Tips on Being Frugal in the City?

**Bournecrazy** · 09-18-2008, 10:21 AM

i have to go to London to do a course for work and i have to food and transport plus entertainment whilst i am there, but i dont want to spend much as i am going the last week of Novemeber and have christmas to think about, but was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to stay frugal whilst i am away.

**peanut** · 09-18-2008, 02:22 PM

Ooohhh...London can be an expensive city to live in. I hear the subway system is a real good affordable way to get around. Check out the connections within walking distance of where you're staying.

I don't know about the rest. It's been 30 years since I was last in London! Maybe someone else with more recent knowledge can help. Sorry.

edited to add: I know when we Canadians travel to London, we often take supplies (a bar laundry soap) to wash our laundry each night in the hotel sinks and hang dry off their clothes racks...saving on laundry. Course, if you have a private bath, you could hang dry from the shower rod. Depending how long you're going to be there and just how tight the budget is, you might consider this.

Cooking from scratch helps of course...but I have no idea where you'd buy cheap, but good quality, groceries there. Are you going to have access to a full fledged kitchen you can use while there? Or are they expecting you to support the local restaurants?

Jean

**leezza** · 09-18-2008, 02:48 PM

What is the company paying for on your expense report???

*Hotel
*Transportation
*Meal money per day

When my hubby traveled to London he couldn't believe how much it cost to eat out.....even fast food was way expensive.

So give us a few more details and maybe we can suggest things : )

leezza

**Bournecrazy** · 09-18-2008, 03:31 PM

accommodation is paid for by the company. breakfast provided by otle and lunch by company but need to find own food for 3 nights i am there. i am plannin on taking snacks and water based foods like instant noodles. there is not kitchen as such just basic tea/coffee facilites in each room so i can take my own coffee. ive only ever been London for a day never more than that. for evening meals we have a limit of so much. not sure yet they havent told me, but it wont be much, i just dont want to spend so much of my own money (even if i can claim it back) on things like food and eating out.

travel has to be paid for my me but i can claim expencies back (but prob wont be for a while)

the tube system confuses me so ill prob get lost lol. i have instructions tho.

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-18-2008, 03:39 PM

The tube is extremely easy, you won't get lost. Day passes are cheaper than paying for individual rides.

If the company is paying for lunch, I would eat a big lunch

then just stick to the snacks and instant soup in the evening. Eating out is crazy expensive.

As far as entertainment is concerned, are you going to be going about with workmates? Or are you kind of there on your own? It's not a very good time of year for sight seeing, and the theatre and such would be very expensive. The British Museum of course is free if that is the end of town you are staying in (although also easy to get to on the tube).

**leezza** · 09-18-2008, 03:57 PM

You may want to email your hotel and ask if there are any deli's or pasty shops near to your hotel......

Hubby found a pasty shop near their office and said they were good, filling, and not too expensive.

leezza

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-18-2008, 04:14 PM

Do you know what type of breakfast the hotel is providing? Full or continental? If it's a full English breakfast that's probably enough calories to carry you through the day

Check also to see if there is a fridge in the room. Hotels often have small fridges even if they don't have kitchen facilities. Some even have microwaves.

**ladykemma2** · 09-18-2008, 05:42 PM

cornwall pasties in tubes stations are filling and good. so are the fancy sub sandwiches, good to eat and run. (name?)

i like the gyros take away on every corner, chip shops, mcdonalds, KFC, and burgerking have a value menu, sainburys and tesco have takeaway food.

where exactly will you be?

an all day travel card or oyster card, which will you need?

don't take the bus, you could get and and push faster than you will ride. use the tube.

the museums are free, the cabinet war rooms were fascinating, you can walk anywhere for free, the whole area around parliament,big ben, downing street, westminster abbey,

st pauls area, museum of london not free ( the best), strand, covent garden, ballet

globe theatre (must see) southwark cathedral, london dungeon (depressing)

when i lived there I walked and walked. wear closed shoes - there is a lot of bum piss and broken glass. oxford street is a let down, picaddily circus (yawn). avoid the KFC on leicester square - clautrophobic and smelly.

there are good sushi places in covent garden and good chinese in leicester square.

**Jill B.** · 09-18-2008, 08:58 PM

I haven't been to London for 30 years but I know cities are similiar. In NYC I go to bagel delis for breakfast rather than the hotel. I know you can get cheap curries and falafels in London. You may just have to hunt down places but they do exist!

**Bournecrazy** · 09-19-2008, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

As far as entertainment is concerned, are you going to be going about with workmates?

im all alone. my manager is being stupid and said he cant afford to send us both (my BF is doing the course too) at the same time. he can but he likes his profits. a load of rubbish to me.

ill have to make sure i pack my ipod and DS so i wont get bored.

**Bournecrazy** · 09-19-2008, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by Jill B.

I haven't been to London for 30 years but I know cities are similiar. In NYC I go to bagel delis for breakfast rather than the hotel. I know you can get cheap curries and falafels in London. You may just have to hunt down places but they do exist!

im going to look into that nearer the time, gets lots of info from the net and an underground map too.

**Bournecrazy** · 09-29-2008, 04:49 PM

UPDATE:

i dont have to go to London now, which will save me loads on food / transport

i have to go somewhere nearer (60miles round trip) for 3 days this weekend and i have to drive myself there - im not good with directions and major roads.

i did really want to go London, *stomps feet*i wanted to go to the Hilton *grumbles*

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-29-2008, 04:52 PM

Sorry

Where are you going instead?

**Bournecrazy** · 09-30-2008, 05:12 AM

a place called Sutton its near Birmingham (if you are familar with the UK) its in an awkward place, not on any direct train lines or bus routes, so i have no option but to drive