I am volunteering at Dove cottage for 3 weeks in March, and have decided to spend a week in London with my boyfriend before I start. We are planning on staying at an aribnb and are looking to travel on a student's budget. Is there any recommendations for how much it'll cost each for food and to sight see? I've never been to the UK and have no idea how much it costs to eat and get around! Any suggestions are really appreciated :)
1
banlieu_rouge
Are you going to cook your own food? Supermarket food is roughly the same price as in Canada (except for cheese which is stupidly expensive in Canada). Maybe a bit more expensive in the UK for you because the Canadian dollar is so low right now. Check out Tesco or Sainsbury's websites to get a rough idea of prices.
Restaurants slightly more perhaps, you can find cheapish food in Chinatown. Time Out has a list of cheap food options, but their definition of cheap might not be the same as yours. You might be able to find a pint in a pub for £3.50, average more like £4.20... I've paid as much as £4.50 for a half pint.
Most of the big museums and galleries have free entry, aside from special exhibitions. Tower of London/London Eye etc. are about £20 a ticket.
Don't forget that all taxes are included in the price, as in the price you see is the price you pay.
2
cdicosola
Hi! I think since we will go through airbnb we will have a kitchen and the option to cook but will also go out some nights. Do you have any suggestions for places to eat/splurge on? I have never planned a trip before without my parents so I'm really new at organizing this!
4
mothercourage
As you have a week in London, your best method of transportation is the ubiquitous London bus. Provided you begin your journeys after 9.30 am you will qualify for the out-of-peak-hour rate, which is capped at a lower rate than the 'tube' or underground railway. You'll also see more of London this way.
Bring your ipad (or whatever) with you and download an app/go to a site named www.tfl.gov.uk The tfl stands for 'transport for London'. You can plan a day's journey by bus or tube or any combination from this site.
I think you can also get set up for 'contactless' payment there, too. (I'm an Oldie Londoner and get all my journeys free so am not placed to give you the best advice on payment methods.)
For more 'ad hoc' travel, go to Victoria Train Station's Information office and ask for the FREE Central London bus map - and don't let them try to sell you one. :>)
6
mothercourage
You're welcome. :>)
One other thing - if you're interested in a 'different' kind of Christmas, look on the internet for volunteer work on Christmas day, serving dinner to the homeless. I've never been able to because of transport issues, but there are several groups who do this, including a group at St Martin in the Fields..
7
Thorn Tree
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