Fortunately there are 4 ways to save money; the Transport for London Travel Card will help you save on public transport and also offers discounts on some of London’s top tourist attractions.
The London Pass is an excellent option for those who want to visit several paid attractions, as it offers access to dozens of them for a single price per day.
Large tour operators such as Civitatis offer discounted ticket prices, packages and promotions for groups.
Another great option are bundles. Many tourist attractions offer this option, London Eye and Madame Tussauds for example.
In this article we will explain how each option works. Remember, saving money is synonymous with good planning, at least when it comes to tourism, so plan your trip and buy your tickets in advance, your pocket will thank you in the end.
Travel Card
The National Rail travel card gives you unlimited access to London’s public transport.
It offers up to 50% discount on some popular tourist attractions such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Kensington Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, boat trips and much more.
The Travel Card is valid from the time of purchase until midnight of the same day. It has two different rates, peak or off-peak.
Peak hours are between 6:30 am and 9:30 am. Off-peak starts after 9:30 am on weekdays or all day on weekends. Off-peak is significantly cheaper, so plan your day to start using public transport after 9:30 am if possible.
Children under five ride free when accompanied by an adult, with children up to sixteen years old paying a discounted fare.
To buy a Travel Card, just go to one of the main train stations in the city, like London Victoria, London Euston, London Bridge, Waterloo or St. Pancras.
Prices vary according to the zones you will visit. London’s main tourist attractions are spread between zones 1 and 2, while Heathrow Airport and the Harry Potter Studio are located in zone 6.
NOTE: London Public Transport does not accept cash payments, only electronic payments, i.e. Oyster Card, credit card, Google or Apple Pay or Travel Card.
London Pass
London Pass has over 90 tourist attractions included. It has VIP entry to many of them and also offers discounts at gift shops. In addition to saving on ticket prices, you can save time by avoiding queues.
For tourists short on time, this is one of the best ways to efficiently explore London. You can use the Hop On – Hop Off tourist buses, a good alternative to public transport, or enjoy a boat trip on the River Thames and discover the city from a different angle.
After your purchase, you will receive an email with the ticket that can be easily displayed on any smartphone. London Pass’ prices are unbeatable, no wonder more than 3 million tourists have already used it.
Tour Operators
Large tour operators such as Civitatis or Tiqets buy and sell tickets in large volumes so they can offer significant discounts, especially on combined activities, tours and excursions.
It is possible to save on group or family purchases, avoid queues and buy all your tickets online securely, from one provider. This means that your data will not be stored by several companies, just one.
Bundles
This option is limited to 5 tourist attractions: London Eye, London Aquarium – Sea Life, Shrek’s Adventure, The London Dungeon (not recommended for children under 12) and Madame Tussaud’s.
Each attraction costs an average of £30 per person but with a bundle you can to visit 3 of 5 attractions for just £60 per person, a saving of £30 compared to individual tickets.
Except for Madame Tussaud’s, all other attractions are located next to each other on the banks of the River Thames.
Conclusion
With good planning and a well-thought-out itinerary, it is possible to experience the best of London without breaking the bank. Our partner site, Turistando em Londres (currently only available in Portuguese), has several itineraries for all types of travellers. There you will find significant discounts for London’s main tourist attractions and unmissable travel tips.
