London can be expensive but staying there doesn't have to be.

If you’re visiting London and you’re frightened of the prices hotels are charging, don’t despair. Renting a flat can be a great solution to this problem. Holiday apartments, which are normally rented by the week, are a cheaper and more comfortable choice to pricey hotels. Not only will you end up paying less per night, but you will also save money on meals, since you will be able to cook for yourself, rather than having to eat all your meals out.

Сheck out Prop2GO.com. The website offers listings of London flats you can rent by the day, week or month. Most are offered by private individuals, which means there are no extra fees or deposits required. Many of the listings include photos, so you can have a general idea of what you’re getting.

Look for serviced apartments. They are usually listed on the same websites that offer hotel rooms, as they’re considered a variation of hotels. Services apartments in London offer a middle ground between private flats and hotels, as they include a kitchen and other apartment-like facilities, but are kept clean and organized by a staff, like a hotel.

Don’t send money to private individuals in advance. This is especially true if you’re reserving a London apartment you found on Prop2GO or a similar site. Since there are no guarantees and no well-known companies to protect your money, it’s better just to show caution.

Look into companies such as HolidayLettings, which offers flat rentals by the week. The prices are usually higher than when renting from a private individual, but you are better protected. Another benefit from websites such as these is that you can search apartments by area, price and size.