10 Costly Mistakes to Avoid in London

A lot of travellers think visiting the city of London is out of their price range. However, visiting the capital can be successful even on a tight budget. There’s lots of fun things to do in London on a budget, including exploring its free museums, attractions, and going on self-guided walks.

To make your London trip more enjoyable, here are 10 costly mistakes to avoid:

1- Not using the London Pass

If it is your first time in London it can be hard and stressful to schedule your itinerary and decide which attractions to see and spend your money on. The London Pass can be a great tool for planning your trip. You will save time, money and enjoy a stress-free holiday. 

2 - Not using an Oyster Card

With an Oyster Card riding the tube will be cheaper. Without the Oyster Card, it will cost you twice the price when taking the same exact journey. It is a great option if you're planning to use the metro to move around. You can buy it at the airport or any tube station. 

3 - Riding the tube for every trip 

Even though you can save money by using the tube it is not the only way to get around. If you're planning on visiting the most important and central attractions, it is easy to walk from one to another. If this is not convenient for you, you can consider taking on of London's buses which are much cheaper than the tube. 

4 - Booking a hotel outside the city centre 

To save money it is tempting to book a hotel outside the city because hotels in the big city can be very pricey but getting to the city every day can be very expensive as well and wastes sight-seeing time. 

5 - Not eating at supermarkets 

It is no surprise that eating out in London is expensive. Grabbing food at a local supermarket is a great option if you're travelling on a budget. At local supermarkets, you will find a variety of pre-made food such as sandwiches and salads for a quick lunch or snack and it can also save you time to enjoy more of London. A picnic in the park is not a bad idea. Also, lots of cafes offer discounted food after 5pm.

Another way to save money is by booking an Airbnb with a kitchen and cooking at least one meal yourself. 

6 - Tipping too much

If you're visiting a new country is important to do some research on tip etiquette. While tipping is appreciated, it’s not always appropriate in London. 

7 - Not researching restaurants ahead of time

It is worth to do some research before arriving in a new city. Trip Advisor or Yelp is a good source and you can find the top-rated restaurants in your price range. It will help you prevent eating at overpriced tourists restaurants which usually serve mediocre food. 

8 - Trying to see everything in London

It is impossible to see every attraction in just one trip. It is important to plan yourself and at least see the essential attractions. This will help you save money and gain a deeper appreciation of each attraction. 

9 - Not buying a return ticket for the airport express train 

There are a few ways to travel from the airport to London. The quickest option is to take the airport express train. This can help maximize your vacation time. You can purchase your Express Train tickets at the airport when you arrive. Make sure to purchase a return ticket at the same time because this saves you money.

10 - Skipping London's free attractions

London has plenty of free attractions that are worth visiting. Some of the cities most popular museums are free. 

If you only want to visit a few London attractions you may consider buying the London Explorer Pass. You can visit several attractions and save 40% off the city's top attractions and it is valid for 30 days.