iGotTripLondon Spring Trip Budget
London is a city of free wins hiding behind premium prices: world-class museums cost nothing, contactless tap-to-pay caps daily transit fees automatically, and a £6 meal deal from any supermarket is a local lunchtime institution. Our 2026 preset reflects real London costs — high floor, smart workarounds.
Category Breakdown
Budgets are consistent across seasons — what changes is the itinerary. The 5-day total above covers a standard London spring trip for 2 travelers.
Sample 5-Day Spring Itinerary & Daily Budget
- £1,757
Day 1: Arrival & South Bank
- Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express
- Tate Modern (free)
- South Bank walk to Westminster
✈️ Flight £1,343🏨 Accommodation £134🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £31☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £477
Day 2: Westminster & spring parks
- Big Ben & Parliament
- St James's Park blooms
- Buckingham Palace
🏨 Accommodation £134🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £94☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £477
Day 3: Kew Gardens & museums
- Kew Gardens spring flowers
- Natural History Museum (free)
- Hyde Park
🏨 Accommodation £134🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £94☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £478
Day 4: Borough Market & Tower
- Borough Market lunch
- Tower of London
- Covent Garden
🏨 Accommodation £135🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £94☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £278
Day 5: Final sights & departure
- Sky Garden (free, book ahead)
- M&S food gifts
- Airport departure
🍱 Food £121🚃 Transport £38🎫 Activities £19☕ Cafe £38💰 Buffer £63
Other Seasons in London
Same London, different vibe — compare itineraries and decide when to go.
Festivals and fireworks, but hot and humid. Pace yourself with indoor midday breaks and mountain day trips.
AUTUMNCrisp air, fiery foliage, and comfortable walking weather — many travelers’ favorite season.
WINTERIlluminations, fewer crowds, and the lowest prices of the year. Pack warm and enjoy the sparkle.
London Spring Trip FAQ
Is this budget accurate?
It's a reference estimate based on typical category prices by travel style. Actual costs vary with season, exchange rate, and personal habits. Use it as a starting point and edit any line.
How is the budget calculated?
We multiply per-night accommodation by (days - 1), per-day categories by total days, and flight by travelers. A buffer percentage is added as a separate category.
Are flights included?
Yes — a preset round-trip flight per person is included. You can edit the amount to match your actual booking.
Is my data stored when I share?
No server storage. The budget is encoded into the URL hash. Anyone with the link sees the same numbers. Don't enter personal information.
Can I export to Excel?
Yes. Click the Excel button to download a .xlsx file with summary and category breakdown.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, the planner is mobile-first and works in any modern mobile browser.
Do I need to log in?
No login required. The tool runs entirely in your browser.
How much does a London trip cost?
A 5-day standard-style London trip for 2 runs about £3,467 total. London is among the priciest cities we cover — accommodation is the dominant cost, so booking 2-3 months out matters.
Are London museums really free?
Yes — the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A, and Science Museum are all free to enter, funded publicly. Special exhibitions charge, but the permanent collections are genuinely free.
Should I get an Oyster card or just tap?
Just tap a contactless card or phone — TfL applies the same daily and weekly caps as Oyster automatically, and you avoid the £7 card fee. Avoid paper single tickets, which cost far more.
What's the cheapest way to eat in London?
The supermarket meal deal — a main, snack, and drink for about £3.50-£6 at Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, or Waitrose — is a London institution. Borough Market and Brick Lane offer great £8-12 lunches. Pubs do pie-and-a-pint deals midweek.
Best season for London?
May-September is best — long daylight, mild (15-25°C), though July-August crowds and hotel rates peak. December is magical for Winter Wonderland and Oxford Street lights. Spring and autumn are quieter but wetter.
London winter — cold and worth it?
December-February is chilly (2-8°C) and damp, but Winter Wonderland, festive markets, and half-empty museums make it rewarding. Hotel rates drop after the first week of January. Pack a waterproof and warm layers.
London summer and festival tips?
Summer brings long days (sunset near 9:30pm), open-air theatre in Regent's Park, and Notting Hill Carnival (August). Book accommodation 3 months ahead — rooms vanish during Wimbledon (July) and Carnival weekend.