Each of these has that special combination of nightly rates at a good value, great locations, high customer ratings and enough essential amenities to ensure that you have a restful night’s sleep. Throw in a free English breakfast and we’re sold!

Our London Guide

• Read all hotel reviews

• Read ways to save in London

8 best budget hotels in London

Need to catch an early train? Alhambra offers a convenient location in King’s Cross. Photo: Booking.com

Alhambra Hotel

17-19 Argyle Street
Average nightly rate for a double: £87

The King’s Cross is filled with guesthouses, but you’ll find a budget-friendly and charming option in the Alhambra Hotel. It’s an especially helpful pick if you are getting into London or leaving super early or late. Breakfast is included in the nightly rate, and amenities abound: there’s free Wi-Fi, safes, coffee and tea facilities, flat-screen TVs, and more. (Read review)

Simple and sweet is the name of the game at St Athans Hotel.

St Athans Hotel

20-24 Tavistock Place
Average nightly rate for a double: £90

Situated in historic Bloomsbury, the family-run St Athans Hotel offers simple one-star rooms (with shared or private bathrooms) at rock-bottom rates. Most of the hotel’s 45 guestrooms share facilities and feature a sink and no other in-room amenities. A few rooms are equipped with private facilities, as well as a TV. (Read review)

Enjoy lush park views from your room at MacDonald Hotel. Photo: Booking.com

MacDonald

45 – 46 Argyle Square
Average nightly rate for a double: £93

Just a short walk from the British Library, the MacDonald is well-located in King’s Cross. Rooms may not charm you with their design, but they are clean and quiet and include TVs, fans, and coffee/tea makers. We recommend the front-facing rooms, which overlook a park. (Read review)

LSE Bankside House is only available in the summer, but rates are a steal.

LSE Bankside House (Summer Only)

24 Sumner Street
Average nightly rate for a double: £102

The LSE Bankside House is a London School of Economics dormitory, one of several open to the general public during summer months. All are well-priced for London, and Bankside has an enviable location next to the Tate Modern. Its 560 rooms are available in single, double, triple, and quad configurations. (Read review)

For a traditional English B&B experience, book a room at Hotel Meridiana.

Hotel Meridiana

43-44 Argyle Square
Average nightly rate for a double: £116

Situated in a smart, old-fashioned townhouse, this family-run two-star hotel has the charm of a traditional English B&B. The 25-room property is located on Argyle Square, a quiet street near King’s Cross Station and the British Library. Rooms are simple, but the location is convenient and the low rates include a full English breakfast. (Read review)

Cherry Court is an excellent cheapo find around the corner from Victoria Station with friendly owners that really appreciate their customers. Photo: EuroCheapo

Cherry Court Hotel

23 Hugh Street
Average nightly rate for a double: £134

With just 12 rooms near Victoria Station, the Cherry Court Hotel is a sweet and simple pick. Guests can enjoy the back patio kitchenette for prepping simple meals, plus a fresh breakfast basket delivered to your room each morning. Rooms and bathrooms can be a bit small, but they are spotless and well-equipped. (Read review)

The Celtic Hotel in Bloomsbury is one of our favorite budget hotels in Europe.

Celtic Hotel

61-63 Guilford Street
Average nightly rate for a double: £140

The Celtic Hotel is one of our favorite budget hotels in all of Europe. It boasts lovely proprietors, great rates, clean rooms, and a central location next to Russell Square in the heart of Bloomsbury. In short, it’s hard to find anything to complain about (aside from the difficulty of booking a room!). (Read review)

Enjoy some quiet time in the courtyard at 72QT.

72QT

72 Queensborough Terrace
Average nightly rate for a double: £194

The Latvian Guest House, also known as 72QT, is a surprising and somewhat hidden budget hotel near Hyde Park in Bayswater, offering 16 simple but well-maintained guestrooms. Free cooked breakfast, Latvian touches, and cheap rooms all add up to an excellent London cheapo stay. (Read review)

More hotel recommendations

Want to read more of our hotel picks for London? Check out all of our listings here, or click to see hotels in South Kensington, Bloomsbury, near Victoria Station, Paddington Station, and near Hyde Park.

The post Best budget hotels in London for 2026 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, there are some general tips that will make your trip to London go a bit easier (and a bit cheaper, as well). Take note of the following advice for exploring the city and enjoy your trip!

Related: Our favorite London hotels for budget travelers

London tips for a better trip

The Basics

1. Do remember your “please” and “thank you.”

The British sometimes have a reputation for being extra polite. While this isn’t always strictly true, we do like to pepper our speech with “please” and “thank you”. Adopt this habit and you’ll earn our thank yous! And if you bump into someone accidentally, always apologize — even if it wasn’t your fault. (It’s a bit weird, but you’ll see people doing it everywhere!)

