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.

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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.

Luckily there are plenty of great freebies on offer, if you know where to look. Here are five of our free favorite London cultural attractions, along with nearby affordable hotels.

1. Museums: So many, so free!

Okay, we’re breaking our own numbering scheme from the off. Most of London’s main museums and galleries are completely free to enter, and it’s impossible just to pick one favorite. But, rather than direct you towards the British Museum or the National Gallery, which will probably be on any cultural itinerary anyway, let us highlight a few of the lesser known gems that are well worth a visit.

Related: 20 free museums in London

First up is the Sir John Soane’s Museum – the eccentric 19th-century home, museum, and gallery of an architect. On the first Tuesday of each month, there’s even a special candle-lit evening.

Or try the Wallace Collection, for a seriously impressive collection of art and decorative arts housed in a historic townhouse. This fall, also look out for the Museums at Night event, taking place from October 27 to 29 for special events inside these historic buildings.

Nearby budget hotels: Celtic Hotel and Ridgemount Hotel both put you just steps from the British Museum and within a 10- to 15-minute walk of Sir John Soane’s Museum.

2. Theatre: The Scoop

Theatre for free is a little harder to come by in London, although there are plenty of ways to get hold of discounted tickets. (Read our tips to find cheap and free theater tickets.) However, the happy exception to that rule is The Scoop, located outside City Hall. It comes alive in the summer, but events keep going until the end of October. Check the calendar for upcoming performances.

Nearby hotels: Premier Inn London Southwark Borough Market is about a 15-minute walk away from The Scoop along the Thames River.

3. Art: First Thursdays

On the first Thursday of each month, 150 galleries in the East End open their doors, offering events, talks and private views. Doing a gallery crawl is a great way to spend an evening getting to know this vibrant district. You can use the map available at the Whitechapel Gallery to navigate your way.

Nearby hotels: Ibis London City and Qbic London City are both located close to Whitechapel Gallery, so you can explore the art walk just steps from your hotel.

4. Music: Union Chapel

Finding world-class music for free in London is a lot easier than you’d think. We’ve done a round-up of the best places to find classical music here. However, for music of all genres, we’d recommend a visit to the beautiful Union Chapel on Upper Street in Islington. Their Daylight Music Saturday events host two hours of free music, from a diverse and exciting range of acts.

Nearby hotels: Alhambra Hotel and Crestfield Hotel are both just a block from King’s Cross St. Pancras, where you can hop the Tube one stop to Union Chapel.

5. Free talks

To really expand your mind on a trip to London, drop in on one of the many talks taking place around the city. University College London hosts lunchtime snippets of their latest research, free for anyone to drop in, while London School of Economics hosts an amazing array of speakers from around the world.

Competing with the universities is Conway Hall, which has a long history in hosting talks and debates, many of which are free.

Nearby hotels: Astor Museum Inn and Seven Dials Hotel are both within walking distance of London School of Economics and Conway Hall.

Your culture tips

Any great culture on the cheap tips of your own? Let us know in the comments. Find more great budget hotel deals in our London hotel guide.

The post London’s High Culture on No Budget: Free concerts, art, and theater appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But it’s not that we get tired of London’s countless entertainments and diversions—it’s just that sometimes our wallet does.

When that budget starts to bite, it’s worth remembering that the many things that London offers for free, can be every bit as inspiring as all of the paid stuff. In fact, when you start to account for all of the free things that visitors can take advantage of, maybe London isn’t so expensive as we always make it out to be. Here are ten ideas for starters.

The incredible view from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Photo: Frances Ambler

1. Fantastic views

This higgledy-piggledy, centuries old city can produce some great views. And you don’t need to pay to go up the Shard to experience the best of them. Primrose Hill (Chalk Farm tube) is a favorite spot for Londoners to gather for picnics, New Year’s and whenever you just fancy a picturesque view of this sprawling city. In south London, meanwhile, the view from up near the Royal Observatory is superb. But, if there’s one thing that’s bound to make even the most hardened Londoner a little misty eyed, it’s crossing over the Thames at night: with the London Eye, Westminster and the South Bank illuminated. It’s enough to make us believe we are actually living in a Richard Curtis movie, and that Hugh Grant is waiting just around the corner.

Related: Best views in London for free

2. The museums and art galleries

Being able to spend quality time with some of the world’s best artworks is an undeniable perk of London: all our national museums have free admission. But, as well as the headline grabber galleries such as the British Museum or the National Gallery, London has a whole host of smaller museums that are also free and great for exploring on one of London’s wet afternoons. Try the Sir John Soane’s Museum, the Wellcome Collection or the Wallace Gallery just for starters.

