/nav.2857)

Portobello Road Market – A Huge street market held on Saturdays. The first part is clothes and fashion, then it moves more into food before you get to Notting Hill and the antiques market. Worth a look even if you’re not interested in buying! Some the food from the stalls is excellent, and cheap! Nearest Tube – Ladbroke Grove

Tate Modern – If you like modern art then the Tate Modern is a must see. The world’s largest collection of modern art and most of it is free to enter. Nearest Tube – St Pauls (see http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/)

Some of the attractions that charge are worth splashing out for. I would recommend the following:

The Tower of London, entry £16 for adults – Former Royal Palace, prison, mint record store and loads more in between. This is probably the most interesting building in London. The entrance fee includes the jewel house where the Crown Jewels are kept. Nearest Tube – Tower Hill (see http://www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon/)

St Paul’s Cathedral entry £10 for adults – Sir Christopher Wren’s fabulous cathedral is well worth the entrance fee. Take the guided tour (an extra £3) at 11am, 11.30 am, 1.30pm or 2pm to really get the full experience, although the more expensive audio guides aren’t so good. (see http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerid=169345dwprEOVViTRLd8xXbHBDHGbzge)

Westminster Abbey, entry £10 for adults – Founded by William the Conquerer in 1066 this is where most of Britain’s most famous kings, queens, prime ministers and artists are buried (or at least they have a memorial). Again, it’s worth doing a tour as the place can be a bit of a maze, see the London Walks below. Nearest Tube – Westminster (see http://www.westminster-abbey.org)

Guided Walks, various prices – Guided walks from London Walks are an excellent way to see some of things that most visitors miss. They are great value and well worth the cost. See their website at http://www.walks.com/ to see what is on on what day. I would recommend the Jack the Ripper Walk, The Royal London & Westminster Walk (excellent if you want to see the changing of the guard) and the Haunted London Walks, but I’ve never been on one of these I haven’t enjoyed.

Food is a little trickier. If you’re not careful you can end up spending a fortune of some very average eating experiences.

Before I reccomend anywhere I just want to warn you off a few places. Avoid Angus Steakhouses & Garfunkels Pizza. They are dotted around the city and they are overpriced and awful. Most central London pub food is also massively overpriced and not very good. The exception to this are Wetherspoons pubs, the quality still isn’t fantastic but as you can get a burger, fries and a pint of beer for about £4.50 the price is a lot more realistic.

Supermarkets are dotted all around London if you want picnic food. I’d recommend Marks & Spencers and EAT! for sandwiches.

China town (near Leciester Square) is good for cheap eats of varying quality. Brick Lane in East London is good value for Indian food, go to Aldgate station and follow your nose! Dalston & Stoke Newington are great bets if you like Turkish food, take a train from Liverpool Street Station to Stoke Newington and walk down the high street. If you want pizza try Pizza Express, a chain restaurant that do good pizzas and pastas (http://www.pizzaexpress.com/).

For traditional British Fish & Chips go to Marylebone High Street to the Golden Hind (73 Marylebone Lane). If you want other traditional British meals I would recommend the S & M Cafe in Portobello Road Market, Spitalfields near Liverpool Street or in Islington http://www.sandmcafe.co.uk/index2.asp.

Try www.toptable.co.uk for restuarant bookings. They often have half price or discounted offers for restaurants all over London.

Hope this has been helpfull, if you would like any further advice I’d be happy to answer specific questions by e-mail, stuart_farr_uk@yahoo.co.uk.

Sidney Hotel London- Budget Bed And Breakfast Hotels near Victoria Station in Central London

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