From the big name galleries to smaller art initiatives, entry fees have been waived across the capital so even if you’re sticking to cheap eats, you can still do high-end luxury when it comes to art. Here are our favorite free art museums in London.

London’s free national museums

All London’s national museums offer free entry, so whether you’re opting for a quick dose of artistic inspiration while taking cover from the rain, or you plan to spend all day admiring some of the world’s best loved paintings, you won’t need to spend a penny. Do be warned that some of the temporary exhibitions charge an entry fee and that you may well need to book in advance, but the permanent collections are always free.

National Gallery

A good place to start is at the National Gallery. Located in a beautiful building overlooking Trafalgar Square (tube: Leicester Square or Charing Cross), the gallery houses an impressive collection of more than 2,300 Western European paintings from the 13th to early 20th centuries. Here you can admire a historic Botticelli or a forward-thinking Van Gogh, taking in everything from Michelangelo and Rembrandt to Monet, Velazquez and Goya as you go. If you’re looking to delve beyond the paintings, check out the National Gallery’s upcoming free events.

National Portrait Gallery

Just around the corner, don’t forget to stop by at the National Portrait Gallery. Here you can peruse the largest collection of portraits in the world, from Tudor and Elizabethan portraits, through to contemporary works such as the painting of Kate Middleton.

Tate Collections

A trip to London just wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least one of the famous Tate collections. The Tate Britain in Millbank (tube: Pimlico or Westminster) is a celebration of British art, with paintings ranging from the 1500s to the present day. Expect to see works by the likes of Turner (the museum also runs the famous annual Turner Prize), as well as William Blake and more modern pieces by Tracey Emin.

In turn, the Tate Modern is found across the river and housed in the austere-looking former Bankside Power Station (tube: Southwark, Bankside or London Bridge). As the name suggests, the museum focuses on an impressive collection of contemporary art, both British and international, from the 1900s to the present day.

Saatchi Gallery

For something a bit more offbeat, head to London’s Saatchi Gallery, where Cheapos can peruse innovative, unseen contemporary art without parting with a penny. The museum is located on King’s Road, in the well-heeled borough of Chelsea (tube: Sloane Square), and aims to bring new and unsung artists into the limelight in the UK. The ground-floor exhibitions are typically free, but some exhibitions do require advance booking and an entry fee.

Serpentine Gallery

A trip to Hyde Park can also be given an artistic touch by popping into the beautiful Serpentine Galleries in Kensington Gardens (tube: Lancaster Gate, South Kensington or Knightsbridge). These modern and contemporary art spaces also showcase fantastical feats of architecture when a different architect is challenged to design the Serpentine Pavilion each summer.

Away from the traditional galleries

London’s artistic offering does not just have to be enjoyed inside the more formal, traditional art galleries.

If your trip to London coincides with the first Thursday of the month, then make it your mission to attend the Whitechapel Gallery’s First Thursdays, which sees East London galleries and museums stay open until 9 p.m. with special exhibitions, talks and events. Get informed by joining a walking tour led by an artist or curator or visit the top five exhibitions on the free art bus.

Or, why not support London’s rising artistic talents by visiting a degree show? University College London’s Slade School of Fine Art is one of the most highly acclaimed art schools in the world, and throughout May and June each year, the doors are opened to the public for the undergraduate and postgraduate degree shows. It’s free and well worth a look – you never know, you may just bump into a star of the future.

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Today, many London pubs have been turned into trendy gastropubs, whilst other more modern watering holes have gone to great lengths to achieve an old-fashioned look.

Nonetheless, those pubs that have been carefully preserved for hundreds of years make the perfect spot for any visitor to soak up a bit of traditional English culture and see day-to-day London life in action.

London: 5 classic pubs that we love

Before you head out, read our guide to drinking at a traditional pub in London. Ready to sip a pint? Here are five of the best to kick-start your London pub-crawl:

The Prospect of Whitby

57 Wapping Wall
E1W 3SH

This Docklands pub marks the spot where fishermen, sailors, smugglers and pirates used to stop off right back in 1520. Sadly, all but the flagstone floor was destroyed in a fire and the pub was rebuilt in the 1770s. In the seventeenth century, Samuel Pepys used to frequent this watering hole, hence the aptly named “Pepys Dining Room” upstairs. In more recent years the pub has attracted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Richard Burton and Kirk Douglas.

