Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or London?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
London is a iconic, global, and international city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
San Francisco is a outdoorsy, quirky, and eccentric coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
Tourists will generally find more to do in London than San Francisco. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and christmas markets, while San Francisco attracts visitors for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. London is famous for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. San Francisco is famous for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Francisco and London. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both San Francisco and London.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, London has many famous sights for visitors. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in San Francisco that are not to be missed. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.
London is an amazing city to visit for its shows and theatre. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for theatre.
Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.
San Francisco offers a number of shows and performances. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.
San Francisco is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, London is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
San Francisco has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.
London is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.
London has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in San Francisco. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.
London is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for live music.
London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.
You'll find some good live music in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.
San Francisco is a great coastal city for the beach. However, London is not a beach destination.
San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.
London is not a beach destination.
San Francisco is terrific for hiking. However, London is not a hiking destination.
Many people visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.
London is not a hiking destination.
If you're looking to go shopping, London and San Francisco both offer plenty of terrific spots.
Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.
San Francisco is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.
London is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, San Francisco does not offer Christmas activities.
People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in London. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.
San Francisco does not offer Christmas activities.
London is an amazing city to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, San Francisco does not offer Christmas markets.
The holiday season is a very popular time to visit London because of the beautiful Christmas markets. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.
San Francisco does not offer Christmas markets.
You'll find terrific kid-friendly activities in either London or San Francisco.
London is one of the most popular family destinations. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.
San Francisco is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.
London is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.
London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.
San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.
London is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit London, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.
Backpackers come from all over to visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.
London is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for students.
London is a great destination for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.
Students come from all over to stay in San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.
London and San Francisco both offer terrific public transit to get you around.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of London can take you anywhere. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.
San Francisco has a great public transit system. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.
London is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its walkability.
London is a very easy city to get around on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.
San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.
For even more information, also check out Is London Worth Visiting? and Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?.
Both London and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, London has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in London than San Francisco. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in London than San Francisco. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in London, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in London than San Francisco. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in London that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than San Francisco if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in London.
London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of San Francisco. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
San Francisco is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Francisco. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the outdoorsy big city of San Francisco. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in London is $236, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $222. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for London and San Francisco in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in London or San Francisco? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Francisco and London change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
When comparing the travel costs between London and San Francisco, we can see that London is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though London is in Europe and San Francisco is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is London Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.
London has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of London and San Francisco, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both San Francisco and London are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
London is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, London usually receives more rain than San Francisco. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both San Francisco and London during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, London is cooler than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).
London usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both London and San Francisco. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, London is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
In January, London usually receives less rain than San Francisco. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to London as well as San Francisco. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
London is much colder than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
London usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
London | San Francisco | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
May | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |