Cheap Things to Do in London for Students

Last updated: January 2026

Moving to any new city for university can be daunting, but moving to the country’s capital is a massive deal for anyone, not just students.

You’re probably wondering, what is there to do in this big city on a budget? Or, what are the best student bars in London? We’ve been there.

We’ve put together a list of the best free and cheap things to do in London. We’ve also thrown in a few treat yourself options for when that student loan finally hits your account.

Cheap things to do in London for students

No matter your interests, London is bound to have something you’ll love.

Many people stick to the typical tourist traps like the London Eye or the Tower of London. While they’re definitely worth a look, this list includes things that may not immediately spring to mind but make for a great day out!

Sky Garden 🌆

Located at the top of one of London’s tallest buildings, Sky Garden is a large indoor garden space surrounded by bars and restaurants.

Not only does Sky Garden provide some of the best views of London, but there’s also live music!

This is one of the best free things for students in London. Just make sure you book your free ticket via the Sky Garden website.

London Markets 🛍

Maltby Street Market – With more than 30 food and drinks stalls, there’s loads of street food and different cultures to explore.

Greenwich Market – Located indoors in a World Heritage site, this is a spot for bargains on everything from home decor to clothing.

Borough Market – One of the oldest markets in London, it’s great for speciality foods and handmade goods.

Museums 🏛

If you’re looking for exciting and free things to do in London for students, you have plenty of options. For example, if you’re a bit of a history and science geek, you’re in luck. Central London is home to some of the best free museums and galleries available for students to explore!

We recommend booking ahead to skip the queues. Here are some of the big ones:

Public Parks 🏞

Taking a break from the buzz and business of the city with a nice walk through one of the many parks is one of the best free things to do in London for students!

Here are some we’d recommend:

  • Hyde Park
  • Crystal Palace Park (look out for dinosaurs)
  • Richmond Park (go for the deer!)
  • Greenwich Park
  • Regent’s Park

Musical Theatre 🎭

London is well-known for its West End shows and theatre, and there’s usually something for everyone.

It can be overwhelming keeping track of what’s on and when, but you can find upcoming shows all in one place online.

Check out what’s on via the London Theatre website.

Special Mentions ⭐️

@split_the_bills

Just moved to London? Here's some fun locations that you can explore on a budget 📍🇬🇧 If you still need a hand setting up the bills for your new digs, hit the link in our bio. We can add a utilities package to any accommodation for either students or young professionals 🧡 #freeadventure #explorelondon #rentinglondon

♬ original sound - Split The Bills

Student things to do in London: Bars 🍸

The capital is massive, so it’s hard to visit every bar while you’re studying here. We’ve picked out some of the most interesting spots London has to offer:

Ballie Ballerson Ball Pit Cocktail Bar 🍹

A unique bar found in Shoreditch, Ballie Ballerson is a cocktail bar with over one million balls! It features a varied and unique drinks menu as well as pizza!

Check out what’s coming up on the website!

Zoo Bar 🦓

Open until the early hours, Zoo Bar is a popular student bar with student nights Monday to Thursday, so you can save some cash.

Check out upcoming events on the Zoo Bar website!

The Four Quarters Arcade Bar 🕹

Not your average bar! The Four Quarters is an arcade bar where you can grab a great cocktail and craft beer and play restored, genuine retro arcade games!

Check out the websites for Hackney Wick, Elephant & Castle, and Peckham!

The Doodle Bar 🎨

Featuring a large wall for, you guessed it – doodling, The Doodle Bar is an industrial-style bar with signature ‘Doodle burgers’ and cocktails!

Located a 15-minute walk from London Bridge Station, it can be found in the heart of the city.

Check out upcoming events on The Doodle Bar website!

The Montagu Pyke – Wetherspoon 🥄

It wouldn’t be a list of cheap things to do in London for students without mentioning at least one Wetherspoon pub!

The Montagu Pyke is located on Charing Cross Road, with its usual cheap prices and wide range of food and drink to choose from.

Discover more about The Montagu Pyke.

The Roxy 🍻

A vibrant club with a huge drinks menu and a range of events throughout the week, The Roxy also caters to students with happy hour offers and more!

Check out The Roxy’s bar or club pages online.

As we mentioned, London is a vast city bursting with activities and bars, so we recommend exploring where possible.

Take a look around the city and see what catches your eye – we’d love to see your suggestions for our list! Share them with us on our Instagram page.

Want to find out more?

Now that you’ve sorted out some cheap things to do in London for students, you can turn your attention to your utilities.

Want to split your student household bills rather than splitting up friendships? We’ll do the hard work for you. Check out Split The Bills now and make life easier for everyone in your shared student house.

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