The Prospect of Whitby is perfectly positioned on the edge of the Thames making it an ideal spot to gaze out at the river and admire the city of London whilst enjoying the comforts of a real local pub.

The George Inn

77 Borough High Street
Southwark, SE1 1NH

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Borough Market and flanked by some of London’s most iconic modern buildings, the George Inn is a perfectly preserved little chunk of old London. The earliest reference to the inn is on a map dated 1542, however, the George had to be rebuilt after the Southwark fire destroyed the original building in 1676.

Today, the George is famous for its wooden galleries that characterize the front of the building. The simple, wooden interior boasts plenty of cozy corners to escape the cold and enjoy a good ale and in the summer months, the enormous outdoor terrace is popular with city slickers and market traders alike.

The Argyll Arms

18 Argyll Street
Soho, W1F 7TP

Ever popular and ever special, the Argyll Arms is strategically located just off Oxford Street, making it the pub of choice for office workers, theatergoers and West End shoppers. Built in 1742, the Argyll received a makeover in 1897 when “snugs” became fashionable and the bar was split up into several ornately decorated little compartments so that punters could drink privately. Several years later regulators demanded that some of the partitions were removed to prevent “unsavory” goings-on and so the Argyll took the shape it has today.

The beautifully etched glass partitions and mahogany bar and paneling even survived the Blitz and the Argyll remains one of London’s most atmospheric pubs. Lovers of ale are also in for a treat as the Argyll boasts some of the UK’s finest cask-conditioned real ales and the selection is constantly changing, giving punters another reason to keep coming back.

The Holly Bush

22 Holly Mount
Hampstead, NW3 6SG

A real treat hidden away in one of London’s oldest villages, The Holly Bush is one of those rare urban locals that manages to transport you far away to a rural countryside hideout. The pub opened in the early nineteenth century but is housed in a building that dates back to the 1640s and the original fireplaces, wooden booths and oak paneling are all still intact and beautifully preserved.

The warm, inviting ambiance of the pub draws you in, as do the many different dynamics going on as you meander in and out of the rabbit warren of rooms. From romantic whisperings on intimate tables by the fire and walkers refueling after a brisk stroll across Hampstead Heath to family get-togethers on long tables in the back rooms, this is a special place that embodies what a traditional pub should be.

The Dickens Inn

Marble Quay
St Katharines Way, E1W 1UH

A wonderful way to enjoy the calm of St Katharines Dock, the Dickens Inn is actually a relatively new arrival on the London pub trail. However, this inn has an interesting story to tell and is certainly worth a visit! The timber frame that houses the Dickens Inn was built as a spice warehouse in 1775 and was sadly encased in brickwork in the 1820s to fit in with the modernization of the dock.

Almost 150 years later architects discovered what lay beneath and, in order to save the building, they had to transport it 70 meters across the dock to make way for a new housing development. The timber frame was painstakingly restored in the style of an 18th-century balconied inn and was opened by Charles Dickens’ grandson in 1976.

Your favorite pubs in London

If you need even more ideas, check out our list of 10 favorite bars in central London. Do you have a favorite pub you’d suggest adding to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post 5 Traditional pubs in London worth a visit appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While there are tons of “official” Christmas activities to partake in over the next few weeks, you’ll find that many (like the plethora of ice rinks that have popped up in all corners of the capital) don’t really fit within a Cheapo’s budget. From raising a pint at a cheery pub to taking in the view of the famous Christmas lights on Oxford Street, London is a good place to be for Cheapos.

So here are some foolproof ways to embrace the festive spirit without frittering away your Christmas present budget!

Read more about visiting London:
• Here are the 5 best cheap hotels in Central London
• 10 Free things that will make you fall in love with London
• Follow these 25 tips for a much better trip to London

Christmas in London: Fun activities for less

1. The London pub

A favorite retreat at all times of the year, London’s traditional pubs come into their own at Christmas time. Serving up warming mugs of mulled wine and cider while offering some cozy relief from the bitter cold, make the pub your first port of call. Of particular note is the Churchill Arms in Kensington, which gets into the Christmas spirit with holiday decorations everywhere you look, while our round-up of favorite London pubs is also a good place to start.

