United Kingdom · Europe
London
World's most visited city — accessible on more budgets than you'd expect
London is expensive, but its free museum collection rivals any city on earth — the British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A, National Gallery, Tate Modern, and more are all completely free. Add excellent cheap street food from Borough Market to Brick Lane, affordable day trips to Oxford and Stonehenge, and the extraordinary density of history and culture, and London can be done for less than most people think.
Budget/day
$140–$230
Best time
May, June, July, August +1 more
Currency
GBP
US Visa
Visa required
Top things to do in London
- Spend a full day at the British Museum — the Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, and Egyptian mummies all free
- Walk across Tower Bridge and explore the Tower of London
- Eat at Borough Market on a weekday for exceptional food at local prices
- See Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre, with standing tickets from £5
- Day-trip to Bath (1.5 hours) and Stonehenge for Roman baths and prehistoric mystery
What a London trip actually costs
Estimates for a 7-night trip for 2 people from a major US hub, all-in.
TripBudget calculates your all-in number. Enter your budget and origin airport and we'll show you exactly what you can afford in London — flights, hotel, food, and car together.
Search London trips in your budgetBest time to visit London
London travel tips for US visitors
Visa: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) required from Jan 2025 — apply online, £10.
- 1Buy an Oyster card or use contactless payment on the Tube — paper tickets cost more.
- 2Heathrow Express is fast but expensive; the Elizabeth Line is $5 cheaper and nearly as quick.
- 3Pubs serve food at lunch for £10–15 — better value than dinner hours.
Similar destinations to explore
Ready to book London?
Enter your budget and departure city. We'll calculate the real all-in cost — flights, hotel, food, and car — and show you only trips that fit.
Plan my London trip