How much does a trip to London cost per day?
Short answer
Excluding accommodation, budget roughly £45–60 per person per day for a careful trip, £90–130 for a comfortable one. Transport is capped around £8.90 a day in zones 1–2, the major museums are free, and food is where the range comes from.
London's great budget advantage is that the best cultural attractions cost nothing: the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, Natural History Museum and Science Museum are all free to enter.
The costs that surprise people are drinks and casual food. A pint in central London runs £6.50–8, a flat white £3.60–4.50, and a mid-range dinner with a glass of wine lands near £40 a head once the 12.5% service charge is added.
The specifics
Transport
About £8.90 daily cap on contactless in zones 1–2. Buses cap lower, around £5.25.
Breakfast
£4–8 at a bakery or café; hotel breakfast is rarely worth £20.
Lunch
£8–14 at a market stall or neighbourhood café.
Dinner
£18–25 casual, £35–50 mid-range including service.
Museums
£0 for the permanent collections; £15–25 for special exhibitions.
More London questions
- Where do locals actually eat in London?
- What should I skip in London?
- Is London safe at night?
- How many days do you need in London?