Related: Everything you need to know about raising a pint in a British pub

2. Carolers are caroling

Belting out some carols to your heart’s content is a fun way to feel festive and there’s no better place to do it than around Trafalgar Square’s enormous Christmas Tree (an annual gift from Norway to London). Four hours of carol singing takes place daily from December 9 to 24 (except 14 and 22) from 4 to 9 pm on weekdays and 2 to 7 pm on weekends. It’s free to attend but donations are encouraged.

Related: 10 free things to do during winter in London

3. Release your inner child

Whether you have children or not, a trip to Hamleys is a sure-fire way to get into the Christmas spirit. This wonderful toy store, the oldest in the world, buzzes with life and excitement every day of the week but never more so than at Christmas. It has been a Regent Street institution since 1881 but actually started life even earlier, back in 1760. Containing 50,000 toys across seven floors, after a mulled wine in the pub it’s another great pit stop to get some welcome respite from the cold.

4. Light up London

Another free and festive activity is to take in London’s best illuminations and decorations, which you’ll find all over the city. Oxford Street and Regent Street have the biggest light displays, but nearby Carnaby and South Molten Streets, as well as St Christopher’s Place, always boast some truly magical creations. The Christmas tree and decorations in Covent Garden piazza are another must-sees, while you can enjoy the fantastic window displays at classy shops like Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason, and Selfridges without having to fork out any cash at all.

Related: How to shop in London without blowing your budget

5. Welcome to Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland has been running for years and while it is a family favorite, it’s also known for big crowds and hefty price tags. The fun runs daily through January 5th, 10 am to 10 pm (closed on December 25th). A few other Christmas activities to take note of are Winter at Southbank Centre and Christmas in Leicester Square with a lively market and shows inside a 1920s spiegeltent.

Have you been to London during the holidays? Let us know your favorite cheap and free things to do at Christmas time!

The post London: Free and cheap things to do for Christmas appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So come on Cheapos, it’s time to pull out all the stops and show that special someone you care with a romantic (and budget-friendly) day out in London!

Call your sweetheart, book an affordable hotel in the heart of London, and follow along for a fun-filled adventure.

1. Escape the city on a romantic walk

Many visitors to London go no further than Regent’s and Hyde Park when in search of green spaces, but to really escape the madness of the city, just head north to Hampstead Heath. This wild and rambling area of parkland is the perfect place to get away from it all and whisper sweet nothings.

The view from Hampstead Heath. Photo: Martin Deutsch

Lakes, swimming ponds, rolling hills, and woodland all make for the perfect romantic backdrop. So, if the weather is good, take along a picnic and make a day of it. Don’t miss the climb to the top of Parliament Hill, one of London’s highest points, where you can take in a spectacular view of the city’s major landmarks including The London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf and the Gherkin, to name but a few.

Hampstead Heath
Highgate Road NW3 7JR
Tube: Hampstead

2. Snuggle up at the movies

Make a trip to the cinema even more romantic and visit the Everyman. In each of the Everyman cinemas, you can choose to reserve a plush sofa for two complete with footrests and “sofa service” so you can sit back and enjoy a more intimate cinema experience. Although a little more pricey than a normal cinema ticket, with sofas priced at £17.50 per person, it certainly adds a touch of romance and is perfect for a special occasion.

Everyman Cinemas (several locations in London)
See website for more information.

3. Splurge on a romantic view of the city

Enjoy the ultimate romantic London experience and head for a sunset drink at the lovely Oxo Tower Bar. Whilst just thinking about dining at the Oxo Tower Restaurant or Brasserie is enough to leave most Cheapo’s out of pocket, sipping on an early evening drink is easier on your wallet and certainly worth the splurge. Located on London’s South Bank, the Oxo Tower is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants and the views across the river are unbeaten.

Oxo Tower Wharf
South Bank SE1 9PH
Tube: Waterloo / Southwark
website

4. Wine and dine by candlelight

There’s no better place to cozy up together and enjoy a great meal than at Gordon’s. Opened in 1890, this atmospheric haunt claims to be London’s oldest wine bar and offers excellent wine, exquisite cheese platters, and tasty traditional English fare at reasonable prices (meals cost between £10-13).

Gordon’s Wine Bar oozes character with low lighting and candlelit tables tucked away in the nooks and crannies of this underground cavern. It is entirely unique and is the ideal setting for that special romantic meal.