2. Do keep it down.

Londoners tend to keep to themselves — and that means also keeping the volume down. You’ll notice that streets, public transportation, and even restaurants are relatively quiet (especially by American standards). Speaking loudly is one sure way to draw attention to the fact you’re a tourist.

3. Don’t block the way.

It’s a busy city, and people are usually on a mission to get somewhere. It’s really appreciated when visitors don’t block the exit of a tube train or stop in the middle of the street to check their map.

The biggest sin for Londoners, though? Standing on the left-hand side of the escalator, thus blocking others from passing. Always, always stand on the right. You’ve been warned!

Clothing

4. Do bring comfortable shoes.

You’ll be doing a lot of walking in London, so bring shoes for comfort. Unless you’re going somewhere particularly high end, dress codes tend to be fairly relaxed.

5. Don’t forget your umbrella.

Chances are it’ll rain while you’re in London (even in the height of summer). Come prepared.

Do… partake in the Full English Breakfast experience. Photo: Ewan Munro

Eating and drinking

6. Do try British favorites.

You’ll find plenty of U.S. chains here, but it wouldn’t be a proper trip to London without sampling dishes such as a Full English breakfast, a Sunday roast dinner, fish and chips or a tikka masala. An equally British tradition is our cosmopolitanism and diversity. You’ll find great cuisine from all over the world in the city. Make like a Londoner and try as many as you can!

Related: Five classic British dishes to try in London

7.  Do spend some time in a traditional British pub.

You haven’t experienced London until you’ve seen it through a pint glass (and you can always have a pint of lemonade if you don’t fancy trying bitter). Here are tips on navigating British pub culture.

8. Don’t tip like you would in the U.S.

The British don’t tip in a pub or a bar, or even when ordering pub food if it’s not table service. Save those pennies for extra drinks! Here’s our guide to tipping in London.

9. Do eat and drink somewhere other than Leicester Square.

The eateries surrounding this tourist zone are expensive and bad, and you’ll only be hanging out with fellow visitors. Check out our London nightlife guide for some pointers to some alternatives.

10. Don’t pay for your water in restaurants and pubs.

Safe-to-drink tap water should always be available for free.

Celtic Hotel is one of our favorite budget sleeps in the heart of London. Photo: Craig Nelson

Accommodations

11. Do pick a centrally located hotel.

There are loads of reasonably priced hotel options listed on EuroCheapo. Being able to walk to more places will save you time and money. Here are our favorite budget hotels in London.

12. Don’t skip your hotel breakfast.

Breakfast is included in the price of many hotels in London and will help you significantly save on eating out costs. If that rate includes an English Breakfast (like at the Celtic Hotel), eat up!

Safety

13. Don’t carry all your valuables on you.

It shouldn’t be necessary to take your passport out with you (leave it in the hotel safe instead). Be sensible about how you carry things around, too, and go for zipped bags rather than trouser pockets. Sadly there are opportunistic thieves in any city—why make their lives easier?

14. Don’t leave your bags or luggage unattended in public places.

Other than the fact that someone is likely to run off with them, they get treated very seriously. One unattended bag may spark the evacuation of an entire train station, so hold on to your belongings tight.

Do get tickets in advance for busy sites like the London Eye to score good discounts. Photo: Phil Dolby

Sightseeing

15. Don’t underestimate the size of London.

This city is huge! And you’re never going to see it all in on one trip. Rather than creating a crazy itinerary where you rush from one sight to the other, take it a bit easier and focus on your absolute must-dos. Check out these budget itineraries for 1, 2 and 3 days.

16. Do book ahead for major sights.

Once you’ve made your must-see list, take a look online and see if you can book in advance. Many places, such as the London Eye, offer discounts for advance booking online.

17. Do make the most of London’s free attractions.

Remember that most of London’s major museums are free, making the likes of the British Museum and the Tate accessible on even the tightest budget. Take advantage of these!

18. Do visit at least one of London’s markets.

Whether you choose to visit the Columbia Road Flower Market or the antiques of Portobello, London’s market offer unique and cheap entertainment.

19. Don’t ignore London’s green space.

Set aside some time to stroll in Hyde Park, or to take a trip up Primrose Hill. You’ll experience a much more relaxing side to the city. These green spaces are great places to have impromptu picnics, too.

Related: 10 Free things that will make you fall in love with London

20. Do get in line.

We Brits love to queue! If there’s a tourist attraction, popular café, or ATM, chances are we’ll be standing in line in front of it. We expect visitors to embrace our love of the queue, too. So apply patience, and definitely don’t think about pushing your way to the front.

Transport

21. Do try walking it.

If you’re staying in central London, most major sights will be in walking distance. It’s a much better way to see the city than crammed into the Tube.

