The cheapest way to get to London. A trip to London: a guide for the budget conscious

London is an expensive city. Staying there is not cheap. However, if you think carefully, there are many options to save money on a trip to London. For example, buy cheap flights to, or plan a trip with different modes of transport.

In today's article, we will look at how to get to London on a small budget. I will consider three types of transport: bus, train and plane. Be sure to use the aggregator to find the cheapest flight options to London and beyond.

To London by bus

In general, the bus is one of the cheapest options to get to London. The only nuance is that it will be very expensive from Russia and the CIS countries to London right away, so it’s cheaper to get to the starting point in Europe, and then take a direct flight to London.

Approximately 15 airlines regularly fly to London. The most interesting offers are found with Lufthansa, Swiss Airlines, Air Moldova and AirBaltic, Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines. On average, 4000 - 8000 rubles.

Aeroflot planes fly from Moscow to London every day (from 8,000 rubles), about 4 hours and 20 minutes on the way. Airfare may vary depending on the day of the week. Departure from Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo airports, less often from Vnukovo. Airports of arrival in London - Gatwick, Heathrow, less often London City Airport.

You can fly from St. Petersburg to London with British Airlines. Price without transfers from 9700 rubles. Please note that luggage is not included in this price. Flight time is approximately 3 hours 40 minutes. The best options for price / quality can be found at Lufthansa, AirBaltic, as well as KLM, Finnair, AirFrance.

For residents of St. Petersburg, it sometimes makes sense to fly out of Finland. Helsinki is about 3 hours away by bus. But the flight will cost about 6,000 rubles. As a rule, at such a cheap price, these will be flights with transfers, but sometimes you can get lucky and get a direct flight for the same money.

As for cheap flights to London from the regions, there are no direct flights here. Almost always, these will be flights with transfers in Moscow, sometimes lasting up to 18 hours or more. Prices are simple. The farther the city of departure from Moscow, the higher the cost of the ticket.

To be aware of the cheapest airfare prices, be sure to use the Aviasales service. If you use mobile devices, be sure to install applications for iOS, Android on your mobile device. If you don't have any, install a browser widget that will send you notifications about the cheapest flights to the destination you need directly to your browser. So it will be easier and faster to keep track of all the ongoing changes in airfare.

Spending time in the capital of Great Britain is not the cheapest pleasure. But the good news is that there are many ways to get to London cheaply!

In the article, we consider ways to get to the city with the help of both classic and low-cost airlines. When looking for cheap tickets, it is better to use Skyscanner and search engines (check prices in both - it's more reliable).

How to get to London from Moscow

The cheapest tickets to London are located near - the cost of tickets starts from 3 thousand rubles for a direct round-trip flight! Muscovites who want to visit England are, of course, extremely lucky in this regard - the prices are great!

In addition, with easyJet you can get to London cheaply even on the eve of Christmas and New Year - we wrote about this.

The prices for flights of other airlines are significantly higher compared to easyJet: for example, airBaltic offers flights for 8 thousand and more, KLM and Transaero - from 9 thousand, and S7 and AirFrance airlines - from 9.5 thousand rubles.

Slightly more expensive are the prices of UIA and germanwings airlines (from 10 thousand), as well as Swiss, Lufthansa and Austrian - from 11 thousand rubles.

How to get to London from St. Petersburg

Unfortunately, easyJet does not fly to the northern capital, so St. Petersburg residents either have to be content with not so low-cost airlines, or go to nearby European countries- Riga, Vilnius, Kaunas, Helsinki or Lappeenranta - to get to London inexpensively.

You can fly from St. Petersburg to London with airBaltic, Austrian, AirFrance airlines - ticket prices start at 10 thousand rubles. The cost of tickets for KLM flights is from 11 thousand, and for Turkish Airlines, Finnair and Aeroflot - from 12 thousand rubles. Quite cheap tickets are available from the UIA airline - less than 10 thousand rubles (with a transfer in Kyiv).

Direct flights St. Petersburg - London - St. Petersburg are operated by British Airways (from 16.5 thousand).

