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 the Netherlands 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 London, 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 | $295 |
| Saint Andrews | $271 |
| London | $236 |
| Manchester | $231 |
| Inverness | $212 |
| Liverpool | $203 |
| Cardiff | $194 |
| Isle of Skye | $144 |
| York | $134 |
| Bristol | $115 |
| Lake District National Park | $102 |
| Snowdonia National Park | $95 |
| Loch Lomond National Park | $76 |
| Huddersfield | $43 |
Liverpool, England
How expensive is the United Kingdom?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in the United Kingdom tends to be around $191 (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 $1,334 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,668.
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 $2,668 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a two week trip would cost $5,336.
How expensive is a month long trip to the United Kingdom?
On average, a one month trip to the United Kingdom costs about $5,717 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 $11,434.
Big Ben, London, England
Is it expensive to backpack in the United Kingdom?
the United Kingdom is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 180 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $29 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in the United Kingdom here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in London, Edinburgh, and Isle of Skye. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Glasgow and Belfast has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $24 and $20 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Liverpool and Isle of Skye with an average cost of $56 and $34 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in the United Kingdom.
- $40 for a dorm bed at Wombat's City Hostel London in London
- $24 for a dorm bed at Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh
- $31 for a dorm bed at Broadford Backpackers Hostel in Isle of Skye
Where to find affordable hostels in the United Kingdom
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| London | 61 | $26 |
| Edinburgh | 21 | $27 |
| Isle of Skye | 9 | $34 |
| Liverpool | 7 | $56 |
| Belfast | 6 | $20 |
| Brighton | 5 | $32 |
| Fort William | 5 | $33 |
| Glasgow | 5 | $24 |
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 $113 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Glencoe commanding a higher average of $347 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Birmingham, Aberdeen, and Newcastle upon Tyne, where hotel prices average around $77, $76, and $63 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in the United Kingdom
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Glencoe | $347 |
| Isle of Skye | $269 |
| Bath | $154 |
| Cairngorms National Park | $133 |
| Edinburgh | $129 |
| London | $126 |
| Dundee | $82 |
| Nottingham | $79 |
| Birmingham | $77 |
| Aberdeen | $76 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | $63 |
Belfast, 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 $34 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Agatha Christie walking tour - the story of her extraordinary life : $25
- Walking Tours in Inverness City Centre: $19
- Cotswold Walks & Villages Tour from Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-in-Marsh: $107
- Stonehenge Private Tour - Half-Day Tour from Bath: $224
- Fun Bike Tour in Glasgow: $70
- Edinburgh Castle: Highlights Tour with Tickets, Map, and Guide: $44
- British Museum & National Gallery of London Guided Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max: $202
- Private Coastal Boat Tour in Torquay: $176
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 $46 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: $95
- Durham Food Tour: $94
- Tea and Doughnuts: Borough Market Walking Food Tour: $44
- Pasta Making Experience - Cooking Class: $175
- York on a Fork Food Tour: $82
- 3 Hours Borough Market Morning Food Tour with London Bites Tours: $114
Stonehenge, 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 $36 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 $79 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.