Budget Travel in The UK: 11 Tips to Save Your Money

The United Kingdom sees millions of tourists every year. Many come for history, science, and art, while others come for stunning nature and sights.

Yet, many avoid travelling to the UK entirely, often due to the cost of the trip.

The good news is that a vacation in the UK can still be fun and affordable. 

All you need to know are these 11 top tips for travelling in the UK without burning a hole in your wallet.

Let's dive in...

11 pro tips for travelling in the UK on a budget

#1. Book everything in advance

Perhaps the biggest discount you can find on flights, trains, buses, and accommodation is by booking well in advance. Airlines usually increase prices as you get closer to departure dates. The same happens with hotels.

Keep an eye out for flight and accommodation packages, especially during the Black Friday deals. If you pick your date early enough, you have time on your side to find great specials.

Another tip is that if you don't mind the rain, travelling in the UK during the off-season (Jan - Mar) is much cheaper than in other months of the year. Combined with early bird discounts, you could pay less than half the price for your entire holiday.

Isn't it great?

#2. Use a VPN to get cheaper airfares

One of the least-known budget travel tips is accessible to anyone. Airline pricing algorithms have become sophisticated over the years and tend to offer varying prices depending on your physical location.

People in different countries are offered differing fares for flights. This is something anyone can take advantage of with the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs allow you to spoof your location, hiding where you actually are.

In the image below, the same flight is priced higher if you're based in London (above), than if you spoofed your location to New York (below). You can get Surfshark VPN with a 30-day trial period to grab these discounts. Here's an explanation how do vpn change your ip. 

#3. Book comprehensive travel insurance

One of the most unexpected costs that come with travelling is medical emergencies. In a perfect world, you'd find cheap, affordable healthcare anywhere you go. However, a bone broken abroad can eat a considerable chunk of your holiday budget.

This is why travel insurance is a must-have for any traveller, especially those travelling in the UK. Plenty of providers offer affordable rates for a wide range of activities and other problems you might cross along the way.

For cheaper insurance rates, the longer you travel, the more you'll save. World Nomads is a great mid-range budget option for travellers that covers lost luggage, natural disasters, dental, and many others.

#4. Travel with megabus

Leading the way for low-cost bus transport in the UK is megabus. The bus company is a favourite of budget travellers for their low fares and modern amenities like:

• Free Wi-Fi onboard;

• Real-time coach tracker;

• Extra legroom seats.

A bus is by far the cheapest option to travel around the UK. To give you an idea, an hour ride from London to Cambridge and back by train is around $20, while the same trip can cost you as much as $6. For those wanting to stretch their travel budget, buses are a perfect choice.

#5. Get a rail pass

Although a more expensive option, trains in the UK are the most convenient method of transportation. By purchasing a rail pass or booking early enough in advance, you can also take advantage of extensive discounts. 

Railcard offers different train passes for couples, seniors, veterans, or people with disabilities. Each card offers varying discounts, connecting you with the countryside of Britain on a budget. 

When planning your travels use search engines like Trainline's Fare Finder. These sites display ticket prices from hundreds of train providers for you to compare. Here you can find bargain fares from almost anywhere in the UK.

#6. Swap the hotel for a hostel

Hotels offer luxury, convenience, and solitude - the right hostel does too, sometimes at a fraction of the price. Aside from being generally cheaper, hostels allow you to meet many other travellers along the way.

I know what you're thinking, but no, I'm not asking you to sleep in a 10-bed dormitory. Most hostels offer private rooms along with dormitory options. You'll have all the same amenities of a hotel without the shocking bill at check-out.

Let's look at these two accommodation options in Chelsea, London. Each option is set on the same date, and both are centrally located. Both offer similar amenities, but the hostel option is over £30 (around $35) cheaper per night.

#7. Use weekly discounts on Airbnb

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Airbnb soared in popularity across the globe. In the post-lockdown world, Airbnb is still retaining its huge customer base. This is partly due to the exciting weekly and monthly discounts you can receive.

You can save over a night's accommodation cost if you're only willing to travel for longer. Just take a look at how much the price of this apartment in Cardiff, Wales has dropped just by staying an extra day.

#8. Opt for free sightseeing options

Sightseeing can really drain your budget as many popular sights require ticket entry. 

For those who still want to go sightseeing without the high entry costs, the UK has plenty to offer you.

There are loads of public sites that are free to enter all year round. Public museums like the British Museum are completely free to wander through on a rainy day. In addition, many of the cathedrals and churches around the UK are also free to enter.

If you find yourself wanting to explore the city, search for a free walking tour like City Explorers in Edinburgh, Scotland. In a city where tours can cost you hundreds, free walking tours are a gift for any budget traveller.

#9. Sign up for a tastecard

In 2006, tastecard was founded as a way of making dining and drinking more affordable. The restaurant card claims to save you at least £19 (roughly $22) per meal, among even bigger discounts.

By eating at selected venues around the UK, you could save up to 50% on meals. While for some, missing out on 5-star dining can be a sad part of budget travelling, restaurant discount cards like tastecard allow you to dine in fancy places without breaking the bank.

#10. Look out for cheap pub meals

Food in cities like London and Cardiff can cost you an arm and a leg. The soaring prices of fine dining and gourmet food can put a lot of travellers off the region. However, affordable meals out are always around the corner.

One of the UK's greatest treasures is the answer to your prayers. The pubs scattered all over the United Kingdom deliver cost-effective meals for a budget-savvy explorer. For as little as £10-£15 ($12-$17), you can find yourself a heartwarming dinner.

The real discounts are during lunch hours, as most venues quiet down before nighttime. Pop into the local pub around midday to take advantage of these deals - you might even get a beer thrown in too!

#11. Avoid eating or shopping in tourist traps

They exist all over the world - "tourist traps" are overpriced areas of restaurants and shops built up around tourist hotspots. Businesses around these areas make a lot of money from the naivety of excited tourists.

The UK has plenty of tourist traps like Stone Henge, the Falkirk Wheel, and the London Eye. While a visit is recommended, dining or shopping in these areas will run up a hefty tab. Likely, a much cheaper option can be found a 15-minute walk away.

Conclusion

The costs of travelling through the United Kingdom scare away many who wish to see this part of the world. Many travellers simply can't afford the average amount needed to travel there.

However, with these tips on your travel toolbelt, your budget vacation in the UK is more than possible. Have a great trip!