Standing firm as one of the capital cities of the world, London has long been a bustling metropolis that combines cultures from around the globe, painted onto a picturesque backdrop.
However, rising public transport costs, inflated hipster flat whites, and encroaching ticket prices in places that used to be free to enter are all making it that little bit more expensive to even take a walk in the city. Despite this, there are still plenty of places to go and methods to use to enjoy this bustling city without dipping too far into your wallet. Here are some things to consider to stay frugal when going on those daily strolls.
Utilise technology from home
It may be that you want to have a treat at the end of the week or go on a night out to blow off some steam. However, grasping your overpriced specialty coffee in your hand every day begins to add up. So, whether it is your daily coffee on your lunch hour walk, or getting involved in London’s nightlife in the casinos of Leicester Square, it could be wise to try and save some money by being savvy and utilising technology in the home.
Why not save yourself the £4 coffee from the cafe on the corner and instead invest in a good thermos or reusable cup that can allow you to brew your hot drinks in the house before you even step foot over the door for that daily walk. Likewise, you could become involved in the iGaming industry online from the comfort of your own home or in a local pub instead. This avoids the pricey transport, cover charges, and overpriced drinks in the brick-and-mortar casinos in central London but still allows bettors a chance to scratch their gambling itch. Established online casinos offer everything from poker to blackjack, virtual slot machines, and have free-to-play games and a host of different promotions available to the user.
Technology has allowed people to be more flexible and blur the lines of entertainment, so why not use it to your advantage to save some pennies?
Pick free routes with all the highlights
Not all walks are going to be equal and offer you the right break you are looking for. With this in mind, you want to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck when you are choosing your route. Focus on creating a route that incorporates architecture, nature, and culture all in one is the best way to get everything out of your walks that you would like.
The South Bank walk from Tower Bridge to Waterloo, for instance, provides beautiful skylines, street performers, and cultural spots such as art galleries (Tate Modern) as well as historical iconic buildings.
Skip the tube
The irony of this city is that many people might actually spend more getting to their walking route than on the walk itself. Contactless fares and a rising cost in general of using the tube can easily add on £5-10 to your walk if you are using multiple lines to get to where you want to be.
To combat this, it would be a good idea to plan a circular route from your home to where you want to be and back again. Using apps to aid this could be a good way to plan to find side streets and shortcuts. This way, you are transforming your walk into an overall experience rather than just the destination reward. They do say, the journey is better than the destination, after all.
Take advantage of free places
London’s beauty is found in its ability to blend cultural landmarks and historic streets with green spaces. Massive parks in the city remain free to enter, such as Hyde Park or Victoria Gardens. Many of these green spaces have museums in them or nearby where you can enter for free as well. Utilising these free spaces as part of your walk can be a really good way to get a lot out of your walk without dipping into your pocket. Stopping at places such as:
- The British Museum
- The National Gallery
- Somerset House Courtyard (in Summer)
Consider tapping into the community
Increasingly, there are community-led projects popping up that are free and can be really appealing to those looking to save a few quid when out walking. Downloading free audio guides and walking apps for strolling about London could be a great way to remain informed and get that ‘experience’ without having to spend a thing. Voicemap or Footways are good for this. They offer trivia and a guided route for lots of different places in central London.
Or instead of tapping into this online community, why not join a community-led walking group? These groups offer social connection but will often include differing themes of interesting routes for free. Whether it’s birdwatching in Walthamstow Marshes to architecture routes in the City, these groups let people explore the city, for free and with others – you might even make a couple of new friends!
Before you go
As London inches closer to becoming expensive even for a casual stroll, there are still ways for people to remain budget-friendly and frugal when exploring this city on daily walks or as a tourist. You just need to be a little bit more strategic about it. This way, you save money and also might start to notice things in this beautiful city that you would maybe have otherwise completely missed.
