The Ultimate London Guide - on a Budget

The Ultimate Guide to London on a Budget

London is well known as one of the most expensive cities in the world. But don't let that keep you from visiting this major vacation spot. You don't have to break the piggy bank to experience the charm and excitement of London. In fact, with the right tips and planning, a weeklong, action-packed vacation to London can be cheaper than you think.

First, and most importantly, find the right flight. Typical vacation months carry higher fare prices. London is generally the lowest-cost European city to fly to, no matter the season. Tickets in the spring and summer can be upwards of $1500, even when purchased months in advance. However, tickets for January-March are far more affordable and can be found for under $500 from medium-large US airports. Plan your trip in advance and give yourself time to price check tickets. Make sure you're looking at individual airline websites and not 'discount fares' sites. These sites always charge a processing fee that airline companies usually don't. If a fare is available, the airline will have it listed. Take the time to check several out. When you find your perfect flight, most airline sites will let you choose your seat assignment, meal specifications, and check-in method on their site. Plus, buying directly from the airline means you have the security of knowing your ticket is real and that you're giving your credit card information to a trustworthy establishment. Usually these companies have competitive fares: American Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, US Airways, Continental and NWA. Be sure to check flights from neighboring airports . . . a longer drive can often mean a cheaper flight!

Once you have your ticket, it's time to start looking into planning your activities. Many parts of Europe are small and can be seen easily by walking or taking a train from town to town. This is not the case with London. London is a huge, busy, thriving city. This is one vacation you'll want to do a fair bit of planning in advance for, otherwise you'll spend twice as much as necessary and you'll probably miss out on a lot of the things that make London unique.