What Did a 2018 London Trip Really Cost?
- Flights: Round-trip from the US averaged $450-$800, with cheaper deals for flexible dates.
- Accommodation: Hostels: $30-50/night. Budget hotels: $80-130/night. Airbnbs: $100-150/night for small flats.
- Transport: Tube & bus daily cap: about $10. Skip car rentals unless you leave London, they're pricey and parking is a pain.
- Food: Groceries: $5-8 a meal if you cook. Chains/fast food: $8-12. Sit-down average: $20-40 with drink.
- Sightseeing: Many major museums in London were free! Tower of London, The Shard, and similar attractions ran $25-35 each.
What Surprised Most Travelers About London Expenses?
- Free museums: British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern
- Walking tours: Some guided walks were "pay what you want"
- Public transport deals: Capping your daily fares saved us tons
- Affordable eats: Supermarket meal deals and local bakeries rocked
- Theatre tickets: Standby tickets and student rush can mean West End for under $30
How to Build a Realistic London Trip Budget 2018-Style
- Get your flight first (biggest needle-mover on total cost)
- Pick where to stayhostel, hotel, or Airbnb
- Set a daily spending goal for food, sights, and extras
Here's a one-week sample budget per person:
- Flights: $650
- Accommodation: $450
- Transport: $70
- Food: $200-250
- Sightseeing: $150
- Random/shopping: $80
Total: About $1,600-1,700. Swap out a hotel for a hostel? Shave off a couple hundred. Want a fancy meal at a top spot? Add $100-200.
What Do Most People Get Wrong With Their London Trip Budget?
- Not using an Oyster card or daily cap on contactless paymentscosts can snowball fast
- Staying in touristy areas only and missing affordable options farther out (still safe, still easy transit)
- Forgetting to factor in drinkspub nights and coffee stops add up
- Underestimating shopping temptations (markets, quirky stores, last-minute gifts)
- Ignoring free or nearly-free events/theatre options
In 2018, our group made most of these mistakes upfront and learned quick. Our best fix? Treat your budget like a gamesee if you can win by coming in under plan, then reward yourself with one nice dinner or a cool show.
The Easiest Ways to Save on London Travel Expenses in 2018
- Book flights and hotels earlyprices only went up closer to travel dates
- Use the tube (underground) instead of cabs or ride-shares
- Eat breakfast at your lodging or grab pastries at a bakery
- Check if museums are free before paying for tours
- Look for meal deals at supermarkets for lunch
- Avoid Amazon or generic electronics shops for adaptersbring your own from home
- Snag theatre tickets the day-of at local booths
If you'd rather save your cash for one big splurge, that's fine too. We budgeted tight all week, then blew out the last day at a fancy dinner and didn't regret it for a second.
How Does London Vacation Cost in 2018 Compare With Other Years?
Many people wonder if 2018 was an outlier. Actually, London trip costs in 2018 were pretty average compared to the few years before. There was a bit of a price bump in food and hotels after 2016, but nothing wild. By 2018, the exchange rate made some things (like shopping and theatre tickets) more reasonable for travelers from North America.
- Flights: Stable for a few years, but big savings popped up in off-season
- Hotels: Gradually rising, but hostels and Airbnbs delivered value
- Food: Steady increase, especially at trendy spots
- Free attractions stayed free (and packed)
The trick was not waiting until the last minute. A few friends who booked in summer paid almost double for lodging.
Is It Possible to Visit London on a Super Tight Budget?
Quick answer: yes, but expect some trade-offs. Some travelers made it work for under $80 a day (not counting flights), sticking to hostels, street food, and free sights. It isn't glamorous, but it's doable. If you're willing to walk more and do some meal prep, you'll see the city for less than most folks spend on souvenirs alone.
- Stay at hostels with kitchens
- Use free walking tours
- Skip paid attractions for museums and parks
- Stick to supermarket meals and local markets
It's the classic "pay in energy, not money" scenario. You'll save cash, but be ready to put in some legwork.
FAQs About 2018 London Trip Costs
- How much did a typical London vacation cost per person in 2018?
A week's vacation in London in 2018 usually landed between $1,600 and $2,000 per person, including flights from North America, basic hotels or Airbnbs, food, public transportation, and sightseeing. If you skipped big extras or used hostels, you could travel for less. - Were London museums really free in 2018?
Yes, lots of London's big museums were free in 2018, like the British Museum and Tate Modern. You could spend hours exploring and not pay a cent. Some special exhibits cost extra, but entry to the main collections was free. - What was the cheapest place to stay in London in 2018?
Hostels were the best bet for budget travelers, with beds from $30-50 a night. Some smaller Airbnbs were affordable for groups, and even basic chain hotels offered promotions if you booked early. - How much did meals cost in London during 2018?
In 2018, a quick lunch at a fast-food spot or supermarket meal deal was $8-12 per person. Dinner at a mid-range sit-down restaurant, with a drink, would average $20-40. Cooking some meals saved a lot overeating out. - Was public transportation expensive in London in 2018?
Not really. The tube and buses had daily caps (about $10), so no matter how many trips you made, you wouldn't pay more than the cap using an Oyster card or contactless payment. It was cheaper than taxi rides or frequent ride-sharing. - Could you visit London in 2018 on a strict budget?
Yes, if you used hostels, stuck to free attractions and walked or took the bus instead of taxis, you could see London for less than $80 a day, not including your flight. It took some planning, but was totally possible for backpackers and students.
Want the real lesson? Traveling to London in 2018 didn't mean emptying your savings. A few smart movesbooking ahead, using public transit, and chasing those free experiencesmeant more left over for a night out, a show, or that cheeky extra dessert. Your trip, your call. Do your homework, plan for your priorities, and leave a little wiggle roomyou'll have a better time and fewer money regrets when you look back on your adventure.
