United Kingdom · On a budget · 2 days · 11 stops
London on a budget: 2 days, mostly free
London is expensive, but its big national museums charge no entry fee – and this plan is built around that. Day one walks from the British Museum down to Westminster; day two crosses the City to the Sky Garden and the river to Tate Modern. You eat in Chinatown and at Borough Market rather than in restaurants.
In short
- Length
- 2 days, 11 stops
- Highlights
- British Museum, Sky Garden, National Gallery, St James's Park, Westminster Bridge
- Where to stay
- South Bank, Bloomsbury
- Getting around
- The Tube gets you everywhere quickly.
- Best time to go
- May to September is warmest with the longest days, but busy in high summer.
Free, sign in with an email code. In the app you only pick your start date and adjust the plan.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Bloomsbury to Westminster
British Museum
The permanent collection is free; only special exhibitions are paid. Egypt and the Lewis Chessmen make a good start.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): British Museumabout 15 min on foot
Chinatown
Around Gerrard Street, bakeries and takeaways sell dim sum and noodles to go.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Chinatownabout 5 min on foot
National Gallery
Free entry here too. Sitting on Trafalgar Square watching the lions costs nothing either.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Galleryabout 15 min on foot
St James's Park
Through Admiralty Arch into the park. The pelicans are fed in the early afternoon, otherwise look for them on the bank.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St James's Parkabout 15 min on foot
Westminster Bridge
Parliament and Big Ben from the bridge, no ticket needed. Then follow the riverside path along the south bank.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Westminster Bridge
Day 2
The City, Bankside and Borough
Sky Garden
The best free view in town, with a garden on the top floors. Book the free time slot in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sky Gardenright next door
Leadenhall Market
The covered lane under its Victorian glass roof is free to wander. Film fans will know it from Harry Potter.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Leadenhall Marketabout 15 min on foot
One New Change
Take the lift to the free roof terrace facing the dome of St Paul's.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): One New Changeabout 10 min on foot
Tate Modern
Cross the Millennium Bridge into the old power station. The collection is free, and the Blavatnik Building has a free viewing terrace.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tate Modernabout 10 min on foot
Borough Market
A late lunch from the street-food stalls. Many traders let you taste before you buy.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Borough Marketabout 15 min on foot
Tower Bridge
Follow the river to the bridge and walk across – that's free; only the exhibition up top is paid.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tower Bridge
Good to know
Contactless daily cap
Pay with a contactless card or phone and you never pay more than the daily cap on buses and the Tube. Buses are cheaper than the Tube.
What's free
The national museums, the parks, the Sky Garden and choral evensong at St Paul's or Westminster Abbey cost nothing.
Worth paying for
If you pay for one thing, make it the Tower of London – the Crown Jewels and a Yeoman Warder tour are unique.
Tap water
Restaurants serve tap water free on request. Many parks and stations have drinking fountains.
For the best time to go, public transport and where to stay, see the 3-day plan for London.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
London on a budget: frequently asked questions
Which London museums are free?
The national museums, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A. Only special exhibitions are paid.
How do I get around London on a budget?
Walk a lot, and pay contactless the rest of the time. The daily fare is capped automatically, and buses cost less than the Tube.
Is the Sky Garden really free?
Yes, entry costs nothing. You do need a pre-booked time slot and photo ID at the door.
More plans for London
- One dayOne day in London – Westminster to SouthbankA loop through Westminster, past Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden to the big wheel on the Thames – all on foot.
- WeekendA weekend in London: Friday to SundayArrive by the Thames on Friday, Westminster and the West End on Saturday, the Tower and a view from above on Sunday.
- 3 days3 days in London – a ready-made itineraryWestminster and the royal parks, the Tower and the South Bank, museums with free entry.
- 5 days5 days in London with WindsorThree neighbourhoods, a day at Windsor Castle and Greenwich on the Prime Meridian to finish.
- With kidsLondon with kids: 2 easy daysDinosaurs and experiments on day one, sharks, the big wheel and a boat ride on day two.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Fuzzypiggy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
More budget city breaks
France · On a budgetParis
Photo: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Netherlands · On a budgetAmsterdam
Photo: Kaz Alting, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Germany · On a budgetBerlin
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
