Budget Travel in Britain As a little island, somewhat cut off from mainland Europe, Britain must seem rather small compared to the rest of the world. But visitors will be surprised how many enchanting towns and cities there are to explore and there is some spectacular countryside to enjoy too. Everywhere is well-connected by train but the trick to travelling around Britain on a budget is booking in advance.

Equity Point Hostel, in London

Transport

Trains are fast and efficient but they can be pricey. If you buy you train tickets specifically 12 weeks in advance you make huge savings. But even booking online the night before can often work out cheaper than buying tickets on the day from the station. No need to worry about postage, you can opt to pick tickets up from the kiosks on the day.

Avoid travelling at peak times Monday to Friday between 7:30 and 9:30 or between 16:00 and 19:00. If you want to keep your return date flexible, book an open return. This way, your return ticket will be valid for a month after the date on your outgoing ticket.

Similarly buses offer cheap deals to early birds. Journey times are generally longer but a little cheaper. If you don’t mind foregoing the scenery, why not book an overnight bus journey. If you leave London late in the evening you can arrive in Scotland early the next morning and you’ve saved yourself a night in a hotel!

To visit Northern Ireland you can buy a combined train and ferry ticket from any station in Britain for under £45. The cheapest route is to take the morning train to Holyhead in Wales and then the ferry to Dublin in the afternoon. Your ticket covers onward train travel to Belfast or any station in Northern Ireland. Alternatively, you can catch a train to Glasgow, continue by train to Stranraer and the final stretch is to Belfast by ferry.


Top Cities

London will be first on everyone’s list when visiting Britain. Big red buses, Nelson on his column and the Queen’s humble abode at Buckingham Palace; these are all the popular tourist sights but you’ll pay some less popular tourist prices for many London attractions. There are some easy ways to save money in the capital. Avoid the sightseeing buses. Instead, hop on a normal red bus for a cheap London tour. The number 15, for example, begins at Paddington station, travels round Marble Arch, down Regent Street, around Trafalgar Square and all along the Strand, Fleet Street past St Paul’s Cathedral to the Tower of London.

The Journey Hostel in Brighton

Some of London’s main attractions are free. The Victoria and Albert Museum houses a world famous collection of art and craft. You can browse the permanent collection at the Tate Modern for free too and the displays at Selfridges and Harrods are so fantastic that window shopping is an event in its own right. If you need a hostel London has plenty of properties right in the city centre.

Edinburgh is a very attractive city. From the main shopping drag on Princes Street you can enjoy sweeping views up to Edinburgh Castle. The whole city is twinkling at Christmas and the Scots certainly know how to throw a party at New Year – which they call Hogmanay – but in August, the Edinburgh Festival is heaving with theatre groups, comedians, magicians, singers and dancers each offering shows to suit any budget. There’s even a Free Fringe where you can source all the free events in Edinburgh. You’ll need to book accommodation and Edinburgh hostels well in advance if you want to visit during the festival or over Hogmanay.

Of course, Glaswegians would do anything to persuade you that Glasgow is the more important Scottish city, and if you decide to humour them with a visit, you won’t be disappointed. The beautiful Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is free and houses over 200,000 items. Other venues with free entry include Glasgow cathedral, the Gallery of Modern Art and for green space, try the People’s Palace at Glasgow Green. Staff at your Glasgow youth hostel  will be able to recommend plenty of other free things to do in the city.

The Victorians all enjoyed a good trip to the seaside and Britain has a number of

Smart City Hostel, Glasgow

charming resorts that hark back to their architectural origins in the 1900s. Brighton is just 50 minutes from London by train, an easy day trip but well worth a few nights’ stay in a Brighton youth hostel. It’s a bustling university town and there’s still very much a creative atmosphere leftover from the days of the mods and hippies who loved to visit Brighton in the 60s. You can easily wile away an afternoon wandering around the boutique shops and cafes in an area called ‘the lanes’. Next, head to the pebble beach to see the pier lit up with amusements and rollercoasters. Another reason to spend a few days here is the nightlife. There are some lovely pubs and beach clubs or why not try a comedy night at Komedia arts venue.

Cardiff is located at the mouth of the river Severn and was once the world’ busiest port. It is home to a lively student population with plenty of watering holes to suit student and backpacker budgets. Try the Pen and Wig near the student union. It has a lovely walled beer garden, pool tables and board games behind the bar. If you’re visiting in September, look out for the Great British Cheese Festival which offers a cheap two-day entrance fee and ample opportunities to enjoy free samples.

Belfast is picturesquely situated between rolling hills and the sea. There are charming Victorian buildings in the city centre and plenty of marked trails for hikers starting from Belfast Castle and leading up to the summit at Cave Hill.


Accommodation

Whether you intend to travel for an extended period of time or prefer to save your money for things like eating out, sightseeing or shopping, staying in a hostel will make your money go much further. Dormitories are the cheapest option and, although the set up varies from place to place, you can often choose to stay in mixed or single sex dorms. These shared rooms generally sleep between 6 and 16 people. Many hostels now offer private rooms which are particularly suited to couples or families who prefer a bit more independence. You will find cheap accommodation in all the major cities as well as the smaller towns.

It’s not just the price of the room where you save money in a hostel. Many offer a free breakfast and internet access to guests. Eating out three meals a day can get expensive, but guests can use the self-catering facilities to prepare a few meals or packed lunches. Keep an eye out for free activities. Hostels often organise free city tours, pub crawls and outings to local events. These activities are often targeted at budget travellers and participating is a great way to get to know other travellers, particularly if you are travelling solo.

The Grapevine Seafront Hostel, Brighton