How much money do you need for one day in London?

A daily budget for London ranges from approximately £50–£70 for budget travelers to over £200 for luxury, excluding accommodation. A comfortable mid-range, one-day visit typically requires about £70–£100, covering public transport (£10-£15), food (£40-£50), and some paid attractions.

How much is breakfast in London per person?

Budget Breakfast Prices in London: £3-£10

Many hostels will offer a free, simple breakfast that normally consists of cereal, bread/croissant, and maybe milk, coffee, tea, or juice (some hostels will offer more and some less). A traditional English breakfast from a typical café will cost £6-£9.

Is it cheaper to tap card or Oyster?

No, an Oyster card is generally not cheaper than tapping with contactless (bank card or phone), as they both use the same "pay as you go" (PAYG) system and have identical fare caps and discounts, making them the same price for most journeys. Contactless is often more convenient as it avoids the £5 Oyster card cost and the hassle of topping up, but Oyster can prevent foreign transaction fees if using a foreign bank card.

What is the cheapest way to pay for the tube in London?

You can get discounts on the London Underground (Tube) primarily through National Railcards, Oyster Photocard programs (for students, apprentices, seniors, veterans, care leavers), or by travelling off-peak. Railcards like the 16-25, 26-30, Senior, or Forces card can give 1/3 off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares when linked to an Oyster card, while specific Oyster photocard schemes offer significant savings for London residents in certain situations.

What is the 50 30 20 rule in London?

“There are clear and distinctive categories – 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% to put aside as savings.” If £1,500 comes into your account each month, this means £750 would go towards your 'needs' – rent, council tax, energy bill, food and transport to and from work.

BIGGEST London money saving hacks for tourists 💷

How much pocket money do I need in London?

🎒Backpacker Budget: £15 a day - It's possible to spend just £15 a day in London by skipping the souvenirs, grabbing meal deals & being conscious of how you get around the city. 👌 Mid-Range Budget: £70 a day - It's more realistic to spend an average of £70 a day in London on food, drink, transport & souvenirs.

How much money do tourists spend in London?

London is the world's third-most visited city, attracting roughly 21 million international visits in 2024 (more than half of all international visits into the UK), generating £17 billion in spending.

What's the cheapest month to go to London?

When is the cheapest time to visit London? Usually, the period between January and March is the cheapest time to visit London, due to the cool temperatures, occasional rainfall, and lack of public holidays and events.

Is cash still used in London?

A large amount of banknotes are held in the UK to pay for things: the cash in our wallets; in shop tills; in banks and ATM machines.

How to spend a full day in London?

To spend a day in London, focus on key areas like Westminster (Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey), the South Bank (London Eye, Borough Market), and the Tower of London/Tower Bridge, using walking and the Tube/Uber boat to connect iconic sights like Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Covent Garden for a mix of history, views, and culture, remembering to book major attractions in advance.
 

What is the 1 hour bus rule in London?

London's "1 hour rule" refers to the Hopper Fare, which allows unlimited bus and tram journeys for a single £1.75 fare within one hour of your first tap-in, using the same contactless or Oyster card. It means you can switch between buses and trams as much as you like, even linking with the Tube or DLR (though the main benefit is bus/tram hopping), without paying again, provided your subsequent taps are within 60 minutes of the initial touch. 

Is it worth getting an Oyster card for one day?

Great value. Pay as you go fares are cheaper than buying a paper single ticket or Day Travelcard. Your Visitor Oyster card offers daily capping. This means you can travel as much as you like in a single day and the amount you pay for your travel is limited (or capped).

Can I just use my debit card on London Underground?

Pay as you go with contactless

If your bank card shows the contactless payment symbol, you can use it to pay as you go. Always use the same device or contactless card to touch in and out to pay the right fare. For example, don't touch in with your iPhone and touch out with your Apple Watch or contactless card.

How to use the tube in London as a tourist?

To use the London Tube as a tourist, pay with a contactless card or Visitor Oyster card by tapping in and out at gates (buses/trams only tap in). Use apps like Citymapper or Google Maps to plan routes, identify color-coded lines and directions (northbound, etc.), stand on the right on escalators, let people off first, and move to the middle of the carriage.
 

What is typical breakfast in London?

A traditional London breakfast, known as the Full English, is a hearty fry-up featuring bacon, sausages, eggs (fried/poached/scrambled), baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and either toast or fried bread, often with the addition of black pudding and sometimes hash browns or bubble & squeak. It's a substantial meal found in pubs and cafes, designed for a big start to the day or as a hangover cure.