How to Enjoy London on a Budget

It’s no secret that one of the most important things to remember whilst travelling overseas is to keep track of your spending! There’s nothing worse than being short of money and having to deal with the nightmare that comes with setting up international transfers.

Don’t be afraid - London is a city that is incredibly student-centric and budget friendly if you know how to plan and look properly. Below are some of my favourite tips for making the most out of your trip, without overspending.

Food Deals

Meal deals are everywhere to be found across London. From cheap ‘on the go’ lunches to sit down meals at restaurants- there are plenty of options to be found. Two of my personal favourites near campus would be the lunch deal at Tesco (Sandwich, drink and a snack for under £5) and the lunch deal at Greggs (Sandwich and a drink for £3.60 in 2023, plus a free sausage roll if you show your student card). If you wanted to go down a fancier route, many restaurants offer ‘Pre-Theatre’ menus, designed to be eaten slightly earlier in the evening but you’ll be able to find 2-3 courses for £15-20. Always keep an eye out for student discounts and do some research because you’ll be surprised at how many places offer it but may not advertise.

Happy Hours

I have been fortunate to visit a lot of major cities in my lifetime, but I have never been so overwhelmed with happy hours (a designated period of time where discounted drinks are sold) as I was in London. Everywhere I looked it seemed as if there was a pub advertising drink deals for the post-work crowd. One of the most popular places I found myself at frequently was ‘Simmons’. These are a chain of bars that run happy hours for 3-4 hours every early evening and have really fun atmospheres with neon lights and good music. With two drinks for £5, it was hard to pass this offer up. There are plenty of them dotted around the city and they serve as a great place to start your night.

Useful Apps

UNIDAYS is an incredibly helpful app to sign up for. It compiles many of the student discounts available in the UK. I primarily used it for food deals (e.g. 20% off at xyz store on Mondays, get a free pizza if you buy a pasta at xyz on Wednesday etc.) but they also have shopping, entertainment and other helpful categories on there too. All you need to do is verify your account using your LSE email address.

Most food chains will also often have apps that give free food or rewards if you sign up. This can be anything from a free entree or drink, to 2 for 1 deals. 

DUSK is an incredible app that was responsible for many of my most fun nights out in London. Every day this app gives you a free drink voucher that can be used at a range of different pubs or bars across the city. They promote new drinks that have come out and encourage you to go visit somewhere to try it out. This is a good way to sneak in an extra drink before leaving the bar or to experience something new you wouldn’t otherwise try.

Best Free Attractions

There are plenty of ways to entertain yourself for free across London. Some of my personal favourites included the sprawling gardens surrounding Buckingham Palace, extending to Hyde Park and the beautiful Serpentine lake.

The British Museum and Natural History Museum (pictured above!) are both incredible places to spend an afternoon if the weather doesn’t call for an outdoor activity and are both free. Most museums in London offer free entry, many of which are within walking distance from LSE campus.

One activity that surprised me in terms of how fun it was would have to be stand-up comedy. I went to the ‘Top Secret Comedy Club’ in Covent Garden on a Monday night which happened to be free for students, and it turned out to be one of my favourite memories of my trip. It was a fantastic mix of acts ranging from established comedians to up and comers who were testing new jokes. The atmosphere was great but make sure to stay away from the front row if you don’t want attention drawn to yourself!

 

This blog was written by one of our 2023 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.