How much does a trip to the United Kingdom Cost?
The Cost of a Trip to the United Kingdom
For a trip to the United Kingdom, you should plan for daily costs anywhere between $75 to $493. If there's two of you traveling, your daily expenses could range from $149 to $986. These price ranges are based on the average daily spending of $191 (£153) per person which comes from the travel expenses of other visitors. These costs include food, accommodation, sightseeing activities, and getting around locally. Keep in mind, though, these figures can vary somewhat based on your individual travel style, level of luxury, and chosen activities. Destinations across the country, such as London, Birmingham, and Nottingham, might might vary somewhat from the overall average price, but they usually stick close to this range. Read on for a breakdown of travel typical expenses as well as a comparison of tour prices versus Independent travel.
How much money should you budget for your trip to the United Kingdom?
If you're considering an independent trip to the United Kingdom, it's helpful to have an idea of the amount of money you'll need. For budget travelers, planning to spend around $75 (£60) per day should cover your essential expenses, including affordable accommodations like hostels and budget hotels, cost-effective meal options, local transportation, and affordable activities. For those with a mid-range budget, allocating around $191 (£153) per day would allow for more comfortable hotels, dining at typical restaurants, and exploring a range of popular attractions. Luxury travelers, on the other hand, should anticipate a daily budget of $493 (£396), which would encompass higher-end accommodations, dining at nicer restaurants, and indulging in private tour options. It's worth noting that these price ranges are based on extensive travel cost data for the United Kingdom from fellow travelers, as well as insights from travel companies regarding hotel and tour prices. For further details on travel costs, you can refer to our comprehensive travel cost data for the United Kingdom.
| 3 Days | 7 Days | 14 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation1 | $285 | $664 | $1,328 |
| Intercity Transportation1 | $236 | $550 | $1,100 |
| Local Transportation1 | $108 | $252 | $505 |
| Food2 | $139 | $325 | $650 |
| Water2 | $15 | $35 | $70 |
| Entertainment1 | $103 | $239 | $479 |
| Souvenirs1 | $101 | $236 | $472 |
| Communication2 | $36 | $83 | $167 |
| Living Expenses2 | $165 | $386 | $771 |
| Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1 | $276 | $645 | $1,289 |
| Alcohol2 | $49 | $114 | $227 |
| Tips and Handouts1 | $94 | $220 | $441 |
How much does a one week trip to the United Kingdom cost?
On average, visitors to the United Kingdom spend between $522 and $3,451 for their week-long adventure, with the average being $1,334. This covers sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a duration of one week, you'll have the opportunity to explore one, two, or even three locations within the United Kingdom, depending on the level of depth you desire for your visit. Some of the most popular places to consider exploring are London, Birmingham, and Nottingham. It's important to note that these figures are averages and can vary based on personal preferences and choices. Ultimately, the goal is to create a memorable and enjoyable experience tailored to your specific interests.
Edinburgh
How much does a two week trip to the United Kingdom cost?
With two weeks, you should budget between $1,043 and $6,903 for your trip to the United Kingdom. The average price for a two week trip is $2,668. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as Huddersfield, Loch Lomond National Park, and Snowdonia National Park.
How much does a one month trip to the United Kingdom cost?
With a month-long trip to the United Kingdom, expenses can be anywhere from $2,236 to $14,791 with the average being $5,717. The cost of travel is dependent on your overall style of travel. If you have a full month, you'll likely want to stay at a vacation rental with a kitchen during at least part of your trip so that you can prepare your own meals. Backpackers often prefer hostels for the same reason. Hostels also offer a more social atmosphere at a very affordable price range.
Hostel Prices in the United Kingdom
With more than 180 hostels in the United Kingdom, the average price is $30 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in the United Kingdom not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in the United Kingdom here.
| Number of Hostels | Average Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bath | 4 | $22 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 4 | $26 |
| Bristol | 4 | $35 |
| Caernarfon | 4 | $34 |
| Fort Augustus | 4 | $32 |
| York | 4 | $26 |
| Inverness | 4 | $35 |
| Manchester | 3 | $32 |
| Newquay | 3 | $25 |
| Birmingham | 3 | $29 |
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
Hotel Prices in the United Kingdom
You'll find a wide range of hotel options across the United Kingdom. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in 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
Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in the United Kingdom?
Organized tours and independent travel are essentially the two main ways to plan a trip to the United Kingdom. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, with travel experts handling all the logistical details and the added benefit of an expert guide imparting valuable insights. This option is favored by those who appreciate the convenience and ease provided by tours that often include transportation and expert guides.
On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages, allowing for greater freedom and flexibility in customizing itineraries and exploring at one's own pace. This option appeals to individuals who value spontaneity and control, enabling them to immerse themselves in local culture on a deeper level.
Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on personal preferences and travel style, considering factors such as convenience, guidance, and flexibility.
Comparing Trip Costs in the United Kingdom
When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.
| Organized Package Tours | Independent Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip Cost | $274 - $1,959 | $224 - $1,479 |
| 7-Day Trip Cost | $1,042 - $11,692 | $522 - $3,451 |
| 10-Day Trip Cost | $1,390 - $7,025 | $745 - $4,930 |
| 14-Day Trip Cost | $2,105 - $12,190 | $1,043 - $6,903 |
Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons
Organized Tours
Pros- An expert guide familiar with the culture
- Convenient transportation
- Fellow travelers to socialize with
- Well researched activities
- Efficient and thought out itinerary
- The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
- Limited options
- Usually not customizable
- The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
- Usually more expensive than independent travel
- There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community
Independent Travel
Pros- Completely customizable
- Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
- Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
- Freedom to move at your own pace
- Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
- More affordable
- Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
- Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
- Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
- Popular sights may sell out well in advance
- If something goes wrong, you're on your own
Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in the United Kingdom?
Organized tours average $298 per day in the United Kingdom, and are generally all-inclusive with one large payment. Independent trips usually average $191 (£153) per day, and include individual payments to hotels, local transportation, food, and sightseeing. When compared, organized tours and independent trips each come with their own set of challenges and benefits. It's important to understand all aspects of both types of trips to make a fair comparison. You can see our thorough analysis of tour prices in the United Kingdom here.
Here are a few sample tours in the United Kingdom:
-
4 Day Cornwall, Devon & Stonehenge Small-Group Tour from Bristol ($798)
4 days, 16 destinations -
Hot Tam!: Scotland By Design ($3,199)
9 days, 12 destinations -
Kent: The Garden of England ($2,689)
7 days, 11 destinations -
Lake District & Yorkshire Dales Walking & Hiking Tour. ($4,957)
8 days, 16 destinations -
Cotswolds Walking Tour ($4,743)
8 days, 16 destinations
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.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
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.
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