London Pass Review 2025: Is It Worth It? Honest Pros & Cons

London Pass made a major shift in 2023, switching to a credit-package system. While prices dropped by around half, you now receive a spending cap based on your pass length. For instance, a 3‑day adult London Pass costs £129 under this model but comes with around £525 in credit, meaning you can visit attractions worth between 3 to 4 times the cost (£30–£40 per attraction)—a solid value if you plan carefully  .

My takeaway: If you’re visiting for 3+ days and want to see landmarks like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, or the Chelsea or Arsenal stadium tours, it will almost certainly save you time and money compared to buying tickets individually. Even visiting just two major attractions per day easily offsets the cost.

I’ve ridden more than 50 hop-on-hop-off bus tours worldwide (including the London edition dozens of times). Board at Victoria Station early and start your sightseeing day great—just don’t ride the full loop if traffic slows. Once the bus gets stuck later in the afternoon, it’s better to hop off at the Tower of London, continue on foot, and explore efficiently from there.

Madame Tussauds can feel gimmicky, but I’ve been to many and it’s actually surprisingly well done — especially if you go early and spend about an hour inside. Since it’s included anyway, it’s absolutely worth popping in.

The Thames boat cruise is also a fantastic first‑morning activity. It’s included and hits most of the iconic sights along the river—great for getting your bearings before walking the rest of the day.

For classic ecclesiastical or royal attractions, skip St Paul’s and focus on Westminster Abbey instead — it’s far more unique and dramatically different inside, and on most itineraries you’ll pass by it anyway.

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The London Pass gives you prepaid access to over 80 of the city’s most popular attractions, plus fast-track entry at several of them. Whether you’re into historic palaces, epic views, river cruises, or quirky walking tours, there’s more than enough to keep you busy for 2 or 3 days — or even 10 if you’re ambitious.

Here’s what you get:

• Entry to 80+ attractions – Including Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, and many more.
• Access to the HOHO Bus Tour – A great way to get oriented and cover more ground, especially on your first day.
• A Thames River Cruise – A relaxing way to see London’s landmarks from the water.
• Free Smartphone App + Guidebook – Includes attraction details, opening hours, and interactive maps to plan your route.
• Optional Oyster Travel Card – Available at checkout, this gives you unlimited travel on London’s buses and Tube.

Both the standard London Pass and the upgraded London Pass Plus now use a credits system, where each attraction has a credit value, and your total credits depend on how many days you buy. But don’t worry — the limits are generous, and most people never come close to maxing them out.

The London Pass includes entry to more than 80 attractions, but let’s be honest: you won’t be doing 80 things. You’ll probably do two or three per day, maybe four on an ambitious day. So here’s a curated list of the very best and most valuable attractions included with the pass—based on personal experience.

Tower of London (£35.80)

A must for first-time visitors. It’s nearly 1,000 years old, right on the river, and home to the Crown Jewels. If you time it right, you can join one of the free Beefeater tours for added value. This is a top-tier attraction and a great way to kick off your sightseeing.

Westminster Abbey (£30)

If you only step inside one cathedral in London, make it this one. The interior is stunning and filled with history – kings, queens, poets, and scientists are all buried here. It’s also centrally located, so you’ll be walking by it anyway.

View from the Shard (£38)

Take the elevator to the 68th floor of Western Europe’s tallest building and enjoy panoramic views over the entire city. It’s a quick visit, but totally worth it—especially if the weather’s decent. Combine it with the nearby Tower of London for a great half-day combo.

Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour (£53 for 2 days)

I’ve done HOHO bus tours in dozens of cities, and London’s is still one of my favorites—especially the first half of the loop from Victoria Station to the Tower of London. Do this early in your trip to get oriented. Tip: After you reach the Tower, jump off. The return leg back to Victoria is mostly traffic and filler.

Thames River Cruise (£28.30)

Underrated and super helpful. London’s most historic sights are clustered along the Thames, and this cruise gives you a breezy overview with great photo ops. It’s also a relaxing break from all the walking.

Windsor Castle (£33.00)

If you’re up for a half-day trip, this one is surprisingly easy—just hop a train from Paddington Station and you’re there in under 45 minutes. You’ll get afternoon – only entry with the pass, which still leaves plenty of time to explore.