22. Do embrace all forms of public transport.

It’s not all about the Tube. Catching a bus can be a much more pleasant way to get around town. Or there are bikes, river buses and overland trains that all help keep our city moving.

Related: How to save on London public transportation

23. Do get yourself an Oyster card.

Whichever public transport you are taking, an Oyster card will help you get the cheapest fares. (Read more about them here.) Seriously, it can cut the cost of a ride significantly.

24. Don’t ride public transport at peak hours, if possible.

That’s before 9:30 a.m. and from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the evening. It’s when buses and trains are at their busiest and locals are at their grumpiest. It’s definitely time better spent walking (or in a café or bar!), if possible.

25. Don’t rely on the Tube after midnight.

Night transport in London is completely different to the day, so plan ahead if you’re going to be out late. There’s more detail in our London nightlife guide.

Your tips?

Have a do or don’t for visiting London? Share with us in our comments section below.

The post London: Follow these 25 tips for a much better trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While it’s often referred to as a visa, this registration is actually a type of visa waiver, so those traveling to the U.K. who don’t need a visa will need to have this waiver completed to enter the country.

Although this registration is a new requirement, it can be completed digitally. Just make sure you do so in advance of your trip to avoid any delays.

Need help navigating the process? Here’s everything you need to know about the new U.K. ETA.

How to apply for the U.K. ETA

There are two primary ways to apply for the new ETA. The easiest option is to download the U.K. ETA app, which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. According to the U.K. government, applying by the app takes about 10 minutes and leads to quicker processing.

However, if you are unable to download the app, you can also apply online. Application and processing times may take slightly longer using this method.

What you need in order to apply for the U.K. ETA

Before applying, make sure to have your passport and a digital payment, such as a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet, close by. You can apply on behalf of someone else, but that person must be with you when applying, because the application includes taking a photo and, for people over age 9, scanning the face.

To sum all that up, here’s a list of what to have with you before applying:

• Anyone you will be applying for should be with you during the application process
• Valid passport
• Form of payment: credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay

Cost of a U.K. ETA

Yes, you will have to pay to apply for the ETA. Currently, the U.K. ETA costs £10 (around $13).

U.K. ETA processing time

It’s particularly important to know how long it takes for the ETA to be approved, because you’ll want approval before entering the U.K. If your ETA isn’t completed and processed in time, you will not be allowed out of the passport control area upon arrival.

The U.K. ETA processing may take as little as one day or up to three working days. With this in mind, be sure to apply before it’s time to head out on your trip so you aren’t delayed at the airport waiting for the application to be approved.

How long is a U.K. ETA valid?

Fortunately, if you plan to do multiple trips to the U.K., one ETA is valid for two years or until the passport used during application expires, whichever comes first. The ETA is valid for visits under 6 months in length.

Because the ETA is digitally connected to your passport, if the passport used during the application process expires, you will need to apply for a new ETA. Make sure to check those expiration dates well in advance of your trip to avoid some inconvenient surprises!

Who needs a U.K. ETA?

Every person traveling into the U.K. for less than 6 months, even if it’s a quick pass through the country to another destination, will need the ETA. Each person traveling to the U.K. will require their own ETA, including infants and children. However, one individual can apply for the ETA on behalf of another person, and children ages 9 and under will not have to complete the face-scanning requirement.

The U.K. government website includes a list of countries from which people can apply for their ETAs now, as well as another list of countries from which people can apply for ETAs beginning on March 5, 2025.

What other documentation will I need to travel to the U.K. or Europe?

Travelers from the U.S. will need their passport along with the ETA or a visa (if you plan to work in the country or will visit for longer than 6 months) to travel to the U.K.

Starting later in 2025, anyone from the U.S. (and select other countries) traveling to Europe will also need an ETIAS, another type of visa waiver. You can learn more about the requirements on the official ETIAS website.

More information on the ETA

Be sure to explore the U.K. government website and the U.S. Embassy website for more information on ETA and other travel requirements, then explore our U.K. blog posts for more travel tips!

The post The EuroCheapo guide to getting a U.K. ETA ‘visa’ appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There’s a reason why it’s the most visited tourist attraction in the UK: it has an amazing collection of artifacts, dating back thousands of years and drawn from all over the world. Plus, it probably doesn’t hurt that the price is right (always free admission).

Related: 20 Free museums in London that we love

But with nearly 7 million visitors attending the museum each year, it can get a bit hectic in there. Here are seven British Museum tips to get the most out of your visit.