Travel accommodation. We offer you a selection of wonderful accommodation in London: which are worthy of the attention of a real traveler.

How to get to London from the regions

Good-priced tickets to London from Yekaterinburg are at S7 - from 14 thousand.

It is best to search for flights on and Skyscanner - they search among all airlines and find the cheapest. British Airways ticket prices start at 18,000, Transaero - from 20, and Aeroflot offers tickets at a price of 21,000 rubles.

Flying from Novosibirsk to London is even more expensive: Transaero and Aeroflot airlines have tickets from 26 thousand, and S7 - from 27.5 thousand rubles. From 21 thousand are offered by VIM-Avia together with easyJet, and these are the cheapest tickets to London from Novosibirsk.

How to get to London by low-cost airlines

You can fly from Vilnius and Riga to London with a direct flight of the airline. Wizz Air- The cost of round-trip tickets starts from 56 euros. And on Catholic Christmas New Year we found a very fabulous price - 55 euros for a round-trip ticket with a departure from Riga! For members of the WIZZ Discount Club, the flight will cost even less - only 35 euros (just think, 1750 rubles for a flight to London and back!). Departure to London on December 15 or 16, and back on January 8. Hurry up to catch the coveted ticket!

Ryanair also offers cheap tickets to London (departure from Riga or Kaunas) - there are round-trip tickets for 58 euros and more. You can also fly from Tallinn with Ryanair (a round-trip ticket costs from 72 euros) and easyJet (from 76 euros).

Please note that low-cost airlines often have discounts and promotions, which we inform readers in a timely manner.

Intro image source: © Nick Kenrick. /flickr.com).

A traveler can enter the capital of Great Britain through six air gates: from Heathrow, the largest in Europe, to Southend, which consists of one terminal. They are located at different distances from the city. When choosing how to get from London Airport, it is very important to take into account the nuances of the city's transport system.

For example, choosing a branded London taxi as a transfer is not the most economical solution. "Black cabs" are more expensive than other operators ask. EasyBus buses run to many airports in the city - this is the cheapest and most convenient way, which can be used in half of the cases. Transport National Express allows you to get between airports. It is convenient to pay with an Oyster card, but it is not valid everywhere.

Stansted airport

Stansted was the last of London's airhubs to be built. It is located in Essex, in the west, forty-eight kilometers from the metropolis. The best ways to get from London to Stansted Airport are train and bus.

Bus

National Express buses take passengers around the clock:

• to Paddington station - A6;
• to Victoria station - A7,
• to the stop Liverpool Street - A8
• to Stratford - A9

The ticket price starts from ten pounds, depending on the distance. Children under 3 years of age can travel free of charge at the rate of one child accompanied by one adult. Travel time is about fifty minutes.

The Airport Bus Express operates shuttles along roughly the same routes, directly to stations or via Stratford. The journey will take one and a half to two hours. You will have to wait half an hour for the next bus. The ticket price is about three pounds. Children under two years old are free of charge, there are no other discounts for children.

EasyBus buses are the cheapest and run around the clock. A ticket for them costs two pounds. It takes seventy-five minutes for transport from Baker Street to the airport. The interval of movement is 15 minutes. The disadvantage of this option is that there is a restriction on baggage allowance. So, you can not carry sports equipment and musical instruments, strollers, including wheelchairs. Passenger ticket includes 5 kg hand luggage and 20 luggage. Additional baggage must be booked and paid for.

International carrier Terravision offers two route options. From Stansted to King's Cross Station, an adult ticket costs eight pounds. A ticket for the route to Victoria Station costs ten pounds.

To find a stop public transport follow the signs to the street. Transport takes passengers in front of the entrance.

Train

The Stansted Express train departs from Stansted Airport Station and takes fifty minutes to the Liverpool Street stop in the city centre. There, travelers can transfer to the metro or use another ground transport. The traffic interval is half an hour early in the morning and late in the evening, a quarter of an hour during peak hours. The first train leaves the route at half past six in the morning. The last one is at half past one at night.