Madame Tussauds (£42 – London Pass Plus only)

This is one of those attractions that sounds like a gimmick…until you go. I’ve been to several around the world, and they’re actually a blast. The London version is especially impressive, and it’s a great use of an hour or so, particularly if you’ve never been.

London Bridge Experience (£33)

A hybrid of comedy, history, and a professionally built haunted house—this one’s just plain fun. It’s located near several other attractions and only takes an hour, so it’s an easy one to work into your day.

Arsenal, Chelsea, or Tottenham Stadium Tours (£30–£35)

Only worth doing if you’re actually a fan of the team, but if you are, these stadiums are impressive and the tours are detailed. Just know that they aren’t located near other major sights, so plan accordingly.

As of 2025, there are now two versions of the London Pass: the standard London Pass and the London Pass Plus. They’re very similar, but the Plus version includes a few of London’s most famous attractions that aren’t part of the regular pass.

What’s the difference?

The London Pass Plus includes everything in the standard pass plus:

• The London Eye (£42)
• Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (£42)
• 2-day Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour (£53 instead of the 1-day version)
• The View from the Shard (£38)

These four attractions alone cost £175 if purchased separately—and all four are popular for good reason. If you plan to do at least two of them, the Plus version is worth the upgrade.

Who should get the standard London Pass?

• Visitors who aren’t interested in the London Eye or Madame Tussauds
• Budget-conscious travelers who still want to visit top attractions like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Windsor Castle
• Travelers with only 1 or 2 full sightseeing days

Who should get the London Pass Plus?

• First-time visitors who want to do all the iconic “London” things
• Families—especially with kids or teens who will love the wax museum and the Eye
• Anyone staying 3+ days and looking to fit in as much sightseeing as possible

My take:

If it’s your first time in London and you’re not on a tight budget, I recommend the London Pass Plus. The London Eye and the HOHO bus are both great ways to see the city from different angles, and Madame Tussauds really is more fun than it sounds – even for skeptical adults.

Since 2023, the London Pass has used a credit-based system where each pass comes with a set amount of sightseeing “credit” based on the number of days you purchase. Each attraction has a standard price, and visiting it deducts that amount from your credit balance.

The good news? The credit caps are extremely generous—so generous that most travelers won’t come close to hitting them. For example:

• 1-Day Adult London Pass: £79 with £255 of credit
• 3-Day Adult London Pass: £129 with £385 of credit
• 10-Day Adult London Pass: £194 with £1,280 of credit

You can also choose the London Pass Plus, which includes high-demand attractions like the London Eye and Madame Tussauds. These versions cost more, but they also come with slightly higher credit limits.

• 1-Day London Pass Plus: £109 with £295 of credit
• 3-Day London Pass Plus: £189 with £485 of credit
• 10-Day London Pass Plus: £284 with £1,480 of credit

Unless you attempt something extreme—like cramming in five expensive attractions per day—you’re unlikely to max out your credit. Most attractions range from £25 to £40 each, so doing 3–4 per day keeps you well under the limit.

📝 Pro tip: You can check your remaining credit anytime using the London Pass mobile app, so there’s no need to track it manually.

• 1-Day Adult London Pass: £79
• 1-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £109
• 1-Day Child London Pass: £39
• 1-Day Child London Pass Plus: £79

• 2-Day Adult London Pass: £104
• 2-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £154
• 2-Day Child London Pass: £54
• 2-Day Child London Pass Plus: £104

• 3-Day Adult London Pass: £129
• 3-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £189
• 3-Day Child London Pass: £64
• 3-Day Child London Pass Plus: £124

• 4-Day Adult London Pass: £139
• 4-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £209
• 4-Day Child London Pass: £74
• 4-Day Child London Pass Plus: £139

• 5-Day Adult London Pass: £149
• 5-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £229
• 5-Day Child London Pass: £79
• 5-Day Child London Pass Plus: £149

• 6-Day Adult London Pass: £159
• 6-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £249
• 6-Day Child London Pass: £84
• 6-Day Child London Pass Plus: £159

• 7-Day Adult London Pass: £169
• 7-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £259
• 7-Day Child London Pass: £89
• 7-Day Child London Pass Plus: £169

• 10-Day Adult London Pass: £194
• 10-Day Adult London Pass Plus: £284
• 10-Day Child London Pass: £104
• 10-Day Child London Pass Plus: £184

If you don’t already know, the Oyster Card is London’s reloadable smart card for public transportation. You tap it to get on and off the Underground (Tube), buses, trams, and even some trains and boats. It automatically gives you the lowest possible fare each day, and it caps your total daily spending so you never overpay.

