Save Some Dough

Use your ISIC!

Before we tell you our secrets to living cheap, we’d like to remind you to show off your International Student ID Card (ISIC) everywhere you go! For a complete list of who accepts ISIC, visit their website.

If you don’t have one, go to STA with your FIE ID and get one now! The cost should be around £10.

Cheap London Blog

You can get regular updates on activities going on around London that are CHEAP or FREE on our Cheap London Blog. We do our best to choose the top tips, but also welcome students to share their knowledge with the Student Life Office. Keep up to date with the cheaper side of London!

London Culture

There’s no excuse not to take advantage of all the city has to offer!

FREE:

  • Museums & Galleries are all Free! Don’t forget to display your ISIC for special exhibitions that may charge you.
  • Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
    Something to do around every corner.  Check out the Serpentine Gallery (a former 19th-century tea house and favourite of Princess Diana), go rollerblading or cycling, hear what people have to say at Speaker’s Corner, try to find the Peter Pan statue, play tennis, lounge near the Italian Gardens, or discover your own favourite part of these local treasures.
  • Exhibition Road Museums
    The Victoria & Albert, Natural History, and Science Museums are 3 of London’s best and they are all located just a couple minutes walk away.  Better yet, they have just been made free.  From dinosaurs to dresses, these museums truly offer something for everyone.
  • Tour the South Bank by the River
    An entertainment and cultural centre by the river. The Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall, the National Film Theatre, the London Eye and lots of restaurants and in summer and autumn open air entertainment. Embankment Tube (and walk across the river – another treat with a spectacular view of London’s Skyline).
  • St Paul’s / Millennium bridge / Tate Modern
    Starting at St Paul’s Cathedral, built by Sir Christopher Wren. Then walk across the ultra-modern Millennium Foot Bridge to a world class modern art museum housed in a disused power station – the Tate Modern.

Places To Go

  • Go to Greenwich

    Although Greenwich is a mere 40 minutes away by tube, it offers a great escape from the sometimes daunting big city.  Explore the Sunday market, visit the Maritime Museum, or take your picture standing on the Greenwich Meridian, “where International Time begins.”  Cutty Sark or Greenwich DLR Stations.
  • Day trip to Brighton
    Brighton is only an hour away from London on the train. This south coast sea-side resort offers the famous ’lanes’ – a great shopping area, Brighton Pier – with traditional entertainment, bars, pubs restaurants and much more.
  • Go to Church
    Whichever religion to which you adhere (if any), a visit to one of London’s great churches (operating in the manner for which they were originally built) is an experience. Locally try the Brompton Oratory, London’s second most important Catholic place of worship.  Thurloe Place, Brompton Road, SW7.

Entertainment:

  • Queue up at the TKTS booth at Leicester Square for discounted tickets. Plus, always check with the theatre just before the show begins for last minute discounts! Get your tickets here!

  • Go to a Movie

    Locally there are 5 film theatres. Odeon Kensington High Street (commercial), Virgin Fulham Road (commercial), Virgin Kings Road (commercial), The Chelsea Cinema, Kings Road (Art House), The Gate Cinema, Notting Hill Gate (Art House).

Music:

  • Loads of upcoming US and British bands play in small UK venues. Check out Time Out Weekly Guide for the latest programme.

FIE’s Extra Curricular Calendar:

  • Take advantage of the subsidised calendar of events through the Student Life Office – concerts, British comedy, theatre, sports and more!

If you find any hints for Cheap London on your own, and you’d like to share with future students, please let us know!

Eateries

Dining out in London can be expensive. Watch your wallet with these cheap, yummy finds.

Wagamama’s

You’ll find this famous noodle restaurant all over London!! Look out for 2-4-1 vouchers in the back of Time Out. And don’t forget to sign up as a member at http://www.wagamama.com. You can find loads of offers from their members area.

Yo Sushi

Sushi doesn’t have to be expensive to be chic! Yo Sushi is a trendy chain where you choose your meals from colour coordinated plates off the conveyer belt and your empties are simply counted up at the end. Just don’t forget to keep track of your selections! http://www.yosushi.co.uk/

Subway

OK, you’re probably familiar with this system. But look out for people handing out coupons for Subway. Even without the vouchers, their meal deals are just as cheap as McDonalds but guilt free!

