tight budget in London
Apr 19th, 2006, 01:39 AM
#21
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Tap water is perfectly drinkable in London, so just fill up a bottle or two in the bathroom before you go out each day.
Bottled water prices will vary, from around .40p in a supermarket, to more than 1GBP bought on the street or in restaurants.
Good luck and have a great trip.
Bottled water prices will vary, from around .40p in a supermarket, to more than 1GBP bought on the street or in restaurants.
Good luck and have a great trip.
Apr 19th, 2006, 03:11 AM
#22
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"Does anyone know about how much the drinks cost?"
Water from a tap is free but if you are talking soft drinks, expect to pay at least 75p if you buy from somewhere like Boots/WH Smith/Superdrug and a lot more if you you buy from a street vendor or from a small shop
Water from a tap is free but if you are talking soft drinks, expect to pay at least 75p if you buy from somewhere like Boots/WH Smith/Superdrug and a lot more if you you buy from a street vendor or from a small shop
Apr 19th, 2006, 05:02 AM
#24
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I hope that you can keep to the budget without too much stress. Not having the money to eat, much less do the things you want, can suck a lot of the fun out of a vacation. Can you add an extra 10 percent to your budget as emergency funds--don't use if if you can get by without it.
Re Wagamama, their soups are good and filling. Drinks aren't particularly good value there BUT I believe the green tea is still free--that will help keep the cost down. We ate at the Wagamama in Reading last week and weren't charged for the tea.
Also, if you like Japanese food, the Kiku Restaurant in Mayfair has excellent lunch specials. You can get a multi course meal for about £14 and then have something light for dinner.
http://www.kikurestaurant.co.uk/eng/lunch.htm
You can enjoy cheap lunch specials at the very stylish Zuma restaurant. They offer good lunches (smaller portions than at Kiku, though) for under £10 and no formica tables in sight! That's a real bargain as dinner there can EASILY top £100 per person.
http://www.zumarestaurant.com/
Re Wagamama, their soups are good and filling. Drinks aren't particularly good value there BUT I believe the green tea is still free--that will help keep the cost down. We ate at the Wagamama in Reading last week and weren't charged for the tea.
Also, if you like Japanese food, the Kiku Restaurant in Mayfair has excellent lunch specials. You can get a multi course meal for about £14 and then have something light for dinner.
http://www.kikurestaurant.co.uk/eng/lunch.htm
You can enjoy cheap lunch specials at the very stylish Zuma restaurant. They offer good lunches (smaller portions than at Kiku, though) for under £10 and no formica tables in sight! That's a real bargain as dinner there can EASILY top £100 per person.
http://www.zumarestaurant.com/
Apr 19th, 2006, 05:31 AM
#25
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a few other "cheap eats" suggestions:
Stockpot and West End Kitchen on Panton Street, near Leicester Sq. Cheap food, daily specials--like two courses for 4 GBP. It's sort of like the british equivelant of a diner really--the food is fine for the price.
Cornwall Pastie shop, or any other pastie shop. Pasties are pastry pockets filled with meats, etc. It's not a sitdown meal, most shops sell it take away. Cheap and filling, there are shops all over town including two near Covent Garden.
Patisserie Valerie is always nice, there's a few branches in London. Reasonably priced. I also love Paul's, again there's one near Covent Garden on I think Bedford Street. Reasonable, especially if you get takeaway.
Stockpot and West End Kitchen on Panton Street, near Leicester Sq. Cheap food, daily specials--like two courses for 4 GBP. It's sort of like the british equivelant of a diner really--the food is fine for the price.
Cornwall Pastie shop, or any other pastie shop. Pasties are pastry pockets filled with meats, etc. It's not a sitdown meal, most shops sell it take away. Cheap and filling, there are shops all over town including two near Covent Garden.
Patisserie Valerie is always nice, there's a few branches in London. Reasonably priced. I also love Paul's, again there's one near Covent Garden on I think Bedford Street. Reasonable, especially if you get takeaway.
Apr 19th, 2006, 10:48 AM
#26
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Soft drinks are very expensive vs the US and water is inexpensive only if bought in large bottles in the supermarket - which you refill from the tap in your hotel.
If you mean bar drinks - wine or beer - depending on the country is reasonable in modest places - any sort of hard liquor or mixed drink is outrageously expensive.
If you mean bar drinks - wine or beer - depending on the country is reasonable in modest places - any sort of hard liquor or mixed drink is outrageously expensive.
Apr 19th, 2006, 10:55 AM
#27
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Victorious - not sure where you're from - but is it possible it is a very small town or rural area where prices are very low.
