How much does a trip to London cost?
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If you’re planning on travelling to London, you’re probably wondering how much you need to budget for your trip. While your travel costs will depend on your travel style, generally speaking London is best for travellers with some spending money.
Accommodation costs are generally on the high side and food and drinks are reasonably-priced. Many of London’s best attractions are very affordable or even free and, while some activities could set you back a fair amount, there’s plenty to do at lower price points too.
How much should I budget for a trip to London?
A reasonable budget for two for a weekend in London is around £850. This assumes you’ll be spending two nights and three days in the city.
The above cost is based on staying in good, mid-range accommodation and going to a mix of restaurants and cafes for meals. It makes allowances for a couple of sightseeing activities, but doesn’t take into account expensive activities like adventure sports or private tours.
How much does accommodation cost?
You can expect to spend between £120-£200 a night, per couple, on accommodation in London. This will get you a private room with your own bathroom in a 3-4-star hotel or apartment rental.
See latest hotel deals in LondonHostels are, of course, cheaper, but a private room with a shared bathroom will still cost around £120 per night. A bed in a dorm room also averages around £40 per night, per person, although there are definitely cheaper options out there.
See the highest rated hostels in LondonLike many major cities, accommodation costs in London vary depending on which neighbourhood you choose to stay in. Generally speaking, the closer you are to central London and the major sights, the more expensive the neighbourhood. Saying that, there are a few cheaper neighbourhoods in London which are still very convenient. If you're still deciding where to stay, read our neighbourhood guide for London.
How much should I budget for food and drinks in London?
Budget to spend around £350 for two for a weekend in London. This assumes you’re eating out and drinking some alcohol.
If you enjoy eating out, you can expect to pay around £70 for a nice dinner for two, including an alcoholic drink. A meal at a pub is likely to be around £40 for two, with cheaper meals available (especially for lunch) for around £13 each. You can buy a beer from a bar for around £6 and you can expect to pay around £3 for a cappuccino from a local café.
How much does it cost to get around London?
Getting around London is easiest with a train. Transport costs fluctuate depending how much you travel, but budgeting around £75 for two is a good starting point. This should allow you to take a couple of intercity train routes. If you’re planning on doing any tours or using hop-on hop-off buses, you’ll need to up your budget a bit.
The Underground is the most convenient way to get around London. You can buy an Oyster card or Travelcard in advance to use public transport in the city. The above amount should be enough to cover public transport for two as well as travel from the airport.
What should I expect to spend on activities?
A lot of the best things to do in London are free. However, there definitely are some attractions that cost money – entry fees to a museum or an art gallery are usually around £20 - £35 per person. If you want to do organised day trips or join smaller tour groups to learn more about some of the sites, budget around £80 per activity per person.
In summary
London is a beautiful destination to visit and although it’s not cheap, it’s definitely possible to travel there for less. Cooking your own meals, carefully selecting accommodation or limiting meals out will definitely help you to reduce your travel costs. And, if you're wanting to treat yourself, there are many luxury options available.
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Last Updated 26 May 2022