Express tickets can be bought at the ticket office at the airport, at vending machines at the station and on the Internet on the website of the carrier company. The stop is located on the lower floor of the terminal building. The price of one ticket is about twenty pounds. There is a 50% discount for children over 5 years old. Up to five years - travel is free.

Taxi

Another option to get anywhere in the city is a taxi. Not suitable for all travelers, as the cost of the road is about a hundred pounds. In the airport building there is a dispatch desk that will help you call the car. You can order by yourself through the application on the Internet. Car advantages:

• speed;
• comfort;
• no stops.

If you order a transfer in advance, its cost will fluctuate within a hundred pounds. In this case, the conditions of the trip will be more comfortable. There are companies whose services will cost about a quarter cheaper than a taxi. As a standard, the driver meets in the arrivals hall and helps to get into the car. You can also rent a car at the airport if you plan to travel a lot around the country.

Video: Train tickets in England

Heathrow Airport

When planning how to get to Heathrow Airport from London and back, keep in mind that these air gates are the busiest. You need to leave early to check in for your flight. Due to the large passenger and traffic flow, overlays can occur. The road can take the most time, although the city is twenty-three kilometers away. Tickets for transport can be bought in advance via the Internet or on the spot at ticket machines. There are cash desks in the terminal building. You can pay for tickets online in advance. Taxi fare is £55.

Train

The railway station connects the capital with the largest air harbor by trains Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect. Comfortable and fast express runs from five in the morning until almost midnight. In terms of speed, it slightly overtakes ordinary trains. It takes fifteen minutes to reach the terminal. The final destination is Paddington Station. The fare one way is a little over twenty pounds. There and back - cheaper by about six pounds. There are rates for a group of two and three people.

Heathrow Connect trains run with stops to Paddington Station. Travel time is twenty-five minutes instead of fifteen on the express. On weekends, the next train will have to wait an hour. On weekdays, half an hour.

Bus

A direct route between Heathrow and London, as well as to other metropolitan airports, is offered by National Express. There are direct trains from Heathrow to Victoria Station. On the road you need to lay from an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic jams. The cost of the trip is six pounds.

Night bus number 9 runs from half past eleven in the morning until five in the morning from Hitra to Trafalgar Square. You can pay with an Oyster card, then a pound and a half will be deducted from it. If without a map - almost two and a half.

Metro

You can get there by metro, the Piccadilly blue line approaches the complex. The metro operates from five in the morning until half past twelve at night. Each terminal has access to its own metro station. If you do not buy an Oyster card - an electronic wallet for travel in all types of public transport, then the trip will cost about six pounds. With a card - half the price.

Gatwick Airport

At a distance of 42 km from the metropolis lies the second largest air port of Gatwick. How to get to Gatwick Airport from London? A taxi to Gatwick will cost £70. It is better to book in advance, as the direction is popular and there may not be cars. But you can get by with public transport.

Bus

National Express buses run every half hour to Victoria Bus Station. It is convenient to go to the metro station there. Plan an hour and a half for the trip. Tickets can be bought online or on site for £7.

From four in the morning until one in the morning, buses 3 and 4 of the EasyBus company run every quarter of an hour. The ticket price is about two pounds sterling.

Train

Gatwick Express runs to King's Cross and Victoria from the terminals. Travel time is three quarters of an hour. The ticket price is 10 pounds sterling. You can buy in advance on the website of the carrier company. Express runs from five in the morning until almost midnight.

Regular trains run direct to London Bridge and Victoria Station. The journey will take thirty to forty minutes. The ticket price depends on the type of train and can reach forty pounds.

London City airport

London City Airport is the smallest of the capital's air ports. It is located in East London. Despite this, getting from London to London City Airport is easier than to other airports in the city.

To the business center of the city of London City and the financial district of Canary Wharf, passengers reach the Docklands Light Railway. The station is located near the terminal building. The light metro is connected to the city metro network, you can cross at the Bank station. It's cheaper to pay with an Oyster card. Or buy a ticket at the tariff: the third metro zone.

