London regularly appears on lists of the world's most expensive cities, and a careless visitor can certainly spend a fortune there. A careful one does not have to. The city's best museums cost nothing, its public transport caps what you pay each day, and some of its finest views come free with a walk in the park. This guide shows where the money goes and how to keep more of it.
Entry Rules to Sort Out First
The United Kingdom is not in the European Union or the Schengen Area and runs its own border system. U.S. citizens need a valid passport and an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short visits. You apply online or through the official UK ETA app, usually receive a decision within a few days, and the authorisation covers multiple trips over two years or until your passport expires. Fees and rules are revised from time to time, so check the UK government website before you apply.
Days in the UK do not count against the 90-day Schengen allowance, which is handy if London is one stop on a longer trip. Our Schengen guide explains how that limit works.
Affordable Places to Stay
Hotel rooms in Zone 1 are costly. Look instead at well-connected districts a few stops out:
- King's Cross and Bloomsbury: Central, on six Underground lines and beside the Eurostar terminal.
- Paddington and Bayswater: Plenty of mid-priced hotels and a direct rail link to Heathrow.
- Southwark and Bankside: Walking distance to Tate Modern, Borough Market and the river.
- Shoreditch: Street art, markets and nightlife with lower prices than the West End.
- Greenwich: Further east but good value, with a village feel and a riverboat into town.
Rates are lowest from January to March and in November. Compare what is available on SkySparrows hotels.
Cheap Ways to Get Around
Forget paper tickets. Tap the same contactless card or phone on the yellow reader at the start and end of each journey and Transport for London automatically caps your daily and weekly spend. An Oyster card does the same job if your bank card charges foreign transaction fees.
- Buses cost a flat fare, and the Hopper rule gives you unlimited bus changes within one hour of first tapping in.
- The Elizabeth line runs from Heathrow to central London in around 30 to 40 minutes for much less than the Heathrow Express.
- Central London is closer together than the Tube map implies. Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square are a few minutes apart on foot.
What You Can Do for Free
The Great Museums
The permanent collections of London's national museums charge no admission. That includes the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum. You could fill three days without opening your wallet.
Ceremony and Royal London
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is free to watch on scheduled days; check the calendar and arrive early for a clear view. From there, walk through St James's Park to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
Green Spaces and High Views
Hyde Park, Regent's Park, St James's Park and Greenwich Park are open to everyone. For a view over the whole city without paying, reserve a free slot at the Sky Garden or climb Primrose Hill toward sunset.
Markets
Borough Market for food, Camden for alternative fashion, Portobello Road for antiques and Columbia Road for Sunday flowers all cost nothing to browse.
Attractions Worth Paying For
- Tower of London: A thousand years of history, the Crown Jewels and tours led by the Yeoman Warders.
- Westminster Abbey: The coronation church and burial place of monarchs, poets and scientists.
- St Paul's Cathedral: Climb to the dome galleries for a superb outlook.
- West End theatre: Same-day discounted seats are sold at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square.
Buying tickets online ahead of time is usually cheaper than paying at the entrance.
Eating Without Overspending
- Supermarket meal deals bundle a sandwich, snack and drink for a few pounds, ideal for lunch in a park.
- Market stalls at Borough, Maltby Street and Camden serve generous portions at fair prices.
- Pubs often offer hearty lunch plates for less than restaurants charge.
- Many restaurants add a 12.5% service charge to the bill. If it is there, no further tip is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should I spend in London?
Four to five days is enough for the main sights and a few neighborhoods. Add a day for each excursion to places such as Windsor, Oxford, Bath or Stonehenge.
Is London inside the Schengen Area?
No. The UK has separate entry requirements, and time spent there is not deducted from your Schengen allowance.
What is the easiest way from London to Paris?
The Eurostar train from St Pancras reaches Paris Gare du Nord in roughly two hours and twenty minutes. Continue with our Paris guide for first-time visitors.
Plan the Trip
Base yourself just outside the center, tap in with contactless and build your days around the free museums and parks. London will cost far less than its reputation suggests. Begin by comparing flights to London for your dates.