Tips for visiting the British Museum

1. Try to avoid peak times

Okay, let’s be realistic here — the British Museum is never going to be the quietest spot in London. However, you can visit when it’s a little quieter. Aim to arrive for the 10 a.m. opening, or come later on a Friday, when the museum closes at 8:30 p.m. Check out what special temporary exhibitions are on — if it is a really popular show, the museum gets especially full for the show’s opening or closing weeks.

Don’t be tempted to save your trip for a rainy day — the museum is at its busiest when it’s bad weather outside. Instead, tackle it on a sunnier day: The sun shining through the glass roof of the Great Court means the museum is at its most handsome, as well as quietest.

Related: Affordable hotels near the British Museum

The Parthenon Sculptures are one of the biggest attractions at the British Museum. Photo: Bram S

2. Tackle the biggies first

You’re first through the door at 10 a.m., and your aim is to get to the big sights before everyone else does. First up, the Rosetta Stone, the discovery that provided the breakthrough in understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics. It’s in room 4, the Egyptian Sculpture gallery on the ground floor, which is straight off the Great Court.

Head onward through the galleries to get to room 18, where the Parthenon Sculptures are displayed. Also known as the Elgin Marbles, these were originally part of the Parthenon in Athens and were removed and taken to Britain in the early 19th century. The debate continues whether these should be kept in the British Museum or returned to Greece. Decide for yourself before heading upstairs to room 70 to get a taste of Rome and the Portland Vase, the cameo glass vase that has inspired generations of makers, poets, and scholars.

If you are feeling brave and you’re still ahead of the crowds, rooms 62-63 displays some of the Ancient Egypt collection, most famously the mummies. Finally, it’s back downstairs to room 24, the “Living and Dying” gallery, which includes Hoa Hakananai’a, an imposing Easter Island statue. Then, make your way back out to the Great Court and treat yourself to a cup of tea and a slice of cake from the café — you deserve it.

3. Prepare in advance

That brief tour only skims the huge amount the British Museum has to offer. There’s a great podcast that uses a hundred of the museum’s objects to tell the history of the world. Listen ahead of your visit to be inspired.

Although entry to the museum and the permanent exhibits is completely free, there are charges for special exhibitions. Save yourself time by booking tickets for these online. You’ll be given a timed ticket, so you don’t have to waste time waiting in line once you’re inside the museum.

4. Don’t neglect the lesser-known galleries

The British Museum has beautiful and fascinating objects all over the world, so it’s rewarding to spend time in some of the less famous galleries. After the crowds that fill the Egyptian Galleries, the Japanese Galleries offer a more serene atmosphere in which to appreciate the beauty of their objects. While the British Museum isn’t as well known for its fine art as other London galleries, the Prints and Drawings galleries always show wonderful examples by undisputed masters of the medium.

The massive central hall of the British Museum with a giant glass roof. Photo: Spiros K

5. Take your time

Because entry to the British Museum is free to enter, don’t feel the pressure to do it all in one go. You could spread your visit over a series of mornings, or pop outside to get some fresh air and a change of scenery if the crowds and all the culture are becoming slightly overwhelming. There are plenty of fantastic (and affordable) places nearby to grab some food or a drink.

6. …Or see it all in 90 minutes

If you are pressed for time, the British Museum runs a fantastic introductory tour to its collections called ‘Around the World in 90 Minutes’, which takes place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It does exactly what it says it will, taking in the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Sculptures, as well as lesser known marvels along the way, and taking up just an hour and a half of your valuable time. Tickets cost £14 and you can book in advance through the museum website.

7. Consider becoming a member

If you are a serious culture vulture and are going to be around in London for longer than a short break, it’s probably worthwhile to become a museum member. Cost start at £74 for a year’s membership (£54 if you are under 26 years old). Perks include a dedicated cloakroom (so no waiting to deposit bags or umbrellas) and free unlimited entry to all special exhibitions as well as special evenings and events. Find out more here.

The British Museum

Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8:30 p.m. on Fridays)
Website
Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square or Goodge Street

The post London: 7 tips for surviving the British Museum appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There are two cross-cutting factors at play. Let’s start with the good news for visitors. The pound is historically pretty weak at the moment, which means that, at the moment at least, day to day costs in the city are roughly comparable to costs in big American cities and most western European cities of note.

The bad news is that inflation is worse in the U.K. than just about anywhere else right now, so prices — especially prices for food and other consumer goods that arrive from the European Economic Area — keep inching up.

10 budget tips for visiting London

It goes without saying that it pays to have some budget weapons in your arsenal. Here are 10 ways to save on your trip to London.

1. Purchase a Visitor Oyster card

The Visitor Oyster card, a contactless smartcard that can only be purchased before you arrive in London, is a great way to save money. It determines the cheapest fare for any given public transportation journey and can be topped up along the way. It also caps fares at a maximum amount per day; for example, if you travel exclusively by bus, a £20 Visitor Oyster card will cap charges at £4.65 per day.