Gordon’s Wine Bar
47 Villiers Street WC2N 6NE
Tube: Embankment / Charing Cross
website

The post 4 Cheapo ways to be romantic in London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

2015 is set to be no different, so whether you’re planning a first time visit or a return to a city you know and love, here are 10 reasons why you should plan a visit this year.

1. Peruse the V&A’s new galleries

Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL

The Europe 1600-1800 Galleries have just opened their doors at London’s V&A Museum. The project has involved the transformation of seven galleries into a fresh new space in which over 1,000 pieces of 17th and 18th century art and design are displayed. What’s more, admission is free, so there’s no excuse not to take a peek!

2. Get to know Sherlock Holmes

Museum of London, 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN

Baker Street’s most famous character and his life in Victorian London will be explored in depth at this special exhibition entitled “Sherlock Holmes: The man who never lived and will never die.” Open now until April 12, 2015.

A new budget-friendly Z Hotel is coming to Shoreditch at The Bower mixed-use complex. Photo: Courtesy of The Bower

3. Chic city sleeps on a budget

Z Shoreditch, 136-144 City Road EC1V 2RL

Z Hotels’ cool mix of modern design and affordable room rates is the ideal combo for travelers on a budget who don’t want to scrimp on comfort and style. So we’re super excited about the opening of the new Z Hotel in Shoreditch in March 2015, which is set to follow the boutique-budget mantra of its three other London properties, offering 107 stylish compact rooms in one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods. The hotel will be located in the new multi-use complex called The Bower Old Street.

Related: 5 central London hotels for under £100

4. 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta

British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB

To celebrate 800 years since the granting of the Magna Carta, the British Library is running a series of events between March 13 and September 1, 2015. The charter was originally issued by King John of England to try and make peace with rebel barons, but over the past 800 years it has come to symbolize the foundation of modern day democracy. The main exhibition, Law, Legacy and Liberty, should be booked in advance and tickets cost £12.

Related: 7 things to do in London that won’t cost you a dime

Keep an eye out for Shaun the Sheep sculptures around London this year. Photo: Dave Pearce

5. Shaun the Sheep arrives in London

Shaun in the City, Multiple locations

Wallace and Gromit fans will be in their element following the “Shaun the Sheep Trail” which sees over 100 “Shauns” placed in locations around central London to celebrate the launch of Shaun’s very own movie, and the Chinese Year of the Sheep between March 28 and May 25, 2015. If you miss the London trail, you can catch it in Bristol over the summer.

Les Enfants Terribles will take you “Underground” at Waterloo Station.

6. Immersive theater at its best

Alice’s Adventures Underground, Leake Street SE1 7NN

Forward thinking theatre company, Les Enfants Terribles, are back in the capital this year with an immersive theatre production of “Alice’s Adventures Underground” that is sure to be out of this world. Held at the Vaults underneath Waterloo station between April 2 and May 31, guests will make a simple choice at the start of their evening; “Eat Me” or “Drink Me”, and from then on their evening will unfurl in different directions as they journey through Wonderland.

Help Hampton Court Palace celebrate its 500th anniversary! Photo: Nightblue

7. Hampton Court Palace turns 500

Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley, KT8 9AU

To celebrate 500 years since construction began on this beloved palace, a number of exciting events will be taking place, including a sleepover on March 21 and a huge party over Easter weekend (April 3 – 5) with live Tudor and Baroque music, traditional food, and a spectacular son et lumiere show.

8. The Lyric Theatre reopens with a bang

Lyric Hammersmith, King Street, Lyric Square W6 0QL

Pies at the ready—the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith will reopen its doors this spring after refurbishment for an oh-so-exciting run of “Bugsy Malone”, the first professional theater production of this family-friendly classic in over a decade. Performances from April 11 until August 1, 2015.

9. Ode to Damien Hirst

Newport Street, SE1 6AY (website still to launch)

Scheduled to open in May 2015, the enormous Newport Street Gallery will fill a whopping five buildings with Damien Hirst’s private contemporary art collection, housing over 2,000 pieces in total, including original works by Banksy and Francis Bacon. Even better news for modern art lovers? This exciting exhibit will offer free entry.

Wembley Stadium will be hosting World Cup Ruby this year. Photo: Ben Sutherland

10. Rugby World Cup kicks off in London

Wembley, Twickenham and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium

From September 18 through October 31, 2015, Rugby fans can rejoice as the World Cup arrives. Matches will be played at different venues across the UK, three of which are in London, where the semifinal and final will also be played. If you can’t get tickets, then don’t despair, because London’s pubs will be even more lively than usual on match days.

