Moving to any new city for university can be daunting, but moving to the country’s capital can be a stressful time for anyone – not just students!
You might be wondering, what is there to do in this big city on a budget? Or even, what are the best student bars in London?
Our guide has all the best free and cheap things to do in London for students. Plus, some more expensive options for when you’ve got a bit of money to spend.
No matter your interests, London is bound to have something to accommodate them.
When visiting London, many people take part in sightseeing bus tours and visit typical famous sights such as the London Eye, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and more.
While we recommend making sure to visit these main attractions, this list will include things that may not immediately spring to mind but make a great day out!
Located at the top of one of London’s tallest buildings, Sky Garden is a large indoor garden space surrounded by various bars and restaurants on the same floor.
Not only does Sky Garden provide some of the most stunning 360-degree views of London, but live music can also be found here and more!
This is one of the best free things for students in London. You can book your free ticket via the Sky Garden website.
Maltby Street Market – With more than 30 food and drinks stalls, there are various cultures, cuisines, and street foods on offer!
Greenwich Market – Located indoors in a World Heritage site, Greenwich Market has a variety of stalls from clothing and jewellery to home decor and food. With over 120 stalls on offer, there are plenty of bargains for uni students to claim.
Borough Market – One of the oldest markets in London, you’ll be able to see various speciality foods and drinks as well as many other handmade goods stalls.
Are you interested in history? Maybe even science? You’re in luck, Central London and the surrounding city have a wide range of free museums and galleries available for students to explore!
We recommend booking in advance to ensure you get in.
If you’re looking for exciting and free things to do in London for students, you have plenty of options. Here are just some of the many museums on offer:
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 recommend you explore:
London is well known for its West End shows and theatre, and with many shows on, there’s something for everyone!
While London has many theatre locations, it can be overwhelming keeping track of what’s on and when – luckily, upcoming shows can be found all in one place online.
Check out what’s on via the London Theatre website.
@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
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With the capital being such a big place, it would be hard to visit all the best bars the city has to offer while studying here.
We’ve summarised some of the most intriguing bars London has to offer:
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!
Open until the early hours, Zoo Bar is a popular student bar located in the city with student nights Monday to Thursday.
Check out upcoming events on the Zoo Bar website!
Not your average bar, The Four Quarters is an arcade bar serving drinks such as cocktails and craft beers while giving you the opportunity to play restored genuine retro arcade games!
Check out the websites for Hackney Wick, Elephant & Castle, and Peckham!
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!
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.
A vibrant club boasting a huge drinks menu and a range of events throughout the week, The Roxy also caters to students with happy hour offers and more!
Featuring both a bar and a club section, The Roxy caters to both sides of the student night out.
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.
Now that you’ve sorted out some cheap things to do in London for students, you can turn your attention to your utilities.
Interested in splitting your student household bills rather than splitting up friendships? Check out Split The Bills now and make life easier for everyone in your shared student house.
Wondering why your broadband is so slow? In this blog, discover how you can improve your WiFi signal in your student home so you can get back online in no time.
Spring is here, and summer will follow, meaning we’re all about to be using a lot more water. Here’s how to save water as a student and make the most of every drop!
When you move into a student house, everyone suddenly becomes an energy expert. Read our blog on energy myths to understand what will really save you money.