When you buy a London Pass, you have the option to add an Oyster Card pre-loaded with credit based on the number of days your pass is valid. It’s one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get around London—especially if you’re staying in the city center.

Here’s how it works:

• Each card has a one-time £5 activation fee (non-refundable).
• Your pass will include travel credit ranging from £10 (1-day pass) up to £50 (10-day pass).
• Most visitors only need Zones 1–2, where all the main attractions are located.
• If you ride a lot in one day, the Oyster Card automatically caps your fare at £8.10 in Zones 1–2.
• If you ride just once or twice in a day, those single fares will be deducted (currently £2.80 each for the Tube).

The travel credit is yours to use even after your sightseeing pass expires. So if you use the London Pass for 3 days, your Oyster Card will still work on Day 4 to get you to the airport or train station.

Is it worth it?

If you don’t already have a contactless credit card that works for public transport in London (many U.S. cards still don’t), then yes—it’s worth it for the convenience alone. Just make sure you stay in Zones 1–2 for sightseeing, and don’t book a hotel way out in Zone 3 or 4 unless you enjoy long commutes and extra charges.

The key to getting the most from your London Pass is good planning. If you just wing it, you’ll waste time in transit or standing in long lines. But with even a little prep, you can easily squeeze in 3–4 major attractions per day—without feeling rushed.

Here are my recommended sightseeing plans, assuming a reasonably early start and a central hotel.

🕐 1-Day Itinerary (Maximum Impact)

If you’ve only got one full day in London, you’ll want to stick to the heart of the city. This plan hits several icons:

• Morning
  Tower of London – Get there right at opening time (usually 9am)
  Thames River Cruise – Board near the Tower and ride west toward Westminster
• Afternoon
  Westminster Abbey – Just a short walk from the cruise pier
  Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour – Ride part of the loop or just use it for easy transfers
• Optional evening
  View from the Shard – For epic sunset views (Plus version only)

📝 Tip: You can swap in the London Eye or Madame Tussauds if those are higher priorities—just adjust locations accordingly.

🕑 2-Day Itinerary (Deeper Exploration)

• Day 1: Central Icons
  Tower of London
  Thames River Cruise
  St. Paul’s Cathedral
  London Bridge Experience
  View from the Shard
• Day 2: Royals & Riversides
  Windsor Castle – Easy train from Paddington, entry after 1pm
  Westminster Abbey
  Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (if not done yet)
  Optional: Madame Tussauds (Plus pass)

📝 Alternative: Swap Windsor for Hampton Court Palace if you’re more into Tudor history and fewer crowds.

🕒 3-Day Itinerary (Balanced + Flexible)

• Day 1: Get Oriented
  Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour – Start at Victoria Station
  Tower of London
  Thames River Cruise
  Optional: London Bridge Experience or St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Day 2: Royal & Religious
  Westminster Abbey
  Changing of the Guard (if scheduled)
  View from the Shard
  Madame Tussauds
• Day 3: A Day Trip or Something Different
  Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace
  Chelsea or Arsenal Stadium Tour
  London Zoo (great for families)
  Optional: West End show (not included in the pass)

You don’t need to run around town like a maniac to make the London Pass pay off—but a little planning goes a long way. These are the key strategies I’ve learned from using the pass myself (and hearing from readers who didn’t).

1. Start early (9:00 a.m. if possible)

London’s top attractions tend to fill up by late morning, and the queues can be long—especially for things like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. If you leave your hotel around 9:00 a.m., you can knock out two major sights before lunch and still have time for more in the afternoon. Late starts are the #1 way people waste their passes.

2. Group attractions by location

This is a big one. London is massive, and not everything is close together. You can save time and money (and your feet) by visiting sights in the same area on the same day. Use the free London Pass app or guidebook to map things out before you leave your hotel.

