15 tips for saving in London
Do’s and donts on
London travel
By Jane Engle,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
10 DO’S
1. Go in winter, spring or fall.
By avoiding the summer peak season, which many carriers define as late May through the first week of September, you’ll save hundreds on airfare. And because theaters, museums and many other pastimes are indoors, you’ll still have fun.
Pictured: St. Pauls Cathedral in central London. (Jack Leonard / LAT)
2. Book packages or group tours.
Packages combine flights, hotels and often airport transfers and other costs into one price; tours typically add guides, meals, ground transportation and more. Either option can save you money, because operators get volume discounts and may buy British currency in advance to cover expenses. To book a package or tour, see a travel agent or check websites of travel sellers and major airlines. (Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times)
5. Budget for breakfast.
Expect to pay $15 and up for even a modest spread at a London hotel. If you must have your morning tea and toast, book a B&B or search out cafes, which are likely to charge less.
Pictured: A group takes a break outside one of the Columbia Road Flower Market’s many cafes and bakeries. (Beth Gardiner / Los Angeles Times)
6. Hit the markets.
Londoners buy their food at stores, and so should you. The savings can be huge. On my last London trip, in August, I paid $7.50 total for a tuna salad, big enough for two, and bottled water at Simply Food, a gourmet chain run by venerable Marks & Spencer. I then walked to nearby Hyde Park and paid nearly that much for a cup of coffee and a scone at the Dell cafe. Lesson learned.
Pictured: At Broadway Market in east London’s diverse Hackney neighborhood, a chef at the Sporeboys stall sautés gourmet mushrooms for a tasty sandwich. (Beth Gardiner / LAT)
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7. Picnic in the park.
Take your takeout outdoors for free fun, natural beauty and stellar people-watching. (Jack Leonard / Los Angeles Times)
8. Use transit.
With cab rides from Heathrow into central London running $80 and up, plus tip, you’re almost compelled to find a cheaper way. In fact, there are several.
Options include the Heathrow Express train (adult fare is $29 and up), 15 minutes to Paddington, www.heathrowexpress.com ; the Heathrow Connect train ($13.80), 25 minutes to Paddington, www.heathrowconnect.com ); and the Tube (4 pounds or $8 cash), 45 minutes or more, Piccadilly Line, www.tfl.gov.uk . (Andy Rain / EPA)
10. Get theater discounts.
The days of $10 seats in big London theaters are long gone. Tickets, although often less than on Broadway, can cost more than $100 for major shows. But you’ll pay half price for many same-day performances at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, www.tkts.co.uk .
Pictured: Rehearsals take place for the musical ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ at the Novello Theatre in London. (Akira Suemori / Associated Press)
5 DON’TS
1. Don’t pay cash fares on the Tube. (Andy Rain / EPA)
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2. Don’t book a rail ticket at the last minute.
Like airfares, prices may go up as you near departure.
Pictured: The first trains to leave from the Eurostar platform at St. Pancras International Station in London. (Cate Gillon / Getty Images)
3. Don’t take a pricey city tour.
Instead, check out London Walks, www.walks.com. You show up at a designated spot, pay $12 per adult and get a guided, two-hour walking tour. Dozens of themes -- pubs, ghosts, Shakespeare, the Beatles and more -- are available. Or just hop on a public bus and look around. (Lindsey Parnaby / EPA)
4. Don’t take lots of luggage.
Excess-baggage charges on airlines can cost hundreds of dollars. Once your plane lands, you’ll have to wrangle all your bags on and off the Tube (nearly impossible) or train (easier). Taxi, anyone? (Alessandro Abonizzio / AFP / Getty Images)
