Samuel Johnson once famously said that "when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." A traveller on a budget may well respond, "Sounds good, but can I afford London?" The British capital is admittedly a costly place to visit-- it recently ranked as the third most expensive city in the world. Does this mean that London should only be visited by the wealthy? Not at all! With some careful planning, and a few insider tips, a traveller can enjoy an activity-filled day and a good night's sleep in London for under £100.
ACCOMODATIONS Most decent hotel rooms in London will cost the full £100 of your daily budget, if not more. Even bed-and-breakfasts in London are considerably more costly than anywhere else in the country. Hostels offer a great solution for travellers on a budget. Long a favourite of cash-strapped students, today's hostel guests include families, seniors, couples, and anyone looking for unique and affordable accommodations.
Hostels abound in London, but the quality of accommodation varies wildly. The adventurous traveller may wish to gamble on a low-priced independent hostel, which could be horrid or lovely. A safer bet is to stay in a hostel that belongs to the Youth Hostels Association (YHA). Though slightly pricier than their independent counterparts, these hostels are inspected regularly by the association for cleanliness and maintenance. There are seven YHA hostels in London: visit www.yha.org.uk for a list of locations and prices. For reviews of all hostels across London, see www.hostelz.com and www.tripadvisor.com.
Packing to stay in a hostel is slightly different than in a hotel. In addition to what you'd normally pack in your suitcase, remember to include these hostelling essentials:
- toiletries (soap/bodywash, shampoo)
- towel (preferably microfiber to save on packing space)
- facecloth
- flashlight
- tape & marker to label food
- sink plug
- combination lock (for luggage lockers)
FOOD Eating in restaurants on a regular basis will rapidly eat up your daily budget. For a cost-effective alternative, buy prepared food at a nearby grocery store. These shops have an impressive selection of sandwiches, salads, pastas, fruit, and other convenient meals for Londoners on the go.
Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com) and Tesco (www.tesco.com) are two of the most accessible and affordable grocery stores in central London. These shops offer a wide selection of frozen and prepared food as well as basic staples. Boots the Chemist (www.boots.com) also offers a limited selection of prepared foods. Once you've decided where you're staying, visit these stores' websites to find the location that will be most convenient for you.
Other budget-friendly food choices include the ubiquitous chain of Pret a Manger (http://www.pret.com/) or the unique Cafe in the Crypt of St. Martin's in the Fields off Trafalgar Square (http://www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/page/cafe/crypt/crypt.html).
For a dinner out, try one of the many of locations of Ask (sample menu at http://www.askcentral.co.uk/askmenu.html) or Pizza Express (sample menu at http://www.pizzaexpress.co.uk/menu.htm). Both serve moderately-priced pizza and pasta.
GETTING AROUND London is a city made for walking and public transportation. Forget about renting a car, as even locals shy away from driving due to parking constraints and an £8 vehicle tax.
The London Underground, commonly referred to as the Tube, is one of the most efficient and economical ways to get around. A 7-day off-peak Travelcard for zones 1-2 (which covers central London) currently costs £22.20, or just over £3 per day. This card, available at any Tube station, entitles you to unlimited travel on the Tube and buses after 9:00 am.
THEATRE To save on theatre tickets, do a bit of research before you leave home. Consult the Official London Theatre Guide (www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk) to see what shows will be on during your stay. Once you've come up with a list of productions you'd like to see, visit the websites of the theatres themselves.
With a bit of digging, you can often discover cut-price tickets. For example, the reconstructed Globe Theatre offers £5 tickets to any show-- provided that you're willing to undergo the authentic Elizabethan experience of being a "groundling" (standing in the pit for the entire performance). Other theatres provide discounted student or youth rates (often referred to as "concession") or may offer last-minute deals if you buy in person at the box-office on the day of the performance.
Once you've arrived in London, stop by the Half-Price Ticket Booth in Leicester Square (www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts) for more deals. Check back daily for the best chance of getting the show you want to see.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT Take a walking tour near the start of your trip to get acquainted with the city. The Original London Walks (www.walks.com) is a popular and reasonably-priced choice. For £6, you get a two-hour guided tour of London on a particular theme.
If you're a museum lover, you'll be happy to know that most major museums in London charge no admission fees. That's right, the Victoria & Albert, the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate, and many others are all completely free.
The Historic Royal Palaces (Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, and the Tower of London, the Banqueting House, and Kew Palace) are a notable exception. If you're planning to visit at least three of these places, you'll save money by buying a year-long membership (details available online at www.hrp.org.uk) rather than individual gate admissions.
For other inexpensive activity ideas, visit the regularly-updated London Free List (www.londonfreelist.com).
SHOPPING For most tourists, shopping in London will consist largely of finding souvenirs to bring back for friends and family (and self). Avoid a panicked purchase of overpriced airport gifts with these suggestions.
Museum giftshops offer souvenirs that are high on culture and low on kitsch. Art postcards, small books, and other paper-gifts are attractive and light. For a unique gift, buy something from a well-known market such as Portobello Road, Covent Garden, or Spitalfields Market.
Think that Harrod's is out of your price range? Consider something from the famous food hall. Teas, biscuits, sweets, or other light edibles are perfect. (Resist the prettily-packaged jams, jars, and tins-- that small jar of lemon curd will feel like a brick once you haul it around London and back across the Atlantic.) Likewise, browse the aisles at Marks & Spencer, or even Tesco, to find unusual, fun, and affordable gifts.
Elizabeth Worthing (www.elizabethworthing.com) is a Canadian freelance writer. 
