StayAreasHow much does a trip to London cost?
Your hotel is the biggest cost in London by far, and the area you pick changes it more than anything else. The rest can be kept low: the best museums are free and transport is capped daily.
Hotels by area
| Area | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwich | ~$115 | ~$200 | ~$350 |
| Camden | ~$115 | ~$215 | ~$400 |
| Canary Wharf | ~$120 | ~$220 | ~$430 |
| Paddington | ~$120 | ~$230 | ~$440 |
| Shoreditch | ~$125 | ~$240 | ~$470 |
| Bloomsbury | ~$135 | ~$255 | ~$510 |
| Notting Hill | ~$140 | ~$270 | ~$510 |
| King's Cross | ~$135 | ~$270 | ~$565 |
| South Bank | ~$155 | ~$295 | ~$605 |
| Kensington | ~$145 | ~$295 | ~$645 |
| Westminster | ~$160 | ~$320 | ~$695 |
| Marylebone | ~$160 | ~$320 | ~$670 |
| Soho | ~$190 | ~$360 | ~$735 |
| Covent Garden | ~$190 | ~$360 | ~$805 |
Typical nightly rates for a double room, not live prices. Updated Sep 2026.
Everything else, per person per day
Food
A supermarket meal deal costs a few pounds, a pub meal around £15–25, and a mid-range restaurant £30–50 a head with a drink.
Transport
Tap in with a contactless card or Oyster. Fares are capped daily and weekly, so a day of travel in the centre costs no more than the cap. Walk where you can.
Attractions
The national museums are free. Big paid sights like the Tower of London, the London Eye or Westminster Abbey cost roughly £30–40 each, less if booked online.
Shows
West End tickets range from about £25 for restricted or same-day seats to well over £100 for the best seats.
Typical daily budgets, excluding the hotel
Budget
About £50–70 per person: free museums, a supermarket lunch, a pub dinner and capped transport.
Mid-range
About £100–150: one paid attraction a day, cafés and a restaurant dinner.
Comfortable
£200 and up: shows, afternoon tea and taxis.
Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Oct 2026 · How we research our guides