London Pass Review 2025: Is It Worth It? Honest Pros & Cons
Wondering whether the London Pass still delivers in 2025? I’ve used it many times—thanks to being a trusted partner – and visited almost all the included attractions. With London’s ticket prices climbing and competition heating up, here’s an up-to-date, honest take on whether it’s worth buying.
In this review you’ll find:
- How the new credit-based pricing works
- Who benefits most (and who shouldn’t bother)
- My own insider tips on how to maximize it (like starting early, using the HOHO bus and arranging Windsor Castle right)
- Recommended itineraries and savings estimates
Wondering: Is the London Pass still worth it in 2025?
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.
Editor’s Note: How to Get the Best Value
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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What’s Included with the London Pass (2025)
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.
Top London Pass Attractions (Expert Picks)
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.
London Pass vs. London Pass Plus: Which One Should You Get?
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.
How the London Pass Credit System Works in 2025
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.
How Much Does the London Pass Cost in 2025?
- 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
Should You Add an Oyster Card?
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.
Sample Itineraries for 1, 2, and 3-Day London Passes
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)
How to Get the Most Value from Your London 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.
Who Should - and Shouldn’t - Buy the London Pass?
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.
Pros and Cons of the London Pass
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
London Explorer Pass: Is It a Better Option?
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
Final Verdict: Is the London Pass Worth It in 2025?
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.)
This is a great resource. I am traveling to London with my wife and 2 children, ages 11 and 8. I think a 6 day pass for myself and my wife is a no braine, with travel. Do I also need for the kids, or are they normally underage and free? Thanks.
Randy,
Thank you. As it says on the London Pass site, “Child Pass is valid for 5 – 15 years. Children under 11 years of age may travel free of charge on the tube, buses, DLR and London Overground if accompanied by an adult holding a valid travelcard.” So that would mean that the 8-year-old wouldn’t need a travelcard (and many people would chance it on the 11-year-old as well because it’s not like kids that age are all carry around ID cards, if you know what I mean).
As for the Child London Pass itself, it gets a bit tricky. Most of the attractions on the card have a “child” price for ages 5 to 15, but at least a few of them are actually free for those under 11 so it’s a bit of a mix. You might check the official websites of a few of the main attractions you plan on visiting to see their age policies and decide from there. Most of the popular attractions seem to only have free entry for those under 5 because they are commercially run as for-profit businesses. Good luck and have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks for all the information, really appreciate the time and effort you have put in to help visitors in london. Just wanted to ask a query which we are pondering, planning to be in london for 7 days. As we are a couple w/o children, would it be a good idea to combine Big Bus tour with London Pass or do you think there is a better way to travel to reach destinations which are included in london pass.
Regards,
Sairam
Sairam,
It’s my pleasure to try to help with this. I think those Big Bus hop-on, hop-off tours can be good for sightseeing, especially if you want to see a lot in only a short visit of 2 or 3 days in London (or any other city), but they aren’t good as transportation between sights. Especially if you are going in high season, the buses can get quite crowded and the one you are waiting for might be nearly full when it pulls up because most people stay on it the whole way around. Also, they tend to move very slowly in heavy traffic.
The better way of getting around and between sights is a combination of walking and the Tube/underground. The London Pass comes with an optional TravelCard, and if you get that you’ll have unlimited rides on the Underground during the validity of your London Pass. Once you use the system once or twice, you’ll realize that it’s quite easy and visitor friendly. It’s also the fastest way to get around in almost every case. If you don’t get a TravelCard you’d want to get an Oyster Card, which works the same way after you put a £5 deposit down and then buy credit for the thing, but a TravelCard will be easier.
Another thing to consider is that if you are in London for 7 days, you really won’t need to rush around the city, so that Big Bus Tour wouldn’t be too helpful. You’ll be better off spending most of each day in one smaller area, seeing all the sights in that neighborhood rather than going back and forth across town. The London Pass also comes with a Thames River Cruise, which takes you by many of the most famous sights, and is a very good orientation to the city.
So again, if you were going to be in London for 2 or 3 days, the Big Bus Tour isn’t a bad way of seeing a lot in the time, but for 7 days I don’t think it would be worthwhile. Have a great trip. -Roger
I need to find out do I need children’s passes? I have a 10 year old and 14 year old. I know a friend of mine that did Paris last year said they did not need to buy childrens passes? So do we need a london pass for children. Also for the tube?
Thanks
Andrea
Andrea,
On the London Underground, children up to the age of 10 can ride for free along with a paying adult. Children 11 to 15 get a reduced fare.
The London Pass itself has a child price for ages 5 to 15, and I don’t believe any of the included attractions would be free without it. I think the difference is that the Paris Pass covers many museums and most or all of those museums are free for everyone under the age of 18. In London, the famous state-run museums (British Museum, Tate Modern etc) are free for everyone (actually paid for by taxpayers). And the London Pass obviously covers the other attractions (Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Thames River Cruise, London Bridge Experience etc.) and most of those are quite expensive. Children 5 and over need a ticket, although those are usually around half the price of an adult ticket. -Roger
Roger;
Our schedule is to go from Heathrow to Liverpool on Tuesday. We will go the Euston station. We will be in Liverpool for 2 day then coming back to London on Thursday around 4pm. Friday and Saturday we were wanting to use the London Pass. Sunday going out to Harry Potter Universal. Then Monday leaving at 2pm on Eurostar for Paris. Should I do a 3 day pass for Thursday night or 2 day pass. And should I do the travel part of the pass or get separate oyster card since I have so many other travel trips.
Any advise would be appreciated. Trying ot be the most cost effective
Thanks!