The post 10 reasons to visit London in 2015 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

London is famed for its pub culture of pints and conversation, and many of these taverns also serve good food. Sunday afternoons is when the kitchen creates a tasty feast that brings out locals of all ages. Best of all, you can get a filling plate at Cheapo-approved prices. Most pubs charge around £10 to £15 for a roast with all the fixings.

Here’s a rundown of the history, what to expect, and where to enjoy a delicious Sunday roast in London.

History of this culinary tradition

There are many different beliefs as to when this tradition started. The original idea of feasting on a joint of beef on a Sunday is said to date back to Medieval times, when village serfs were rewarded with a hearty meal by their masters each week. The tradition continued into King Henry VII’s reign, when his royal guardsmen used to feast on roast beef every Sunday after church (which apparently earnt them the name they still carry today—Beefeaters!).

But the version of the Sunday Roast most similar to what we find on our plates today has its roots in the 18th century, during the industrial revolution, when families in Yorkshire would leave a joint of meat in the oven before going to church every Sunday. On returning home, families would sit together and tuck into the best meal of the week.

What’s on the plate?

So what to expect of a modern day Sunday roast? While a tender joint of roast beef teamed with spicy horseradish sauce and sweet redcurrant jelly continues to be popular, equally common today is a juicy roast chicken, roast lamb with mint sauce, or roast pork with apple sauce (and plenty of crackling!).

A good roast should always be accompanied by crispy roast potatoes and parsnips and steamed vegetables such as carrots and broccoli. If you want to try a Yorkshire pudding (beautiful and highly calorific side dish made from batter), you’ll normally find this served with beef, although it is becoming increasingly normal to find them served with other meats as well. To complete the dish, drizzle over some delicious gravy—a flavorsome sauce made from the juices of your roast meat.

The Crown Pub in Islington serves Sunday roasts every weekend. Photo: Ewan Munro

Where to enjoy a Sunday roast

Today most British pubs and restaurants serve Sunday Roasts, eager to fulfill demand from friends and families who want to keep the tradition alive but can’t spare the time to cook one up themselves. So if you don’t have a local family home to gatecrash on a Sunday, you’ll have no problem finding a restaurant to sample one in. Do be warned though that they vary in quality, so take our advice and veer away from the cheap as chips offerings in a Wetherspoons pub and spend a few more pounds on a better quality plate of food.

Our list of top pubs for a Sunday Roast in London is a good place to start. Oh and don’t forget to save room for a traditional British dessert… Bon appétit!

The post A London Pub Tradition: The Sunday roast appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whether you’ve got your heart set on sailing over the city at the London Eye, delving into its gory depths at the London Dungeon, or getting to grips with its history at the Tower of London, you’ll quickly find yourself out of pocket after one or two entrance fees.

Here, we break down the best money saving options for different types of visitors coming to London.

London Pass: For the diehard tourist

The most comprehensive discount card on offer in the city, the London Pass is available for one, two, three, six and 10-day trips. It’s not cheap—with adult passes costing £49 for one day pass and going up to £199 for ten days, including unlimited travel on public transport. But once you have your card, you will get free entry to around 60 attractions, as well as queue jumping at certain places.

The attractions featured on the pass are pretty extensive, ranging from the Tower of London (normally £20), Westminster Abbey (normally £18) and Hampton Court Palace (normally £16.50), to Thames River Cruises (normally £18), Arsenal Stadium Tours (normally £18) and even free cinema tickets, ice skating or bowling.

Our verdict? It’s only worth the investment if you plan your time carefully and cram in as much as possible. If it’s your first time in London, and you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing that doesn’t include the city’s free museums, you’ll find you make your money back fairly quickly. Sometimes you can even get a discount on the discounts, so check the website for offers and buy in advance, as the card can be activated up to 12 months after purchase.

The Time Out Card gets you discounts across London. Photo: Courtesy of Time Out

Time Out Card: For the tourist in denial

If you plan to combine sightseeing with plenty of eating, drinking and merrymaking, this could be the option for you. Normally priced at £49 for a year, the Time Out Card is currently on sale for just £24.50, making it a truly excellent option for visitors and Londoners alike.

