How To Do London For Under £30 A Day: A Frugal Girl's Guide To Exploring The City

There's no city quite like London, a melting pot of history, modernity, and culture.

Moving here as a small-town girl from New Zealand (where this city has a higher population than my entire country), exploring London was overwhelming at first–and draining my bank account.

It's easy to get sucked into tourist traps like the London Eye and Borough Market. You'll blink and find you've spent £40 ($54) on a cup of chocolate-covered strawberries that you could've made yourself for a third of the price, and to line up with hundreds of tourists for a view accessible from many of London's rooftops for free.

I'm here to prove that a fun day out in London doesn't need to cost you your firstborn child.

While I've set a ballpark of under £30 ($41), the amount will vary on either side depending on how you approach each activity.

Regardless, these activities will guarantee you the London experience without the risk of your dinners becoming two-minute noodles and sleep until payday rolls around.

Zip Around The City Using A Travel Card

If you're in London for more than a month, you're gonna want to get a travel card.

Yes, contactless payment is the easiest option and TFL does have a daily cap on fares–£8.90 ($12) between zones 1-2 and £16.30 ($22) between zones 1-6–but as a frequent user of the London Underground, a monthly or annual travel card is the way to go.

Travel cards give you an unlimited number of trips on TFL services, and can be easily added to your Oyster Card using the TFL Go app. While a daily or weekly travel card isn't really worth it considering the daily caps, a monthly or annual travel card can save you a lot of money on transport if you're sticking around the city for a while.

It means you don't have to think twice about popping over to Tower Bridge, Big Ben, or St. Paul's Cathedral, as you've already paid the weekly/monthly fares.

Instead of Portobello Road Market, Go To Petticoat Lane Market

Once you've visited an iconic monument or two, it's time to browse through one of London's many retail and bric-a-brac markets.

Portobello Road Market is one of London's most famous markets, and one that I would recommend, if you're happy with window shopping.

Visit the Travel Bookshop from Nottinghill (although it's been turned into a souvenir shop) and nip down a side street to admire Nottinghill's gorgeous pastel houses.

However, if you're interested in more than just browsing, I can't recommend Petticoat Lane Market enough.

Not only does it have exceptional deals on discounted designer apparel items and a diverse range of goods, it also dates back to Tudor times and sells items from a range of cultures.

Located right in the middle of Tower Hamlets and the City of London, Petticoat Lane's food market runs seven days a week. However, the best day to go is on Sunday when the clothing market operates.

Advertised as 'Your Proper East End Market,' you can walk amongst shoppers from all economic and cultural backgrounds, mingling with vendors. From £1 ($1.35) shirts and souvenirs to £5 ($7) jewellery, you're guaranteed to find a London keepsake for a fraction of the price compared to some of London's better-known markets.

Ditch Borough Market For Maltby Street Market

Now, don't get me wrong, the food at Borough Market is good.

The chocolate-covered strawberries are way overrated, but there are some good finds–my personal favourite being the wild mushroom risotto.

However, fighting through crowds of tourists for a £10-£15 ($14-$20) meal that you're forced to eat standing up or squatting on a step because there's no seating isn't worth what you're paying.

Just one mile away (18-minute walk or one stop on the tube), you'll find Maltby Street Market tucked away in Bermondsey.

The market has a more intimate feel than Borough.

It takes up only one alleyway, with vendors on one side and bars and restaurants on the other.

Country flags are strung up over the market like bunting, matching the diverse range of food you can get your hands on.

Try meals from Ethiopia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Latin America and more. The most notable dishes (in my opinion) are the duck-fat fries, chicken biryani, and possibly the best crème brûlée I've ever eaten.

Not only is there ample seating, but there are also toilets inside that market-goers are free to use.

While the prices are on par with Borough, the experience ensures you actually get your money's worth.

When The Sun Starts To Set, Head To Primrose Hill

London's gorgeous parks are perhaps one of my favourite places to walk around during the weekend.

Primrose Hill, found at the end of Regent's Park, gives you an incredible view of the London skyline.

Head there during sunset with a picnic blanket, some snacks, and a cheap bottle of wine for a wholesome evening surrounded by other 20-somethings on the grass.

Hear Me Out– Wetherspoons

Why go to an overpriced pub when you can get that experience for a quarter of the price?

JD Wetherspoon, better known by locals as 'Spoons,' is a chain of pubs located throughout the UK. They're often found in old historic buildings, giving you that classic English pub feel.

The best part about them? Their unbeatable prices on drinks and food.

While prices differ slightly depending on which Spoons you go to, they're guaranteed to be significantly cheaper than pretty much any pub, bar or restaurant in London.

Where else are you going to find a pint or a glass of wine for around £2 ($3)? Where else can you get a classic fish and chip meal for under £10 ($14)?

Spoons also makes a great hungover Sunday brunch spot, with a full English breakfast coming in at as low as £4 ($5) and a cup of coffee for less than £2 ($3).

Make London Yours

Of course, there are so many cheap or free activities in London that I've missed off this list.

That's the beauty of this city. It's huge, diverse, bustling, and there's always something happening nearby.

It's easy to get sucked into the expensive activities, but five minutes of research will prove there are endless worthwhile things to do that can save you hundreds of pounds.

These activities are ones that I, a frugal gal in her early 20s, have thoroughly enjoyed and can recommend to you.

Do the ones that interest you, find more that match your vibe, and make London yours.