How to Travel to England on a Budget

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: November 24, 2021 References

Exploring England can feel like the trip of a lifetime and it's completely possible to do on a budget! Since it's such a popular destination, you've got lots of options when it comes to flights and accommodations. This means you can easily find a discount flight and use public transit to get around. Plus, there's so much you can do for free or very cheap once you're in England. We've put together some money-saving tips so you plan the British trip of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Method 1

Method 1 of 12:
Plan your trip between November and March.

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Avoid popular spring and summer travel months when costs are higher. England's off-season is usually from November 1 to December 12 and from December 25 to March 14. This is when you're most likely to score great flights and accommodation prices.^{[1]
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- Expect the winter temperatures to hover around 48 °F (9 °C). You should also be prepared for rain!
- Most British people take their holidays in July and August so prices jump and you'll have fewer options during these summer months.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 12:
Fly into Stansted Airport (STN) instead of Heathrow Airport (LHR).

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Stansted services a lot of discount airlines so chances are you'll want to arrive here. Instead of flying into a really busy airport like Heathrow, which will cost you more, choose a smaller or a less popular airport like Stansted, Luton, or Southend.
- If you're not planning on exploring London, Manchester and Birmingham service budget airlines so they're great arrival points.
- Be open to flying into Europe if it saves you money. You may be able to get a cheap flight to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam. Then, take the Eurostar Channel Tunnel train into London. This usually takes a few hours but could save you hundreds of dollars.

Method 3

Method 3 of 12:
Choose a discount airline and book in advance.

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Book your tickets ahead of time so you have cheaper options. If you're willing to forgo some amenities or comforts, you may be able to snag a cheap flight to England. Keep in mind that you may have a few more layovers, but if you're looking to save money, booking a flight that has extra stops or an inconvenient flight time can pay off.^{[2]
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- When you search for flights, look for weekday flights instead of weekend options. These are often 10% cheaper!
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Method 4

Method 4 of 12:
Plan a long trip to maximize your flight expenses.

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The flight is probably your most expensive travel cost. Since you have to pay it no matter how long or short your trip is, try to travel in England for as long as you can so you really get your money's worth out of the flight. Sure, this might mean really budgeting on your food and accommodations, but it's totally possible.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Angela Rice
Travel Specialist
Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.}
- For instance, instead of booking a flight that gives you 5 days to spend in England, take at least 2 weeks. Your flight expenses will be the same either way, but you can pack more experiences into a longer trip so it's a better value.

Method 5

Method 5 of 12:
Explore England by public transit.

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Most English cities have convenient buses or subway systems. Look into the discount cards you can buy to ride them—you can often pay for a certain number of days or load a specific amount of money onto the card instead of paying for each trip you take when you board the bus.^{[4]
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- London buses don't access cash, so you have to buy tickets in advance. You can buy a single trip for around £1.55 or spend a maximum of £4.65 to ride for a whole day.
- If you buy an Oyster card, you can load it with as much money as you like. As you travel, you'll tap the card to the payment system on the bus or tube and it will automatically deduct the cost of the ride. However, it will price cap so you don't end up spending more than the daily rate.
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Method 6

Method 6 of 12:
Hop on a coach or train to travel throughout England.

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You're not limited to the city you fly into. England has a great travel network so it's easy to visit other regions throughout the country. Instead of paying for more flights or renting a car, book tickets on the National Rail or ride a bus, which is called a coach there. You'll get to take in the scenery as you travel. Plus, the National Rail offers great discounts, so see if you qualify for any of them before you book train tickets.^{[5]
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- Megabus is a popular discount coach service that even connects stops in England with popular destinations in Scotland.^{[6]
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  Research source} It offers a number of cheap tickets, so book early to snag them. As the tickets sell, the price goes up.

Method 7

Method 7 of 12:
Stay in an inexpensive hotel or hostel.

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Sure, you won't have as many amenities, but you won't blow your budget. If you're looking for a hotel, search for ones away from popular tourist spots since these tend to be more affordable. Even better, find a hostel where you can rent a bed. You won't have the privacy of a whole room, but you'll save a lot!^{[7]
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- Don't forget to check home-share apps for the city you're staying in. You may be able to rent just 1 room and save a little money.
- If the weather looks alright when you're traveling, consider camping. You can find campsites or ask a landowner for permission to camp if you find a beautiful location.^{[8]
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Method 8

Method 8 of 12:
Book an affordable bed and breakfast to save on meals.

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Bed and breakfasts serve a full breakfast, as well as drinks and snacks. Think of a B&B as a great value. Not only do you get a nice room, but you usually get a full, hot meal that can keep you full for most of the day! Some B&B owners will also set out snacks and drinks in the afternoon or wine and cheese in the evening.^{[9]
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- You may also get drink service and cookies in your room!
- Your B&B owner may offer an inexpensive evening meal or they may sell a cheap, packed lunch or dinner that you can take with you on your travels for the day.

Method 9

Method 9 of 12:
Save money by eating at food carts or small restaurants.

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Read menus and check price points before you eat at a restaurant. Most cities in England offer loads of affordable restaurants or food carts, especially in big cities like London where they're competing for your business. If you want to save even more money, buy your food at a grocery store.^{[10]
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- England offers a wide variety of cuisines, especially in larger cities. You can find delicious Chinese, Italian, Thai, and Indian food throughout the country.^{[11]
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- Plan on spending around £10 for a meal with a drink in most pubs or chain restaurants.
- Feeling overwhelmed by all the options around you? Ask a local and let them know you're on a budget. They'll probably be able to point out a few great options.
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Method 10

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Hit up a free museum or do a self-guided tour.

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Most cities offer wonderful free attractions or parks. You might even find that some museums or events offer a free day, so it pays to check ahead. In addition to just walking around and exploring a city, search out beautiful parks, public sculptures, or architecture that makes the city unique. Here are a few free ideas to get you started:^{[12]
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- Watch the changing of the Guards in London
- Explore the beauty at Dimminsdale Nature Reserve in Leicestershire
- Tour a Winchester Military Museum in Hampshire
- Enjoy a picnic in Bath's Alexandra Park in Somerset
- Check out a local festival like the International Kite Festival in Lancashire

Method 11

Method 11 of 12:
Invest in a London Pass if you plan to hit the city's tourist sites.

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Pay a single low price to gain entry at over 80 popular attractions. Simply decide how many days you want to explore London and buy a pass. Passes range from 1 to 10 days and they cost between £62 and £152 per adult. Then, download the London Pass app on your phone and scan your pass to get into any of the participating attractions. Here are just a few amazing places you can visit:^{[13]
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- Tower of London
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Kensington Palace
- Shakespeare's Globe Theatre tour
- Royal Albert Hall tour
- London Zoo
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Method 12

Method 12 of 12:
Check out inexpensive shows, concerts, or markets.

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Don't be afraid to spend money on an experience! Sometimes, you may need to pay a small admission fee to get into an incredible museum, but it's totally worth it! You may be able to get cheap tickets to a local show or you can spend a little money buying a souvenir at a local market. All of these offer memorable experiences, but they won't destroy your budget.^{[14]
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- For instance, spend a few hours shopping at London's vintage clothing stores or check out a used bookstore.
- Check local papers to find inexpensive events that are happening while you're in town.
- Rent a bike to pedal through the city so you can take in more sights.