While it won’t offer you free entry to things, it will offer you discounts on most attractions—between 10% and 60% off, two-for-one admission, or “benefits” (basically little freebies to make your experience better). When night falls the card will also save you money on bars and restaurants, theater, cinema, live music and all sorts of city tours and classes. They will also send you weekly emails with invites to exclusive events, launches and pop ups that you wouldn’t otherwise have heard about.

Our verdict? If you want to balance your London experience between culture and nightlife, then you’re sure to see the benefits from this card. Ideal for those planning a longer stay in the city who wish to delve into the hidden gems as opposed to just the big names, this card will give you more of a Londoner’s view of the city.

Pick up a travel card from National Rail at Paddington Station (among other places) for 2for1 discounts. Photo: Matt Buck

Two-for-one Offers with National Rail: For the relaxed visitor

Another way to get money off top attractions is with a travelcard issued by National Rail. The premise here is that you are day tripping to London, so the discount isn’t valid with an Oyster card, but if you purchase a travelcard from any National Rail station (e.g. St. Pancras, Victoria, Paddington or Euston), you will be issued with a paper ticket which you can redeem for two-for-one entry at over 150 landmarks and attractions in the city. These include the London Dungeon, Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and the Tower of London, as well as theater tickets and deals at shops and restaurants.

Our verdict? A great option for those who wish to go sightseeing at a leisurely pace without making any large investments in advance. However, the discounts don’t work for solo travelers as you need to be traveling in a pair to benefit. Making the most of the deal also requires a bit of planning—in addition to presenting your travelcard on entry, you’ll need to have printed off a 2FOR1 voucher for your chosen attraction from the Days Out Guide website. So, get organized and save!

What do you think?

Have you used any of these passes to save when visiting London? Did you think they were a good value? Tell us about your experience!

The post Should you buy a London Pass or Time Out Card? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So ask yourself what your priorities are—is it worth that extra £20 to get yourself to hotel check-in as swiftly as possible and make the most of your visit to London? Or do you have time on your side and would rather save those £££s on transportation, so you have more money to burn when you’re out and about in the city?

We’ve saved you the lengthy research by weighing up the best fast and cheapo options below!

Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Photo: Curt Smith

Heathrow Airport

If you’re arriving in London on a long haul flight, chances are you’ll wind up at Heathrow, which sees almost 200,000 passengers arriving and departing each day. There are five terminals, all fairly easily accessible. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are walking distance apart, whereas for Terminals 4 and 5 you may find you need to jump on the Underground or the Heathrow Express train.

Fastest: If you’re on a short jaunt in London and want to maximize your time in the city then the Heathrow Express is the best option for you. Sleek and uber comfortable trains with tons of space for luggage depart every 15 minutes from the airport and take just 15 minutes from terminals 1, 2 and 3 to Paddington station in central London. Add on four or six more minutes to the journey time if departing from terminals 4 or 5.

It’s not the cheap option, with adult tickets costing £26 for a single and £39 for a return when purchased onboard, but you can knock £5 off the cost of each ticket when you buy online or at the ticket machines and ticket desks in the station, making a single £21 and a return £34. Get organized and you’ll get an even better price as well, with regular advanced booking deals available online, particularly for kids and group bookings.

Cheapest: If saving those pennies is the most important thing, then by far the best option is to take the London Underground into the city center, which takes around one hour depending on where your final destination is. The Piccadilly Line has a stop for Terminals 1, 2 and 3, another for Terminal 4 and another for Terminal 5, so no matter where you land you’ll be able to access the Tube.

The airport is located in zone 6 and a single ticket into zone 1 (central London) will set you back around £5.70. However, if you read our guide to public transport in London and get yourself an Oyster card, this will be reduced by a few pounds.

The Gatwick Express train gets you to Victoria Station in 30 minutes. Photo: Vera Blossom

Gatwick Airport

Officially located in Sussex, Gatwick Airport is London’s second biggest air hub and covers the largest number of destinations of any airport in the country. There are two terminals; North and South, which are walking distance apart.

Fastest: The quickest way into London is from the well-located train station at the airport. However, unlike from Heathrow, the official “Gatwick Express” service which runs every 15 minutes to London Victoria only shaves around five minutes off your total journey time when compared to the notably cheaper, Southern Trains service. The former will set you back around £18 for a single and £31 for a return, while you can bag a return on the trusty Southern Train for a mere £15. If London Bridge or St Pancras are more convenient for you, opt for the Thameslink train for a similar price.