You can also get to East London by bus. Flight 473 is bound for Stratford. No. 474 runs every quarter of an hour through the airport from Gallion Reach to Canning Town and back. The tariff is valid for the third transport zone.

For fans of taxi rides: cars can be found in the parking lot near the airport terminal or ordered in advance.

Luton airport

Luton Airport was named after the city in which it was built. This air gate of Britain is located in Bedfordshire. The distance to the capital is about fifty kilometers. When deciding how to get to Luton Airport from London, pay attention to buses.

Bus

National Express, EasyBus and Green Line buses run around the clock from the terminals.

• Green Line route 757 runs to central London approximately once every 10-30 minutes, depending on passenger traffic. On the road without traffic jams in the plans you need to lay an hour of time.
• Transport EasyBus is one of the most budgetary on the line. Fare from two pounds. Booking in advance can be cheaper.
• National Express charges for its services from five pounds.

Buses go through Baker Street and Oxford Street to Victoria railway station, repeating path number 757. Cars of these carriers depart from the tenth and eleventh platforms opposite the exit from the arrivals hall.

Train

There is no railway station near the airport itself. The nearest one is in Luton. Buses run to the station every ten minutes from five in the morning until midnight. When boarding, you need to present a ticket for a plane or train, then travel is free. Or pay for the trip. The cost is up to three pounds sterling. You can buy a train ticket at the box office in the terminal building or on the spot before boarding. Trains run every hour. The final stop in the metropolis is St. Panras station. The journey will take twenty-five minutes.

Taxi is better to book in advance. This will allow you to pay a fixed cost, a little over eighty pounds. The terminals have carriers in the parking lot. You need to focus on cars with official inscriptions and checkers. The price can reach 170 euros, depending on the time of day and the company's tariffs. Companies offering to rent a car also work in the terminal building. Early booking allows you to find out all the requirements and choose the appropriate option.

Southend airport

One of the smallest airports is located in Essex, sixty kilometers from the capital. Flights are accepted by one terminal. The complex works part-time, from four in the morning until noon. Closing times may vary. It is calculated as follows: the time of arrival / departure of the last flight plus forty-five and minutes.

The transport network of the airport complex allows travelers to get to the capital and back in several ways. The most convenient is a taxi. Can be called through international apps or driven by Andrews Airport Cars. The service operates around the clock, seven days a week. The cost of the trip can reach up to sixteen thousand Russian rubles, depending on the chosen company. The trip takes about an hour.

You can use services - analogues of "bla-bla car". This method is suitable for those who are well versed in the surroundings. In the terminal building there is a representative office of the Europcar company, which provides cash-sharing services.

Buses X30 also stop near the taxi rank. This route goes to the center of London. Behind the building you can take buses no. 7-9. The National Express bus runs from Victoria Coach Station to the airport and back once a day. In the direction of London departure late at night, back - early in the morning. You can pay for the fare in advance via the Internet or buy it on the spot.

Southend itself has a railway station. About a kilometer away there is another one - Rochford. Trains run every half an hour to Liverpool Street Station. The ticket price is fifteen euros. Travel time is fifty minutes. This is the fastest way to transfer from the airport.

The route from Southend Airport to the center of London on the map

Depending on the place of landing, you can choose the most convenient type of transfer. In London, as well as, you can easily and comfortably get there by bus or train. Instead of a taxi, it is better to order a delivery to the hotel in advance from the carrier company or rent a car. In many large European cities - and others - there are international car sharing companies, but you can also use the services of local organizations.

Traveling by train is often the fastest and most convenient way to get around the country.

London is the center of the rail network in the country. The British rail network connects London with all major cities and smaller cities in the UK and some cities in Europe. In addition, Eurostar trains provide regular direct service to Paris and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel.

