Actionable savings on accommodation, food, transport and attractions.
The UK has a reputation for being expensive, but with a little planning it is entirely possible to see the country well without overspending. These four practical strategies cover the biggest costs of any trip — where you sleep, what you eat, how you move around, and which attractions to prioritise.
Hostels are common in every major UK city and often include private rooms, not just dorms. During university holidays, many cities also offer university room lets at a fraction of hotel prices — a great option for longer stays in Oxford, Cambridge or Edinburgh.
Supermarket meal deals (a sandwich, snack and drink for a fixed price) are a UK institution and an easy way to eat well for under £5. Pub lunches are often cheaper than pub dinners, and local markets are a great source of fresh, affordable food.
A Railcard can cut train fares by up to a third, and booking tickets well in advance saves significantly over walk-up fares. For longer journeys between cities, coach operators such as Megabus and National Express are consistently cheaper than trains.
Many of the UK's best national museums, including the British Museum, are completely free to enter. Parks and walking tours cost nothing and often show off a city's character better than paid attractions.
