Cost for 1 week in London

Let’s be honest; managing finances for a trip is stressful. Especially if you are travelling with a group of friends, family or colleagues, the whole process might feel a bit overwhelming. You will be making arrangements for transport, accommodation, itinerary planning, packing, shopping and everything else that is directly influenced by your budget.

That does not mean you should spend a fortune to experience destinations like London. Smart planning of your budget ahead of time will save you a lot of hassle and help you make the most out of your trip. Here is how much budget you will need for a 1-week trip in London.

Summary Table

Here is an approximate breakdown of the total budget you need for 7 days in London. Also, it is worth noting that these prices are subject to change with seasonal variations and peak demand.

Accommodation

• Price Range: Starting from ~£30 - £60 per night
• Price for a Week: £280

Accommodation is undoubtedly a major expense, but you can keep a safe distance from uncontrolled spending by booking a room ahead of your arrival date. We can not insist enough, as this will not only save you money but also secure you from last-minute hassle after a tiring flight. 

The hotel booking pretty much depends on your preferences. I mean, if you are after a budget-friendly hotel or luxury rooms, there are plenty of options available. King’s Cross, Paddington and Camden hotels are considered cheaper at ~£30-£60 per night. Or, if you are travelling solo, you can save a lot of money by staying in an Airbnb or hostel.

Tip: If you are an avid traveller and have points collected from different hotels, now might be the time to use those and secure a good deal to save money and use it for the rest of your trip.

Transport

• Public Transport: £44.70 per passenger
• Car Rental Without Driver: £9 to £15 per day (fuel cost not included)
• Minibus Hire With A Driver: £180 for 50 miles

Many often overlook the importance of reliable and cost-friendly transport that does not break your budget while still allowing you to get around easily. Thanks to the decade old transport infrastructure, it is much easier to get around the attractions on public transport. Per passenger, you will be using an Oyster Card or contactless debit/credit card payments for daily fares, which will cost you around £44.70.

If you are travelling with a large group with extra luggage, you might want to reconsider your plans of travelling on public transport. We hate to break it to you, but travelling with a group like family will become expensive and tiresome. Your best bet would be to go for a car rental without a driver, which will cost around £9 - £15 per day.

You can hire a private minibus with a driver to save money, time and hassle of travelling together around London. Our private minibus is highly affordable and efficient for transferring a large group between any destinations around London and beyond at a tailored price. This means you will not have to worry about the cost of unused fuel for a car rental or uncertain public transport.

Food & Drinks

• Budget Spending: £10 - £20 per day for an individual
• Pro Tip: Instead of eating at a supermarket, you can visit Chinatown to get some of the best and affordable cuisine in all of London.

Food and drinks can not be ignored as they are also a major expense daily. Although it highly depends on your preferences and daily tourism activity, sticking to the budget will help you save money and avoid overspending. Since eating out in London is expensive, you can opt for street food or great casual restaurants to stay within your budget.

A good budget meal at a supermarket or local restaurant will cost you around £20 max per person. Meanwhile, if you are willing to stretch a bit, then you can go max to £50 per meal at a decent restaurant or a local pub.

Attractions & Entertainment

• Prices: £20 - £50 per person
• Weekly Budget: £100 - £200

Just like the rest, attractions are also dependent on the budget available. Fortunately, London is generous enough to provide both free and paid attractions that will suit the entertainment and activities for all age groups. There are free or affordable street performances, activities, fun exploration or open parks to enjoy and spend time together with your family.

Here are some of the free attractions that you can visit in London:

1. British Museum - Great Russell St, London
2. National Gallery - Trafalgar Square, London
3. Hyde Park - Royal Park, Central London
4. Covent Garden - Central London

If you want to visit the paid attractions, some of the best include:

1. Tower of London - £34 per person
2. St. Paul’s Cathedral - £26 per person
3. London Eye - £29 per person

Shopping

Prices: £20 - £50 or £100 - £300

When you are visiting London, how could you miss the opportunity to shop? Seriously, you must go out for a little shopping or just get a souvenir when visiting London for the first time. The prices depend on what you are going to purchase and from where you are purchasing them.

Shopping from mid-range stores will cost you £100 - £300. But since you will not be shopping regularly, this is a one-time payment. Also, many tourists go for thrift stores instead of the mid-to-high-end stores, which is a great approach to save money while making memorable purchases.

Miscellaneous & Unexpected Costs

Weekly Budget: £50 - £100

Apart from the main expenses for your overall trip, your budget should also cover the unexpected costs. These can include everything from medical costs, rainy day funds, phone/internet, and other various expenses that are uncertain. Like shopping, these costs are not something incurred repeatedly every day in the week, but instead, it is more of a contingency to use during any uncertainty.

What Is The Total Budget Required For A Week's Trip To London?

As for the total, you will need £100 - £150 per day for a secure and best experience of staying in London. If you need special perks and a more luxurious experience, this budget can extend up to £800 per day.

It all boils down to your preferences and how much you can balance your excessive spending habits and needs. Not to mention, you also have to make the right decision for your transportation to avoid spending money excessively while travelling safely around London. That is why hiring our minibus with a driver might be the reliable option as it allows you to travel together with a group for a single cost, exclusive to your itinerary for the week.