Travel-savvy with an Oyster Card takes first place in the list of best ways to visit London on a budget. When visiting London, any visitor worth their weight in financial savvy will take the Underground. In comparison to a Black Cab, the Underground network is extensive, convenient, and reasonably priced. That's why so many Londoners pass by it every day (even if we do complain about it now and then).

One thing to keep in mind is to obtain an Oyster Card from your departing tube station. There is a small deposit of around £5 (refundable before you leave), and you can load credit onto it to travel across the Transport For London Network, which includes the Tube, buses, trams, and even the Thames Clipper (boats).

With an Oyster Card, your fares are not only reduced for the day, but they are also capped at a daily amount of around £8. This means you can never go over budget, and any other travel that day is completely free. It truly is one of the most affordable ways to visit London.

Visit London Attractions That Are Close Together ranks 2nd place in the list of best ways to visit London on a budget. This may seem obvious, but planning your time in London will greatly reduce the stress of your trip. There are numerous things to see and do in this sprawling metropolis, with attractions located throughout. It's all too easy to burn out by trying to see everything in a short amount of time. Plan to visit two or three attractions per day that are close together to reduce travel time.

There's no point in zigzagging across London by public transportation when many attractions are within walking distance of one another. Simply focusing on one area per day will result in a much more relaxed London experience. To make things easier, attractions are usually 'bunched' together into areas.

Here are a few of the main ones:

• Kensington – 3 amazing free museums (Victoria and Albert V&A, Science Museum, and National History Museum – 7 days a week), Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park.
• Westminster – Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, London Eye and Buckingham Palace. You can take a free tour of the
• Houses of Commons (Gemma actually did work experience, read about it here).
• London Bridge – Tower Bridge, Tower of London and St Paul’s.
• South Bank – Tate Modern, Globe Theatre and Borough Market.

A West End Show is a popular excursion for most city visitors. There's always a good show going on, from old school theatre favorites like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera to newer funny shows like The Book of Mormon. Some people forget that you can get tickets to the show for half the normal price and truly visit London on a budget.

For example, go to the official TKTS, both of which are located in the heart of Leicester Square, to see if there are any unsold seats for the day's shows. You can choose the best West End shows and find the best seats from here. On weekends, as shows fill up faster, options may be limited, so check the booth first thing in the morning.

West End theatre shows in London, come and go and come and go again and basically carry on in this pattern (except the good old reliables like Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and probably Wicked since it came to London) so while they can’t guarantee that all of the shows below will be available when you’re in London, they can guarantee that if you’re up for a great West End show in London – these shows below are the ones you definitely have to watch!

The Thames is a river in southern England and the country's most important river. The River Thames is London's primary water supply. The Pool is the section of the river just below London Bridge, and the Port is the section between this bridge and Blackwall. Boat cruises on the River Thames can be expensive if you're trying to save money while visiting London. Taking the Thames Clipper - a network of boats that travel up and down the Thames owned and operated by Transport for London - is one way to cut costs by 70%.

You'll see attractions like Thames river cruises and pay a fraction of the price. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to get around and see London. Remember to bring your Oyster Card when you board the boat; tickets are even cheaper when you use that pass, with a trip from one station to another costing around £5.

Visit London’s Museums ranks 5th in the list of best ways to visit London on a budget. Enjoy the best of London's culture for free, from the city's many world-class free exhibitions to its stunning art galleries and historic houses. The permanent collections of these museums and galleries are free to visit, but special exhibitions may incur fees. It's no surprise that London is one of the world's cultural capitals, with so many free attractions to explore, including many of the city's wonderful museums and galleries!

All of London's publicly owned museums are FREE. They will not cost you anything, but you are welcome to make a donation if you so desire. If you find yourself in London and have some free time, you should definitely spend a day exploring the British Museum, The National History Museum, or The Imperial War Museum, to name a few. Honestly, the museums are just amazing and a perfect way to visit London on a budget. You don’t have to spend a penny!

Want to take a bus tour of Central London but are concerned about the high cost? Take, for example, an original double-decker London Bus that is part of the public transportation system. Take London Bus No.453 from Marylebone all the way south (you can get off just before Lambeth North station). You'll see Oxford Circus, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, and The Imperial War Museum.

The bus ride will take about an hour and will cost around £1.80, which is a significant savings over the £30 price tag for some hop-on-hop-off tours. The 453 bus runs every 5 minutes and is also available 24 hours a day. This is without a doubt one of the best ways to experience and visit London on a budget (Without those high tour costs).

London Budget Cheap Eats ranks 7th in the list of best ways to visit London on a budget. It is safe to drink tap water in the UK, so get yourself a sustainable water bottle (which is also good for the environment) and download the free Refill app to see which establishments offer free refills. Visiting one of London's many markets is an excellent way to keep food costs low. Every Sunday, you can sample cuisines from around the world at Brick Lane, including poutine (Canada), arepas (Peru), and curries (from varies countries). Filling your stomach without breaking the bank! Camden Market, London's largest market, is also popular among locals and visitors.

It's open every day at 10 a.m. and features over 1000 stalls selling food, art, crafts, clothing, and records. Buskers contribute to the overall atmosphere. Frank's Cafe is located behind the Tate Modern and serves 'lethal fry-ups,' which are an excellent hangover cure. Follow the workers in suits at lunchtime to find the cheap sandwich shops before heading to one of London's many parks for a picnic. For food collection at the end of the day, download the Too Good To Go app.