The Visitor Oyster card can be used on all Transport for London (TfL) services: The Tube, bus, tramlines, the Docklands Light Railway, Thames Clipper ferry services, and most National Rail train services within London as well as the Heathrow and Gatwick Express trains. Customers can obtain a refund for partially unused cards. The Visitor Oyster card is a cheapo traveler’s dream, but we’re not going to mislead: there is a good deal of fine print attached to its use.

Riding the bus is more fun and a lot cheaper than taking the Tube.

2. Take a bus

If you decided to go the journey by journey route, choose the bus over the Tube. Buses may be slower than the Tube, but they are cheaper. About 95% of London residents live within 400 meters of a bus line: buses really are London’s transit capillaries, penetrating — in particular south of the Thames — in a way that the Tube does not. Bus fares now include an entire hour of unlimited travel.

If you do decide to take the Tube instead, make sure to ride like a local with these tips.

3. Take advantage of the Boots lunch deal

Due to insane hikes in food prices mainstays like Pret and Benugo have become much less affordable than they were in years past. But the Boots meal deal is still a bargain.

Boots is a chemists (drugstore) chain found across the U.K. The Boots meal deal is now £4.99 for a main entrée, snack and drink in London — admittedly more than the £3.99 it was in London just a couple of years ago — but it remains a great deal.

4. Shop for food at supermarkets

If you want to find food for even cheaper, you can always assemble meals on the go from supermarkets. Chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Lidl are good for ad hoc meals; even rather posher Waitrose offers up bargains here and there.

5. Walk

London, mostly a very flat city, is an ideal place for walking. (How flat? Check your stair counter on your phone: it’s not difficult to walk 20,000 steps in a day in London and find that you’ve only climbed two or three flights!) Use Google Maps or another customizable map to estimate travel times — don’t forget that London is huge.

6. Camp in the city

Yes, remarkably, you can pitch a tent in London! Crystal Palace Club Campsite in south London and Abbey Wood Club Campsite in far southeast London are safe and secure places to camp. There are also tent sites just barely beyond the borders of Greater London in Aldenham Country Park in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

Regency Cafe, London. Photo: distillated

7. Dine locally

Eat at local cafes and canteens to get the most bang for your buck. Most inexpensive restaurants are outside of central London, though even in the center, there are bargains to be had. For example, at Regency Café (17-19 Regency Street SW1P 4BY), the weekly curry is £6.20, the breakfast set is £5.50 and a veggie burger is £2.60.

8. Explore free museums

The best-known London museums are mostly free. Yes, you read that correctly. Permanent collections are always free at the Design Museum, the Museum of London, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Tate Modern and the Victoria & Albert, among other museums. The London Transport Museum is free to everyone under 17.

Just remember that some museums may require you to reserve time slots before you visit, even if tickets are free. Check the museum website before visiting to avoid being turned away at the door.

9. Score free and discounted theatre tickets

How to do theatre on a budget? I asked my friend Derek Craig, an avid theatre-goer, to weigh in. He suggested Seat Fillers, which offers free tickets — or tickets for the cost of booking fees only — to everyone. Another route to free (or hugely discounted) theatre tickets is The Audience Club.

10. Book budget hotels in London

Use EuroCheapo to book inexpensive hotels in London, from our favorite cheap hotels in central London to the best hostels around the city. (Did you think we weren’t going to sound our own horn?)

Ready to book your trip? Search for thousands of hotels in London.

The post 10 budget tips for visiting London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Most visitors are familiar with London’s most famous parks, among these, Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park, and the Regent’s Park. These parks are four of London’s eight Royal Parks, which means that they were originally used by the royal family for recreational purposes. 

But beyond these central London parks are a huge number of lovely, verdant places for year-round enjoyment. Swim and relax in the shade during the summer; track the changing of the seasons in autumn and spring; stay active during the dark winter season.

Here are four less well-known parks across London, parks most visitors are unlikely to stumble upon. 

Related: 20 free museums in London

Peckham Rye Park & Common

Nearest train station: Peckham Rye (Overground and Thameslink)

Bus lines: 12, 63, 343, 363

Peckham Rye Park sits south of buzzy, rapidly gentrifying Peckham, far south of the Thames. There is a quiet community garden, an arboretum, several gardens (a formal English garden, a Japanese garden, and a nature garden), and a fun, cheery café called The Round. 

Peckham Rye is lovely all year, though, like all of London parks, it really comes alive during the summer months. 

As a bonus, it’s within easy walking distance from both Peckham High Street and very pleasant East Dulwich, both of which are full of great places to eat. (Lunch tip: Head to Persepolis, a good value vegetarian supermarket-café at 28-30 Peckham High Street.)

