Guest post by Niamh O’Reilly
London is a must-see tourist destination. With a host of sights to offer – from the London Eye, the River Thames, and the London Dungeons to numerous stunning parks, unforgettable markets, and irresistible dining experiences, London has something for everyone.
However, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the months and years of restrictions, tourism to London has dropped significantly and, according to the data, is unlikely to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2025!
So, if you are planning on visiting London this year – and you’re on a budget – this article outlines the 4 things you need to consider post-COVID-19.
1. Find Out What’s Open and When
Although we are all emerging from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many places are still enforcing various restrictions to protect their staff and their most vulnerable customers. As a result, some venues have limited opening hours. So, if you want to make the most of your time in London it is important to do your research in advance and find out what’s open in London post lockdown and when.
If you want to save time (and money) on your visit to London, it’s important to make the most of your trip by planning ahead. We recommend contacting venues directly to find out what times they’re open, what their entry requirements are, and whether they require face coverings and proof of a negative lateral flow test prior to entry. Every venue has different safety measures in place and it’s important to be aware of what these are prior to your visit.
London’s Best Budget-friendly Venues
The great thing about visiting London is that there is so much to do that is free! Below are a few of our favourite spots that you might want to visit while you’re in the city.
- The Tate Modern Museum (free entry)
- The Sky Garden (free entry)
- The Imperial War Museum (free entry)
- The Natural History Museum (free entry)
The Tate – Photo by Joshua Fuller on Unsplash
2. Avoid Travelling at Rush Hour
In a city as big as London, it can be difficult to maintain social distancing in a post-pandemic world. So, whether you are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 or you just want to play it safe, it’s important to consider how you will travel around London.
If you want to avoid as many people as possible, we recommend you avoid travelling at rush hour. Whether you’re taking the bus, train, tube, or walking, getting caught up in London’s rush hour isn’t pleasant for anyone. The tube alone sees some 2 million passengers a day and many of these people are travelling at peak travel times, between 06:00 and 09:30 and 16:00 and 19:00.
By avoiding travel at these times and planning your day around non-peak times, you can enjoy a far more pleasant experience traipsing around the city than you otherwise would.
Budget-friendly Transport Options
Travelling around London can be expensive. Taking a taxi from one place to another can cost a fortune. Thankfully, there are some budget-friendly transport options to help you get around the city with ease. Below we have listed some of the most cost-effective travel options:
- Get an Oyster card
- Walk or cycle
- £1.50 Hopper fare for buses and trams
3. Book Your Tickets in Advance
Whether you’re planning to go to the theatre or you are taking a trip into the depths of the London Dungeons, you’ll nearly always secure a better deal if you book your tickets in advance. Although we are coming out the other side of the pandemic and things seem to be looking up, COVID-19 has taught us that life is anything but predictable. It is possible that you could travel to London for a show only to get there and find it’s no longer happening.
By booking all your tickets in advance, you reduce your risk of losing money if there is a last minute refund (as theatres and other venues typically provide refunds in the event of a cancellation). What’s more, tickets that are booked in advance tend to be cheaper because you can scour the internet for the best deal and find some real bargains! So, booking your tickets in advance is a real win-win situation – both for your budget and for your security in a post-pandemic world.
Where to Buy Budget-friendly Tickets
If you are visiting London, going to the theatre is a must! There are so many incredible shows on the West End that are simply unmissable – from Wicked to Hamilton. However, theatre tickets in London can be pretty pricey. Thankfully, there are some great websites that offer last-minute deals and fabulous discounts. Check out our suggestions below:
- Visit London website
- TKTS (last-minute theatre tickets in London)
- London Theatre Direct
4. Stick to Outdoor Sights
It’s normal to feel cautious post-pandemic. In fact, many of us are feeling anxious about returning to normal after two years of severe restrictions and health scares. According to the NHS, “easing of restrictions has allowed us to get back to the people and things we love, but it’s OK if adjusting has brought challenges too. You might be worried about the pace of the changes or what the future may bring. It’s important to be patient with yourself and with your feelings […] it can take time to readjust to things we have not done for a while.”
As a result, we thought we would end this article with a few suggestions for outdoor activities and sights in London – particularly for those who would like to avoid large crowds and indoor spaces. London is a beautiful city bursting with things to see and do. You don’t need to spend your days walking round museums or eating at restaurants. Instead, you can enjoy a picnic in the fresh air in one of London’s many stunning parks or you can even watch a play in an open-air theatre. There are so many options!
Budget-friendly Outdoor Sights in London
When the weather is great and it’s a beautiful day, it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and make the most of it. London offers some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces that are sure to make your trip worthwhile. Below are some of the best budget-friendly sights:
- Hyde Park
- The Open Air Theatre
- Walking tours
- Camden Market
- Primrose Hill
Hyde Park – Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash
Final Words
London is a must-see city. Whether you plan to visit for the day or a weekend, we can guarantee you’ll want to visit again! We hope the tips we’ve shared in this guide will help you make the most of your trip, stay safe and well, and not break the bank!
