Money Saving Tips for Students in London
London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, but there’s simply no escaping the fact that a trip there can be very expensive. This is even more of an issue if you opt to study in London, something which many thousands of students do every year. The good news is that there are ways of making your money go further when studying in London and staying in London Backpackers accommodation in North London is just the beginning.
Hotel or Hostel?
Staying in a London budget hostel doesn’t mean compromising on the quality of your accommodation. Cheap hostels in London are not only clean and comfortable, they offer all of the facilities you could need. From free Wi-Fi to a fully equipped kitchen and friendly staff ready and willing to help, a London budget hostel provides the perfect environment for you to concentrate on your studies and make the most of the funds available to you.
Public Transport
When you stay in a London Backpackers youth hostel you have a base from which you can explore this incredibly exciting city. Taking taxis everywhere will be extremely expensive, while many of the most popular destinations are simply spread too far and wide to visit on foot. Luckily, the public transport system of London is excellent, offering an integrated network of buses and over ground and underground trains. To maximise your savings, purchase a Student Oyster photo card, which gives a 30% discount to students travelling on all parts of the London transport system.
International Student Identity Card
An International Student Identity Card, whether it’s a virtual app or an actual plastic card, entitles students to discounts all over the world, and that includes London. Travel with the card around London and you can take advantage of money off activities, attractions, food and drink and eating out. Amongst the hundreds of vendors taking part in the scheme are Apple, Vue Cinemas, The Economist magazine and Wembley Stadium.
Grab Those Freebies
Even though you’re studying for your future while you’re London backpacking, you’ll still want to have as much fun in the city as you can. Make the most of everything that’s on offer by tracking down the literally hundreds of attractions, activities and venues which are available free of charge. From your student accommodation in Hendon you can easily visit world class museums such as the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum, as well as Tate Modern, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, and all of these are free to enter. Throw in a range of parks and gardens, events such as the Changing of the Guard and world class markets, street art and historical buildings, and you’ll simply never run out of free things to do.
All the Kit You’ll Need
Although your London Backpackers accommodation is packed with the kind of facilities you’ll need during your stay, it still pays to make sure you travel fully equipped. If you want to save as much money as possible, your backpack should contain more than just the clothes you need, and that means items such as:
- Gaffer tape for making quick fixes to bags, books etc.
- Plastic bags for storing dirty or wet clothes
- A few pictures from home to decorate your room and stop you feeling too homesick
- Playing cards for easy entertainment
- A padlock for extra security
- Any converters you might need for the 3 pin plug sockets in London
Choose Your Moment
Since you’re saving money on your London budget hostel, make sure you travel as cheaply as possible. That means taking the time to research the cost of various flights and other travel options and choosing when to travel to London on the basis of when you can save the most money. With many airlines, this might mean flying midweek, landing in the early hours of the morning or flying into a regional airport and travelling on to London. Mix and match your options and travel when you can save the most money – after all, if you miss the first weekend of your course, you’ll still have the time – and more money – to make up for it later on.
