Going On A City Break? Check Out How To Do It On A Budget

This is an affiliated post. All opinions expressed are in agreement with my own. 

Let's face it, money can be tight sometimes. That's why budget city breaks are so important! If you don’t know what a city break is (like I did before publishing this post), a Google search taught me that it is a short vacation to a large city. Short meaning 2-4 days.

Have you heard? There are a lot of things you can do on your city break to save money and still have a good time.

 

Photo by veerasakPiyawatanakul: 

 So, without further ado, let's look at how to enjoy a city break on a budget and save money at the same time.

Go Out Of Season 

This is probably an obvious point, but it's still a very important one! Taking a trip to a city when the kids are on vacation can make everything seem much more expensive than it needs to be. We'd advise you to stay away from the middle of summer and choose a month like September instead.

 

Even though it might not be as warm as you'd like, it will be much cheaper and save you a lot of money in the long run. Obviously, this depends on you and what you like, as well as how long you're going away. In the summer, a long weekend may not cost as much as a week at a place where you cook your own meals.

Eat Like The Locals 

If you really want to save money on a city trip, you have to eat like a local. This is because many tourist hot spots can be expensive. At the end of the day, food is food, and it's all tasty, but you can be sure that you'll pay more if you're in the center. Keep an eye out on quieter streets and back alleys in the city. Trip Advisor is a great way to find places to eat. Away from all the tourist spots, there can be some real hidden gems. You just have to know where to look.

Ride A Bike 

Getting around cities by bike is not only cheap, but also fun and good for your health. Some of the best cities to ride a bike around are London, Leeds, and Cambridge, and there are a lot of them. The "Boris Bikes" in London are not just for commuters and people who live there, but also for tourists. A Santander Cycle costs £2 to rent for a day, and you can ride it as much as you want for up to 30 minutes. All you have to do is download the app or take your bank card to any docking station and touch the screen.

Put On Your Walking Shoes 

If you don't want to ride a bike, you can always walk, and what could be better than a brisk walk on a summer day? Cities like Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Oxford, to name a few, are great for walking around because many of the sights are close to each other. Walking around a city is a great way to see what it has to offer because you might find something you would have missed on a bus. Just open Google Maps, find the closest coffee shop, grab a cup of coffee, and you're good to go.

Look For Activities Before You Go 

Of course, being spontaneous can be a lot of fun, especially when you're on vacation with friends or family in a city. But it's important to remember that booking some activities ahead of time will help you have a more affordable city break. We know this sounds like a boring choice, but trust us: it could save you a lot of money in the long run! When you book ahead, you can choose from the best deals and save time by skipping those annoying lines. It will make your trip easier and save you money. You can also change your plans at any time.

Choose Self-Catering Accommodation

If you rent a place where you can cook for yourself, you'll save a lot of money because you can eat what you want, when you want. That means you don't have to eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can choose cheaper meals instead. You can start the day off straight with a good breakfast or fill up with a big lunch. The choice is yours! The best part of a cheap city break is that you can go wherever you want and set your own schedule. Before you go out and see the city, we suggest packing a big lunch and staying hydrated. You'll be very glad you did.

Free Things To Do 

Have you heard? During your city break, there are a lot of free things you can do. You just have to look for them. There are always free things to do, like taking a walk in the park or going to a museum to look at art from the area. Inspect some Egyptian mummies at the British Museum in London or hold a real bar of gold at the Bank of England museum, both for free. You could even take advantage of free Wifi on the London Underground to plan or book tickets. 

Have A Decent Morning Meal 

This one kind of says itself, doesn't it? As we've already said, self-catering lodging is great because you can come and go whenever you want. That means you should eat a big breakfast before going out to explore, so you're ready for a busy day. Breakfast is your main meal of the day, and it can really add up depending on where you go or where you eat. So, give yourself a treat, whether it's a croissant and a black coffee in your cosy room or a fry-up if you're really hungry. You'll be glad you had a big breakfast before you went out, and if you keep this up, you can save some money for a big meal on your last day.

And that's it, everyone! Here are our best tips for a cheap city trip. A trip to a city doesn't have to cost a lot of money, and these simple steps can make a huge difference.