Is London expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
London is one of Europe's most expensive cities, alongside Paris and Amsterdam and clearly above Rome, Barcelona or Lisbon. Hotels and eating out are the big costs; the saving grace is that most of the major museums are free. A mid-range day comes to about £219 per person.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | £65 | £115 | £230 |
| Food & drink | £30 | £60 | £120 |
| Sights & tickets | £10 | £35 | £60 |
| Local transport | £8 | £9 | £25 |
| Per person, per day | £113 | £219 | £435 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our London day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Flat white in a café | about £3.50–4.20 |
| Pint of beer in a central pub | about £6–7.50 |
| Fish and chips | about £10–14 takeaway, £16–22 sit-down |
| Salt beef bagel on Brick Lane | about £8–10 |
| Full English in a café | about £9–15 |
| Tube journey in Zone 1 (contactless) | about £2.90 |
| Daily cap Zones 1–2 (contactless) | about £8.90 |
| Bus fare (unlimited transfers within an hour) | £1.75 |
| Tower of London | about £35 |
| Elizabeth line from Heathrow | about £13 |
| Mid-range dinner for two with wine | roughly £90–130 (often plus 12.5% service) |
| 3★ double room, high season | roughly £180–300 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation dominates: roughly £65 per person sharing on a budget, £115 mid-range and £230 for comfort, and central London rooms are small for the price. Food is about £30 a day on café breakfasts, market lunches and a pub or curry dinner, and £60 with two sit-down meals and a drink; a discretionary service charge of about 12.5% is often added to restaurant bills. Paid sights are expensive (Westminster Abbey about £30, the Tower about £35, St Paul's about £26), but the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and the South Kensington museums are free. Transport is capped at about £8.90 a day in Zones 1–2 with a contactless card.
When it is cheaper
January, February (outside half-term) and November are the cheapest months for hotels, often very roughly 20–35% below summer prices. December is busier because of Christmas events, and big concerts or sporting weekends can push prices up at any time.
How to spend less
- Use the free museums: the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, V&A and Science Museum charge only for special exhibitions.
- Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses; daily spending is capped (about £8.90 in Zones 1–2), so you never need an Oyster card or a paper ticket.
- Ride buses where you can: the fare is a flat £1.75 with unlimited bus transfers within an hour.
- Take the Piccadilly line from Heathrow (about half the Elizabeth line fare) if time is not tight, and skip the Heathrow Express.
- Book a free Sky Garden slot a few weeks ahead instead of paying about £30–40 for the London Eye.
- Check the bill for a service charge before adding a tip on the card reader.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in London?
About £113 per person on a budget, about £219 mid-range and about £435 for comfort, including a share of a double room, food, sights and transport.
Why is London so expensive?
Mainly accommodation: central hotel rooms cost roughly £180–300 a night for a 3★ double in high season. Food and paid sights are also high, though many major museums are free.
Do I need cash in London?
Rarely. Contactless cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, including buses, the Tube and market stalls.