Java Bean

With a valid FIE ID, students receive 20% discount on all coffees and teas! Located in the Waitrose Arcade.

Sandwich Shop:

Yes, Kensington is expensive but don’t completely rule it out for cheap food. The Sandwich Shop on Gloucester road offers a baguette, soft drink, bag of crisps and a free piece of fruit – all for under £3! Plus, towards the end of the day you’ll find half price baguettes!
Imperial College Cafeteria:Also on your door step is Imperial College. Go to their cafeteria with your Imperial College Temporary ID Card for cheap meals and snacks.

ASK Restaurant

Within the Waitrose shopping centre, (opposite Foundation House) you’ll find ASK – a pizza, pasta and salad restaurant. In addition to its good value prices, you can take a pizza away for just over a fiver (£5)!

Boots

It may look like just a pharmacy but Boots is so much more! Take advantage of their meal deals where you can get a sandwich, crisps, and a drink for less than £5.

Time Out

In addition to the offers you’ll find at the back of the weekly Time Out Guide, have a look at other Time Out Guides such as Eating & Drinking and Cheap Eats. These are available for reference in the Student Life Office.

Try Dim Sum in Chinatown

London is one of the best places in the world to try one of the highlights of Cantonese cuisine, dim sum. These small, delicate dumplings and snacks are served from midday through the afternoon (never after 6 pm) at low prices. Piccadilly Circus Underground.

  • Ask FIE:If you need suggestions, ask your RLSs, the Student Life Office or anyone at FIE.  We’d like to think we have good taste!

Shopping

We know you won’t resist so here are some hints.

Don’t buy things you can buy at home unless they’re absolutely necessary. Make your friends at home jealous and focus on British and European brands! Keep an eye on trendsetters Sienna Miller and Kate Moss!

Missing Marshalls and Target?

Find your fix at Primark (Kings Mall on Kings Street) and TK Maxx (Kings Street) in Hammersmith. Both are just two minutes from the station. (Find another TK Maxx on High Street Kensington.)

Topshop & Topman

Topshop isn’t just for the ladies! Don’t forget to use your ISIC or FIE ID for 10% discount and look out for celebs like Kelly Osborne! http://www.topshop.co.uk

Need towels or electronics?

Argos on High St. Kensington is the place to go. And it’s fun and easy! You look through a catalogue, see if it’s available, order and pay! Then wait for your number to be called and collect your purchase! It’s located opposite High St. Kensington tube station.

Ryman Stationary

Opposite Partridges on Gloucester Road offers student discount so don’t forget to have your ID card with you!

Boots

Take advantage of coupons handed out on selected items and keep an eye out for special offers such as 2-4-1s!

Vintage

Second hand shops have become popular places to find trendy and cheap clothes. Remember, every style goes in London so why not create your own!

Markets

Markets can be found across London and is a great place to buy gifts, clothes, jewellery, music and accessories!

  • Spitalfields Market
    A trendy market offering a little bit of everything under one very big roof.  Clothing, music, coffee, organic produce, flowers, jewellery, antiques, toys and more, plus an array of exotic vegetarian foods that are as forgiving on the pocketbook as they are on the heart.  Liverpool Street Underground.
  • Columbia Road Market
    Without question the prettiest street market in town. Flowers, shrubs, bedding plants and other horticultural delights spread in all directions. 8 am-1 pm. Old Street Underground.
  • Brick Lane Market
    A sprawling East End institution, which kicks off at 6 am. Aldgate East Underground

Time Out Shopping

As you’ll soon recognise, there’s a Time Out Guide for everything! Have a look at the Shopping Guide for high street sales and sample sales!

Beauty Services

Don’t be forced to grow your hair!

Super Cuts in the Waitrose Arcade is the most affordable salon in the area.

Hair Salon

Imenio Hair Salon by Kensington Square (on page 34 in your red map guide) is also a good value salon. 020 7937 4112

Hairdressing Colleges

OK, they’re still learning but if it’s just a trim, why not give it a go! Vidal Sassoon is always advertising for hair models.

Girls Corner

Unfortunately, a £10 manicure doesn’t exist here the way it does in the States. Why not buy your own supplies from Boots and have a girly night in?!