Cheapo tip: If you’re arriving and departing from Gatwick then be sure to buy yourself a return ticket, it’s only a few pence more expensive that the single!

Cheapest: If time is on your side then take the bus to central London. National Express has regular departures from both terminals to London Victoria from as little as £8 each way online. On average the journey takes an hour and a half, but be patient—London traffic is always unpredictable. Alternatively, Stelios’ easyBus has services to Waterloo and Earl’s Court which take between 60-90 minutes. Buses run every 15-20 minutes and start from as little as £2 each way when booked in advance online.

Stansted Airport

London’s third busiest airport is Stansted. Serving shorter haul destinations, you may well find yourself here if you’re flying to other countries in Europe with a low-cost airline.

Fastest: The handily located station makes it very easy to hop on the train from the airport. The Stansted Express departs every 15 minutes and takes around 35 minutes to Tottenham Hale or 45 minutes to Liverpool Street station. Given the trains are often pretty packed, the £21 single and £32 return feels pretty steep, but you can cut this price massively if you book early, with fares from £8 when booked 30 days in advance and £12 when booked seven days in advance. There are also discounts for groups and two adults traveling together.

Cheapest: Again, if you really want to save those pennies then the bus will be your best option. From Stansted you can catch National Express or Terravision buses to Victoria or Liverpool Street, while the easyBus goes to Old Street and Baker Street. All buses depart regularly and take between one and two hours. Fares start from £2 each way and the best prices are found when booked in advance online.

London Luton

Again, you’re most likely to find yourself at Luton if you’re flying low-cost to a nearby destination, and most Londoners try and avoid this airport like the plague. Not because it’s unpleasant when you get there, but because the lack of an on-site train station makes it a whole lot more awkward to get to and from. If arriving very late at night, I would pay the extra flight price to land somewhere else, as the onward journey from Luton is not so straightforward.

Fastest: Rail is still (just) the quickest way to central London, but the difference isn’t as huge as when compared to Heathrow and in this instance I would probably just go for the cheaper bus route. All visitors must catch the shuttle from outside the airport to the rail station. The journey takes around 10 minutes and the buses leave fairly regularly. Your rail ticket can be bought at the bus stop and includes the surcharge for the shuttle. If you don’t pay it you will be charged £1.60 to take the shuttle bus. On arrival, Thameslink runs trains to Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras, which take between 40 and 60 minutes and cost around £15 single and £24 return.

Cheapest: Both easyBus and National Express serve Luton Airport and take around 90 minutes to Victoria coach station. EasyBus just launched its direct service to Liverpool Street last month as well, which it claims takes one hour and five minutes, but I would always recommend leaving a bit longer. Single tickets can be bought from as little as £2 if you get them in advance.

You can easily take the Docklands Light Rail to connect with the Tube from London City Airport. Photo: Tom Page

London City

Finally, if you’re touching down at London City Airport then you’re very lucky indeed! Designed for business travelers to have easy access to the city, you won’t be swamped with mind boggling options here—simply up your Oyster card and hop onto the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and connect to London Underground’s Jubilee Line at Canning Town in just three stops.

How do you get in?

Have a tip for a fast or cheap way in from any of London’s airports? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post London Airport Transport: Our picks for the fastest and cheapest ways into town appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While taking the night bus is a cultural experience of sorts, it’s by no means the most direct route home, often involving hours spent hanging around bus stops in the freezing cold. On arrival of said bus, expect to pile in with a woozy mob comprising noisy Londoners, dazed foreigners and plenty of chips, kebabs and McDonalds. Regular out-of-tune singsongs take place, friendships are made, couples argue about who chose to get on the wrong bus and, eventually, what feels like many weeks later, the night bus will deposit you back out into the cold, hopefully somewhere near your accommodation.

The desire to avoid it is what spurs on hordes of merrymakers to cut their nights short and charge towards the nearest underground station as midnight draws near for fear of missing that oh-so-important Last Tube Of The Night.

All-night tubes would make enjoying London’s nightlife a much less stressful business. You want to stay for one last drink? One last dance? Go ahead. There will be no night bus experiences or eye-wateringly expensive taxi rides home for you.

Since November 2013 plans have been being hatched to run 24-hour tubes, and last month the much anticipated announcement was made—London’s Night Tube will launch on September 12, 2015, just in time for the Rugby World Cup, during which 400,000 overseas rugby fans are estimated to visit.