Beckenham Place Park

Nearest train station: Beckenham Hill (Thameslink)

Bus access: 54, 136

This massive south London park, expanded in 2019 by annexing a golf course, has a BMX track, a swimming lake, and loads of trails through woods. The social hub of the park is a 1760s mansion sitting atop a gentle green slope, which houses a café and hosts frequent events.

Beckenham Place Park takes some time to reach from central London; unless you want to make a day of the park, combine a visit here with some other south London attractions, like the Horniman Museum and Gardens or Crystal Palace, with its triangle of interesting shops and cafes.

Vibrant blooms at Golders Hill Park. Photo: Laura Nolte

Golders Hill Park

Nearest Tube stations: Hampstead and Golders Green (Edgware branch of Northern Line)

Bus access: 210, 268

Adjacent to the much better-known Hampstead Heath, Golders Hill Park is an enormously appealing London park. It has a playground, a free zoo, tennis courts, a lovely Georgian pergola with sweeping park views, a botanical garden, and a bird pond, among other features. Paths crisscross the park; the paths through wooded areas are especially rewarding. 

Lincoln’s Inn Fields

Nearest Tube station: Holborn (Central and Piccadilly)

Bus access: 1, 8, 13, 55, 59, 113, 168, 188, 243, 521

The only truly central London park — to be exact, this is a public square, not a park — in this list, Lincoln’s Inn Fields sits adjacent to Lincoln’s Inn, one of London‘s four Inns of Court. (Inns of Court are professional legal associations; every lawyer — or barrister — in England and Wales belongs to one of these four associations.) The park features a wide grassy area perfect for summer picnics. There are also tennis and netball courts and a café. 

On the north side of the square is Sir John Soane’s Museum, a lovely and often overlooked house museum featuring restored interiors and paintings from Soane’s wide-ranging collection.

What hidden gems have you come across in London? Share your favorite London parks and other attractions in the comments below!

The post 4 London parks most tourists miss appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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.

The post London: Our favorite free art museums and galleries appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But what about the train-ferry combination, the one many may recall fondly from their childhoods? It is still feasible, but these days it is not a streamlined option. You’ll need to purchase train and ferry tickets separately and finesse train station-port transportation on your own. The journey will also take 10 hours, so it’s best to leave that option to your memories. Instead, here are some more affordable ways to get from London to Paris and back again.

Related: 

• 50 Ways to save in Paris
• 21 Simple tips to save in London

Affordable Travel From London To Paris

Here are the most viable and cheapest ways to get between these two European centers.

Air: Fast but not so efficient

Though flying between London and Paris is by no means our recommended mode of transportation — the distance is simply too short to warrant the hassle, not to mention the carbon expenditure — there are a few ways to get between these two dynamic capital cities by air. These days the Paris-London route is used disproportionately for passengers connecting on to a long-haul destination, with the exception of business travelers flying in and out of London City Airport. That said, we did find one-way fares starting at $38 searching a few months in advance, but of course that doesn’t include all of the rail or taxi fares in between the airports and the city center.

• easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

• From London Luton, easyJet flies to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. You can find one-way fares three months in advance for as low as £30 (about $38).

• From London Heathrow, Air France flies to Paris-Charles de Gaulle with fares as low at £77 ($99), while British Airways flies to both Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly for as low as £47 ($60).

Rail: Comfortable and quick

The only direct train linkage from London to Paris these days is the Eurostar, which travels between London’s St. Pancras International and the Gare du Nord in Paris 15-17 times per weekday. The trip usually takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, with maximum speeds of up to 186 mph. However, Eurostar started rolling out brand new trains in late 2015 that can make the journey in only 2 hours at speeds of up to 200 mph.

The experience feels a bit like air travel, with its security checks and passport control in both directions. Because the UK is not part of the Schengen Area, passengers go through passport control prior to boarding their trains. Traveling from Paris to London, passengers first exit France through French passport control and then enter the UK via British passport control. In London, passengers will officially enter France in the station, submitting passports to French passport control before boarding their train to Paris.

From London, return Eurostar London to Paris fares begin at a very reasonable £41 round trip ($52) (between midday and midnight on a Monday; anytime on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday; and between midday and midnight on a Saturday). Booking nonrefundable tickets as far as possible in advance (up to 120 days) is your best bet for finding this low-cost fare. The cheapest tickets sell out first, so the earlier you book, the more you save.

Bus: Long but super cheap

The bus is usually the least expensive way to travel between Paris and London. It also takes much longer than a flight or the train. BlaBlaCar Bus and FlixBus are two major bus lines traveling between the two capitals. French BlaBlaCar Bus takes between 7.5 and 9 hours. The FlixBus journey takes between 9 and 10 hours. Both lines advertise free Wi-Fi and electrical outlets.

