Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: United Kingdom

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Hostel dormitories, budget B&Bs, shared rooms in guesthouses, university accommodation during holidays

Food & Dining

$20-45 per day

Supermarket shopping with self-catering, pub meals, fast food chains, meal deals from grocery stores, occasional budget restaurants

Transportation

$10-30 per day

Public buses, advance-booked train tickets, walking, cycling, budget airlines for longer distances

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free museums, walking tours with tips, public parks, some paid attractions with student discounts, self-guided exploration

Book train tickets well in advance for savings of 50-70% compared to same-day purchases

Eat lunch at pubs instead of dinner for typically 30-40% lower prices on the same dishes

Stay in accommodations outside central London and commute in for savings of 40-60% on lodging

Take advantage of free museum admission - most major museums don't charge entry fees

Buy groceries from budget supermarket chains rather than convenience stores for 40-50% savings

Use city day passes for public transport instead of individual tickets for 20-35% savings

Visit during shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) for accommodation discounts of 25-40%

Taking taxis everywhere instead of public transport - typically costs 4-6 times more than buses and trains

Eating all meals in tourist areas near major attractions where prices are typically 50-100% higher

Booking same-day train travel instead of advance tickets, which can cost 3-4 times more

Staying only in central London when day trips to other cities would provide better value and variety