A section of the Tube’s Northern Line will be open all night on weekends beginning next year. Photo: Nico Hogg

What to expect

To begin with, the Night Tube will operate on Fridays and Saturdays across five key lines (make a note when choosing where to stay): Central, Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria Lines, plus the busiest section of the Northern Line. Here is a map. There will be six trains an hour between 12:30 AM and 6 AM.

What does it mean for Cheapos?

Quite a lot, actually. Apart from saving time and money on taxis, being able to stay out late, at least on weekends, without having to worry about how to get home means you can look further afield with your accommodation options. While many of the properties we review on Eurocheapo are very central, looking slightly further afield will make your stay a lot easier on the wallet.

For example, bagging a room at one of the lovely B&Bs in Kings Cross or a bed in a lively youth hostel in Earl’s Court will save you many £££s, and you’ll be perfectly placed to catch the Victoria or Piccadilly lines home after a night out in Soho. Cheers to that!

The post London to launch “Night Tube” on the weekends appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Stocking up on flowers

In what has to be the city’s most vibrant market, every Sunday East London’s Columbia Road comes alight with exotic and locally grown flowers, plants, bulbs and planters. The ideal place for anyone who likes a spot of bartering, there is always a fantastic atmosphere among traders and shoppers alike.

Even if you’re not looking to buy, the different types of flowers are a truly magnificent sight and really good fun to photograph. But I would be left openmouthed by anyone who manages to walk away completely empty-handed—even the most frugal of Cheapos is bound to be seduced by the vast array of blooms on offer—on a recent visit a German friend of mine was even seen heading home on Easyjet with a bunch of hardy semi-dried flowers that last forever!

A vendor with his flower displays at the Columbia Road Market. Photo: Jerome Yewdalll

Get there as early as you can if you want to avoid the crowds (the market opens at 8 AM and closes at 3 PM every single Sunday of the year) or, if you’re on the hunt for a real bargain, arrive around 2 PM when you’ll get the best prices.

Related: 4 weekend markets in London for bargain hunting (and people watching)

Eating and drinking on a budget

While London’s East End continues to become more and more trendy, sometimes it’s a real treat to stumble upon a traditional “caff” or a proper local pub that have stood the test of time. Columbia Road’s increasing popularity means that there are plenty of cool bars and beautiful but pricey vintage shops lining the street, but you’ll get the best value for money if you stick to the more traditional no-frills options.

After some flowering shopping, stop in for a freshly brewed cup of tea at Cafe Columbia. Photo: buttongrrrl

Head to Cafe Columbia (138 Columbia Road) for some breakfast or lunch and you’ll be biting into a bit of an institution. This family-run cafe has long been serving up tasty bagels, sweets and warming cups of English tea to market traders and busy shoppers and it’s cheap as chips! There is even a miniature garden out the back – ideal for when the sun is shining.

If you’re after something a bit more hearty then a Sunday roast at the Royal Oak (73 Columbia Road) is sure to hit the spot. A beautiful, wood paneled old “boozer”, this is the kind of pub Londoner’s miss when they go on holiday.

Related: Affordable Sunday roast meals around London for under £15

A bit of free culture

These days there’s a lot more to do around Columbia Road than buy flowers. Once you’ve been fed and watered, why not explore some of the free independent galleries and art shops, many of which only open their doors to the public on Sundays. The Columbia Road Gallery, located in The Courtyard on adjoining Ezra Street, mainly showcases the work of Cornish artists and boasts an ever changing portfolio of new and emerging talent. Meander round the corner to The Yard and you’ll find yourself surrounded by vintage clothes and furniture, as well as plenty of tasty food and drink stalls (many of which offer free tastings).

Nelly Duff is a good shop for artsy fun along Columbia Road. Photo: Julian Walker

In stark comparison, wander into Nelly Duff (156 Colombia Road) and be treated to street, tattoo and graphic artworks. This eclectic mix and constantly evolving mish mash of old and new, traditional and quirky, is really what makes this little corner of London so enticing and always worth a peek, even if you’ve been a hundred times before.

Columbia Road Flower Market

Every Sunday 8 AM-3 PM
Neighborhood: Tower Hamlets
Tube: Bethnal Green or Old Street Station
www.columbiaroad.info

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