London is truly one of the world's best cities. From attractions and history, to nightlife and fashion, and everything in between, London is culturally unique city.
Best of all it's on your doorstep and the winter time can be one of the most magical times to visit this great city. Now more than ever is it easier to get to London.
Firstly, you need to get here. The train is by far the most direct and quickest route into London. If you already have some kind of pass or discount railcard, now is the time to use it. Coaches offer frequent services to Victoria Coach Station and when booked early can really help you save money. National Express has started introducing lots of new coaches with plush leather seats which makes the ride that much more bearable. Definitely something worth looking into if you are trying to stick to a budget.
Next step is the hotel and London is full of them. From five-star luxury to boutique B&Bs, there's plenty to choose from. If it's a romantic weekend you are after, a hostel just won't cut it so keep an eye out for any deals you might see. One of my favourite budget hotels is the London Hyde Park hotel, located (yep, you guessed it) on the corner of Hyde Park between Queensway and Notting Hill Gate underground stations.
This three and a half star Doubletree hotel (by Hilton) is in a great location for exploring the city, is close to the London Underground, steps from Hyde Park and is a bus ride from Piccadilly Circus. Large rooms and complimentary wifi in the ground floor public areas add to the convenience of this hotel. Booking early in advance, I was able to get a rate of £98 per night for two people sharing and including breakfast.
Heading in to London and I've also managed to get a trip on one of the most iconic landmarks in the UK, the London Eye. Queues for the London Eye can get long very quickly at the weekends so I would recommend getting there early, or why not try an evening 'flight' and enjoy the views across London as the sun sets? Tickets cost £19 per adult and £10 for a child under 15 and can be booked in advance at Attractiontix.
So that's £49 per person for one night including breakfast at the Doubletree Hotel. You'll maybe spend £20 for travel (including your travel in London too) and if you haven't already got one, it's worth investing in an Oyster card. You can buy them at underground stations and the currently charge £5 as a deposit but you can top as and when you need to, and it can save you a fortune instead of buying single tickets. If you've got the stamina, however, London is a great place to enjoy by foot.
To get to Oxford Street from the hotel, you can take a nice stroll through Hyde Park and even Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament are accessible through Green Park and St James' Park. Another £19 for the London Eye and you’re at £88 per person. Don't forget your lunch and dinner. Perhaps a nice picnic in the park during the Summer or a simple Chinese buffet in Chinatown will do the trick.
All in all, a great weekend break for less than £100 each.
