A break away in the Big City for Olivia!
Sunday 30th November, 2008 - £7,158.16 in debt…
From Monday to Thursday of this week, I’ll be living it up in our beautiful capital city, if it’s possible to ’live it up’ on a budget.
No, I’m not going on a Christmas shopping trip to Oxford Street - I’m not insane. But I’ve always loved London, even after having lived there for three years, and I miss it. On a three-day trip, I can fit in all my favourite places without having to spend too much, and I’m going to a Christmas party on Tuesday night, at which there will be free booze. So effectively, I’m saving money by going. Yes I am.
So, how can I cut my costs?
London accommodation
Well, I’m staying with a friend for two nights and in central London for one night, so I’m only paying £40 in total for accommodation. Good start, Olivia.
If I hadn’t done this, I could have taken advantage of Lastminute’s ‘top secret hotels’ deal: You choose your hotel room based on location and price, and only discover the name of the hotel once you’ve booked. In this way, the hotel gets rid of any last-minute spare rooms without annoying the customers who’ve paid full price, and you get a cheap room at a classy 4 or 5-star hotel.
Cheap London theatre
On the Wednesday night, there’s a good chance I’ll take in a West End show, like a proper middle-aged tourist. At this late stage, I fear having to settle for Holby City - The Musical or similar, but there are plenty of ways to get hold of cheap last-minute tickets. These include www.theatremonkey.com and the trusty Leicester Square ‘tkts‘ booth.
There’s also a deal run by the Association of Train Operating Companies, whereby you can get two tickets for the price of one if you travel to the theatre by train. And it’s not just theatre tickets - it’s London attractions generally, so that includes boat trips, museums, exhibitions, tours, zoos, you name it. The world is my oyster.
Dining out
Hmmm, what else will I be spending money on? Ah yes, food. I’ll arrive in London on Monday evening, so I can go to the local pub and sample its no-doubt-extensive vegetarian menu. But what about Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, when I’ll be in Covent Garden and “Theatreland” respectively?
Well, there’s a good Time Out guide to eating on a budget in London. Lastminute also does a good feature where you can search London restaurant deals by price. Another great resource is Toptable, where you can search for “cheap and cheerful” restaurants, read price guides and reviews, and book yourself a table online. Marvellous.
So, these are the secret weapons in my armoury for a cheap but interesting few days in my favourite city. Any tips and tricks before I set off…?
