iGotTripLondon Summer 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 summer trip for 2 travelers.
Sample 5-Day Summer Itinerary & Daily Budget
- £1,758
Day 1: Arrival & South Bank evening
- Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express
- South Bank walk
- Westminster sunset
✈️ Flight £1,343🏨 Accommodation £134🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £32☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £481
Day 2: Free museums & parks
- British Museum (free)
- Hyde Park picnic
- Covent Garden street acts
🏨 Accommodation £134🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £98☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £481
Day 3: Open-air theatre & markets
- Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
- Camden Market
- Primrose Hill sunset
🏨 Accommodation £134🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £98☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £469
Day 4: Greenwich day trip
- Greenwich Park
- Royal Observatory
- Cutty Sark
🏨 Accommodation £135🍱 Food £118🚃 Transport £34🎫 Activities £85☕ Cafe £34💰 Buffer £63 - £278
Day 5: Final sights & departure
- Sky Garden (free)
- 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.
Cherry blossoms, mild days, and the most photogenic light of the year. Book early — peak weeks double hotel prices.
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 Summer 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.