One-way FlixBus (formerly Eurolines) fares begin at £25 ($32). The FlixBus terminal in London is Victoria Coach Station; the Paris terminal is Bercy Seine.

BlaBlaCar Bus (formerly OUIBUS, and before that, iDBUS), a subsidiary of French train company SNCF, is a more comfortable option, with good legroom. Fares begin at around £25 for a one-way journey — promotional one-way fares and overnight trips can dip even lower. The BlaBlaCar Bus terminal in London is Victoria Coach Station; the BlaBlaCar Bus Paris terminal is Paris-Bercy.

What’s your preference?

How do you prefer to travel from London to Paris? Have any tips on ways to save on any of the transport options listed above? Share your tips with us in the comments section!

The post The cheapest way from London to Paris: Planes, trains & buses from £25 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These oh-so-easy to make errors can add up over the course of a trip and make a serious impact on your wallet — not to mention your enjoyment. To make the most of London like a true Cheapo, be sure to avoid these 10 costly mistakes:

1. Not getting an Oyster card

Just getting around town is expensive in London. And, do you know what’s really cruel? It tends to cost tourists more. That’s because Londoners who regularly take the Tube use Oyster cards. These are like travel credit cards, and they charge a cheaper rate for tickets than just buying them as you go. Sometimes an equivalent journey without an Oyster card can be more than double the price!

Oyster cards are easy to get hold of, you’ll just need to pay a small deposit (which is refundable). Find out more about them here.

2. Taking the Tube for every trip

And while we’re on the subject of travel, don’t think you have to travel everywhere on the London Underground Tube network. It’s easy to get between most central London attractions on foot (not to mention a lot more interesting).

If that’s not an option, London buses are considerably less expensive than the Tube and just as user friendly (the name of the stops are always announced and come up on a screen). They’re better for those traveling with wheelchairs and strollers, too. (Here’s a list of 5 bus routes every tourist should know.)

The Tower of London might be an icon, but it also costs £24.50. However, if you do go, make sure to book ahead. Photo: Craig Nelson

3. Trying to do too much

London is huge! And there’s so much to see. You’ll never see it all in one trip, so don’t make the mistake of trying to cram it all in. Rushing from one expensive attraction to another is a sure-fire way to lose money and lose out on some of the city’s fun.

Plan the essentials and leave the rest to chance. Sunny day? Have a wander around one of the city’s great parks, maybe, or check out a market. Rainy day? Pop into a free museum. London is better when you don’t try and keep up with the city’s frantic pace.

4. Not booking ahead for the big attractions

Having said that, for the really big attractions that you know you don’t want to miss out on, it’s always best (and often cheaper!) to book ahead. Many, including the Tower of London, Madame Tussaud’s, the London Eye and London Zoo, are all cheaper when you book online ahead of your visit.

Related: Top budget hotels in London

Celtic Hotel offers an optimal Bloomsbury location with low rates and free breakfast. Photo: Craig Nelson

5. Staying in a hotel way outside the center

We’ve all been there: deciding to go for accommodation that’s slightly cheaper but not so well located. Honestly, in London that’s a false economy. Staying more centrally doesn’t only save you travel time, it means that you can most likely walk, or at least bus it, to the central locations.

For budget friendly, centrally located accommodations, check out our favorite hotels in the Bloomsbury neighborhood, near Victoria Station, or Bayswater, for starters.

Search London hotels now

Know your travel dates? Find hotels for your budget now through our reservation partner, Booking.com

6. Tipping too much

Britain is not a nation of tippers and applying some of British tipping habits will really help your wallet.

• Eating out? Look at the check to see if a service charge has already been added. If not, a tip of around 10% is normal (and that’s only if you have been happy with the service).

• Getting a taxi? Round it up to the nearest pound.

• In a bar? It’s quite rare to tip, although you may offer to buy the bartender a drink.

Of course if you want to reward exceptional service with a more generous tip, it will always be appreciated. However, in the vast majority of cases, tipping is really seen as a bonus.

Victoria & Albert Museum is not only the world’s biggest destination for design and decorative arts. It’s also free! Photo: mk30

7. Not making the most of the free attractions

Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London may leave you feeling culturally enriched – they’ll also leave you considerably poorer. But famous doesn’t always have to mean pricey.

Many of London’s popular museums are free and it’s definitely worth making the most of them, whether it’s hanging out with the Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, or marveling at the contemporary art and architecture at Tate Modern. Take a look at the list of 20 free museums here.

8. Being ripped off for food

Microwaved meals and soggy pasta is all-too-often dished up to unsuspecting tourists. Finding well prepared, decently priced food in many of London’s tourist areas can be a huge challenge.

