You do not need a lot of money to leave the city. You need a train ticket, a small plan and two free days.
London is fun, but it can feel loud and crowded. A weekend away helps you rest. The good news is that London has great train links. Most places in this guide are under two hours away.
The best affordable weekend getaways from London are Bath, Bristol, Oxford, Brighton, St Albans, Cambridge, Chichester, Margate and Amsterdam. You can reach them by train, coach or budget flight. Book early, travel off peak and use a Railcard to keep costs low.
Why a weekend trip makes senseA short trip costs less than a holiday. You skip long journeys, and you use only one night in a hotel. You also come back on Sunday feeling fresh.
The journey is part of the fun too. Sit back, look out of the window and enjoy it.
What does “affordable” mean here?Cheap means different things to different people. In this guide it means:
Budget chains like Holiday Inn Express, Ibis and Travelodge are a good starting point for a low cost stay. Hostels and rooms in local homes can be cheaper still.
| Place | Train time from London (about) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| St Albans | 25 to 40 minutes | Quick and quiet |
| Brighton | 52 minutes on the fastest train | Beach and fun streets |
| Oxford | 1 hour from Marylebone | Old colleges |
| Cambridge | 1 hour 20 minutes from Liverpool Street | Rivers and gardens |
| Bath | 1 hour 15 minutes | Roman history |
| Bristol | 1 hour 30 minutes | Street art and food |
| Chichester | About 1 hour 30 minutes | Nature and calm |
| Margate | About 1 hour 30 minutes | Sea and art |
Times change with the train you pick. Check the latest on National Rail before you book.
Bath is famous for its Roman Baths, and the town is lovely to walk around. Trains take about 1 hour 15 minutes, with fares from £14.50 each way on some deals. Once you arrive, take a free two hour walk with the Mayor’s volunteer guides. You will see the Royal Crescent and the Circus. Then try a Sally Lunn bun, a sweet and cheap treat.
Bristol is the home of Banksy, but the art scene goes way beyond one artist. Small galleries like Centrespace Studios show new local work. Walk the harbour, look at the murals and try the street food. Most of it is free.
Oxford has 38 colleges and many free museums. You can take the Oxford Tube coach from Victoria (about 1 hour 40 minutes) or a fast train from Marylebone (about 1 hour). Compare both, as coaches are often cheaper.
Brighton is the easiest beach trip. Trains leave every half hour from Victoria or London Bridge, and the fastest takes 52 minutes. Wander through the Lanes, eat fish and chips on the beach and skip the pricey pier games.
Trains from St Pancras or Blackfriars take 25 to 40 minutes. That makes St Albans a great pick for tiny budgets and short trips. See the cathedral, the Roman ruins and the market.
Cambridge is easy to walk, so you save on buses. Enjoy the river and open college gardens. Greater Anglia says advance one way tickets from London can start from as little as £6 on some routes, so check their deals.
Chichester is about 1 hour 32 minutes from Victoria, and advance fares can start around $11.50 (about £9). The cathedral has been part of the town for 950 years. Nearby woods and coast paths are free to enjoy.
Margate has sand, art and a lively old town. Be careful in summer. The south coast, including Margate and Bournemouth, gets busy and rooms sell out fast. Go in spring or autumn.
Yes, you can even go abroad on a small budget. Budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair make it simple. Travel blogger Helena Bradbury says cycling, public transport and a rented room keep Amsterdam cheaper, and that flight sales in quieter months bring bargains. Set alerts on a flight search site.
Here is a rough plan for one person. Prices change, so use it as a guide.
The total is about £130 to £250. Sharing a room with a friend cuts your cost a lot.
This is the easiest trick. According to National Rail, Railcards take one third off fares. The Two Together Railcard costs £35 for two people who travel together. It works after 09:30 on weekdays and all day at weekends. Under 26? Look at the 16 to 25 Railcard. MoneySavingExpert also explains how Tesco Clubcard points can cut the price to £17.50.
Advance tickets are usually cheapest. Check Friday evening and Saturday morning prices. They can be very different.
Many walking tours let you pay what you think it is worth. It is a great way to learn about a town.
Have a big breakfast. Buy lunch at a bakery or market. Save your money for one nice dinner.
Most lists show only the train price. But small costs add up:
Add about 15 percent to your budget for surprises.
Spring and autumn are best. Prices are lower and crowds are smaller. Summer weekends by the sea cost the most.
Choose the train. Parking in old towns is costly, and Friday roads are jammed. A car only helps for small villages or national parks.
Try our guide to the best small villages to visit in the Lake District. It is farther away, but it is beautiful.
A small bag saves money on flights and is easier on trains. These three things help:
New to England? Read our post on what to know before a first visit to England.
Love the sea? Browse our coastal and ocean getaways. Prefer museums and streets? See our city breaks. You can also explore more of our England destination guides.
Other writers have good ideas too. Read Time Out’s weekend trips from London, Time Out’s picks from Great Western Railway, London x London’s cheap breaks, CabinZero’s weekend list, Only By Land’s ideas and Globe Trotter Girls’ favourites. For the east side, see Greater Anglia’s weekend trips. For coast lovers, Trainline’s day trip guide has good Brighton tips, and Helena Bradbury’s Europe guide covers cheap trips abroad. Finally, check the National Rail Railcard page and MoneySavingExpert’s Railcard deals before you buy.
Affordable weekend getaways from London are easy when you plan a little. Pick a nearby town, book your train early and use a Railcard. Go in spring or autumn, and pack light.
You do not have to spend much to feel like you are somewhere new. Start with one trip this month. Bath, Oxford and St Albans are all great first picks.
St Albans is often cheapest because the journey is short. Oxford by coach is another low cost choice.
Buy advance train tickets, travel off peak, use a Railcard and stay in a budget room or hostel. Compare coach and train prices.
Yes, if you travel a few times a year. Most cost £35 for one year and take one third off many fares.
Bath, Bristol, Oxford, Brighton and Cambridge are all easy by train. Most take under two hours.
Yes. Every place in this guide works without a car, and most towns are easy to walk around.
Autumn and early spring usually cost less. Summer weekends by the sea cost the most.
Yes. Amsterdam is a popular choice. Watch flight sales, pack light and book early.
About £130 to £250 for one person for two days. Your train fare and hotel choice decide most of it.
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