Is the United Kingdom expensive to visit?
The United Kingdom is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced country. It places in the top 50% of countries in Europe for its travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Italy and Denmark.
With plenty of famous destinations, this country is very popular with tourists. A wide range of destinations are found here at a variety of prices. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Manchester, Saint Andrews, and Dundee. On the other hand, if you're looking for cheaper cities, you can visit Huddersfield, Loch Lomond National Park, and Snowdonia National Park.
Average daily price of selected cities in the United Kingdom, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Dundee | $364 |
| Saint Andrews | $352 |
| Manchester | $303 |
| Leeds | $301 |
| London | $293 |
| Liverpool | $277 |
| Inverness | $269 |
| Isle of Skye | $186 |
| York | $175 |
| Bristol | $151 |
| Lake District National Park | $127 |
| Snowdonia National Park | $117 |
| Loch Lomond National Park | $97 |
| Huddersfield | $71 |
Birmingham, England
How expensive is the United Kingdom?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in the United Kingdom tends to be around $237 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for the United Kingdom here.
How expensive is a one week trip to the United Kingdom?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to the United Kingdom costs around $1,659 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $3,317.
How expensive is a two week trip to the United Kingdom?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a two week trip to the United Kingdom will cost around $3,317 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a two week trip would cost $6,635.
How expensive is a month long trip to the United Kingdom?
On average, a one month trip to the United Kingdom costs about $7,109 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one month trip costs $14,217.
Lake District National Park, England
Is it expensive to backpack in the United Kingdom?
the United Kingdom is a somewhat popular destination for backpackers, offering over 50 hostels around the country. The average cost for a dorm room in one of these hostels is around $39 per night. (See details on hostel prices in the United Kingdom here.) Backpackers often head first to hostels in London, Edinburgh, and Leeds. For budget-friendly options, London offer some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $33 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in London with an average cost of $33 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in the United Kingdom.
- $32 for a dorm bed at Dover Castle Hostel and Bar in London
- $36 for a dorm bed at Art Hostel in Leeds
Where to find affordable hostels in the United Kingdom
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| London | 21 | $33 |
Are hotels expensive in the United Kingdom?
From our analysis of hotel prices in the United Kingdom, we can see that they are moderate in cost and have somewhat average prices compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $153 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Glencoe commanding a higher average of $428 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Aberdeen, Huddersfield, and Leeds, where hotel prices average around $109, $109, and $108 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in the United Kingdom
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Glencoe | $428 |
| Isle of Skye | $273 |
| Edinburgh | $223 |
| Bath | $193 |
| Windsor | $190 |
| London | $184 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | $118 |
| Nottingham | $113 |
| Aberdeen | $109 |
| Huddersfield | $109 |
| Leeds | $108 |
Big Ben, London, England
How expensive are sightseeing activities in the United Kingdom?
Activities and things to do in the United Kingdom can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $36 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Coasteering Geopark Adventure In Torquay: $61
- Stonehenge Private Tour - Half-Day Tour from Bath: $276
- Oxford University and Harry Potter Tour with Live Entertainment: $27
- Angel Meadow Manchester History Tour with Author Dean Kirby: $27
- Working Women of the East End Walking Tour: $54
- 'A Wee Pedal's' Award-Winning Circular Cycle Tour of Edinburgh!: $120
- London James Bond and Spies Guided Walking Tour: $22
- British Museum & National Gallery of London - Exclusive Guided Combo Tour: $246
Is food expensive in the United Kingdom?
Food in the United Kingdom can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $82 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Traditional English Walking Food Tour With London Food Tours: $231
- Small-group Ouseburn Food Tour with Tour of Victoria Tunnel: $129
- Lunch Food Tour with a Glasgow Chef: $162
- Borough Market Food Tour | Private Brunch Experience in London: $240
- Pasta Making Experience - Cooking Class: $202
- Northumbrian Coastline Food Tour: $211
York Castle Walls, England
Is transportation expensive in the United Kingdom?
Local transportation in the United Kingdom can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $39 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in the United Kingdom can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $86 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for the United Kingdom
If you're planning a trip to the United Kingdom, check out these other informative travel guides.
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.