In london we had the kids on the tube for 2 quid all day, (under 10's i think are free), free on the buses, you just need oyster cards etc . Belgian chocolate waffles with coffee 2.50 each oxford street. Baked spuds 3 quid oxford street. Friends mum gave us vouchers for oxford street BHS cafe ( enormous meals ) 2 meals for 6 quid, kids meals were 3 quid. We stayed in a travelodge central london for around 30 quid booked on line in advance, breakfast 6 quid for one adult and 2 kids free.

Just give fortnum and mason and french cafes a miss

Found it cheaper than sydney to be honest but we had locals giving us advice.

Would it have been practicable to take picnic meals, say salami, cooked cold sausages or roast meat, raw carrots, apples and oranges and drive closer before taking to public transport?

And that is the key to it.

People from Sydney going to London will find London more expensive.

People from London going to Sydney will find Sydney more expensive.

Unless they both have locals giving advice.

A bit of local advice from me.....

Although I can buy all of those today, at those prices, these items are not always that price...

But throw in the tender rump steak that I got at the weekend for $4.99 kg (£1.33 per pound), and you have a very good meal, for a reasonable price.

We have a delivery every week from a company that deals with local suppliers for the essentials (milk, bread, fruit & veg, meat etc) and it works out a bit cheaper than the supermarkets.

We used to do it in the UK so I am really happy & it saves money because I don't pick up stuff from the supermarket that I don't need.

For the record I am london born n bred.

When I go out for the day with my family i find it spoils the day a bit if i attempt to wring every ounce of value out of it and try and find the cheapest meals and drinks available, i prefer to have a casual experience and take it as it comes.

But each to their own as I've stated before i feel more self concious taking the picnic and cheapo option in the UK than i ever did in oz, sitting outside the cafe in the rain eating sandwiches watching the others eating their hot food isn't my idea of fun either.

I suppose in a nut shell you can have a crappy budget experience anywhere but i personally think it depends on the individuals and their expectations, peace to all

Well don't whinge about the prices of the food and drink then!

"seemed a bit expensive to me, what do you think?"

strewth if you think this is whinging and worth that kind of response you must be ever upbeat?

It was simply a comparison to the Oz is so expensive comments (not whinges for goodness sakes, if ever there was an overused word)

You don't have to eat at Harrod's emporium to get a feed. Jad, I can see it now - your family being hustled along the secret London underground from one cheap local agent to the next like shot down pilots with the French resistance...

'Listen carefully..along the road is a BHS cafe...rolls are 1 pound - jam is a little extra..Bon chance!.'

And we were trying to help you out by offering advice on where to eat more cheaply,but then you said when you went out for the day you did'nt particularly want to watch the pennies!Ah well,time for bed I think!

Thanks for the kind sentiments but i wasn't lookng for advice just opinion then only lightheartedly.

In a former life i've existed on pasta and pulses and not much else, i know how to do it but it's hardly what i'd call living

Slrrp tight

My god bananas $0.89 per kilo. I had a heart attack here in WA when our local supermarket had them for $1.89. Normally at least $4.99. My kids love bananas

The reason why a picnic lunch is not so practicable in London whereas in Australian city centres there are lots of parks and other pleasant places to picnic nearby, often with nice views, and it is more likely to be dry even if not always sunny.

It will be interesting to see the prices in the uk I have not been back since about 1975. But I shall be over there this july for a month.

So will be good to compare with oz prices.

Must admit thou the prices of parking In brisbane is just ridiculous
We end up now parking at yeronga & getting the train in cos its so expensive. the prices have gone sky high