Moscow to London by train

It is possible to get to London from Moscow by train, but, unfortunately, not by direct flight. The most convenient route is Moscow (Belorussky railway station) - Paris (Vostochnaya) - London (King's Cross St. Pancrass). The train from Moscow to Paris leaves at 08:00 on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays. Travel time 39 hours - 08:42-20:42 (next day). And at 21:13, if you really hurry, the last Eurostar train leaves for London. Travel time takes 2 hours 26 minutes. Well, if you didn’t have time, since this train leaves from another station (Paris Nord), you can leave on the first morning train at 06:43.

Ticket price:

Moscow - Paris: from 14,000 rubles.

Paris - London: from 4500 rubles.

It is better to buy tickets in advance. The most convenient way to purchase tickets for this route is to buy online on the official websites: Russian Railways (www.rzd.ru) and Eurostar (www.eurostar.com).

Be sure to check if you need a visa to travel through Paris. Read more about the visa to Paris here.

From London to Europe by train

Thanks to the Eurotunnel (English Channel or English Channel), getting to Europe has become very simple. High-speed trains of the Eurostar company run through the tunnel.

From London, this train can take you to France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Holland. All flights depart from King's Cross St Pancras Station

Ticket prices vary depending on the departure time and carriage class.

Approximate prices for standard tickets:

London - Amsterdam from £99 (5000 rubles), travel time is about 5 hours.

London - Paris from £80 (4000 rubles), travel time 2 hours 30 minutes.

London railway stations

There are many railway stations in London. The list below shows 9 main stations that serve different parts of the country.

London Bridge Train Station
Address: Bankside, London, SE1 9SP

London Charing Cross
Address: The Strand, Covent Garden, London, WC2 5HS
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 04:00-01:00, Sun 06:00-01:00

London Euston Train Station
Address: Euston Road, London NW1 2RT
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 04:30-01:30, Sun 05:15-01:30

London King's Cross

Address: Euston Road, London, N1 9AP
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 05:00-01:30, Sat 05:00-00:40, Sun 05:30-01:30

London St Pancras International

Address: Euston Road, London, N1C 4QP
Working hours: around the clock

London Liverpool Street Train Station

Address: Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 7PY
Working hours: Mon-Sun 07:00-23:00

London Paddington Train Station
Address: Praed Street, London, W2 1HQ
Working hours: around the clock

London Victoria Train Station
Address: Victoria Street, London, SW1V 1JU
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 04:00-01:00, Sun 06:00-01:00

London Waterloo Train Station
Address: South Bank, London, SE1 7LT
Working hours: Mon-Fri 04:30-01:05, Sat 04:30-01:45, Sun 05:30-01:05

Location map of railway stations in London

Buying tickets

A train ticket may look a bit confusing at first glance. But everything turns out to be quite simple, if you figure out what types of tickets exist and how to buy them.

The ticket contains the following information:

• Class - wagon class, there are first (first), business (business) and standard (standard)
• Ticket type - Off-Peak, Advance or Anytime ticket type
• Adult, child - number of adults, children
• Start date - from what date the ticket is valid
• Valid date - until what date the ticket is valid
• From/to - from/to

When buying round-trip tickets, one of them will have the inscription OUT, which means exit, i.e. with this ticket you get off at your destination; and on the second RTN (return) - return, you use it on the way back.

Advance ticket purchase - Advance

When buying in advance, the number of tickets is larger, and their prices are slightly lower. After purchasing a ticket in advance, you will be able to change the date / time of the trip for a fee if your plans change, but you will not be able to return the ticket back.

Off-Peak Tickets

This type of ticket allows you to travel only during off-peak hours. Usually, this time is from 09:30 to 17:30, and also after 19:30.

Anytime tickets (at any time)

Such a ticket is valid for all trains, on any day of the week, without time limits. It is very convenient on trips when you have not fully decided on the time.

You can buy a ticket:

• At the box office of the station - they accept cash and cards - when buying a ticket at the box office, they will tell you which tickets are more profitable and how it is more convenient to get to your destination.
• In self-service machines at the station - the most convenient way, no queues. Using them is very easy: choose the direction, date and type of ticket, and pay (in cash or by card). Don't forget to take your tickets.
• By phone - if you are good at English language, you can buy a ticket in this way and avoid queues at the station.