3. Mix in some quick stops

Some attractions—like the View from the Shard or London Bridge Experience—only take about an hour, so they’re perfect for filling in gaps between longer visits. You don’t want to do five all-day museums in a row anyway.

4. Skip the return leg of the HOHO bus

The first half of the loop is packed with great sights, but once you hit the Tower of London, it’s better to hop off. The rest of the route is slow, stuck in traffic, and mostly skippable. Trust me on this one.

5. Don’t forget about the Thames cruise

This one’s included and it’s easy to overlook. But it’s relaxing, scenic, and a perfect way to rest your legs while still seeing top landmarks. Great either early in the trip to get oriented or later as a break.

6. Use your pass on Day 2 if arriving late

If your flight gets in mid-day and you only have a few hours that first day, it’s better to start using your pass the next morning. Save it for a full sightseeing day when you can get your money’s worth.

This pass isn’t for everyone, but for many travelers, it can be a game-changer. Here’s who should seriously consider it—and who might want to skip it:

• First-time visitors who want to do all the iconic “London” things
• Families—especially with kids or teens who will love the wax museum and the Eye
• Anyone staying 3+ days and looking to fit in as much sightseeing as possible
• Travelers who prefer castles, cathedrals, and palaces over museums
• People who want to avoid long queues at busy attractions

And here’s who probably won’t benefit:

• Backpackers or ultra-budget travelers—you can enjoy London for less by sticking to the many excellent free attractions
• Museum lovers—most of London’s world-class museums are already free, and not included in the pass
• Slow travelers spending a week or more—if you only plan one attraction per day, you won’t get your money’s worth

Think of the London Pass as a sightseeing power tool: best for travelers who want to get a lot done in a short time without breaking the bank.

No travel pass is perfect, but the London Pass checks a lot of boxes for the right kind of visitor. Here’s a quick rundown of what it does best—and where it might fall short.

Pros

• Huge savings on London’s most expensive attractions—do just 2 or 3 big-ticket sights per day and the pass pays for itself
• Includes iconic experiences like Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and the hop-on hop-off bus
• Fast-track entry at several popular attractions—skip the ticket queues and walk right in
• Flexible sightseeing—you don’t need to decide in advance what to do each day
• Free digital guidebook and mobile app make planning easy

Cons

• Not ideal for museum lovers—most of London’s famous museums are free anyway and not included in the pass
• Requires some planning—to get the best value, you’ll need to group attractions by area and start early
• Some included attractions aren’t central—Windsor Castle and Hampton Court are great, but take time to reach
• Not great for super-short trips—if you only have 1 or 2 sightseeing days and don’t want to cram, you might not break even

If you’re not planning to do a sightseeing marathon and just want to visit a few top attractions, the London Explorer Pass might be the better fit. It’s made by the same company behind the London Pass, but instead of covering dozens of attractions for a set number of days, the Explorer Pass lets you choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions to visit at your own pace over 60 days.

It includes many of the more entertainment-style attractions that aren’t on the standard London Pass—like Madame Tussauds, the London Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and Shrek’s Adventure—along with big-ticket options like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. So if your bucket list leans more toward those fun or family-friendly spots, this pass can still save you quite a bit compared to paying separately.

It’s also a great option for:

>>>Read our full London Explorer Pass review

• Visitors who prefer a slower pace and don’t want to cram several attractions into each day
• Repeat visitors who only want to see a few new things this time
• Families focused on entertainment-style attractions

Yes — for most first-time visitors, the London Pass is absolutely worth it. The standard version covers nearly all of London’s most iconic (and expensive) attractions, and the Plus version now includes even more crowd-pleasers like the London Eye and Madame Tussauds. If you plan your days even somewhat efficiently, you’ll almost certainly save money — and a lot of time too.

That said, the pass isn’t for everyone. If you’re more into meandering through neighborhoods and museums than hitting the highlights, or you plan to take it slow and only visit one attraction per day, you might be better off paying as you go.

But if you’re heading to London and want to make the most of your visit without blowing your budget, the London Pass is one of the best tools you can use — especially with the additional 5% discount available through this site. I’ve used it multiple times myself, and it’s still one of the best sightseeing passes in the world.

>>> Click here to check current prices and get 5% off with code GO5POT
(Use promo code GO5POT at checkout for the discount.)