Is London Too Expensive for Backpackers? A Cost Breakdown

Backpacking in London, can it be done? It seems too good to be true as London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. From food and drink to general tourist attractions, everything seems really expensive. Even the average AirBnB and cooking your own meals can all be very expensive compared to the average city in Europe and seem incredibly expensive in comparison to backpacking around Asia.

Although everything seems negative in terms of backpacking in London however, there are a few different ways you can help to reduce your costs to experience a more budget-friendly experience.

Transportation Costs

Transportation in and around London is very difficult and all in all, it is quite inexpensive. Unless you are travelling by car and need parking in London. However, if you are backpacking, this isn’t something that you would need in the city centre. Instead, the best options would be to either use the London Tube or even the bus. Both of these are great for getting around London and they are very cost-effective for us backpackers.

When you are travelling around London, we advise you to get a day pass or an Oyster card as they will make your travel expenses more affordable. That being said, you always have the option of walking as well. There are plenty of attractions that you can get to by foot so consider this before you start getting the train around everywhere. Remember, your job is to save as much money as possible, wherever you can and transport in London is something that you can certainly save on by walking around the capital.

Cheap Food Does Exist In London

It may come to you as a bit of a surprise but cheap food really does exist in London, you just need to know where to go. Yes, there will be times when you don’t need to eat out so consider heading to a local supermarket to get yourself some food to keep you going. That being said, you also want to experience the many wonderful eateries in London. Just make sure you are avoiding the more fine dining restaurants.

There are plenty of food markets where you can enjoy fantastic food at relatively affordable prices. Plus, the food markets are a great way to experience what food is like in London. So if you want to head to fantastic food markets, consider Borough Market, Bang Bang Oriental for Pan-Asian, Broadway Market, and Old Spitalfields Market. There are many other food markets in the capital that are worth considerin,g but as we mentioned earlier, consider food markets as a treat rather than a necessity. Stay in the supermarkets for your snacks and lunches to keep things affordable.

Find Cheap Accommodation In London

Believe it or not, there are plenty of places that also offer cheap accommodation in London. The reason is that this is a very competitive market in the capital so some places have to ensure they are affordable to help attract people to rent out their rooms. AirBnB is always a good place to look when it comes to accommodation; however, the closer you move to the centre, the more expensive it will get.

As you are backpacking around London, you will probably be better off staying in a hostel, especially if you want to save money. To find the best and most affordable prices for a hostel, it will be best to look on Hostelworld as this tends to be the most affordable.

Make Your Nightlife Affordable

Nightlife is something that is going to be very difficult to save money on and it is very expensive. If you are looking for a good night out in London, then you aren’t going to struggle. That being said, you can drink before you go ou,t so you spend less when you are out drinking. That is the solution for when you are going out for a few drinks. Take yourself back to the time when you went out with your friends at University, this was the solution: pre-drinking.

So, how do you create the perfect pre-drinks? Well, we are assuming that you will be going out with those who are in your hostel, so this will be the venue before you go out. Then, head to one of the local supermarkets and find affordable spirits and cheap mixers. If that is a bit too strong, then consider getting a crate of beer or a large bottle of cider, depending on your preferred taste.

The issue with London and drinking is that the average drink will cost well over £7 which eats away at your travelling expenses. Before you know it, you’ve spent well over £100 on the night, and you are waking up with regret the next morning. Remember, it isn’t just the drinks you are paying for. You are also paying for the occasional Uber journey or late-night takeaway. One final thing: don’t drink too much or you end up being a terrible tourist.

What Is Free In London?

Like every place around the world, there are free things to see and do and although London is an expensive city, there are free things to do here. Museums are the usual spot for enjoying hours of fun that is free of charge. There is a wide variety of universities as well that you can choose from, so make sure you choose a museum or two that fits your interests. Some of the best museums include the British Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Science Museum and the Tate Modern.

Did you know that London can be considered a forest because of the amount of grassland that is within the city? This may be a surprise to many people because London is such a large area however, there are many parks that you can enjoy in the capital. Hyde Park is one of the more iconic parks, but there are plenty of others that you can also choose from.

Summary

There are plenty of ways to make your backpacking trip an affordable journey but you just need to do the right things. There is a lot to offer in London that doesn’t cost a penny such as seeing the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace which are all great places to visit. Furthermore, there are many other places that you can see and do when you are in London, so ensure you do your research before you arrive.