London on a budget: the all-in weekend
From which city and for how much, all-in.
Photo: Unsplash · images.unsplash.com/photo-1543832923-44667a44c804London (GB) is one of our gems. Here's the estimated budget for 2 nights depending on your departure city, transport, lodging and on-site living included.
The budget from your departure city
- From Dublin ~254–298 € →
- From Edinburgh ~£225–265 →
- From Birmingham ~£237–279 →
- From Manchester ~£265–311 →
- From Washington ~$567–666 →
- From New York ~$615–720 →
- From Miami ~$750–879 →
- From Chicago ~$756–888 →
- From Los Angeles ~$757–889 →
- From San Francisco ~$760–892 →
- From Atlanta ~$893–1,049 →
- From Boston ~$894–1,050 →
What to do in London?
The must-sees you shouldn't miss on the spot:
-
Tower of London
A historic riverside fortress on the Thames that houses the British Crown Jewels.
-
Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster
A famous clock tower attached to the British Parliament and an emblem of the city.
-
British Museum
A free universal museum home to the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon frieze sculptures.
-
Buckingham Palace
The official residence of the British monarch, known for its Changing of the Guard ceremony.
-
Tower Bridge
A Victorian-style bascule bridge spanning the Thames and one of London's iconic symbols.
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tours via our partners.
Best time to go
For London, aim for April, May, June, July, August, September: nice weather and still-reasonable prices.
Frequently asked questions about London
Is 100 pounds a day enough in London?
Yes, 100 pounds a day is a comfortable budget for one person if you stay in a hostel or budget hotel and eat mostly from markets, supermarkets, and casual spots rather than sit-down restaurants. Many of London's best attractions (the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, the parks) are free, so most of your money goes on a bed and food. Get an Oyster or contactless card for cheaper capped travel and you will have room to spare for the occasional paid sight or pint.
Can you go to London on a budget?
Absolutely. London has a genuine budget layer: free world-class museums, hostels and budget chains for beds, cheap eats in areas like Brick Lane, Camden, and Southall, and a public transport network that beats taxis on price every time. The trick is booking your bed early, walking between nearby sights, and leaning on the free and low-cost attractions rather than the tourist-trap paid ones.
Is $1000 enough for a week in London?
For one budget-minded traveller, a week on around $1000 (excluding flights) is doable if you sleep in hostels or budget hotels, cook or grab supermarket and market food, and use public transport with a daily fare cap. It gets tight if you want private rooms, restaurant meals, and lots of paid attractions, so prioritise the many free museums and galleries. Booking accommodation well ahead makes the biggest difference to whether it stretches comfortably.
Is 50 pounds enough for a day in London?
It is tight but workable if your bed is already paid for, since 50 pounds then covers food, transport, and a bit of sightseeing. Lean on free museums and parks, eat from supermarkets and market stalls, and use a fare-capped Oyster or contactless card to keep transport low. If that 50 pounds also has to cover a place to sleep, you will struggle unless you are in a dorm booked well in advance.
What is the cheapest time to go to London?
The cheapest stretch is winter outside the Christmas and New Year period, roughly the quieter weeks of January and February, when flights and hotels drop and crowds thin out. Late autumn and the shoulder weeks before the summer rush are also affordable while the weather is milder. Avoid school holidays, major events, and the festive season, when prices climb sharply.
How many days in London is enough?
Three to four days is enough to cover the big highlights (Westminster, the South Bank, a couple of the free museums, and a market or two) at a relaxed pace. If you want to fold in day trips or explore neighbourhoods like Camden, Greenwich, and Shoreditch, five to seven days suits better. For a first visit on a budget, a long weekend gives strong value without stretching your accommodation costs too far.
Some bookings go through affiliate links: it keeps us running, at no extra cost to you. Prices shown are range estimates, never firm prices.