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London With Kids: Affordable In-Country Travel
When it comes to the UK, most people think of train travel. I would agree that in many cases train travel is the best choice. For London specifically, you are going to want an Oyster card. Keep reading to find out how to get your Oyster card, find affordable lodging & scoop up a few tips on how to eat on the cheap whilst in London. But first, here’s a quick recap of parts 1 and 2 of this three-part, London with Kids series.
In Part 1, London with Kids: Parks & Free Museums, I told you all the best free museums & parks to hang out in so you can absorb culture, history & probably some good people watching too.
In Part 2, London with Kids: Castles, Royals & Theatre, I gave you the low-down on West End theatre with kids. I also doled out the inside scoop on the best castles and royal residences you can explore in and around London.
Now, I’m winding the London with Kids series up by telling you about ground transportation, lodging & food – or as we call them “Eats & Sleeps”. So grab your passport. Let’s go!
Mind the Gap!
Ok, are you ready to learn everything you need to know about why you need an Oyster Card in London? Here ya go!
- It’s good on all city buses, trams, trains & subways in London. Check out where you can use your Oyster card for full details.
- The card can even be used beyond the city into some suburban areas.
- Kids 10 and under travel free and 11-18-year-olds travel at half fare.
- It’s contactless & you can top up super easy. So you don’t have to carry pockets full of cash or dig out your credit/debit cards. So much safer!
- Most, if not all, public transportation in the city of London is contactless. The Oyster card is the easiest, cheapest and fastest way to get around.
You can even buy your Oyster card and have it mailed to you so you’re ready to go the moment you step off the plane.
Of course, there is the Hop on Hop Off option too, if that suits your travel needs. I’m not much for it, as it’s a bit too touristy for me. Although, if you only have 1 day in London, it might be best for a drive-by of all the major sights.
London with Kids: Affordable Lodging
Are you trying to find a place for the whole family to sleep in London
- where you feel safe,
- that will leave you with a few quid for meals, theatre or souvenirs, and
- isn’t more than an hour’s commute on the Tube for most excursions.
It can be a bit tricky, but it can be done. There are loads of options. Keep reading I’ll share my savvy secrets on how I make it work on a budget.
Affordable family lodging is the hardest part to plan, IMHO. So many things to take into account.
Know Your Lodging Options
Hostels & Airbnb can be good choices no matter where you travel. Affordable hotels are also a good option if you want to be really close to the main areas you will visit.
Another HUGE money-saving idea is to be a house/pet sitter for someone. Websites like TrustedHouseSitters can be great places to find opportunities that will really make a difference in your travel budget. We have personally saved hundreds of dollars by house sitting or pet sitting all over Europe.
Know Your Neighborhoods
Sometimes cities are so big, like London, it’s hard to figure out which neighborhood to stay in. The London for Families City Guide gives you loads of information about 9 London neighborhoods.
I’ve packed the London for Families City Guide full of tips for everything from lodging and eating to activities and tube times/distances. It’s an affordable guide that has everything you need to choose the best “home base” neighborhood for your family adventure.
London with Kids: Affordable Food
If you aren’t able to find lodging with a kitchenette, you’ll be eating out a bit more, maybe. Remember, hostels generally have community kitchen areas. Check with your specific hostel to confirm.
Rest assured, there are loads of places that provide a family atmosphere at a reasonable price. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with Marks & Spencer’s Cafe, Tesco, or Sainsbury’s in-store cafes or lunch grab-and-go meal deals in the deli section of the store.
Go, Gourmet!
If you want to go gourmet, just pop into a bakery or deli (or even the big shopping chains) and grab some bread, fruit, deli meat, chocolate, and your favorite beverage. Then head for the nearest park bench or grassy spot with a view. Some of our best memories are of simple meals with beautiful scenery.
Here are a few links to help you find an inexpensive sit-down meal in a location that’s not attached to a supermarket.
