TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

London is a huge travel hub, and when you are flying overseas, there is a good chance you will have to transfer there. Whether you are visiting Europe, Africa or Asia, many flights connect in London (especially when flying from the USA). But unlike transferring in other large cities, where you just have to find your way around the airport between flights, you might have to change airports in London.

There are six airports in London, though Heathrow and Gatwick are the most popular for international flights. So if you are transferring in London, make sure you know which airport you need to be at for your connection. You might have to get all the way across the city, rather than just across a terminal.

London is a huge city which is spread over a wide area. The London Underground (locally called the Tube) is a great way to get around, or use the local buses.

Buy a One-Day Off-Peak Travelcard and you can use all the trains and buses you like after 9.30am.

Tickets can be bought in advance from local newsagents and convenience stores, or from railway and underground stations and they cost little more than a single regular priced trip.

No, they're not for seafood restaurants. The Oyster card is used for cheaper fares on London's public transit system. It looks like a credit card, that you touch to card sensors at various points in the Tube stations, buses and tram stops.

You just charge the card up before your trip, and you're ready for much more convenient travel around London. It's easier to use than paper tickets, and the rates are significantly lower (sometimes 50% lower). Just don't forget that when you use the Tube, you have to touch the card sensors at the END of your trip because rates are calculated based on total distance.

Buy an Oyster card at any Tube station and many news stands too. You can even order one through their website, and then you'll be ready to go the minute your plane arrives in London.

London is a traveler’s Mecca. There is so much to do and see in London, one wonders where to start. The following list of tips will help you make the most of your trip to London. Enjoying the history, the majesty, and the adventure is easy and free, if you plan properly.

• Plan your own Harry Potter Tour. Even though many commercial tours are available, you can avoid the cost by visiting these places on your own. Places such as Tottenham Court Road, Kings Cross Station, and London Zoo are all real, free (or cheap) places to visit in London that are mentioned in the books.

• Many other free activities exist in London. Major museums, including the British Museum, Imperial War Museum, and the National Gallery have no cost. Other museums including the National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Natural History Museum are also free.

• Free concerts can be had throughout London, including at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hyde Park, and St. Giles.

• Plan a general movie tour. Sights in London which appear in movies include: the book shop (which is really an antique shop) from Notting Hill (located at 142 Portobello Road), County Hall, which appeared in Mission Impossible, Park Street SE1, which was used in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, and Draper’s Hall, which appeared in Goldeneye.

London is the 16th most expensive city in the world so expect to pay a lot more for food, drinks, accommodation and tickets to attractions. The most expensive cafés and restaurants are in the city centre and close to the main attractions. Although cafés along the Embankment of the River Thames look charming, they will be expensive. Soho is generally pricey, along with Notting Hill. Greenwich has many restaurants, with a range of prices. Chinatown is a good area to head for as there are always bargain menus. Head for the Baozi Inn in Chinatown where a set lunch is around £8.50 and main courses at night are tasty at around £8 each. Indian and Ethnic restaurants are also good places to find filling food on the cheap. Jambo in Tottenham, Kitfo House in Vauxhall and Dosa n’Chutny in Tooting all do great food at sensible prices. Comptoir Libanis serves Lebanese cuisine in Marylebone. It has no menus, just a self-service counter so you help yourself, pay the cashier and sit on a stool. You save on service charges too!

Vegetarian restaurants are also surprisingly cheap, even if you’re not a vegetarian yourself. Beatroot in Soho serves comfort food such as bean hotpot and veggie shepherds’ pie for under £7, or head for the community-run Bonnington Centre Café in Vauxhall Grove. The Garden Café on Lambeth Palace Road is another star, with vegetarian main courses for around £6.

Eating out in England, particularly in London, is much more expensive than in the USA. However, the traditional fare of fish and chips, wrapped in paper and eaten on a park bench is as good as gets. Sprinkle salt and vinegar on the battered fish, just like the locals do!

Alternatively, pubs serve excellent home-cooked fare, often called 'Pub Grub' which is always generously portioned, hot and tasty.

Carveries are another great British deal - basically they are all you can fit on your plate from the buffet and include carved meats, crispy roast potatoes, a wide selection of vegetables and sides along with lashings of thick brown gravy.

The great thing about London is that there is a ton to do for free. You can visit a number of museums, galleries, and attractions for absolutely nothing. Learn about the history and culture of London without spending a dime. The following activities will cost you nothing.

• Burgh House and Hampstead Museum, Clown’s Gallery and Museum, Tate Modern, the Science Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery are all free of charge, except for special exhibits.

• Standing room only, restricted view tickets for the Jerwood Theater can be had for ten pence (ok, it’s not free, but it is pretty close).

• Queen Mary’s Rose Garden in Regent Park is a lovely spot that is absolutely free to visit.

• Naturally, one of the most popular free things to do is to watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

• Visit Trafalgar Square for free as well.

• Many street markets have no admission cost, but you may end up spending your souvenir budget. These include: Camden Market, Portobello Market, and Brick Lane Market.

• The world-famous Westminster Abbey is free if you go to worship.

• Witness the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.

• The gorgeous homes of London are often available to tour. A great free one is Kenwood House.

London can be an expensive place to visit, but many of the art galleries and museums have free admission.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Greenwich Maritime Museum are all packed with treasures and are absolutley free. For art lovers, the Tate Modern and the National Gallery are free, along with many other art galleries.

The Natural History Museum has free entry but does charge for temporary exhibitions, but it is still a great value day out!