London Travel Budget
How much does it cost to visit London, United Kingdom? Plan your budget with our interactive calculator.
Estimated Total for 7 Days
£1,190
Travel Style
Midrange
Destination
Travel Style
Compare by Travel Style
See how your 7-day trip budget varies across backpacker, midrange, and comfortable travel styles.
Largest Expense
Accommodation
42% of total budget
Price Level
Expensive
Compared to global average
Local Currency
GBP
Symbol: £
Where Your Money Goes
Understanding your spending helps you travel smarter and stretch your budget further
Daily vs Total Cost
Switch between daily and total views to understand your spending
£1,190
Total for 7 days
Accommodation
£500
for 7 days
Food & Dining
£286
for 7 days
Transport
£143
for 7 days
Activities
£202
for 7 days
Other
£60
for 7 days
Planning Tip
Book accommodations early and compare prices across platforms. Mid-week stays often offer better rates than weekend arrivals, and flexibility with dates can save you up to 25%.
A Day in London
See exactly what a real day costs, with insider tips for each expense
A Budget Day in London
Total: £29
Toast and coffee at local café
Avoid chain cafés for better value
British Museum morning (free)
World-class collection, zero entrance fee
Meal deal lunch from supermarket
Tesco, Sainsbury's—sandwich, drink, snack
Walk: Southbank, Tower Bridge (free)
Best views in London are free
Happy hour pint at local pub
Wetherspoons for cheapest pints
Dinner at street food market
Camden or KERB markets after 5pm
Bus travel (cheaper than Tube)
Daily cap means unlimited rides
Daily Total
7 activities
From Someone's Journal
London can be done on a budget if you know the secrets. The British Museum—one of the greatest collections on Earth—is completely free. Spent three hours there without spending a penny. Lunch was a £4 meal deal eaten on the Southbank, watching boats on the Thames. Evening pint in a proper pub, listening to office workers decompress. Street food dinner—incredible Caribbean jerk chicken, £8. Total for the day: less than a fancy London brunch.
Memory Prompts for London
Reflect on your spending with these thoughtful prompts - perfect for your travel journal
How did you navigate London's notoriously high costs?
Budget strategies
What free museum experience moved you most?
Free attractions
Describe your best pub meal. Was it worth the price?
Pub culture
How did the Oyster card or contactless system work for your budget?
Transport
Free Things to Do in London
Stretch your budget further with free attractions and insider money-saving tips
British Museum
World-class collection including the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles. Free entry.
Tate Modern
Former power station housing modern art. Free main galleries.
National Gallery
Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci, and more in Trafalgar Square. Free entry.
Changing of the Guard
Watch the ceremony at Buckingham Palace (check schedule as it's not daily).
Hyde Park
One of London's Royal Parks with Serpentine Lake, Diana Memorial, and Speaker's Corner.
Borough Market
Historic food market perfect for browsing and sampling (buying is optional).
Sky Garden
Free rooftop garden with panoramic London views. Book in advance.
South Bank Walk
Walk from Westminster to Tower Bridge past the London Eye, Tate, Globe, and Tower.
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs, gems, and Victorian architecture. Free entry.
Camden Market
Browse eclectic stalls, street food, and live music in this iconic market.
Practical Tips for London
Getting Around
Oyster card or contactless payment caps at £7.70/day (Zones 1-2). Avoid buying single tickets. Bus is flat £1.75.
Where to Stay
East London (Shoreditch, Whitechapel) and South London (Bermondsey) offer better value than central areas.
Cheap Eats
Pret, Greggs, and Wasabi offer quick meals for £5-8. Borough Market has free samples. Brick Lane has cheap curries.
Tipping Guide
Check if service is included (usually 12.5%). If not, 10-15% is standard for restaurants. Cash tip often goes to staff.
Best Value Season
January-February and November (pre-Christmas) offer lower hotel rates. Avoid summer and Christmas weeks.
Watch Out For
Watch for fake charity collectors, shell games near tourist spots, and unofficial ticket sellers outside stations.
Pro tip: Combine free activities with paid attractions for a balanced, budget-friendly itinerary
Neighborhood Guide for London
Find the perfect area to stay based on your budget and travel style
Shoreditch
East London's creative hub with street art, vintage shops, trendy bars, and startup culture.
Best For
Camden
Alternative culture epicenter with the famous market, live music venues, and punk heritage.
Best For
South Bank
Cultural corridor along the Thames with Tate Modern, theatres, and stunning river walks.
Best For
Notting Hill
Pastel houses, Portobello Road Market, and upscale village atmosphere. Instagrammable but pricey.
Best For
Brixton
Vibrant South London neighborhood with diverse food scene, live music, and Caribbean influence.
Best For
Westminster
Iconic central London with Big Ben, Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. Tourist central.
Best For
Location Tip
Consider staying in "moderate" neighborhoods for the best balance of cost and convenience. They often have better local restaurants, easier transport links, and more authentic experiences than the most central tourist areas—while still being safe and well-connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about traveling to London on a budget
A 7-day trip to London costs approximately £1,190 for a midrange travel style. This breaks down to about £170 per day, covering accommodation, food, local transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses.
Daily budgets in London vary by travel style: Budget/Backpacker travelers spend around £70/day, Mid-range travelers spend £170/day, and Comfortable travelers spend £350/day. These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities.
London is considered a relatively expensive destination for tourists. With mid-range daily costs of £170, it requires careful planning to stay within budget compared to other popular destinations. The largest expense is typically accommodation (42% of budget).
Food typically accounts for about 24% of your daily budget in London. For a midrange experience, expect to spend around £41 per day on meals. Pret, Greggs, and Wasabi offer quick meals for £5-8. Borough Market has free samples. Brick Lane has cheap curries.
London uses the GBP (£). We recommend exchanging some cash before arrival for small purchases, though credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, but check with your bank about international transaction fees.
Accommodation in London is the largest expense, typically representing 42% of your budget. For 7 days with a midrange travel style, expect to spend approximately £500 total. East London (Shoreditch, Whitechapel) and South London (Bermondsey) offer better value than central areas.
Top money-saving tips for London: Get an Oyster card, Walk or take the bus, Bring your own coffee cup. These strategies can significantly reduce your daily costs.
Yes! London has many free attractions including: British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Changing of the Guard, and more. These free activities can help you stretch your budget significantly.
Local transportation typically accounts for 12% of your budget in London. Oyster card or contactless payment caps at £7.70/day (Zones 1-2). Avoid buying single tickets. Bus is flat £1.75. Budget around £20 per day for transport.
Check if service is included (usually 12.5%). If not, 10-15% is standard for restaurants. Cash tip often goes to staff.
January-February and November (pre-Christmas) offer lower hotel rates. Avoid summer and Christmas weeks.
Watch for fake charity collectors, shell games near tourist spots, and unofficial ticket sellers outside stations.
Data Source
Budget and cost of living data sourced from Numbeo. Prices are estimates based on crowdsourced data and may vary
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Your 7-Day Budget
£1,190
£170 per day
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