Moving to London is undoubtedly expensive

But as is often said – it is absolutely possible to live on a budget. Planning in advance can make a big difference, and in this two-part blog post, that is what I’m here to help you with. 

Here are a few tips, particularly for those moving from India: 

1. Flights with excess baggage

Try booking your flight tickets early, and choose a flight which allows excess baggage.Some airlines have special offers for students flying for the first time on a student visa – you may be able to carry extra bags for free, or travel at a discounted rate. As far as possible, choose a non-stop flight, so as to reduce the risk of your bags being lost or delayed when you land in London! 

2. Think about return flights

If you intend to visit India during the year, be certain about the dates of your exams/assessments/visa conditions, so that you can book a return flight at the outset – for example, I was under the impression that, as an LLM student, I would have exams along with the rest of LSE in January (and hence did not book a return flight in December, which would have saved me hundreds of pounds). It was only upon arriving in London that I realised all my exams would be in the summer and I could have spent the winter break with family! 

3. Stationary

Stationery is extremely cheap in India when compared to London. Carry some notebooks, pens (and refills), highlighters, folders, and other essential stationery – they will not take up too much space in your luggage, and you will save a lot of money! Thank me during LSE exam season :) 

4. Bring a bank card rather than cash

Carry a pre-loaded forex card or an international debit/credit card. London is largely cashless – you will need a card in order to make most purchases, including getting from the Airport to your accommodation, and using the Tube. Several stores also do not accept cash – for example Ikea in Hammersmith. But be sure to carry a small amount of cash (both notes and coins), just in case you encounter issues with your cards – and note that many street markets only take cash! 

5. Cutlery

Carry some basic cutlery: a mug, a microwavable plate, a fork/spoon – these will help you survive the first few days at your accommodation until you find the time and energy to visit Ikea. Also purchase basic cooking utensils – such as cooking tongs or a “pakkad”, as is colloquially known in India – they are lightweight and much, much cheaper to buy in India! 

6. Don't bring large cooking items

I would, however, recommend against purchasing bigger vessels such as pressure cookers, blenders, etc. – they are heavy and may take up value weight in your luggage allowance. More importantly, they are available in London (especially at South Asian stores like Taj Stores in Brick Lane) and will most likely be suited to induction stovetops, the most widely-used type of stovetop in the city. 

7. Small kitchen items

If you are stingy like me – and are reeling from the rate of converting from pounds to rupees – you may also want to pick up a few light-weight kitchen items like kitchen scrubbers and kitchen wipes, which will not take up space in your luggage, but will ease your transition during your first few days in London, when you may not have access to a stocked kitchen yet. 

8. Bring basic medication

Bring some basic medication after consulting with your doctor and getting a prescription, if necessary. Medicines are significantly more expensive in the UK, so bringing your essentials is helpful. Many people also find that London’s climate is drier than India, so it helps to have cough lozenges on hand to handle the inevitable sore throat once you get here. Also, carry a good moisturiser! 

9. Get your treatments done beforehand

If possible, get your cosmetic or dental treatment done in India before coming to the UK – the NHS does not always cover this kind of work, and if it does, there are likely to be long waiting periods. Dental treatment is far more cost effective in India (in fact, I have known people to fly to India for their treatments, and the cost of flights + accommodation + treatment is still cheaper than going to your regular private dentist in London)! 

SaraLLM student from India