Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: England
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: £43-110 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in England
Accommodation
£15-35 per night
Dorm beds in hostels (typically 6-12 bed rooms), budget guesthouses in less central areas, or university halls during summer months. You'll be sharing bathrooms and common spaces, but most places include basic breakfast.
Food & Dining
£15-30 per day
Meal deals from supermarkets (around £3-4), cheap takeaway spots, pub lunch specials, and self-catering from grocery stores. The occasional sit-down meal at chain restaurants or local cafés. Breakfast often included with accommodation.
Transportation
£8-20 per day
Public buses and underground/metro systems with day passes or pay-as-you-go cards. Walking between attractions when practical. Regional trains with advance booking discounts for longer journeys.
Activities
£5-25 per day
Free museums and galleries (many major ones don't charge admission), walking tours with optional tips, parks and public spaces. The occasional paid attraction or budget-friendly guided experience.
Currency: £ British Pound Sterling (GBP). Note: Prices shown in pounds as this reflects actual on-the-ground costs. Current exchange rates fluctuate, but roughly £1 = $1.25-1.30 USD as of late 2024
Money-Saving Tips
Use supermarket meal deals for lunch - you'll get a sandwich, crisps, and drink for around £3-4 versus £10-15 at a café. That's easily £40-50 saved over a week
Book train tickets 8-12 weeks in advance when possible. Advance fares typically run 50-70% cheaper than walk-up prices, which can be shockingly expensive
Take advantage of the genuinely free museums - London especially has world-class museums with no admission charge. That's £15-25 per attraction you're saving compared to many European cities
Get an Oyster card or contactless payment card for London transport rather than buying individual tickets. Daily caps mean you'll never overpay, and it's roughly 30-40% cheaper than paper tickets
Eat your main meal at lunch rather than dinner when possible - many restaurants offer set lunch menus that are considerably cheaper than evening à la carte, sometimes half the price for similar food
Stay slightly outside city centers and use public transport to get in. You might save £30-60 per night on accommodation, and a weekly transport pass typically costs £30-40
Visit pubs for dinner rather than restaurants - pub meals are usually £10-15 versus £20-30 for similar quality food at a sit-down restaurant, and the atmosphere is arguably more authentically English anyway
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the public transport system. London black cabs especially are 4-5 times more expensive than the Tube, and it adds up shockingly fast across a week
Eating in heavily touristy areas near major attractions - you'll typically pay 50-100% more for mediocre food. Walk 5-10 minutes away from tourist hotspots and prices drop noticeably
Buying walk-up train tickets on the day of travel. England's rail system charges premium prices for flexibility, sometimes £80-120 for a journey that costs £20-30 with advance booking
Not checking if attractions offer combination tickets or passes. Many cities have tourist cards that bundle transport and attractions, potentially saving 30-40% if you're planning to visit multiple sites
Exchanging currency at airports or tourist exchange bureaus - the rates are typically 8-12% worse than using ATMs or getting a decent travel card with no foreign transaction fees