London has a reputation for being an expensive city, especially when you travel alone and pay for everything yourself. However, spending two days in the UK capital does not have to drain your bank account.

With a bit of smart planning, solo female travellers can enjoy a memorable break without overspending. Read on to discover how you can spend a weekend in London for well under £200.

How to Get to London Without Overspending on Trains

Getting to London is often the largest single expense of the trip. If you live in northern England or Yorkshire, standard train tickets at peak times can quickly ruin a low-budget trip.

Booking tickets well in advance is the easiest way to keep your transport costs down. Train companies usually release advance tickets around 12 weeks before departure, which offers the lowest rates on East Coast Main Line services.

Split ticketing is another way to cut rail costs without adding any extra travel time. Travellers from Leeds, for example, can often save a third or more on the LNER route by splitting the fare into two separate tickets, something covered in detail in Split My Fare's Leeds to London train guide. Pairing that with a 16-25 or 26-30 Railcard can knock the price down even further.

Safe and Affordable Places to Stay

Accommodation often consumes a big part of any travel budget. Fortunately, London has plenty of safe, well-reviewed options designed for single travellers who want to stay close to central attractions.

Hostels are no longer reserved for party crowds. Modern hostels like Wombat's City Hostel near Tower Bridge or Generator in Russell Square offer clean, female-only dorm rooms. These rooms include secure keycard access, personal lockers, and privacy curtains on every bed.

If you prefer a private room, budget hotel chains like Point A Hotels or Z Hotels offer compact, clean spaces at fair rates. Booking a room in areas like Shoreditch or Bloomsbury keeps you close to major transport links, so you will not need to walk through quiet streets late at night.

Free Culture and Scenic Walking Routes

You do not need to pay entry fees to see world-class sights in London. Major public galleries and museums across the capital offer free access to their main collections every day.

You can spend hours walking around the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, or the Victoria and Albert Museum without spending anything. The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum in South Kensington sit right next to each other, making them easy to combine in one trip.

Walking is also the best way to travel between attractions while saving money on Tube fares. A self-guided walk along the South Bank takes you past Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, and Tower Bridge. Another popular route runs from Hyde Park through Green Park directly to the gates of Buckingham Palace.

Where to Eat Well on a Budget

Eating out alone in sit-down restaurants can be expensive and awkward. Street food markets offer high-quality meals, a lively atmosphere, and far lower prices.

Borough Market near London Bridge is ideal for lunch, serving fresh pasta, hot pies, and artisan bread. Camden Market features dozens of international food stalls where you can get a filling meal for under ten pounds.

For a quieter option, Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey serves delicious street food under railway arches. Supermarket meal deals from Sainsbury's or Tesco also offer an easy, low-cost option for breakfast or a park picnic.

Smart Planning Makes London Accessible for Everyone

A solo weekend break in London does not require deep pockets. By locking in advance rail fares, choosing safe budget accommodation, and enjoying free museums, you can experience the city without financial pressure.

Organising your travel and hotel early gives you complete control over your spending. Once those core costs are fixed, you can focus on enjoying the city at your own pace.