If available options look suspect, head to one of London’s better chains. The following all offer tasty food for around £10-15: Wagamama (noodles), Wahaca (Mexican), Franco Manca (pizza), and Byron Burger (as the name suggests, burgers).

Markets are also a good option for foodies (especially for the free samples). Check out this list of our favorite food markets. As well as Borough and Maltby Street, check out many of the street markets such as KERB, a regular near King’s Cross.

Don’t overlook supermarkets for picking up snacks or even all the fixings for a cheap dinner. Tesco Express is a popular choice. Photo: Ewan Munro

9. Not using the supermarkets

Eating out in London all the time gets expensive quickly, but eating in is relatively cheap. Even if you’re staying in a hotel, it’s always worth popping into a supermarket for a lunch or a snack (check out our guide to supermarkets here). They’ll always have a good range of food to go, at a great price.

10. Overlooking discounts

Having an International Student Identity Card can make a huge difference to your stay and can offer discounts of between 20% to 50% on entrance tickets. If you’re not a student but still under 31, an International Youth Travel Card offers similar reductions. Similarly, seniors should ask about discounted admission to most big attractions and museums.

Your tips?

Have a tip to add to our list of mistakes to avoid when visiting London? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post Visiting London? Avoid these 10 costly mistakes appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While finding a welcoming (and clean!)  hostel can be a time-consuming challenge, you can rest easy, because we’ve gathered some of the top hostels in London in the center of the city. All of our picks are clean and have excellent communal areas for making new friends, cooking dinner and hanging out after a day of sightseeing.

Not interested in the hostel scene? No worries! Check out our full list of budget hotels in London to find an inexpensive hotel that fits your needs.

Related:
• Affordable hotels near London’s most popular attractions
• 5 Central London hotels for under £100 per night
• 10 Ways to save on dining in London

Best London Hostels: Cheap sleeps in Central London

YHA London St Pancras

79-81 Euston Road
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Single bed starting at $19

Simplicity keeps the prices low at YHA London St. Pancras, but the communal areas more than make up for the basic, but clean, rooms. The lounge space and bar both boast floor-to-ceiling windows and comfy red sofas, and you can count on chill music drifting through these spaces. Make friends over breakfast or drinks, or buddy up with your temporary roommates. Read the full review here.

YHA Oxford Street

14 Noel Street
Neighborhood: Soho
Single bed starting at $21

Vibrant public areas, including the hot pink guest kitchen, make the shared spaces fun and inviting for guests at YHA Oxford Street. Crash on the yellow bean bag chairs to watch TV with other guests, or participate in hostel-directed activities like pub crawls and walking city tours.

You can enjoy the friendly atmosphere by staying in a dorm, or you can take advantage of the inviting communal areas while retreating in the available private rooms. Read more about YHA Oxford Street here.

A private room at YMCA Indian Hostel. Photo: EuroCheapo

YMCA Indian Student Hostel

41 Fitzroy Square
Neighborhood: Bloomsbury
Single bed starting at $36

Relive your college days at this hostel, where both dorm beds and private rooms are available, and cafeteria-style breakfasts and dinners are included in the rate. While rooms may be basic and uninspiring, you can be sure of your chances to meet friends in the dining hall, TV lounge, study rooms, library or the recreational room. Start up a game of table tennis or chess with a fellow guest.

Read the full review of the hostel here.

The lobby and check-in desk at Generator Hostel London. Photo: Booking.com

Generator Hostel London

37 Tavistock Place
Neighborhood: Bloomsbury
Single bed starting at $19

While both private and dorm-style rooms are small, the Generator is a great crash pad for those who live for the night. During the day, a bright café and dining area offer food and drink as well as a space to mingle.

At night, the hostel becomes the center of social activity when its nightclub opens and the cheap drinks start flowing. The club is complete with neon lights and a DJ booth. The club has a fun-filled calendar, featuring quiz nights, blind dates, karaoke and themed parties.

If you’re a night owl and a Cheapo, book a bed (or private room) at the Generator.

The communal kitchen at Clink 261. Photo: Booking.com

Clink 261

261-265 Grays Inn Road
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Single bed starting at $19

Red curtains brighten up the shared rooms, which are otherwise pale blue with metal bunk beds. Although basic, rooms are clean and include free bed linens. What really brings appeal to Clink 261, though, is the public spaces, including a stainless steel guest kitchen, a unique basement lounge and an inviting upstairs lounge.

Make friends playing video or board games downstairs in the basement, or admire the murals with other guests upstairs. Read the full review of Clink 261 here.

More ways to save in London

Looking to explore London on a budget? After booking your hostel or budget hotel, read all of our budget tips for visiting London.

The post Best Hostels in London: Beds from $19 per night appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.