Money Saving Travel Secrets in the UK

Mealtimes should be a highlight of your time in the UK, even if you’re on a budget. To find the genuine taste of England without denting your daily allowance, consider 2-for-1 meal deals in pubs, or head to a traditional fish & chips shop. These tasty takeaways make for excellent impromptu picnics.

Many British towns host street markets selling dishes at bargain prices, while international restaurants are often great value when you consider the quality of the food versus the price. If you do want to splash out on a fancy meal, savvy savers can opt for lunch rather than dinner to bring the price down substantially. Don’t overlook restaurant booking apps either, which often have discount offers available.

Getting around the UK can cost a lot, so it really pays to plan ahead. Booking a long-distance train journey on the day of travel can be staggeringly expensive, but that same ticket could be half the price if you booked it 40 days previously.

An easy way to save is to forego taxis and Ubers and make use of the excellent public transportation network across Britain’s cities. Further savings can be made by using travel cards, such as Oyster in London or Swift in Birmingham. A novel idea for getting out and about on the cheap is to rent bicycles. Admittedly, this is more of a summer activity, but cycling around allows you to really soak up the environment.

From the bizarre rock formations in County Antrim to the hills and valleys of Wales, exploring landscapes and heritage buildings is a rewarding, and free, way to see the UK. The Heritage Trust is a non-profit organisation that restores and cares for hundreds of ancient buildings and monuments across Britain. They also host frequent events that are well worth the modest ticket prices.

If you’re planning to visit many attractions, you should certainly price up tourist passes as you can save serious cash. The London Pass is excellent if you’re based in the capital, while English Heritage and Historic Scotland also have visitor passes.

If you’re looking to squeeze every bit of value from each penny, use these local tips that tourists don’t often know. Consider travelling around the UK by coach rather than train, as it can cut your transportation costs in half. National Express has a comprehensive network of routes, and if you take an overnight trip you can save on accommodations for the night, too.

For London theatre tickets, head to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square to pick up last-minute seats at huge reductions. It’s ideal if you don’t mind what you see. You can also find discount vouchers for many of Britain’s top tourist attractions on apps and websites such as Tastecard, Groupon and Money Saving Expert.