London is one of Europe’s most happening megacities – and one of the priciest. A few hundred pounds won't go far. What can you do there without spending much?
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00:00London calling!
00:03The city of royal splendor,
00:08Big Ben
00:10and fish and chips.
00:12But London is also notorious for luxury shopping and sites with hefty admission fees.
00:18Is this overstretching your wallet?
00:21Don't ditch the dream just yet!
00:24Even in one of Europe's most expensive cities, there are still lots of fun and affordable things to do.
00:30And some of the most famous attractions are totally free.
00:34Let me show you.
00:36My first stop is at the Houses of Parliament and the famous clock tower known as Big Ben.
00:47Big Ben is actually a nickname for the massive bell inside the clock tower.
00:52It weighs 13.7 metric tons.
00:57Not far downstream, on the River Thames, I'm stopping at another major landmark, Tower Bridge.
01:03Instead of paying £13.40 to get inside,
01:06I am enjoying stunning views of the city from its walkways and from beside the bridge for free.
01:14A free way to travel in London is of course on foot, but the public transport system is affordable too.
01:21If you're looking for the cheapest option, get on one of those double-decker buses.
01:26They're also a sightseeing adventure in themselves.
01:29For the best views, head to the upper deck and sit in the front.
01:35Or you can take the tube or subway. It's the oldest in the world.
01:39All of London's public transport works with cashless payment.
01:43There are automatic price caps, so you never pay more than necessary.
01:47A day ticket for the bus and underground in the central zones 1 and 2 costs £8.10.
01:55Next, I want to explore more of London off the beaten track.
01:59I'm joining an art walk in the East End.
02:07Here in the Shoreditch neighborhood, artists have transformed the streets into a sort of open-air gallery.
02:14There are several operators in London offering free tours, but you're encouraged to at least tip the guide.
02:23Working for free tours by foot, essentially we offer a pay-what-you-feel.
02:28And I guess it's a sort of way of really allowing anybody to sort of come along.
02:33It's making street art and tours generally accessible, and I think that's really important.
02:40Now I'm ready to dive into the city's cultural scene.
02:44Many of the museums offer free admission. My pick is the Natural History Museum.
02:53The blue whale skeleton suspended majestically in the entrance is simply breathtaking.
03:01I'm drawn to a part of the exhibition dedicated to a certain type of extinct animal.
03:08The museum has one of the most comprehensive collections of dinosaurs in the world, including fossils and lifelike models.
03:19If you're into culture, Shakespeare's Globe is a must-see.
03:23Last-minute tickets for the following week go on sale online for five pounds every Friday.
03:29We're not allowed to film at a play, but here's a quick impression.
03:33No longer Celia, but...
03:38Alien!
03:39Alien!
03:40Alien!
03:41Alien!
03:42Alien!
03:43Alien!
03:44Alien!
03:45Alien!
03:47Alien!
03:50Alien!
03:51Alien!
03:52Alien!
03:56This is a great entertainment option, and it's even cheaper than the cinema.
04:00And this tradition dates back to Shakespeare's times.
04:03Back then, there were tickets for only one penny.
04:07For dinner, I am going for a British classic, fish and chips.
04:11Due to inflation and rising prices, this fast food isn't as cheap as it used to be.
04:17I am paying 19 pounds, but the portion is generous and fills me up after my long day.
04:33So what's the damage to my wallet after a full day of exploring London?
04:38I spent 18 pounds on transport, 23 pounds on food, so a total of 41 pounds for the day.
04:48All it takes is a little bit of planning to make the most of your trip without spending a fortune.