Money Tips for Tourists: Save on Transport, Food, and Attractions in London

When you’re visiting London, money tips for tourists, practical ways to stretch your travel cash without missing out on the best of the city. Also known as budget travel hacks, these aren’t about skipping experiences—they’re about choosing smarter ones. You don’t need to spend hundreds on hotel bars or tourist traps to enjoy the city. Real savings come from knowing where to eat, how to move around, and which free spots are actually worth your time.

One of the biggest drains on a visitor’s budget is London transport, the Tube, DLR, and buses that get you everywhere but can add up fast if you don’t plan. Also known as TfL, it’s easy to overpay with single tickets. Use an Oyster card or contactless payment—both cap daily spending so you never pay more than the price of a day pass. Skip the London Pass unless you’re hitting five or more paid attractions in a day. Most major museums, like the National Portrait Gallery, a free museum showcasing British history through portraits from Elizabeth I to modern activists, and the National Gallery, home to Western European masterpieces from the 13th to 19th centuries, cost nothing. That’s hundreds saved right there.

Food is another area where tourists overspend. You don’t need to eat at Harrods’ Food Hall to taste great London food. Head to Borough Market, a lively food hub where locals grab affordable, fresh bites from stalls, or try a £5 vegan wrap from a market stall in Soho. The cheap vegan meals, filling plant-based food you can find for under £5 across the city trend isn’t just for locals—it’s a secret weapon for travelers. Even in Chinatown, you can eat dim sum for less than £10 if you know where to look. Skip the overpriced tourist restaurants near Big Ben and walk a few blocks. You’ll get the same flavor, better service, and no line.

And while you’re saving, remember this: London’s magic isn’t in the ticketed experiences. It’s in the quiet corners, the free concerts in parks, the street musicians in Covent Garden, the sunset over the Thames at Millennium Bridge. The hidden bars, unmarked pubs and speakeasies where locals go after work often cost less than a coffee at a chain. You don’t need to book a £50 cocktail to have a great night out.

Whether you’re here for three days or three weeks, the right money tips for tourists turn a stressful trip into a relaxed one. You’ll leave with more memories than receipts. Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve lived it—how to claim a TfL refund, where to find the best dim sum without the crowds, how to eat vegan on a student budget, and why skipping the London Pass might be your smartest move. No fluff. Just what saves you cash—and still lets you see the best of the city.