My wife and I are taking advantage of British Airways weekend special, got 2 nights at Gresham Hyde Park and booked 2 nights at Quality Paddington Feb 13 - Feb 17.Any suggestions regarding reeeeeally inexpensive eatery,shops, tours,sight seeing,travel, any money saving tips appreciated as well as any ideas for a fun trip, on the cheap side. Did anyone ever stayed at any of these hotels?, Do I need a taxi from Paddington train to Gresham Hyde Park?. Maybe I am crazy, but we really have only 500BP to live on for the time in London.

Most of the museums are free now - e.g. the V&A, British Museum, National Gallery etc. Special exhibitions will usually still have an entry fee, but look out for special offers e.g. some may be free after 4.30 pm. I wouldn't bother with the organised bus tours (although they have their fans), but use the normal buses (and underground) to get around (there's a thread about these started by Elaine recently). There are travelcards that cover travel by both tube and bus. There's a good boat trip from the Embankment to Greenwich.<BR>

Should be able to pull it off easily. As mentioned - almost every museum/Gallery is free. British, V&A, National, National Portrait, Natural History, and too many others to list. Eating in places like Wagamama and pubs is cheap. The pret a manger sandwich shop chain is always for a quick bite.<BR><BR>Head to the 1/2 price ticket booth (TKTS) at Leicester square for really great deals - best seats in the house for less than $20 to $30 depending on the play/musical. <BR><BR>If you want a splurge meal - go at lunch time and eat the fixed price set meal. A POSH restaurant that costs $50 - $100 per person for dinner can be 1/2 that at lunch time.<BR><BR>Also - view-restaurants (like the OXO Tower or top of the Hilton) are expensive -- BUT you can go and have one cocktail and get the same view as those eating $100+ dinners.<BR><BR>But a one week, one zone transport pass the first day you get there. it will cover all of your travel for around than $20 per person. (But do splurge on one cab ride - London Taxis are an event in themselves)

the city is easy to get around using the Tube. Buy day passes there.You may have time to buy one from Brit.tourist authority 8004622748.I'll be in Padd area this Mo.look for book-Cheap eats in london.meals usually less exp.in pubs.I liked the Big Bus tour-good for 1st time in city. Cheers

In the neighborhood of the National Gallery and the National Protrait Gallery, you'll find the Cafe in the Crypt at St. Martin in the Fields (well, it WAS in the fields when it was built, LOL!). Economical, delicious, filling, and very atmospheric. Check St. Martin's web site, I believe they have free lunchtime concerts. The basement also houses a brass-rubbing centre for making a special and fairly economical souvenir.

To save money - don't buy your transport pass ahead of time. They are cheaper in London. Also - the daily passes are good if you are going to be there 4 days or less - but for more than 5 days a full week pass costs less. And the daily passes are only good after 9:30AM, while the weekly pass is good around the clock.

Go to J. Wetherspoon chain pubs all over London. Great deals on food and beer & wine, even cheaper than home. Have fun!

My favorite thing to do in London is: while standing in long lines, befriend the others in the long lines and convince them to tell the staff of the the museum/attraction, etc. that we are a "group tour". This has always #1--gotten the entire group a cheaper fare, #2---has always allowed us to be bumped up in line for whatever reason, #3--allowed me to meet some incredible people from other nations. Try it.