London just recently knocked Paris off from its number one ranking as the best-rated destination in the world by TripAdvisor.

And while TripAdvisor attributes the city’s ranking to the international excitement surrounding the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the truth is that London is an iconic and vibrant city that offers a lot to do and see. 

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Even though flight prices to London are dropping as Britain prepares to leave Europe, it’s no secret that travel to London comes with a hefty price-tag.

Here are 6 ways to save money during your trip to London:

Getting Around For Cheap

Oyster Card

The easiest way to get around in London is by using the Oyster Card for the city’s public transportation system.

The Oyster Card allows you to tap and go on the various means of transportation in London, including the tube, trains, and buses.

To get the best value, however, the Visitor Oyster Card is the better option for tourists. The visitor option will allow you to pay for the buses, the tube, most National Rail services and more.

Having a Visitor Oyster Card means that you will receive a daily cap on rates and allows you to save money with special offers and discounts at restaurants, shops, galleries and entertainment venues.

Keep in mind that you have to purchase the Visitor Oyster Card before your trip. 

Simply go online, order the card and register it just in case your misplace it.

Rent A Bike

Another option to get around during your stay in London is by renting a bike through the city’s bike-sharing system.

Santander Cycles offers 24-hour access to more than 11,5000 bikes and 750 docking stations across London.

It costs £2 to access a Santander Cycles bike for 24 hours and the first 30 minutes of each journey is free.

Longer journeys cost £2 for each additional 30 minutes, but the key is docking the bike if you’re not using. You can rent the bike as many times as you like within the bike access period you have purchased.

When Visiting Attractions

Purchase A London Pass

The London Pass gives you access to more than 80 popular tourist attractions in the city for free or a discounted price. The pass is available for 1, 2, 3, 6, or 10 consecutive days.

Instead of paying for each attraction one-by-one, the pass works by simply scanning your mobile ticket or card at the gate and London Pass credits will be deducted as you enter each attraction, depending which pass you buy.

Visit Free Sights and Museums

There are also free options in London so you don’t have to break the bank, including the Natural History Museum, Museum of London, and Hyde Park.

For great views in London that are free, head to Sky Garden and Greenwich Park.

Join A Free Walking Tour

Solo traveling but want some company?  Free Tours by Foot offers free, self-guided, and name-your-own-price guided London walking tours with professional and freelance tour guides.

There are also food and bike tours with no upfront cost. 

Shopping In London For Cheap

Shop Local

Located in West London, Portobello Market is where you will find independent artists selling artwork, vintage clothing, and various antiques.