Budget City Breaks in the UK

The UK has a wide variety of wonderful cities that are just perfect for short breaks and weekends away. London is of course an international capital, with a huge range of sights to see ad things to do. Up north, the historic city of Durham is beautiful, while Edinburgh offers amazing buildings and the opportunity to enjoy Scottish culture. Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester all offer their own unique cultures, shopping and night-life, and Cardiff is a mecca for film and TV-lovers due to its popularity as a film location.

Taking a city break at home in the UK is a great way to save money while still enjoying a lovely holiday break. There are also a number of other ways to save money while taking a city break in the UK. Being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to miss out on great experiences – it just means you need to plan ahead and spend in a savvy way.

Travel and Transport

Always compare your various travel options before deciding what you wish to do. The petrol cost of driving may be less than the train, but have you factored in parking costs over the duration of your break? However, if you want to venture out of the city at any point, bringing the car with you can make this easier and take less time. Always try and book train tickets ahead of time and travel off peak for better savings. Before heading to your chosen UK city, research the local public transport like buses and train links. Knowing how to get where you want to go by public transport can save you a lot of money on taxi fees, and you may find a combination ticket that works for your trip which will work out much cheaper than paying for individual journeys.

Where to Stay

You may be able to find great deals on hotels by keeping an eye on comparison websites. You should always make sure to check the location and reviews of your chosen place to stay, as the ‘great deal’ may be due to the area having poor transport links or low-quality rooms. You should also expand your horizons beyond hotels – you can have a truly wonderful city break experience staying in a charming B&B or in one of the highly rated hostels supplied by the Youth Hostel Association. By going to a city in the off-season you can find better deals – during the Fringe festival Edinburgh accommodation prices will shoot up, so unless you are specifically travelling for the Fringe or a similar event, avoid those times.

What To Do

Again, booking in advance can let you make savings on tickets for shows, events and activities. If you have planned a city break in, say, Cardiff, consider signing up for a deal website with that city as your location. You may be able to snap up tickets at a huge discount! Also don’ neglect to visit the many free offerings that the UK’s cities offer like museums, art galleries, public gardens and historic buildings