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London or Rome? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick London for free museums, theatre, pubs and a world of food, whatever the weather. Pick Rome for ancient history, sunshine and memorable simple food, at a clearly lower daily cost (about €172 mid-range against €256 in London).
London: suits families, solo travellers and theatre lovers who want free museums and variety.
Rome: suits couples, history lovers and older travellers who want ancient sites, pasta and warm weather.
Side by side
| London | Rome | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €257 £219 local | €172 |
| Budget day* | €133 | €88 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About €256 a day mid-range, the higher of the two. | ●●●●●About €172 a day mid-range. |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Westminster, the Tower and Oxford Street are busy year-round. | ●●●●●Vatican, Colosseum and Trevi are crowded nearly all year. |
| Food | ●●●●●Superb international food and markets; local dishes are simpler. | ●●●●●Carbonara, cacio e pepe and supplì at fair prices. |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Pubs, West End theatre, live music and late clubs. | ●●●●●Trastevere and Testaccio busy late; clubs fewer. |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Free museums, parks and kid-focused attractions. | ●●●●●History comes alive for kids; summer heat is tiring. |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Tube and buses reach everywhere; contactless is simple. | ●●●●●Walkable centre, limited metro, slow buses. |
| Best months | Aug | Sep, Oct |
| Warmest / coolest | Jul 23°C / Jan 7°C | Jul 34°C / Jan 12°C |
| Known for | Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, free world-class museums, West End theatre | Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica, perfect pasta |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our London and Rome day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick London if…
- you want free world-class museums.
- you want theatre, live music and pubs.
- you are travelling with young children.
- you do not mind cooler, changeable weather.
Pick Rome if…
- you want ancient history around every corner.
- you want sunshine and warmth in spring or autumn.
- Food is a priority and you want fair prices.
- you want to spend less per day.
Weather month by month
| Month | London high / rainy days | Rome high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C · 12 | 12°C · 11 |
| Feb | 10°C · 9 | 15°C · 6 |
| Mar | 11°C · 14 | 16°C · 8 |
| Apr | 13°C · 8 | 19°C · 11 |
| May | 17°C · 13 | 24°C · 12 |
| Jun | 22°C · 10 | 30°C · 6 |
| Jul | 23°C · 12 | 34°C · 3 |
| Aug | 22°C · 7 | 32°C · 6 |
| Sep | 21°C · 10 | 28°C · 7 |
| Oct | 17°C · 14 | 24°C · 9 |
| Nov | 11°C · 12 | 18°C · 16 |
| Dec | 9°C · 12 | 14°C · 10 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
London
Fish and chips · Salt beef bagel · Pie and mash · Full English breakfast · Sunday roast · Curry
Where: Borough Market (Southwark), Brick Lane and Whitechapel, Old Spitalfields Market, Maltby Street Market (Bermondsey)
Rome
Carbonara · Cacio e pepe · Supplì · Roman pizza by the slice · Jewish-style artichoke · Oxtail stew
Where: Testaccio Market, Campo de' Fiori, Mercato Trionfale (Prati), Jewish Ghetto
Doing both in one trip
8 days: 4 in London + 4 in Rome
Start in London and finish in Rome for warmer weather and slower evenings at the end.
Getting between them: Flight about 2 h 30 plus airport time; there is no practical rail option for a short trip. Distance about 1,436 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1: Westminster and South Bank
- Day 2: British Museum and a West End show
- Day 3: Tower of London and Borough Market
- Day 4: Museums in South Kensington, Hyde Park
- Day 5: Fly to Rome, evening in Trastevere
- Day 6: Colosseum and Forum
- Day 7: Vatican and St Peter's
- Day 8: Pantheon, Trevi and Testaccio
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Common questions
Is London or Rome cheaper?
Rome, by a clear margin. Our mid-range estimate is about €172 per person per day in Rome against about €256 in London. Hotels and transport are the main difference. London's free national museums help balance things for museum lovers, but day-to-day meals, drinks and rooms remain cheaper in Rome.
Which has better weather?
Rome, for most of the year. Its warmest month, July, averages about 34°C and January about 12°C, so spring and autumn are pleasantly warm. London peaks around 23°C in July and drops to about 7°C in January, with rain possible any month. In high summer, Rome can be too hot for long sightseeing days.
When is the best time to visit?
For Rome, September and October offer warm weather without the peak heat. For London, summer is warmest and longest-lit, with August the most reliable for weather but also school holidays. If combining them, May or September balances both: comfortable in Rome and reasonably mild in London.
How do I get between London and Rome?
Fly; the flight is about 2 h 30, with many daily options from London airports to Fiumicino or Ciampino. Rail is possible via Paris and Milan but takes well over a day of travel, so it only suits slow travellers. Allow time for airport transfers on both ends, especially to Stansted or Luton.