Your budget seems to me to be not realistic for europe (partly due to the value of the dollar vs the pound and euro) but also unrealistic for a major city in the US. (I can't imagine how you would get by in NYC on $60 per day - but then I know everything [including fast food and chain restaurants, bars, drinks etc] here costs more - sometimes a lot more - than in most other parts of the country.
I would really urge you to
1) save/find as much more money as you can
2) seriously consider shortening your trip so you won;t be so stressed out by finances
Your budget seems to me to be not realistic for europe (partly due to the value of the dollar vs the pound and euro) but also unrealistic for a major city in the US. (I can't imagine how you would get by in NYC on $60 per day - but then I know everything [including fast food and chain restaurants, bars, drinks etc] here costs more - sometimes a lot more - than in most other parts of the country.
I would really urge you to
1) save/find as much more money as you can
2) seriously consider shortening your trip so you won;t be so stressed out by finances
Apr 20th, 2006, 10:07 AM
#28
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I've found that you can do London really cheaply, as long as you don't care about eating in restaurants or buying unnecessary things. I'm a student that doesn't drink or club though, so maybe my expectations/requirements are a little lower =).
A couple of weeks ago I was able to get by on about 10 pounds a day for food - I took advantage of my hotel's included breakfast and then ate mostly pasties (I think someone mentioned Cornwall Pasty shops where pasties are 2.50) and things I picked up at the supermarket, like sandwiches, fruit, croissants/bread, milk, etc, for lunches and dinners. In terms of water, I bought a 2-liter bottle at Sainsbury's on my first day for 43 pence and just filled up a smaller bottle I had brought along. Soft drinks at supermarkets are fairly inexpensive (about 40 pence), but buying them in restaurants, tourist attractions or on the street will cost you an arm and a leg.
Transportation-wise, the 7-day Travelcard for 22.20 got me everywhere I wanted to go, and I took the Southern train from Gatwick for 18 pounds round-trip. Most of the museums I went to were free, or I planned my schedule so that I visited on a free day (the Courtauld Gallery, for example, is free on Monday mornings until 2). I experienced some unique things like the Evensong service at Westminster Abbey and a flute and piano concert at St-Martin-in-the-Fields as well, completely free of charge. My ISIC card helped me a lot too, getting me discounted admission to Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, the Tower of London and the Cabinet War Rooms.
I would say that, overall, not including hotel or airfare, I spent about 15 or 20 pounds per day and had an absolutely brilliant time =). This was done completely unintentionally, meaning I had ample money to spend and just never got around to spending it, which shows you that London can be affordable. I would recommend, however, like other forum members, that you try to build in a little financial cushion for your budget - you never know what's going to happen and you don't want to be stranded somewhere without any money at all.
A couple of weeks ago I was able to get by on about 10 pounds a day for food - I took advantage of my hotel's included breakfast and then ate mostly pasties (I think someone mentioned Cornwall Pasty shops where pasties are 2.50) and things I picked up at the supermarket, like sandwiches, fruit, croissants/bread, milk, etc, for lunches and dinners. In terms of water, I bought a 2-liter bottle at Sainsbury's on my first day for 43 pence and just filled up a smaller bottle I had brought along. Soft drinks at supermarkets are fairly inexpensive (about 40 pence), but buying them in restaurants, tourist attractions or on the street will cost you an arm and a leg.
Transportation-wise, the 7-day Travelcard for 22.20 got me everywhere I wanted to go, and I took the Southern train from Gatwick for 18 pounds round-trip. Most of the museums I went to were free, or I planned my schedule so that I visited on a free day (the Courtauld Gallery, for example, is free on Monday mornings until 2). I experienced some unique things like the Evensong service at Westminster Abbey and a flute and piano concert at St-Martin-in-the-Fields as well, completely free of charge. My ISIC card helped me a lot too, getting me discounted admission to Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, the Tower of London and the Cabinet War Rooms.
I would say that, overall, not including hotel or airfare, I spent about 15 or 20 pounds per day and had an absolutely brilliant time =). This was done completely unintentionally, meaning I had ample money to spend and just never got around to spending it, which shows you that London can be affordable. I would recommend, however, like other forum members, that you try to build in a little financial cushion for your budget - you never know what's going to happen and you don't want to be stranded somewhere without any money at all.
Apr 20th, 2006, 11:02 AM
#29
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"30 pounds going to clubs and stuff"
That's a very, very cheap evening in a cheap club...unless you don't drink a single thing. And in the better clubs, that's two cocktails.
And if you're here for a few nights, your budget is just too tight, drop the clubs then you will manage better.
