London has been a popular tourist destination for centuries. The city is filled with historic buildings, top-notch museums, well-known squares and monuments and music and arts venues. Whether you're looking for world-class art, centuries-old gardens or shopping districts, London is a perfect destination. While London's accommodations and restaurants are on the expensive side – London is a financial and government center as well as a tourist destination – you can experience London without leaving your life savings behind.
Where to Stay
London's hotels are known for their high prices and less-than-impressive standards, but you can stay in London inexpensively if you plan ahead. The best of the budget hotels are well-known and fill quickly during peak travel times.
London's budget chain hotels are, increasingly, the frugal accommodation option of choice for many travelers. While you don't have the ambience and history associated with a family-run hotel or bed and breakfast, you do get a decent, clean room, usually with the option of a free or prepaid breakfast. Some of London's good-value hotel chains include Premier Inn, Travelodge and Express by Holiday Inn. (Tip: Pay close attention when you research your Express by Holiday Inn hotel to make sure you do not reserve rooms in another InterContinental Hotels property.)
If you prefer a more traditional London hotel experience but don't have hundreds of British pounds to spend, consider the Luna & Simone Hotel (book direct) in London's Victoria neighborhood or the Morgan Hotel, near the British Museum. Both of these hotels offer good-value rooms with TV and full English breakfast. Neither the Luna & Simone Hotel nor the Morgan Hotel has an elevator ("lift" in British English), and the Luna & Simone, like many British budget hotels, is not air conditioned.
You can also save money by staying at youth hostels or bed and breakfasts. If you prefer to stay at a B&B, be sure to ask about smoking, pets, accessibility, shared bathroom facilities and distance from London's tourist attractions.
While you'll pay less for accommodations outside the Congestion Zone, you'll incur higher transportation costs and spend a lot of time each day just getting to and from your room. You may decide that it's better to pay a little more and stay closer to the museums and neighborhoods you plan to visit.
Dining Options
London's restaurants feature every imagineable type of cuisine; prices range from big-city budget to completely outrageous. That said, you certainly don't have to eat at Pizza Hut and Burger King every day; you can enjoy low-cost meals and skip the fast food. Some visitors fill up on the full English breakfast served by their hotel, eat a light lunch and look for good-value dinners. Other travelers eat a larger midday meal and pick up fish and chips or other takeout at dinner to save money. Eating in pubs is not only fun but is also a London tradition; the Museum Tavern near the British Museum is a popular choice with foot-weary travelers.
If you're looking for a reasonably-priced meal and a great beer list, head straight for one of the four Belgo restaurants in London. This Belgian-themed local chain has a beer selection that will astound you. Belgo's £7.50 express lunch includes a glass of wine, beer or soda, an entrée and side dish from the set menu and is available from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. daily. (The mussels and frites – fried potatoes – are excellent.) My Old Dutch Pancake House serves up huge crèpe-like pancakes filled with meats, cheeses and veggies for £5.50 - £7.95 at each of its four London locations. Save room for a dessert pancake (£5.50 - £7.95).
Indian food, long a budget traveler's best friend, is available all over London; try Masala Zone's lunch special or regular thali, both under £9.00 (seven locations). If you prefer Asian food in general and noodles in particular, fill up at Wagamama. Each of the 15 Wagamama restaurants serves noodle and rice dishes, salads and appetizers for £7.35 - £11.00.
