COST SAVING TIPS TRAVELING BRITAIN
Getting around the UK with a Little Left Over
The dollar-pound exchange rate
has taken a budget friendly turn. England is on sale again. But finding
ways
to save
a little
extra money on your activity to do list can allow you to stretch
a trip even farther. Here are just a few of the ways to make the
most of your money and cut costs when traveling around the British Isles.
By planning ahead you can take advantage of some of the best savings,
especially when booking lodgings or travel. There are also a large variety
of special events around the country which can be enjoyed at a discount
if you know where to look.
Money Exchange
The best exchange rates can usually be had by using an ATM card directly
from a bank branch. Use a machine at a major bank. The charge from the
local bank and your own home bank will still be less than the rate and
fee at a money exchange service.
Hotels and Alternatives Accommodation
Discounted Hotels
If you are looking for a romantic vacation getaway at a country house
hotel in the Lake District or a guest house hotel booking sites for
best last minute rates. If you find a choice you like, you might check
the hotel site directly. Sometimes the property has the lowest rate
and sometimes a booking service has negotiated a lower deal. Some smaller
B&Bs and guest houses are only bookable by email, which isn't quite
so good for last minute.
Budget Hotel Chains
With hotel chains based in the cities and on major routes around the
UK you can pay around £49 a night for two adults or a family
of four sharing a room (children under 15 stay and eat for free). Holiday
Inn Express has
rooms as low £39 in the low season. Premier
Inn has some very good locations near major tourist sites. Very
often you can find a room just showing up, but in popular towns prices
can more than double at busy times, so better to book ahead.
Find a City Apartment
In many major cities you can find serviced flats to rent for a single
night or longer. If you need more than one room for a large family
or traveling friends this can work out cheaper than a hotel. Some
have hotel style benefits such as internet access or reception facilities
plus
you can
cook your
own
meals. Most
cities have public transportation so you can get around, but an apartment
within walking distance of the sights you want to see will save money
on public transport. Saco
Apartments Bridge Street
Stay in a Countryside Cottage
If you're looking to really get a feel for how the locals live, rent
a cottage in the English countryside. Bedding is usually supplied and
kitchens are fully equipped so all you will need is to visit the local
farm shop for fresh produce. Short breaks are available (usually a
three night minimum) though week long rentals are more typical during
the British school summer holidays. Visit
Britain -- Dales
Holiday Cottages
Holiday in the Forest
The United Kingdom Forestry Commission has 18 woodland sites around
the country where you can camp, park your caravan or stay in a wood
cabin. Motor home caravans, tents and cabins, even some tree houses
are offered with prices starting from £109 for a three night
stay. Forest Holidays
Hostels
Stay in some wonderful scenic locations and meet other travelers.
You don't have to be a member to use youth hostels though you can save
money if you are. The Youth Hostels
Association (YHA) has the largest choice of hostels in England
and Wales offering anything from fairly basic Camping Barns (around £10 per night)
in the countryside, to private rooms in city center locations (from £20
to around £34 per night in London).The Scottish
Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) has over 70 hostels, from crofters
cottages to castles in some remote locations (around £14) and in cities too (around £20).
Canals, Rivers and Waterways
There are thousands of waterway miles to explore from the comfort of
a holiday boat taking in the rural sights at a gentle pace through
the UK. There are boat hire companies spotted all around the country
from Shropshire to Loch Ness, so you can choose the area that appeals
most and discover it in detail. Boat rental costs starting around £200
per week per person and is great for families and groups who enjoy
visiting canal side villages, pubs and restaurants, seeing wildlife
and exploring interesting museums. Waterscape
Travel Around the UK
Coach and Bus Travel
National Express coach
routes cover the country and bus fares are usually cheaper than standard
rail road fares. Seasonal offers provide a limited
number special discount fares but the sooner you reserve the more likely
you are to find the best fares. In the northeast Yorkshire
Coastliner
Rail Travel
Always book your journey in advance. Fares are usually released for
sale 12 weeks before, so this is the best time to find
a cheaper fare though like an airline discount the ticket may be restricted
to a specific day and time. It can even be worth buying
the day before you travel, to make savings on standard National
Rail Fares.
Megabus
You can also book train and bus routes through Megabus.
There are less routes available than through National Express or National
Rail but
you can book up to 45 days in advance and prices start from £1.
The earlier you book the more likely you are to find a good deal. Trains
must be booked at least a day before travel but buses can be bought
up to 30 minutes before the coach departs.
Oyster Cards
In London this pay as you go travel card caps your daily costs at the
cheapest price available. You’ll save on cash payments for individual
journeys on the underground. Kids under 11 travel for free when accompanying
an adult, 11-15 year olds need to purchase a Travelcard. Oyster Card
Attractions - Going Out
Sightseeing Pass
The Great British Heritage Pass is the most comprehensive pass for
entry to 580 attractions over four to 30 days and has some of the best
reductions if you intend to pack in the sights. It also allows you
to skip lines at busy locations like Hampton Court or Warwick
Castle.
Museums and Galleries
Many of the UK’s best museums and art galleries are free to enter,
though a voluntary donation is available. Some of the best museums
in London including the British Museum and the National Gallery as
well as the National Railway Museum in York and National Museums in
Cardiff and numerous Scottish museums too.
Buy Theatre Tickets for Half-Price.
The Tkts
tickets booth in Leicester Square, London offers the best seats in the
theatre at half
the standard
price. On the day of the performance you can
check out the shows available and go right to the booth itself where you can
buy tickets. Alternatively on the day, stand-by tickets are sometimes available
direct from the theatres’ box office. There are other brokers near Leicester
Square that promote half-price tickets but go to the official TKTS booth.
Fine dining If you want to eat well but not blow your budget try a fixed price
lunch or pre-theatre menu. Book in advance online and there are a wide choice
of deals to be found in many towns and cities. 5PM Toptable
Festivals for Fun
There are hundreds of festivals and
local fairs and fetes taking place all year round with many free and low cost
events taking place. When you get to
a town, check with the local tourist office for details.
National Gardens
Over three thousand English gardens are open for charity throughout the year.
If you are an gardening enthusiast or just a tourist in search of green and
flowery color this is an enjoyable way to visit privately owned gardens with
an abundance of fascinating and well tended plants and often get to meet the
owners and maybe sample a spot of cream tea as well. National
Gardens Scheme
Shopping VAT -UK Tax Refund
Visitors who live outside the European Community and leave within 3 months
can claim back the VAT (value added tax - currently 17.5%) charged on most
goods sold in the UK. You need to fill in VAT 407 refund form from the store
and have it stamped by the VAT refund office at the airport or shipping port. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find the best travel and hotel deals in Britain at TripAdvisor
Web Info
Visit Britain
Article by Lucy Smith courtesy Visit Britain Additional content copyrighted property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
See Also:
GREAT
BRITISH HERITAGE PASS
Save on Britain Historic Sight-Seeing
LONDON
SIGHTSEEING BY BUS TOUR
Best Ways to See London from a Double-Decker
TOWER OF LONDON
Mind Your Head and the Family Jewels
LONDON'S
BEST HISTORIC PUBS
Tour the Favorite Pubs of Literary and Historic Londoners
UK
AIRPORT PARK STAY & GO PACKAGE
Hi Express and Crowne Plaza
