How much does it cost to travel to the United Kingdom?
You should plan to spend around $191 (£153) per day on your vacation in the United Kingdom. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $46 (£37) on meals
- $36 (£29) on local transportation
- $190 (£152) on hotels
A one week trip to the United Kingdom for two people costs, on average, $2,669 (£2,142). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$1,662
£1,071
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$2,669
£2,142
-
One Month
Per person
$5,719
£4,591
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,669
£2,142
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$5,338
£4,285
-
One Month
For a couple
$11,438
£9,182
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to the United Kingdom cost?
A one week trip to the United Kingdom usually costs around $1,334 (£1,071) for one person and $2,669 (£2,142) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to the United Kingdom on average costs around $2,669 (£2,142) for one person and $5,338 (£4,285) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in the United Kingdom will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to the United Kingdom on average costs around $5,719 (£4,591) for one person and $11,438 (£9,182) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is the United Kingdom expensive to visit?
The United Kingdom is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, the United Kingdom is somewhat more expensive compared to the other countries. It is in the top 25% of countries in Europe for its travel costs. While a few countries in the region are more expensive, the United Kingdom is more expensive than most.
For more details, see Is the United Kingdom Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to the United Kingdom?
The average United Kingdom trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these United Kingdom travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
£152
($190)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
£29
($36)
|
|
Food 2
|
£37
($46)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
£27
($34)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
£13 -
38
($16 - 47)
|
|
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1
|
£37 -
111
($46 - 138)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
£7 -
20
($8 - 24)
|
Accommodation Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in the United Kingdom is $95 (£76). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in the United Kingdom is $190 (£152). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in the United Kingdom? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in the United Kingdom is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $36 (£29) per person, per day, on local transportation in the United Kingdom.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$36
£29
Typical prices for Local Transportation in the United Kingdom are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in the United Kingdom, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Food Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in the United Kingdom can vary, the average cost of food in the United Kingdom is $46 (£37) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in the United Kingdom should cost around $19 (£15) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in the United Kingdom is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$46
£37
Typical prices for Food in the United Kingdom are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in the United Kingdom, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Lunch for 2
£23
-
Lunch for 2
£46
-
Nice lunch at Fleece
£61
-
Coffee (2)
£4.80
-
Turkish Delight
£1.40
-
2 Coffees and Scones
£5.80
-
Soup at the Pub
£5.90
-
Lunch for 2
£17
Entertainment Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in the United Kingdom typically cost an average of $34 (£27) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$34
£27
Typical prices for Entertainment in the United Kingdom are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in the United Kingdom, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Tips and Handouts Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in the United Kingdom is $92 (£74), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$92
£74
Alcohol Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $16 (£13) on alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$16
£13
Typical prices for Alcohol in the United Kingdom are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in the United Kingdom, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Pint of Beer
£3.50
-
Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern
£1.65
-
Ciders at Kilted Skirlie
£3.50
-
Bottle of Wine
£12
-
Drinks at the Walnut Pub (for 2)
£10
-
Pitcher of Pimms
£15
-
Drinks at the Pub (for 2)
£7.55
-
Beer & Wine
£14
Water Budget in the United Kingdom
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $4.99 (£4.00) on bottled water in the United Kingdom per day. The public water in the United Kingdom is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$4.99
£4.00
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2023
The United Kingdom On a Budget
Edinburgh
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The history of the area is prolific and the literary, political, and cultural influence of this country dates back centuries. The UK is a favorite travel destination for those interested in history or literature. The area is diverse in that it has cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages, and beautiful countryside. Many people use London as a jumping off point for exploring all of Europe because the international flights into the city are some of the cheapest in the region.
Traveling around the country is fairly easy, although it can be quite expensive. Trains connect many parts of the country and tickets should be purchased well in advance if you're hoping to get a decent deal. There are sometimes discounts available so do some research ahead of time to learn what package best suits your needs. Buses travel throughout the entire country and, although they are not as convenient as in Italy or Germany, they are still a reliable and slightly more affordable option. If you're really hoping to spend a good amount of time in the countryside, it really is best to rent a car. Prices can be high but the benefit is obvious as this allows you to see villages at your own pace and head into more rural areas that aren't accessible by public transportation.
