Backpacking on a Budget in London: Is it Possible?

 The lights and sights of London are on many a backpacker’s wish list of ‘places to see before you die’. However, London is also renowned for burning a hole in the pocket of the shoe-string backpacker. Here at roam-the-world we love a challenge and we believe that backpacking on a budget can be achieved even in England’s green and pleasant lands. Just with a bit of extra planning. Here are our top tips for coming to have tea with the Queen:

• Accommodation can be irritatingly pricey in Central London with the average hotel room a whopping $150 a night. However, do not fear. A number of budget hostel chains are finally making a home in London. The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) has a recently refurbished pad in the handy location of St. Pancras. Private family rooms are available for $48 a night or if your cash flow is running low go for a dorm for just $25 a night. Now, that’s what we call a bargain! Alternatively, the Asian Tune Hotel chain now has bases at Westminster and Liverpool Street. The double rooms may be small but they have everything you need. Even air conditioning. Which you won’t need. Did you forget you were going to London?! A Tune hotel room can be nabbed for around $50 a night for a double room if you book in advance.

• Talking of booking in advance, if you can plan ahead then do it. Then marvel at the extra cash in your bank balance. Hotel chains such as Travelodge and Premier Inn have some jaw dropping offers on at times. One one occasion we managed a bed for just $23 a night. Yes: we are bragging!

• The tube is the way to get around in London if you want speed and ease. Get yourself an ‘oyster card’ from any tube station and save yourself a fortune! You pay a small returnable deposit for this card and then top it up (at the station) instead of buying single tickets. There is a daily price capping (so you never pay more than the price of a travel card) and single journeys are cheap as chips too. You can use the card on those famous red buses too. Open top buses tend to be for sightseeing tours rather than getting around efficiently.

• London is home to top celebrity dwelling restaurants. But (lucky for us traveller types) it’s also home to some wonderfully vibrant markets. These are the places to be if you want some lovely nosh at a bargain. Try the hippy scene at Camden Market for food from every corner of the globe including richly flavoured paellas and healthy fresh soups. Or Borough Market for breads tops with herbs and spices and cupcakes and muffins galore.

• So, here at roam-the-world we think London can be seen as a backpacker on a budget. Just get ready to sniff out those bargains and, with perhaps a little planning, away you go.

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Tags: backpacking tips, budget, how much does it cost to travel, london backpacking, london hotel, london travelling, Travelling