Cost-Conscious Airfare
If you’re stumped on how to save on flights to London, check out Secrets for Cheap Flights to Europe. I share all my airfare secrets to help shave dollars (or whatever your currency is) off your transportation budget. Here are some tips on long-haul air travel and other things to consider if London is not your only European destination.
Alright, that’s a wrap on London with kids. If you want even more help planning your London trip, grab the London for Families City Guide.
These Virtual Museums & Unit Studies Are The Perfect Way Learn About Britain (and Europe)
Your London Family Travel Questions Answered
Yes, London is a very family-friendly city. There are many attractions and activities that are perfect for families, as well as a good public transportation system that makes it easy to get around.
Some of the most popular family attractions in London include:
🗝British Museum
🗝Natural History Museum
🗝Science Museum
🗝Tower of London
🗝London Eye
🗝Buckingham Palace
🗝Houses of Parliament
🗝Westminster Abbey
🗝London Zoo
🗝ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
🗝Shrek’s Adventure! London
🗝SEA LIFE London Aquarium
🗝KidZania London
Check out the London For Families Guides and start planning today!
🧭The best way to get around London with kids depends on where you are staying and what you plan to do. If you are staying in the city center, you can easily get around on foot or by public transportation. The London Underground, also known as the Tube, is a great way to get around quickly and easily. Children under 11 travel free on public transportation with a paying adult.
There are a number of ways to save money on family travel in London. Here are a few tips:
🧭Purchase a London Pass or Go London Card to save money on admission to popular attractions.
🧭Pack your own lunches and snacks to avoid eating out all the time.
🧭Take advantage of free activities, such as visiting the British Museum or Hyde Park.
🧭Look for discounts on hotels and activities online.
🧭Consider staying in a suburb of London, where hotels are often less expensive.
FREE Planning resources Delivered to your inbox this week!
More London Resources to Help You Homeschool, Travel, and Learn
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Travel Planning Worksheets$5.00 -
12 Days of Christmas in Great Britain Unit Study$12.00 -
Christmas in Dickens’ Victorian England$25.00 -
Christmas in Shakespeare’s Medieval England$25.00 -
Dickens Victorian England Christmas – Sample Lesson$0.00 -
Shakespeare’s Medieval England Christmas – Sample Lesson$0.00 -
Let’s Study British Authors$66.00 -
Jane Austen Unit Study – Regency Era England$25.00 -
Shakespeare’s London$14.95 – $25.00 -
Charles Dickens’ London$30.00 -
Roman Britain Unit Study & Virtual Museum Tour$12.00 -
Let’s Study Charles Dickens & Victorian England Unit Study Bundle$25.00 -
Let’s Study Isaac Newton: A Life of Discovery PDF Download Version$27.00 -
Let’s Study Shakespeare’s England Unit Study Bundle$25.00 -
Let’s Study Famous Folks Unit Study Sampler$12.00
Homeschool, Travel & Learn with the Let’s Study Europe bundle
No more cobbling your curriculum together and hoping it works! Everything you need is included in this World Geography bundle!
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Let’s Study Europe$24.00
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Wow – I am glad I have been keeping an eye on your recommendations. I thought it would be years before we would get to England again and now it is looking like months, and if some of your suggestions on budget travel pan out for us, that will help a LOT.
SO Excited for you Karen! You are just going to love it. If you have any questions, I’m here to help.
Thank you for information on the Oyster Card! I had heard it mentioned before but didn’t really know what it was. I also have never utilized Trusted Housesitters but would love to give it a try. One thing I always miss when we travel is my dog so I’d enjoy pet sitting. 🙂
You’re welcome, Kallsy. The Oyster Card is great! You can get it when you get there, but it’s best to have it mailed to you if the timeframe works out. Saves so much time when you first arrive. Trusted Housesitters is a great group of people. We’ve done several house sits, all with great experiences. Since Trusted Housesitters is world-wide, you could find a house sit just about anywhere you want to go. Stay Captivated!