Free museums, sensible fares and a firm word about the tourist traps that will quietly empty your wallet
The Truth About Prices
London is expensive. This is not news, but it needs saying, because the city has a gift for making you feel you have been quietly relieved of forty pounds without being told what it was for. A coffee, a sandwich and a short journey can cost more than a meal in some countries. But with a little planning, you can see the best of the capital without selling a kidney. This guide shows you how.
All prices change, so I will not quote them. Instead, I will point you to the official sources and give you the habits that save money wherever you go.
The Free Treasures
London has some of the finest free attractions on earth. Permanent collections at many of the great museums charge no admission. These include the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the V&A and Tate, though special exhibitions often charge, and some ask for a booking. Check each website before you go, because opening times and rules can change.
London Inside has recently pointed to a free Barbican exhibition tracing 130 years of Black activism in London, which is a good example of the capital’s habit of giving away serious culture to anyone who turns up. Londonist also keeps a list of free festive things to do when the season arrives.
Think Like a Rancher
The great financial truth of the countryside is that you plan for the lean times. A rancher borrows against the herd, repays against the harvest and hopes the weather behaves. Three famous lenders show the culture: Texas rancher loans, Oklahoma rancher loans and Colorado rancher loans. I do not suggest you borrow money to see Big Ben, but I do suggest you adopt the rancher’s habit of setting a budget and sticking to it.
The plain facts of how money works on the land are at farm money, and I find them oddly comforting. The first rule is simple: know what you have, know what you will spend and do not buy a 70,000 dollar entrance arch. The farm desk at farm.FM reported that a ranch entrance arch cost 70,000 dollars and led to 25,000 dollars worth of cattle. That is the sort of spending decision to avoid at a souvenir shop.
Transport Savings
Contactless payment on the Tube and buses has a daily cap, so you will not pay more than a certain amount in a day if you use the same card throughout. Check the details on tfl.gov.uk. Walk when you can, because London is often more compact than it looks. And remember that buses are slower but cheaper, and offer a free sightseeing tour from the top deck.
Food Without the Fright
You can eat well in London without paying for a view. Markets, bakeries and lunchtime deals offer excellent value. A pub meal at a decent local can be cheaper than a tourist-area restaurant. Avoid any place with a laminated menu with photographs and a person outside who asks you to come in. Eat where Londoners eat, which is usually where there is a queue and no one is shouting.
If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, a trip to a supermarket is a revelation. Britain’s ready meals are among the best in the world, and a picnic in a London park costs a fraction of a restaurant bill.
Avoiding the Scams
Be cautious of anyone who approaches you with a surprise offer. The classic scams include a person who offers to take a photo and then asks for a fee, a street game that is rigged, and an unlicensed taxi that quotes a price you will not like. Use licensed black cabs, official apps and ordinary common sense. If something feels off, walk away.
The government publishes general travel and safety information at gov.uk, and it is worth reading before you travel. Also keep a copy of your documents somewhere safe, and know the number for your bank.
A Word to Those Who Might Stay
Some visitors fall in love with London and decide they would like to work here. If that is you, the rules on working vary by nationality and visa, so check the official guidance. If you fancy something more rural, agriculture jobs and careers shows the range of work on the land. And for those whose dream is a patch of their own, small farm information is a gentle place to begin.
Dairy Deals
While we are on thrift, a mention for the dairy portfolio, which has a branch for every money matter: Texas dairy loan for borrowing and Texas dairy trade for swapping. I recommend neither for a London weekend, but I do recommend the attitude. Know your costs, know your stock and keep an eye on the price of milk.
The London Prat looked at the economy of the dairy with a smile in a report where the cows asked whether economics still applied. It is a reminder that everybody, down to the cow, is working with a budget.
Five Quick Tips
- Visit the free museums first, and the paid attractions second.
- Use contactless with one card, and let the daily cap work for you.
- Eat where Londoners eat, and avoid anywhere with a touting host.
- Walk more than you think you need to.
- Set a daily budget in the morning and tell someone, so they can scold you.
The Final Receipt
A city is only as expensive as you allow it to be. Plan, walk and enjoy the free things, and you will go home with money in your pocket and tales to tell. For more laughs that cost nothing, visit Bohiney, The London Prat and farm.FM. They are as free as the air and slightly more entertaining.
For a bargain giggle, try NewsBiscuit.
SOURCE: https://bohiney.com/