What's the typical cost of vacationing in the UK?

Question

I'm planning a vacation to the UK for August 2009. I obviously have a year and haven't really planned anything about the trip past the idea that I want to go to the UK. I've already started saving money but my question is, about how much do I need?

I'd like to stay a month, if costs permit.

My basic plan involves hosteling and backpacking as well as acquiring a guide (the paper sort that tells you what not to do not the human sort that charges per hour) long before I fly out.

If I can stay the full month I'd like to spend some time in London, Glasgow and pop out of the UK to see Dublin. I'd also like to ride a train (because I live in Texas and have only seen them used to transport coal and stuff). And eat things native despite the... things I've heard. (I'm hoping no one took offense at that, I've heard nothing good but I'd like to find out for myself.)

So, can anyone take a guess at about how much I should save?

Answer 1

Hi there.

Rather than guess wildly about what a stay here might set you back, I'll give you -- I hope! -- some info so you can work out accurately how much you may want to spend.



If you're thinking about backpacking and hostelling, your trip here will cost less than a 'typical' holiday. Which is just as well -- accommodation is expensive, and right now the $-£ exchange rate isn't being kind to you. Well, that may all change by next year... =D

If you're considering the hostelling option, please go and have a look at http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/ -- the Youth Hostels Association. Brilliant organisation (not just for young people but for anyone travelling on a shoestring.) Clean, friendly hostels across the country, including several in London, which offer the best-value accommodation in my home city -- £16 a night ($32) including breakfast, in the heart of the old City of London.  

So, a month in YHA hostels is going to set you back some £500 ($1,000).

But you could cut that sum down hugely if you're the kind of person who'd enjoy Couchsurfing.

This is a worldwide network of travel-loving people who offer their sofa or in their spare room to other Couchsurf members. No one takes any money -- it's all done voluntarily (though many guests bring some kind of small thank-you gift for their host.) Here's the site where it all happens: http://www.couchsurfing.com  

With a year ahead, you could build a good network of people to host you -- start by joining the local groups for London, Glasgow and Dublin and chatting to hosts there. To give you an idea, there are more than 6,000 Couchsurf members in London alone.

Not only will Couchsurfing cut your expenses massively; it'll also give you a whole bunch of people to socialise/ sightsee with.

Ok... you now need to add the costs of travelling around, food, and sightseeing (though there's a surprising amount of events and attractions that are free.) Go to http://www.londontown.com/attractions/ to amuse yourself with what's to do/see in London; Glasgow http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/ and Dublin http://www.visitdublin.com/

First, travel. A London-Glasgow return ticket by train starts at £55 ($110). But I think in your shoes I'd opt for the Caledonian Sleeper train -- double the price, but what a great way to travel. Have a look here: http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers...

and here for rail bookings from the US: http://www.seat61.com/RailShop.htm

(The "man in seat 61" is one of my travel heroes and I'm a shameless fan of his website.)

So, you've blown $200 on train travel... London-Dublin is about £50 ($100) return by train and ferry -- a bit cheaper, maybe, with one of the budget airlines but you'd then have to add train fares to one of the smaller London airports so much the same in the end.

So that's $300...  plus you'll a pay-as-you-go Oystercard (cheapest way of travelling by tube, bus, tram etc in London.) You just top it up with cash as needed. Allow $12 for each day you're travelling in London.

Food... Well, despite what you've heard, we have an astonishing range of food available -- Michelin-starred restaurants; great neighbourhood bistros; foodie pubs; restaurants from every corner of the world. Plus all sorts of familiar fast-food names if what you need is a burger/ pizza hit.

Eating out here is more expensive than in Texas. Reckon on paying in pounds what you pay in dollars (in other words, double the cost of that McDonald's meal). A decent pizza, fab chocolate pudding, plus a beer cost me £15 ($30) this weekend at a local pizzeria.

The cheapest way of eating is to buy food at supermarkets and do it yourself. I buy my non-perishables from supermarkets but all my fresh fruit and veggies from high-street greengrocers (much cheaper than big stores.) Have a look at this site: it's the online store of Sainsbury's, one of the UK's largest supermarkets. http://www.sainsburys.com/groceries/inde...

Tesco ( http://www.tesco.com )  is the most popular UK supermarket, but on their site you have to register to check out prices.

Hope that's helpful. You're already on the right track, not trying to see the whole of Europe in a week.

Love from a Londoner up past bedtime... =D

Answer 2

i usually spend 5000 US dollars for three weeks, but i stay in premier travel inns (like motel 6)

Answer 3

I went back packing in snowdonia seeing as i live in wales uk and it was very cheap,camping cost £4 per night and hostels cost about £6 a night,you allso like trains right? well theres a train that gose to the summit of mount snowdon the highest mountain in england and wales.

london is the most exspencive place in the uk just to rip the tourists off.