How to use trains

After you have bought the ticket you need, you boldly go to your platform. The platform number is written on the digital display. Destinations are listed alphabetically or by departure time.

Before entering the platform, you must pass your ticket through the opening in the turnstile with the colored side down. The ticket must be kept until the end of the trip.

In front of each platform is a screen with the following information: departure time, destination, stops (if any).

The train doors do not open automatically, you must press the button located on the door.

"First" class carriages are located either at the beginning or at the end of the train. On the window of such a car there will be a sticker “First class”.

A few minutes before departure, the driver will greet you, and after the sound signal, the doors will close and departure.

The train cars are equipped with fairly clean and comfortable toilets. Smoking is prohibited on the train, as well as on the platform.

When exiting the car, you also need to press the button in order for the doors to open.

When leaving the station, you will need your saved ticket. Also pass it through the hole. But don't be surprised or nervous - it won't come back out (if you have a ticket for one trip). The doors of the turnstile will open and you will pass through.

Distances and prices

There and back again

From London Bridge station to York - from £50, travel time 2 hours 40 minutes.

From Charing Cross station to Manchester - from £90, travel time 2 hours 40 minutes.

From King's Cross station to Cambridge - from £22, travel time 40-80 minutes.

You can see the English phrasebook.

"- flight SU 2578 daily, flight SU 2584 daily, except Monday, Saturday to Heathrow airport (London);
- British Airways - three flights a day daily to Heathrow (London);
- easyJet - one flight daily to Gatwick Airport (London).

Important! easyJet ceases flights to Moscow from London from March 21, 2016 (the last flight will take place on 03/20/2016).

From Saint-Petersburg:

- British Airways - one flight daily, Heathrow (London);
- "Russia" flies to London from St. Petersburg two or three times a week.

From the Baltic States and Poland:

- easyJet - flights to London from Tallinn; from Krakow to Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London;
- Ryanair flies from Riga and Tampere to London; from Krakow to Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Edinburgh; from Kaunas to Birmingham, Bristol, London, Edinburgh; from Warsaw to Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool, London, Glasgow;
- airBaltic from Riga to London.

From Kazakhstan:

Air Astana from Astana to London.

To the UK by train

There is no direct train from Russia, you can get there with one change in Brussels or Paris on high-speed train Eurostar following the Channel Tunnel. Travel time from Moscow is 43 hours, tickets will be more expensive than air tickets. At the same time, a single Moscow-London ticket is not for sale, so you should separately buy a Eurostar ticket from Brussels to London, or Paris to London, respectively. Tickets are sold on the Eurostar website (www.eurostar.com), the average cost is from 120 euros one way, however, when buying long in advance (a month or more), you can buy a ticket for 60 and sometimes even 40 euros. British immigration control is carried out before the departure of the train from Paris and Brussels, directly at the railway stations (Brussels and Paris, respectively), and therefore it is necessary to arrive at the station at least one hour before the train departure. All border formalities are carried out at the station in the usual way, exactly like at the airport, so you must have all the required documents with you (return tickets, hotel reservations, and so on).

To the UK by ferry

From France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, numerous regular ferries run to the UK, the number of which reaches 50 per day. The ferry is by far the cheapest way to get to the UK from mainland Europe, the cost of crossing one passenger from Calais (France) to Dover (UK) is from 12 euros one way (and the cheapest fare can be both when bought long before departure, and on the same day of departure). Travel time is about two hours. You should arrive at the port at least an hour and a half before the departure of the ferry, since the passport and border control of France (for exit) and Great Britain (for entry) is still carried out in France. After passing the control, passengers board a bus that takes them through the closed port area directly to the ship. Upon arrival in the UK, there will be no other passport control.

To the UK by car

Distance from London by road (excluding ferries): Moscow - 3090 kilometers, Paris - 415 kilometers, Brussels - 235 kilometers, Amsterdam - 190 kilometers, Berlin - 865 kilometers.