London: cheap as chips?

Posted by Dan Curley

Our nation’s capital, once notorious for being one of the most over-priced cities on Earth, has made it into Lonely Planet’s Top 10 of the world’s best-value destinations.

It comes as no surprise that the pound – which is now second only to Monopoly money on the list of the most worthless currencies – has played a part in London becoming more affordable to visit. Two years ago £1 was worth €1.47 – it’s now worth a miserable €1.10.

It’s not just the devalued quid that’s turned London into a bargain base for foreign trippers. Thanks to a rise in budget hotels and an increasing range of bargain offers to lure tourists, it’s considerably more wallet-friendly for provincial Brits and foreigners alike to have a look-see at Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.

"The tables have turned and London's reputation as one of the world's most expensive cities is over,” says Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s travel editor. “It is far easier to do London on the cheap than it was five years ago.”

Both Premier Inn and Travelodge have opened more digs in central London, sending crashing down the cost of crashing out. “Budget accommodation has improved enormously in the capital, with many cut-price hotels opening up in the capital," Continues Tom.

We’ve a few tips for those wanting to sample London on the cheap. Most obviously, pay attention to the wealth of attractions such as the British Museum, the Tate galleries and the National Gallery, all of which are free to visit. Theatre lovers should frequent the discount booths on Leicester Square, where you’ll often find tickets for same-day performances reduced by up to half price.

Free music concerts abound – just pick up a copy of weekly mag Time Out for exhaustive listings (or take advantage of the free Wi-Fi in many of the capital’s cafés and bars and pop to their website). And for drinkers wanting to get leathered on the cheap, drag yourself to one of the many Sam Smith’s boozers scattered across the city, where you can get pints of lager or bitter for less than £2.

London’s a great city – and thanks to the credit crunch, it’s a great city which no longer costs the Earth to enjoy.

Got any tips for doing London on little lucre? Or do you disagree with Lonely Planet and find our capital still bleeds you of your capital? Let us know by commenting below

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Comments

[LondonBus]

Tip -do not use them rip-off bus tours (especially now it's in winter making the open top painful). Just get a one day bus pass and go on the buses that go through westminster and the city. Or walk! I love walking around the west end and all where all the parliment is.

[Oystah]

Get an oyster card - even if you're just here for a weekend. The tube and bus are half the price of what you'd pay normally.