A trip to London on a small budget

DW (English)

London is one of Europe’s most happening megacities – and one of the priciest. A few hundred pounds won't go far. What can you do there without spending much?

Transcript

00:00London calling!

00:03The city of royal splendor,

00:08Big Ben

00:10and fish and chips.

00:12But London is also notorious for luxury shopping and sites with hefty admission fees.

00:18Is this overstretching your wallet?

00:21Don't ditch the dream just yet!

00:24Even in one of Europe's most expensive cities, there are still lots of fun and affordable things to do.

00:30And some of the most famous attractions are totally free.

00:34Let me show you.

00:36My first stop is at the Houses of Parliament and the famous clock tower known as Big Ben.

00:47Big Ben is actually a nickname for the massive bell inside the clock tower.

00:52It weighs 13.7 metric tons.

00:57Not far downstream, on the River Thames, I'm stopping at another major landmark, Tower Bridge.

01:03Instead of paying £13.40 to get inside,

01:06I am enjoying stunning views of the city from its walkways and from beside the bridge for free.

01:14A free way to travel in London is of course on foot, but the public transport system is affordable too.

01:21If you're looking for the cheapest option, get on one of those double-decker buses.

01:26They're also a sightseeing adventure in themselves.

01:29For the best views, head to the upper deck and sit in the front.

01:35Or you can take the tube or subway. It's the oldest in the world.

01:39All of London's public transport works with cashless payment.

01:43There are automatic price caps, so you never pay more than necessary.

01:47A day ticket for the bus and underground in the central zones 1 and 2 costs £8.10.

01:55Next, I want to explore more of London off the beaten track.

01:59I'm joining an art walk in the East End.

02:07Here in the Shoreditch neighborhood, artists have transformed the streets into a sort of open-air gallery.

02:14There are several operators in London offering free tours, but you're encouraged to at least tip the guide.

02:23Working for free tours by foot, essentially we offer a pay-what-you-feel.

02:28And I guess it's a sort of way of really allowing anybody to sort of come along.

02:33It's making street art and tours generally accessible, and I think that's really important.

02:40Now I'm ready to dive into the city's cultural scene.

02:44Many of the museums offer free admission. My pick is the Natural History Museum.

02:53The blue whale skeleton suspended majestically in the entrance is simply breathtaking.

03:01I'm drawn to a part of the exhibition dedicated to a certain type of extinct animal.

03:08The museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of dinosaurs in the world, including fossils and lifelike models.

03:19If you're into culture, Shakespeare's Globe is a must-see.

03:23Last-minute tickets for the following week go on sale online for five pounds every Friday.

03:29We're not allowed to film at a play, but here's a quick impression.

03:33No longer Celia, but...

03:38Alien!

03:39Alien!

03:40Alien!

03:41Alien!

03:42Alien!

03:43Alien!

03:44Alien!

03:45Alien!

03:47Alien!

03:50Alien!

03:51Alien!

03:52Alien!

03:56This is a great entertainment option, and it's even cheaper than the cinema.

04:00And this tradition dates back to Shakespeare's times.

04:03Back then, there were tickets for only one penny.

04:07For dinner, I am going for a British classic, fish and chips.

04:11Due to inflation and rising prices, this fast food isn't as cheap as it used to be.

04:17I am paying 19 pounds, but the portion is generous and fills me up after my long day.

04:33So what's the damage to my wallet after a full day of exploring London?

04:38I spent 18 pounds on transport, 23 pounds on food, so a total of 41 pounds for the day.

04:48All it takes is a little bit of planning to make the most of your trip without spending a fortune.

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