Dreaming of those London landmarks but dreading the price tag? Fear not! This guide is your key to exploring the city’s hotspots on a pauper’s budget.
We’re swapping private carriages for the charm of double-decker buses, bypassing pricey taxis for scenic strolls, and ditching any notion of a royal budget. It’s time to unleash your inner savvy explorer as we check out the cheapest transit options in London!
Oyster card
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Cost: Initial £7 purchase fee (refundable)
Oyster Card fares are shockingly cheaper than their cash or paper ticket counterparts. Think nearly half price for those individual journeys!
It gets even better: the Oyster Card has a daily cap. Once you hit that cap, you basically get to ride for free that day because you can’t be charged any more on transportation!
Tap in and out all day long within zones 1 and 2, for example, and you’ll never pay more than £8.50 for the privilege. That’s an all-you-can-ride buffet of London exploration for less than the cost of a movie ticket!
Getting your hands on one of these magical cards is a breeze, too. They’re available for a tiny upfront cost (£7, which you get back if you return a standard Oyster). Topping up your card is just as easy, either at stations or online – no more stressing about hefty transport costs!
London buses
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Cost: £1.75 to £5.25
Unlike the Tube where fares change depending on your journey, London buses treat everyone equally. It’s a simple, flat fare of £1.75 per ride. Ride for five minutes or an hour – the price stays the same!
Want a bargain that gets even better? London’s “Hopper Fare” lets you take a second bus journey within one hour of your first tap-in for absolutely free! You can explore different neighbourhoods and run quick errands – the possibilities are (nearly) endless.
Here’s where bus travel gets truly amazing for those exploring the city. Tap your Oyster card (or use contactless payment) on as many buses as you like, and once the daily cap kicks in, all buses are free! You’ll never pay more than £5.25 for a day of unlimited bus journeys.
Santander Cycles
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Cost: £1.65 for 30 minutes (additional £1.65 for each additional 30 minutes)
Affectionately known as “Boris Bikes”, Santander Cycles offers a surprisingly affordable way to explore London. A single 30-minute ride costs only £1.65, with each additional 30-minute increment costing the same.
For those who want to explore all day, unlimited rides for a full 24-hour period come at a mere £3.30.
With over 800 docking stations and 12,000 bikes throughout London, finding and returning a bike is incredibly convenient. Plus, you don’t need to worry about the upfront cost of buying a bike, maintenance, or potential theft – Santander Cycles takes care of all those details.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
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Cost: Varies by zone
Forget the Tube’s sometimes-hefty fares – the DLR operates on the same Oyster Card and contactless payment system, offering you the chance to snag cheaper single journeys, especially for shorter distances.
Plus, a big chunk of the DLR network falls within the sweet spot of Zones 2 and 3, where fares are generally kinder to your wallet compared to central London’s Zone 1.
And the good news doesn’t stop there. Just like the Tube, the DLR benefits from those magical Oyster Card daily caps. So, hop on and off all day, exploring every nook and cranny, and you’ll never pay more than a regular Travelcard within your zones.
National Rail
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Cost: Varies by zone
National Rail can be a surprisingly budget-friendly way to travel around London if you play your cards right. The secret weapon here is smart ticket purchasing.
National Rail’s Cheap Fare Finder is a powerful tool. You can use this online system to unearth the best possible prices for your journey, especially when booking in advance. Remember, the earlier you book, the more you’re likely to save.
Finally, don’t overlook the potential of point-to-point tickets. If your travel plan within London is a simple A to B with no complex routing, these direct tickets can sometimes be surprisingly cheaper than a full-coverage Travelcard.
16 to 25 railcard
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Cost: £30 annually
If you’re between the ages of 16 and 25, or a full-time student over 25, listen up – the 16 to 25 Railcard is your key to serious savings on train travel throughout Great Britain.
The Railcard costs a mere £30 each year, an investment that practically pays for itself within a few train journeys. And for those who plan to explore extensively, there’s a three-year option for £70 which offers even greater savings compared to annual renewals.
Imagine all the places you could go! Plus, this railcard works on a wide range of tickets, including Standard and First Class Advance fares, making it flexible for both last-minute trips and well-planned journeys.
Ride-sharing apps
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Cost: Varies depending on the ride-sharing app
Unlike the iconic (but often pricier) black cabs, ride-sharing services like Uber and Gett offer fares that are often kinder to your wallet, especially during non-peak times. Think of it as a more affordable way to get that private car experience without the hefty price tag.
These ride-sharing apps are all about flexibility too. Their fares use a dynamic pricing system, meaning you might score some seriously sweet deals during off-peak hours or when demand is low.