The area is well known as an expensive travel destination, even by European standards. In particular, you can expect the bulk of your money to go towards transportation, accommodation, and food. Transportation costs are generally unavoidable, but by slowing down your trip and visiting less cities and towns you'll dramatically cut down on your overall trip cost. If you're willing to partake in serious cost-saving measures, hostels are available in most touristy areas but they remain quite expensive as well. Couchsurfing is a great option if you're on a particularly tight budget. Food can be more affordable if you by it at a supermarket or head to the pub for fish and chips. While it's almost impossible to visit this country cheaply, there are some things you can do to keep your budget a little more in check.
At A Glance
- London is notoriously expensive. It's easily the cheapest city to fly into, but once you arrive you'll find your money quickly disappears. If you're hoping to keep costs down, spend more time in the other areas around the United Kingdom and less time in London. In the more rural communities you'll find that your expenses are far less.
- The countries that make up the United Kingdom each have their own set of bank holidays. Look at a calender before you schedule your trip to make sure that your vacation does not overlap any of these bank holidays. If it does, you will find that prices are higher and attractions are more crowded.
- There are many discount airlines that fly into and out of London and the United Kingdom. If you book tickets through one of these airlines, make sure that you understand all of the restrictions as well as what's included in the price. Some flights fly into inconvenient airports as well, so confirm that there are transportation connections available to where you need to go.
- If you're traveling by train, there are usually discounts available for children or groups. Also, there are regional railcards available if you plan to take several different trips within the area. Research all of the restrictions on these cards prior to purchasing them. If you do decide to buy single tickets, it is best to buy them in advance when the prices are often lower. Great Britain is an area where you will benefit from having a set schedule and itinerary in advance of your trip.
- There are several different bus companies available throughout the country. The buses are usually of high quality and they generally run on schedule. The more popular bus companies include National Express, Megabus, CityLink, and Dot2Dot. Some companies are focused on specific regions, while other serve the entire country. Some companies are also notoriously cheaper than others.
Related:
Traveling
alone to London or
Edinburgh?
Looking for a party and need a
hostel in London?
Find a
Contiki tour to Europe.
Top Tourist Attractions
Stonehenge: One of the most famous sights in the United Kingdom, Stonehenge is an impressive circle of stone rocks that is believed to date back to 3100 BC. While the purpose is unknown, their positioning and size is really quite impressive.
Tower Bridge: Tower Bridge is located in London and crosses the Thames River. It is the most famous bridge in the country as well as one of the most famous in the world. It was built in 1894 with the help of over 50 architects.
Lake Windermere: Lake Windermere is in Cumbria and is two miles in length and one mile wide. It is included as part of the Lake District National Park and is a popular tourist destination any time of year.
Popular Foods
British food is often picked on around the world as bland and boring. While you'll still find many of the greasy pub favorites around, the country in general as elevated the quality of its cuisine. In larger cities you'll find plenty of international options and modern twists on traditional favorites. You can still enjoy meat pies or fish and chips, but if you're looking for something more, that's easily available as well.
Curry: This is the British version of Indian Curry. It often includes a meat like roast beef or fish. It's cooked with typical Indian spices and often adds some coconut for flavor. It's served with rice and is really quite delicious. It's available at most casual restaurants and pubs around town.
Haggis: This is a traditional Scottish dish that is made from a unique combination of sheep parts as well as onions, oatmeal, spices and stock. It's traditionally cooked in a sheep's stomach lining and served as a sausage.
Meat & Vegetables: The typical British dinner includes a basic meat prepared with two boiled vegetables. It's a simple dinner, but quite filling and ubiquitous. If you're invited into someone's home this is likely a meal you will be served as it's common for most British families.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.