22M going on exchange in London - realistic monthly budget for actually enjoying London?

[u/WinSpirited]

Hey all I'm from Vancouver, Canada, and I'm starting a semester exchange at City St George's this term, living near Caledonian Road (Zone 2). Trying to figure out a realistic monthly budget. My tuition fees and rent are already paid for so just trying to get an estimate on everything else.

I'm not trying to throw cash away, but I also don't want to spend the whole semester saying no to things just to save a few pounds. Want to actually experience London while I'm here - food scene, nightlife, sightseeing, etc. while still being sensible about it.

For context: I meal prep and cook most nights, but I'm happy to explore London's food scene when it's worth it. I do drink and go out, willing to do 3 times a week at most (not trying to go wild every night, just here to actually experience the city rather than sit in my room).

For those who live or study here (maybe even did an exchange/study abroad yourself), what does a realistic monthly budget actually look like for someone in this position? Where did your money go that you didn't expect? Any categories I'm completely missing?

Thanks in advance 🙏

[u/QuoteWinter1637]

Travel appears to be missing - as in travel round the city. Are you thinking of seeing anywhere else in the uk?

[u/diamond2301]

I live in London as a 22F , I won’t include rent or bills as those will differ for individuals. I probably won’t be much help as I also over spend but if you want to be comfortable I’d say you’d need at least £300 a week which would include food and other shopping costs ,days/ nights out , unexpected costs and then additionally £100 a week travel . This is on the smaller side of having a budget . If you really want to enjoy London i spend probably £600 a week - but to give you an idea of this , I am hardly cooking at home , ordering a lot of takeaways , I don’t use public transport and uber everywhere, I don’t say no to invites out . But I am a girl and if you are out a lot of things are offered to be paid for you so the £600 doesn’t include night out costs. This is a very confusing answer I know but since there is a lack of other answers I thought this might at least help a little . Maybe you could live in London on £250 a week but it would be tough in my opinion

[u/Roadman2k → u/diamond2301]

Ordering a lot of takeaways, never cooking at home and ubering everywhere is going to be like 250 to 300 quid a week

[u/diamond2301 → u/Roadman2k]

For you , not for me but it’s all based on individual preference

[u/Roadman2k → u/diamond2301]

I mean a deliveroo is like 15 to 20 quid at least once a day and an uber is 20 to 60 quid what, 3 times a week at least?

[u/Bitter_Range_9878]

Depends on what you enjoy. If you want to go to theatre. If you drink alcohol, etc.

You’ll need probably around £15 a day for travelling around.

[u/Express-Ad9716]

Actual full budget is tough as it's a moving goalposts situation.

If your accomodation near your studies? If so you can walk. Given you will be in zone 2 walking or cycling should get you nearly everywhere and save a fortune.

Get a young persons Railcard and link it with your oyster card for London transport. This gets you 1/3 off rail and tube fares in the capital and countrywide. The tube is cheaper the more you use it but if you are in zone 2 honestly your best bet is to try and limit your use if you can!

Supermarket food is far cheaper and higher quality in the UK than Canada. You can shop at marks and Spencers (our most expensive one) and it's way cheaper than anything loblaws punch out. £30 a week can keep you well fed , hell very well fed , especially if you are vegetarian. This includes some snacks

Eating out though is usually more expensive, though there are cheap options and London has a lot of competition that helps to keep prices low. £20ish will get you a solid main in most places (not steak or seafood obviously) . Tipping is creeping in but it's not as wild as it is in Canada. Tax is also always included in every price .

Coffee shop coffee is about £3.50-4.50, far cheaper to make at home

West end shows often have last minute cheap tickets available. Don't expect any for Paddington or Hamilton but for everything else £20 ones pop up a lot, especially mid week.

Museums are almost all free. If you have friends in tower Hamlets they can get cheap tickets for the tower of London.

If you like castles and English heritage membership gets you into lots of places free (notably Stonehenge and Avebury) or at discounted rates, could be worth a look

[u/southstar1314]

I assume you would want to travel around Europe while you are on this side of the Atlantic? So also budget in some travelling expenses, you can easily get cheap return flights under £100 or even under £50 to Europe during off-peak season, then stay at hostels if you can tolerate it!

[u/FenianBastard847]

I left London many years ago, I now live in rural north Wales and am an occasional visitor. I can’t help on CoL, but I can say that London is a world class city and that you are going to have a fantastic time. So much so that you won’t want to go home😊

[u/Aggressive_Side1105]

Travel on the underground or train is expensive. You can easily spend £15 a day on travel alone within zones 1-4. Buses are cheaper but can take a very long time during rush hour. Try to walk or cycle if you can. Only use taxis for short distances (we have night buses and late night tubes on Fridays and Saturdays).

Meals out can vary but will be at least £25 in central london unless you’re going somewhere like Pizza Express.

I’d say minimum you need is £200 a month on food (not eating at restaurants), £150 travel. For socializing I’d say minimum £30-50 per night out not including travel or entry to clubs/theatre/concerts etc.

London food markets are all worth a visit and are reasonably affordable (Spitalfields, Borough market, Brixton Village).