← Back to budget calculator

How much does a trip to London cost in 2026?

Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen
Travel Finance Editor
Last updated: 2026-05-27
Quick answer
A 7-day mid-range trip to London costs approximately $2,436 per person, including accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Flights from the US add roughly $720 (use the estimator to see costs from other countries).

London sits in a price band where mid-range travelers typically spend around $348 per day on the ground — about $2,436 for a full week before flights. Backpackers on a tight budget can get by on roughly $144 a day staying in hostels and eating at local spots, while luxury travelers booking 4–5 star hotels and fine dining should plan for closer to $855 per day.

International flights from a major US hub to London run roughly $720 round-trip in economy class, though shoulder-season and advance-purchase fares can land well below that. The estimator below adds flights, accommodation, food, local transport, and activities into a single number you can save and track during the trip — and lets you pick your own departing country.

Daily cost breakdown by travel style

Budget
$144/day
Hostels, street food, public transit
🏨 Accommodation$70
🍽️ Food$40
🚗 Local transport$12
🎫 Activities$22
7 days: $1,008 per person
Mid-range
$348/day
3-star hotels, restaurant meals
🏨 Accommodation$200
🍽️ Food$80
🚗 Local transport$18
🎫 Activities$50
7 days: $2,436 per person
Luxury
$855/day
4–5 star, fine dining, private transport
🏨 Accommodation$500
🍽️ Food$200
🚗 Local transport$35
🎫 Activities$120
7 days: $5,985 per person

Run the numbers for your trip

Adjust the days, travelers, and home currency — get a total in seconds, then save it to start tracking.

Estimate my London trip →

London budget FAQ

What's the daily food cost in London?

For mid-range travelers eating a mix of restaurant meals and casual local spots, expect around $80 per person per day for food and drinks in London in 2026. Budget travelers eating street food and self-catering breakfast can hold it to $40 a day, while fine dining and hotel restaurants push the daily food spend to $200 or more.

Is London expensive for tourists?

London runs about $348 per person per day for mid-range travel covering accommodation, food, local transport, and activities. That puts it on the expensive end compared to other popular destinations. A full week at the mid-range tier comes to roughly $2,436 per person before flights. Budget travelers can do it for around $144 a day; luxury travelers should plan for $855+ daily.

How many days do you need in London?

London is expensive on a per-day basis, so 3–5 days is the sweet spot for most travelers. Beyond a week, the daily cost compounds quickly. If you have more time, consider pairing it with a cheaper neighboring destination to balance the overall budget.

What's the best time to visit London for budget travel?

November to early March (excluding Christmas week) has the lowest hotel rates; May and September are the weather sweet spot.