That's a very, very cheap evening in a cheap club...unless you don't drink a single thing. And in the better clubs, that's two cocktails.
And if you're here for a few nights, your budget is just too tight, drop the clubs then you will manage better.
Apr 20th, 2006, 01:49 PM
#30
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I'll try to put real £££ amounts for some of your expenses:
£30 is the average cover charge at clubs in London and drinks are about £6-10 each once you're inside. Finding a pub where lots of young locals go is going to be a cheaper option for going out at night (though it will be an early night). I would suggest putting together picnics from grocery stores--Waitrose, Sainsburys, and Marks and Spencer are more expensive than Tesco. All have ready prepared sandwiches, wraps, small salads, and fruit bowls at lunchtime.
If I were you, I would buy a loaf of bread (about 50p) and a jar of peanut butter (£2) or some tins of tuna (40p each, bring your own opener), then maybe get a bag of fruit (usually £2) and make lunches from that every day. For breakfast, a box of Tesco brand cereal will run you about £2.50. Chip shops and ethnic foods are usually quite cheap, pub grub can be a great value as well.
Pizza Express is £8-10 per pizza. MickeyD's will set you back at least £5. If you've got a caffeine addiction, spend 99p at Boots for a box of caffeine strips (like Listerine strips but full of caffeine) instead of spending £1.25 at a coke machine (or 80p at a grocery).
I think your budget is really really tight and I hope you have access to some emergency money in case you need it, as other posters have suggested.
Oh, and I wouldn't normally ever suggest drinking this, but if you're looking for a cheap drink to buy at the grocery and drink before you go out, Lambrini is about £1.50/litre and therefore the drink of choice for 13 year olds in the UK. Its also about the cheapest alcoholic drink I can think of.
£30 is the average cover charge at clubs in London and drinks are about £6-10 each once you're inside. Finding a pub where lots of young locals go is going to be a cheaper option for going out at night (though it will be an early night). I would suggest putting together picnics from grocery stores--Waitrose, Sainsburys, and Marks and Spencer are more expensive than Tesco. All have ready prepared sandwiches, wraps, small salads, and fruit bowls at lunchtime.
If I were you, I would buy a loaf of bread (about 50p) and a jar of peanut butter (£2) or some tins of tuna (40p each, bring your own opener), then maybe get a bag of fruit (usually £2) and make lunches from that every day. For breakfast, a box of Tesco brand cereal will run you about £2.50. Chip shops and ethnic foods are usually quite cheap, pub grub can be a great value as well.
Pizza Express is £8-10 per pizza. MickeyD's will set you back at least £5. If you've got a caffeine addiction, spend 99p at Boots for a box of caffeine strips (like Listerine strips but full of caffeine) instead of spending £1.25 at a coke machine (or 80p at a grocery).
I think your budget is really really tight and I hope you have access to some emergency money in case you need it, as other posters have suggested.
Oh, and I wouldn't normally ever suggest drinking this, but if you're looking for a cheap drink to buy at the grocery and drink before you go out, Lambrini is about £1.50/litre and therefore the drink of choice for 13 year olds in the UK. Its also about the cheapest alcoholic drink I can think of.
Apr 20th, 2006, 04:35 PM
#31
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Terrance, I saw an earlier post of yours that you will be in Rome May 16-20th i think. Im also gonna be in rome completing my 2week trip and departing out of Rome on May19. SO, if youre intersted in gettinf together for some fun, send me an email at [email protected]
BY the way, im also a 24/male (straight) traveling on my own, on a budget, and love to have a good time. Im finshing up grad school and taking thia trip to let off some steam before relaity kicks me in the butt.
BY the way, im also a 24/male (straight) traveling on my own, on a budget, and love to have a good time. Im finshing up grad school and taking thia trip to let off some steam before relaity kicks me in the butt.
Apr 24th, 2006, 10:35 AM
#32
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Hi yall
Thanks again for the advice. I agree it's a tight budget but I don't really have a choice the planes tickets have already been bought so shortening my trip or saving more money is not an option. I do have an emergency credit card though.
I may trim back the sightseeing and only do one tourist attraction that charges admission.
I usually go up to Atlanta once a week and do fairly cheaply eating at fast food places. I actually had a nice meal at a grocery store called Whole Foods. IT's kinda of an upscale supermarket that's usually just in big cities. I think I'll hunt for the London version of Whole Food and eat there. So perhaps I can eat at Marks and Spencer or Tesco.
Again I appreciate the advice about the cheap resaturants and about the clubs. I'm not tryin to live it up in London. I can drink non stop and eat at fancy restaurants at home or in Atlanta (1 1/2 hours away) So if I can't go out as much as I like that's ok. Again I appreciate yall's candor and advice.
