Travel budget and cost of living in London (England) how much does a trip cost?

London travel budget

London: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to London

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in London for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in London compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in London in 2024 is 21% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in London in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in London by expense type

Restaurant budget in London

Lunch

$ 26/person
($ 14 to $ 51)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 53/person
($ 33 to $ 96)

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43% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

McDonald's meal

$ 11/person
($ 8.8 to $ 13)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 8.1 for 500ml
($ 5.2 to $ 11)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 3.1 for 330ml
($ 1.6 to $ 5.3)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 4.7/cup
($ 3.8 to $ 5.7)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 2.4/can
($ 1.3 to $ 3.8)

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3% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 1.8/bottle
($ 1.3 to $ 2.5)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in London

1-star hotel

$ 155/night
($ 67 to $ 303)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

2-star hotel

$ 175/night
($ 45 to $ 1090)

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15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 153

3-star hotel

$ 169/night
($ 72 to $ 410)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 225

4-star hotel

$ 228/night
($ 87 to $ 365)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 306

5-star hotel

$ 593/night
($ 127 to $ 1890)

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36% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 438

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 162/month
($ 45 to $ 414)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

Room with kitchen

$ 303/month
($ 91 to $ 1065)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 237

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 415/month
($ 84 to $ 1418)

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104% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 205

Cottage or guest house

$ 175/month
($ 71 to $ 923)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Family room

$ 369/month
($ 124 to $ 815)

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83% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 203

Supermarket food budget in London

Milk

$ 1.6/litre
($ 1 to $ 2.5)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 2/500g
($ 1.1 to $ 4.1)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 2.5/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 4.5)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 4.3/12 eggs
($ 2.2 to $ 7.6)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 9.1/kg
($ 4.4 to $ 13)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 3.4/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 5.1)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 3.8/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 7.6)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 1.5/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 2.5)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1.6
($ 0.8 to $ 2.5)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in London

Bus ticket

$ 3.7/ticket
($ 2.2 to $ 5.1)

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51% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 3.3/km
($ 1.4 to $ 5.7)

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93% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.8 to $ 2.1)

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103% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 6.3
($ 4.4 to $ 11)

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74% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 32/24hrs
($ 15 to $ 78)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Leisure activity budget in London

Cinema

$ 16/ticket
($ 13 to $ 25)

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15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 18/hr
($ 12 to $ 26)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in London

Cigarettes

$ 20/pack
($ 18 to $ 26)

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92% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 98
($ 45 to $ 152)

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87% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 50
($ 24 to $ 102)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

New York City → London

$ 566
(fair price: $ 496)

Sydney → London

$ 1281
(fair price: $ 1046)

Melbourne → London

$ 1278
(fair price: $ 1053)

Los Angeles → London

$ 779
(fair price: $ 640)

Toronto → London

$ 671
(fair price: $ 608)

Vancouver → London

$ 871
(fair price: $ 739)

Book a flight Flight prices to London