Borough Market is filled with fresh foods of all types. Keep an eye out for free samples! Photo: Craig Nelson

3. The markets

London’s markets have something to cater to all tastes, and offer brilliant people watching opportunities, even if you can’t be tempted by any of the wares on offer. Borough Market is a foodie’s delight (don’t forget to stock up on those free samples), while Portobello is a must for antiques lovers. We’ve sung the praises of Columbia Road flower market just recently, while both Spitalfields and Greenwich market are great places to check out independent makers.

Changing of the Guard is a must-see tradition. Photo: eGuide

4. The Changing of the Guard

While many of London’s traditions seem to come with a price tag attached, not so the ceremony of The Changing of the Guard which has been taking place since the nineteenth century, when Buckingham Palace became an official residence for Queen Victoria. It’s the ceremonial handover from one red-tunic and bearskin wearing, guardsman to the next and takes place at 11.30am each day from May to July and on alternate days during the rest of the year. More information here: get there early for a good view. And who knows if you’ll be lucky enough to see a dancing guardsman?

Brick Lane is a colorful slice of London. Photo: Gary Knight

5. Brick Lane

The Changing of the Guard is traditional Britain at its best, but a stroll down Brick Lane, highlights how London today is as much about its multiculturalism as its monarchy. Brick Lane is a great place to spot street art as it’s become a showground for some of the world’s greatest street artists. But it’s not just the artists that are hoping to be spotted, as you can’t miss the outrageous fashions sure to appear on a street style blog near you soon. Pop-up shops and events mean there is always something interesting to explore, and be sure to check out the free gigs from up-and-coming bands put on by the famous independent record store Rough Trade.

Related: 5 hotels in central London under £100 per night

6. Book store browsing

London’s book shops are made for browsing. Hatchard’s, on Piccadilly, is the oldest bookshop in the UK, founded in 1797. There’s also a massive branch of Waterstone’s just down the road. Bibliophiles are sure to enjoy the huge new Foyles bookshop, recently opened on Charing Cross Road, a traditional area for bookshops. Look out for Cecil Court nearby: it’s a gorgeous Victorian street full of specialist book stores selling rare and antiquarian books, maps and prints. Finally, before you leave London, pop into Daunt’s on Marylebone High Street. The store is not only beautiful, but they’ve got an amazing array of travel titles that are sure to inspire some (more) wanderlust.

Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park every Sunday afternoon provides free endless entertainment. Photo: Craig Nelson

7. Speaker’s Corner

Speaker’s Corner—found in the corner of Hyde Park, nearest to Marble Arch—is considered to be the home of free speech. It’s been a focus for debate since 1866 and, every Sunday, speakers gather to have their opinions heard on what they consider to be the burning issues of the day. Historic speakers have included George Orwell and Karl Marx.

Regent’s Park is a nice place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours. Photo: Craig Nelson

8. All the parks

And while we’re in Hyde Park, let’s celebrate the free wonder that is London’s parks. London has more green space than any other European city, and each space has its own style. Hyde Park, Green Park, Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens make for a central London oasis, Hampstead Heath is a surprisingly wild space relatively close to central London. Victoria Park has a wonderful community feel, Richmond Park even has deer. Whether summer picnic or winter snowball fight, London life is all about its park life.

Related: 10 money saying tips for first-time visitors to London

9. St Martins in the Fields concerts

Once you’ve had your picture taken in Trafalgar Square and hung out at the National Gallery, there’s another treat to be discovered. St Martins in the Fields offers free lunchtime concerts in its beautiful Georgian interior. Feeling peckish? Head down to the crypt for a not free, but still very reasonable hearty lunch in the church’s cafe. For more free classical music in London, check out our guide here.

Walking along South Bank a great way to experience London on a weekend afternoon. Donald Judge

10. South Bank

And, finally, my personal favorite. A stroll along the South Bank will not only bring you great views of the river, it’s the chance to immerse yourself in a fantastic array of cultural opportunities. A stroll from Waterloo to Tate Modern (and it really will be a stroll, it gets far too try and rush it) passes delights such as the free lunchtime music on at the Royal Festival Hall, the secondhand booksellers outside the British FiIm Institute or the amazing Mediatheque archive within it, where you can watch over 2,500 highlights from the archive’s collection. There’s the OXO tower, full of independent designers and the Globe Theatre. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s always something going on round here to make you fall back in love with London again.

The post 10 free things that will make you fall in love with London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.