The idea has always been to live no different than anyother weekend as far going out and eating is concerned. And some advice for yall I"m learning that at expensive restaurants it's best to drink just water and to get a real drink like wine or even a soda at a grocery or drug store.
Well I found a place that is 12 pounds with a flyer. Also I"m going to drink before I go out. So I'm not that concerned about the clubs. That Saturday will be my main night out.
So the travel card is the way to go? Now I keep hearing about the oystercard. Some say that the oystercard is the best way and the way that Londoners go with. Does anyone know the difference?
Oh and I changed my mind about Rome. I'm going to London then Paris then Barcelona then Prague then Berlin.
Oh and I found this article in the New York Times about traveling to London might be an interesting read for those traveling witht their children.
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/04/2.../23frugal.html
Well thanks yall
Terrence
Thanks again for the advice. I agree it's a tight budget but I don't really have a choice the planes tickets have already been bought so shortening my trip or saving more money is not an option. I do have an emergency credit card though.
I may trim back the sightseeing and only do one tourist attraction that charges admission.
I usually go up to Atlanta once a week and do fairly cheaply eating at fast food places. I actually had a nice meal at a grocery store called Whole Foods. IT's kinda of an upscale supermarket that's usually just in big cities. I think I'll hunt for the London version of Whole Food and eat there. So perhaps I can eat at Marks and Spencer or Tesco.
Again I appreciate the advice about the cheap resaturants and about the clubs. I'm not tryin to live it up in London. I can drink non stop and eat at fancy restaurants at home or in Atlanta (1 1/2 hours away) So if I can't go out as much as I like that's ok. Again I appreciate yall's candor and advice.
The idea has always been to live no different than anyother weekend as far going out and eating is concerned. And some advice for yall I"m learning that at expensive restaurants it's best to drink just water and to get a real drink like wine or even a soda at a grocery or drug store.
Well I found a place that is 12 pounds with a flyer. Also I"m going to drink before I go out. So I'm not that concerned about the clubs. That Saturday will be my main night out.
So the travel card is the way to go? Now I keep hearing about the oystercard. Some say that the oystercard is the best way and the way that Londoners go with. Does anyone know the difference?
Oh and I changed my mind about Rome. I'm going to London then Paris then Barcelona then Prague then Berlin.
Oh and I found this article in the New York Times about traveling to London might be an interesting read for those traveling witht their children.
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/04/2.../23frugal.html
Well thanks yall
Terrence
Apr 24th, 2006, 10:46 AM
#33
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A Travelcard is a pass. An Oyster Card is a form of electronic payment. You can load a Travelcard on an Oyster, or you can load it with cash value and Pay As You Go. <u>All</u> Oyster fares are <i>much</i> cheaper than buying tickets. Daily caps (see below) apply to PAYG fares.
Get an Oyster. Depending on how the planets are aligned, you may or may not have to pay a £3 deposit for it, but the deposit and any residual value you leave on it can be refunded.
The most your Oyster will be charged each day you travel within Zones 1&2 after 09:30 is £4.40 (or £3 if you only use the bus). A 3-day Travelcard costs £15.40, so that's <b>not</b> what you want.
As I said previously, your most economical strategy is to load £9 on an Oyster and ride the bus everywhere.
Get an Oyster. Depending on how the planets are aligned, you may or may not have to pay a £3 deposit for it, but the deposit and any residual value you leave on it can be refunded.
The most your Oyster will be charged each day you travel within Zones 1&2 after 09:30 is £4.40 (or £3 if you only use the bus). A 3-day Travelcard costs £15.40, so that's <b>not</b> what you want.
As I said previously, your most economical strategy is to load £9 on an Oyster and ride the bus everywhere.
Apr 24th, 2006, 09:50 PM
#34
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Ok robbespierre I gotcha. I don't know I just so confused with it. So thanks for explaining it to me. Yeah that's what I'll do then. Oh for anyone that's interested here's the price list I found. (it's a pdf file though)
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...06.pdf#page=12
Thanks for the tip I've already chipped like 11 pounds from expensese just in transportation expenses so thanks 'ppreciate it.
Terrence
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...06.pdf#page=12
Thanks for the tip I've already chipped like 11 pounds from expensese just in transportation expenses so thanks 'ppreciate it.
Terrence
Apr 25th, 2006, 05:39 AM
#35
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For the benefit of anyone having an aversion to .pdf (although I don't know why anyone would), the prices are also in HTML:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...06/index.shtml
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...06/index.shtml
