PalenQ

Traditional B&Bs in the suburbs can run as low as 20 pounds including a big breakfast

I always stay in a place in Greenwich that is a 20-min train ride from London Bridge and central London - and the daily train ride is part of the fun as i hop on with other commuters.

I have a clean room and there is a friendly older lady who fixes a great breakfast.

The commuting cost is minimal because i always buy a TravelCard and use it the rest of the day or week to take unlimited tubes and buses around London.

There are plenty of these type of traditional English B&Bs, which don't really exist in London proper (the many purported B&Bs there are often rather luxury flats it seems) - and the real London neighborhoods i stay in i find a great insight into ordinary life of Londoners whereas in Central London it often seems full of foreigners and tourists.

20-25 pounds for a clean room and unlimited breakfast that will keep you full for much of the day - a great deal - especially for a single traveler like me.

alanRow

<<< Train tickets do not have to be expensive if booked far enough in advance (see thetrainline.com). >>>

AFAIK the only UK website that allows you to book train tickets from abroad is www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com In any case thetrainline charges a booking fee and for using a CC which goes against the whole purpose of this thread

You can book any ticket for the UK train system on it BUT if you book it's tickets on it's routes (East Coast) you will get a 10% discount.

For travelling between London and Scotland consider the Caledonian Sleeper run by www.firstscotrail.com as bargain berths start at £19 one way - but even paying a "normal" price means saving the cost of a night's accommodation AND effectively saving a day of travel.

If you have a train ticket or a London PAPER Travelcard, check out the offers on www.2for1entry.co.uk which WILL save you a considerable amount of money especially in London

Finally watch out for special group rates on trains - for example both the Gatwick Express and Southern Trains offer 4 tickets for the price of 2. You can find most of these offers through www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/

Finally, finally - most of the main museums & galleries in the UK are FREE

RM67

''and for using a CC which goes against the whole purpose of this thread''

Then use a debit card.

Though frankly, I'd be quite happy to pay a nominal booking fee in exchange for saving a huge chunk of the regular return fare. But each to their own, I guess....

alanRow

<<< Though frankly, I'd be quite happy to pay a nominal booking fee in exchange for saving a huge chunk of the regular return fare. But each to their own, I guess.... >>>

BUT YOU AREN'T - the tickets thetrainline sell are exactly the same tickets as the train operaters sell - except that the train operators don't charge EXTRA for them in the form of a booking fee

ElendilPickle

>> ~ For accomodations, the UK Travelodge chain has some great deals if you book in advance. Called Saver Rooms, the rate can be as low as £19 if booked at least 21 days in advance.
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/saver_rooms/ <<

I forgot to mention Travelodge - thanks, yk. We spent two nights at the Travelodge in Stroud, which was offering the Saver Room deal. We got one of their family rooms with a queen bed and a foldout couch. It was a big room, clean, and was the least expensive stay of our trip.

Lee Ann

isplumm

Hi,

As well as travelodge, there is premierinn.co.uk. But I prefer holidayinnexpress - they often have specials on their website.

I have stayed at a number across the UK & often pay £40 a night for modern double with a extended contential breakfast & decent TV. This rate is for 2 people.

Mark

Maria_H

Don't forget that there are plenty of fantastic museums in the UK with free entry, anything from the British Museum in London (I could spend a week there) to the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and the fantastic railway museum in York. Just Google "free museum" and the area you are visiting.

pirouette

Self catering accommodation and take away food. it is cheaper than eating out for families-especially those with teenagers. The Brits have perfected take away-you can get almost anything. Marksa and Spencer had a great promotion last month: a main course, a side and desset with a bottle of wine for 10 pounds (serves 2 double the quantity for four). Not gourmet but certainly acceptable!

pirouette

I should have proof read my last post! That is "Marks & Spenser" and "dessert". We also used the 2 for 1 travel offers with our weekly rail pass. Many people do not seem to be aware that children can travel for 1 pound a day if accompanied by a fare paying adult. As a result we saved the cost of a travel card for our 14 year old.

JudyC

Most bus company offer daypass-usually called day rover, often about the cost of one way short distance ticket, but good for unlimited rides within the comapny's network at the same day. The ticket is sold by bus driver.

mdtravel

I didn't see this mentioned yet and it may be obvious: get an Oyster card for the public transport in London. Yes, walk everywhere you can but at some point you will want to take the tube or sit upstairs on a doubledecker. If you don't buy the Oyster you will be paying upwards of four pounds ($8.00) per journey. An Oyster card can take that down to 1.50 pounds...for me it is a must do in London.

alanRow

<<< I didn't see this mentioned yet and it may be obvious: get an Oyster card for the public transport in London >>>

The OP for baragins outside London - but in any case "getting an Oystercard" ISN'T obvious as it depends on if you need the 2-for-1 offers or not - and for periods over 3 days a Travelcard is generally cheaper for someone using London public transport a lot

nona1

Don't stick to the main streets in touristy areas when you are looking for a quick bite to eat or a sit down with a cup of coffee. Walk a street or two away from the main area and you'll find places that serve the locals - at much better prices. At lunchtime follow the office-workers - they'll be going to the best local 'greasy spoon' cafe or a good value sandwich shop.

PalenQ

Supermarkets like Tesco's and Sainsbury have stores all over London - typically smallish stores not like their huge stores in the suburbs but they sell a good range of fresh prepared foods like salads and deli fare - great for picnic or to take back to your hotel.

also a good place to cop beer, cider and wine and any essential

they are literally all over the place nowadays - credit cards can be used always IME - open very late every day it seems

azzure

This is a GREAT thread -- thanks to all who have contributed. I thought I would have something to add but all my ideas are here already.