How much does it cost to visit London?

Question

We are going on vacation from the U.S. to London this summer. We will staying in a hotel somewhere in the city for 5 days, so it's safe to assume we will be dining out for most, if not all, meals. About how much money can we expect to spend for all 5 of us, 2 adults, 3 children. We don't have expensive tastes, so we don't plan on eating at any upscale restaurants. Also do they have fast food chains there, eg. McDonald's? If we take a bus/taxi somewhere, will we have to lug around our 2 year old's carseat? Any tips on vacationing in London would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Eleventy billion pence. London is very dear.

Answer 2

Only 5 days? Are you sure that's enough time?

Keep in mind that London is the most expensive city in the world. In a newspaper article last summer, London was rated the most expensive city in the world. A good estimate for how much it would cost is to work out how much you would need to visit a large city in the US, then double it - especially with the way the US$ to £ exchange rate is at the moment.

Unfortunately, American fast food has been exported to all over the world. Did you know that it doesn't matter what country you're in, you will find a McDonald's. (They are even in Russia, all over Moscow and St Petersburg.) So no need to worry about fast food - its all here.

Not sure about the car seat. What a ghastly idea, lugging that all over the place.

Taking taxis are very expensive, so I'd plan on using them as little as possible. The buses and the tube is the best way to go, and cheapest. Kids under 10 go free on weekends as well. You can buy a Travelcard that lets you ride on the Tube and the buses all day, unlimited travel, for £4.70 each or something like that. I would be doing that if I were you.

Tips on vacationing in London? Whatever you like, its here. There are guide books around designed for parents with kids, so maybe look for one of those as soon as you arrive in one of the large bookstores (Border's, Foyles, Waterstones, all on Charing Cross Road or Oxford St.)

Most of all, just wander around. Get the Tube to a major station, and wander. (Tower Hill, Westminster, South Kensington, Charing Cross etc etc) so much to see, you and the kids wont be bored at all.

Have a great time .. you'll want to come back for a lot longer, and it'll change the kid's lives forever.

Answer 3

London is a wonderful city for a holiday as there are lots of tourist attractions; but it is a very expensive city! The US dollar is worth about one half the value to the English Pound, give them $10 USD and you will get back about 5 UK Pounds. They do have most US fast food chains, but to really experience the English culture try some of the regional restaurant chains in London. The most economical way to get around London would be to use the Tube (subway) instead of taxis. The bus is also a good method of transport. Here are two of the best sites for information about London: http://www.londontown.com/ for general information and http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/ for information about buses and the Tube. The BBC site for London is also great http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/ Have a great time in my favorite city in Europe!

Answer 4

Firstly, that's a big trip to take (and a lot of a time difference) just for five days. It's going to be a nasty transition for a two year old.

secondly, london is so expensive it's ridiculous. Think of it this way (because of the exchange rate) if you were spending $1200 on a vacation somewhere in the US - it would be $2400 (us dollars) in london! Sucks a lot!

Answer 5

There is everything even Mcdonalds, in London, but it is all expensive.