Planning a family trip to London can feel expensive before you even arrive. Between hotels, attractions, food, and transport, costs add up quickly, especially when you’re travelling with children. The good news however is that London is actually one of the best cities in the world for budget-friendly family travel, if you know where to look and can be a bit organised. Many of the city’s top attractions are completely free, kids can travel cheaply, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy London without spending a fortune.
Here are 14 practical ways to save money in London with kids and still have loads of fun.
1. Use Family Railcards for Day Trips
If you are planning on a day trip to London then look at Family & Friends Railcards as they can reduce train fares for adults and children travelling together and can work out a lot cheaper than petrol, tolls and parking prices .
2. Choose the Right Area to Stay
If you are planning on staying over night in London then where you stay can make a huge difference to your budget. Central London hotels are very expensive, but staying slightly outside the tourist hotspots can save you hundreds wihtout causing much, if any, inconvenience thanks to the brilliant tube system.
We recommend that you look for hotels or air bnb’s in the following areas:
- Paddington
- Greenwich
- South Bank
- King’s Cross
- Stratford
When searching also include some of the following criteria to help you save even more money:
- Family rooms
- Apartments with kitchens for self catering
- Free breakfast
- Hotels near Tube stations
3. Use Contactless Payments Instead of Paper Tickets
One of the easiest money-saving tips in London is avoiding paper travel tickets.
Adults can use contactless bank cards or Apple Pay/Google Pay on:
- The Tube
- Buses
- Trains
- DLR
- Trams
Daily fare caps mean you’ll never pay more than a set amount per day and it can work out cheaper than buying single tickets for each ride you take.
Also it’s good to note that children under 11 travel free with a paying adult on buses and the Tube which also makes London transport far cheaper for families than many other cities.
4. Visit London’s Free Museum
London has a number of free museums that are really interesting and have lots of hands on activities that kids will love. In peak season you may need to book a time slot in advance to avoid long queues or being turned away.
Our recomendations include:
- Natural History Museum
- Science Museum
- British Museum
- Tate Modern
Most also offer free family trails, activity packs, and interactive exhibits.
5. Look for Free Walking Tours
Another great way to explore the city and save money is by taking advantage of a free walking tours. These are a great budget alternative to expensive guided sightseeing tours and lots of them are child friendly too.
Many London companies offer:
- Harry Potter walks
- Royal London tours
- Jack the Ripper walks
- Historic Westminster tours
You simply tip what you feel the tour was worth so although not entirely free if you tip they can be very affordable.
6. Pack Snacks Picnics and Refillable Water Bottles
Food costs can explode when travelling with kids, especially in London, so we recommend taking snacks and drinks with you if you can. When the weather is nice there are loads of beautiful places where you can eat your picnic including one of the many free parks, down by the River or even in some attractions like museums.
London has free drinking water refill stations across the city, so it really does make sense to take your bottles with you and save money on water where you can. If your kids will only drink juice then grab one of those small concentrated juice drops that you can add as needed.
7. Book Major Attractions in Advance
If you can plan your itinerary in advance then do. Most of the popular London attractions are cheaper if you book online and in advance instead of at the door and on the day, not to mention in peak times places often sell out too.
Advance booking can save money on:
- London Eye
- Tower of London
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Also look for:
- Family bundles
- Multi-attraction passes
- Off-peak tickets
- Early morning slots
- Check discount sites like Groupon
- Use offers on things like cereal packets for 2for1
- Blue light cards can be good if you have one too
8.Take a Thames River Uber Boat Instead of a Tourist Cruise
A London boat trip is a great family experience but the traditional sightseeing cruises can be expensive, especially for larger families. However, the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is often much cheaper and still gives you amazing river views of:
- Tower Bridge
- The London Eye
- Canary Wharf
- The Houses of Parliament
Kids usually enjoy it just as much as a tourist cruise and most wont even know the difference.
9. Visit Free London Attractions
If this is your first time in London then you will probably want to do a couple of the paid for attractions but try and balance this out with some of the free attractions too. Not every memorable London experience costs money.
Completely free attractions include:
- Buckingham Palace (outside and Changing of the Guard)
- Sky Garden – book in advance
- Covent Garden
- Hyde Park
- South Bank
Some of our best family memories in London have cost absolutely nothing.
10. Take Advantage of Free Playgrounds
Despite being a city centre London has a surprising number of fantastic free playgrounds where children can run around and parents can take a break. Kids love exploring new places and spending time together as a family and a new park can be just as exciting as an expensive attraction.
We recommend:
- Diana Memorial Playground
- Coram’s Fields
- Jubilee Gardens
11. Plan Your Meals
If you are unable to take picnics with you, maybe because you are staying in a hotel with no kitchen access, then plan you meals in advance. Try and fill up on hotel the breakfast before you head out and then use meal deals in supermarkets to grab lunch and enjoy like a picnic instead of eating out.
Roughly work out where you plan to be around lunch time and do a quick search for supermarkets or cheaper places you know your family will enjoy like a bakery or McDonalds so you don’t get stuck with hungry children and feel the need to make impulse buys.
If you want to eat out in London then it can add up fast so again plan in advance. Consider eating out just one meal a day, or once or twice during your trip if you are staying self catering.
Then look for things like:
- Kids eat free
- Happy Hours
- Chains that do 2 for £x
12. Buy Souvenirs Outside Tourist Hotspots
If you want to buy souvenirs either for yourself or as gifts for friends and family back home then near avoid buying them at major attractions as they are usually overpriced.
Instead, check:
- Supermarkets
- Station shops
- Pound stores
- Local markets
You’ll often find the same London magnets, postcards, and toys for half the price.
13. Prioritise Quality Over Quantity
Trying to see everything in London usually leads to overspending and exhausted children.
Instead:
- Choose 1–2 major attractions daily
- Mix paid activities with free ones
- Schedule downtime in parks
Kids often remember playgrounds, bus rides, and street performers more than expensive attractions.
14. Set a Daily Budget Before You Go
The easiest way to avoid overspending is having a rough daily plan.
Break your budget into:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Attractions
- Emergency snacks and treats
Having limits helps you make smarter choices without constantly stressing about money. You could even give the kids their own budget too so if they want snacks and gifts they need to budget and prioritise just like you would.
London is a fantastic family friendly city and one everyone should visit at least once, even if it’s just for the day. It can be expensive but if you take time to plan and be a bit savvy then it can be a brilliant budget friendly destination.
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