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The Costs of Accommodation in the UK
Are you up for a hotel room fit for royalty or will you be sharing more of the Tower of London experience a la 1500s (in modern terms: the backpacker dorm)?
No matter the experience, your accommodation choice will likely take a hefty chunk from your holiday savings (especially if you’re spending a lot of time in London).
The United Kingdom has a plethora of accommodation options, from the darling B&B in the Cotswolds to the traditional English pub arrangement.
On average, you’ll be looking at about £150 per night, though this can vary dramatically depending on your budget:
- Budget: £40-90 per night
- Mid-range: £90-150 per night (£130-220 in London)
- Luxury: from £150 per night (or £250 in London)
The Costs of Food in the UK
The United Kingdom is known for its homey suppers and high teas, from the quintessential pub to the high-end restaurant.
How much you spend on food will depend greatly on your mode of eating: a visit to the supermarket for a home-cooked meal will cost far less than a decadent night at one of London’s culinary hotspots.
You can expect to pay on average (per person, per meal):
- Budget meal at a pub or cafe: £15–20
- Mid-range meal at a decent restaurant: £40–45
- A high-end meal at a luxury venue: £80
Thankfully, it’s easy to save money on food in the US by following some of these tips:
- Split a meal. Portions are typically huge so you should still be satiated even when sharing one dish.
- Get takeaway. If you have a fridge in your motel or a kitchen at your Airbnb, request a box for your leftovers and save them for another meal.
- Cook your own food. Accommodation options from Airbnbs to hostels often have kitchens you can use to prepare your meals.
The typical traveller spends between £50 and £70 per day on food. If you want to save some pennies, it’s best to avoid tourist traps by venturing away from the most well-known tourist attractions.
In London, food stalls in Brixton Market, Borough Market, or Camden market guarantee high-quality dishes without the hefty price tag.
The Costs of Transport in the UK
It’s a small nation, yet the United Kingdom has tourist destinations in just about every direction.
In Central London, many places are within walking distance, eliminating the need to catch public transport at all.
If you want to go further afield within the capital, it costs £14 for an unlimited daily travel card. Single journeys cost about £2.80, depending on the London zones you’re travelling in and if you end up getting a Visitor Oyster Card.
Further afield, Great Britain has an extensive public transport and road network, making it easy to criss-cross the country without fuss.
In the hierarchy of long-distance travel, coaches are your cheapest option while train travel and car rentals are a little more pricey. You’ll find better train ticket prices if you book in advance.
- Average cost of a roughly 300km coach journey: £25–60
- Average cost of a roughly 300km train journey: £35–95
- Car rental per day: from £40
The Costs of Activities in the UK
Luckily for you, there are many attractions you can appreciate in the UK without needing to spend a penny. Walking the streets of London or any other British city or town is like walking through the pages of history.
The UK is renowned for its imperial architecture, from the grand dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the mighty Big Ben. And it’s possible to appreciate these buildings without paying for entry.
But of course, there are certain paid attractions you won’t want to miss out on, including:
- The London Eye: from £29.00 per standard ticket
- Tower of London: £34.80 per adult
- Edinburgh Castle: £19.50 per adult
- Canterbury Cathedral: £17.00 per adult
- Stonehenge: from £25.00 per adult
On average, we recommend putting aside between £50 and £100 per day to get the most out of the United Kingdom’s best attractions.