Andrea
Hi Roger ,
We are family n friends ( 4 adults & 4 kids ) ( kids all below 10 ) are visiting London for the first time . We are in London for 9 nights . Planning to take the London pass with travel so it would be easier and cheaper for us . We do plan to visit few places which is mentioned in your attractions .
Is it better to book it online and collect the pass there ?
Is it worth the money or oyster card is better for travel ?
Do we get discounts with London pass on madam tussads , london eye , harry potter , legoland etc ????
Awaiting Reply
Thanks
Payal
Payal,
I used to always recommend that people order the London Pass online and have it delivered to them at home, and that’s still a great option because you’ll get a chance to go through the guidebook that comes with it to help sort out your sightseeing plans. But now London Pass has created an electronic version of the book, as well as an iPhone and Android app with the same information, and you can download those all for free when you buy online for pickup in London. Also, the London pickup point for London Passes is in Leicester Square, which is a very central area for sightseeing, but you might be staying on the other edge of the city so picking them up in person could be a bit of a hassle.
The London TravelCard that comes as an option with the London Pass is almost exactly like an Oyster Card, except that you don’t have to pay the £5 deposit on each card when you buy them. The other difference is that a TravelCard is for unlimited public transport rides (underground, buses), while an Oyster Card allows you to buy just one or two rides per day if that’s all you need. By the time you get to 3 rides per day, the Oyster Card hits its maximum price for the day, and then it’s exactly like an unlimited TravelCard.
In other words, if you think you might only want 1 or 2 tube rides per day, then skip the TravelCard and buy Oyster Cards once you get to London. But if you think you’ll be doing 3 or more rides per day, which is very likely when you are using the London Pass because you’ll want to move around town quickly to take advantage of the included attractions, then the TravelCard is ideal. Most likely it comes down to which area of town you are staying in. Most of the best attractions are on or near the northern bank of the Thames in the Westminster area. If you stayed nearby, you will be able to walk to many attractions, but hotels in that walking area tend to be very expensive compared to almost anywhere else. So if you are staying at least 1 or 2 kilometers from that area, you’ll probably take the tube a couple times each day just going back and forth.
The London Pass does NOT include discounts to those things you mention, but with Madam Tussauds and the London Eye you can get a good discount just by booking online. You might find discount tickets for the others when you are in London, or elsewhere online.
Hopefully this helps, and feel free to ask any other questions if I missed something. -Roger
Hi Roger,
My family (two adults and a 14 year old child)are coming to London in June for 4 nights (3 full days + 1/2 day). I am thinking to get the 3 day London pass (2 adults and 1 child). I thought the travel card only works at off peak hours (www.londonpass.com) and the Oyster card worked all day long with discounted price for each ride. Can you confirm if the travel card works all day long?
I am trying to plan our time in London and hopefully you can help me. We are arriving at London in the morning (Tuesday)so we would have some time in the afternoon. Should I activate the card on the same day or the next day? We would like to visit several places included in the pass and a couple of other places that are not included. We’d like to do the river cruise, Tower of London, Westminster Abby, Churchill War Rooms, Tower bridge and Winsor castle. We’d like to have time to visit Buckmingham Palace, House of Parliment, London Eye. Can you please give us some suggestions on how to plan our 3 and half days?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sarah
Sarah,
The TravelCard/Oyster Card thing is indeed confusing. Here’s how it works: London public transport offers two different kinds of TravelCards (along with versions that include suburbs that very few tourists will ever want to visit). A TravelCard is good for unlimited Tube rides on the day it’s valid. The more expensive version is good all day every day (London underground shuts down for about 5 hours overnight), and the slightly cheaper version is only valid after 9:30am on weekdays, and all weekend. This is obviously to encourage tourists (and shoppers etc) to wait until the morning rush hour is over to start riding. The tube tends to be quite crowded until that time, so I personally am happy to save a little by starting after 9:30am, and this is the version you can add on to the London Card when you order.
The Oyster Card requires a deposit of £5 per card (fairly easy to get back when you are done with it, though queues at Heathrow can be long) and then you add ride credit to it. When they introduced the Oyster Card, they jacked up the price of the underground to the point that no sane person would ever NOT use an Oyster Card. Right now, it costs £4.70 for short tube ride WITHOUT an Oyster Card, and £2.20 WITH an Oyster Card. So after only 2 rides, your Oyster Card “discount” has already paid for the deposit.
The best feature of the Oyster Card is that you can use it for “discounts” on a few rides per day, and once you hit about 3 medium-length rides or 4 shorter rides, you’ve reached the maximum fare for the day, and every additional ride is free. So essentially, an Oyster Card automatically turns into a TravelCard after 3 or 4 rides, but it can be even cheaper if you don’t ride as often. But you have to pay the deposit and possibly stand in a longer line to get the deposit back when you are leaving, which can be a hassle.
For a family trying to get the most out of a London Pass, it’s almost certain that you’ll be riding at least 3 or 4 times per day, and even more if you are staying away from the touristy area along the Thames. So the TravelCard is probably exactly what you want anyway, and you’ll have it with you when you arrive, with no deposits and such. (Also, most attractions don’t open until 10am or so.)
As for how to use it most efficiently on your visit, there isn’t a big difference in price between the 2-day version and the 3-day version, so I think it’s wise to get the longer one. Those overnight flights can be problematic for some people, but I’m usually so excited that I prefer to get out and see some sights on the day I arrive (and this helps with jet lag as well). I think doing the Thames River Cruise on the first afternoon would be a great way of getting oriented. You’ll still have time for one or two more attractions in the same area, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and the Churchill War Rooms.
Another day you can come back to that area and see the remaining things you passed on your first day, and you’ll have time for a ride on the London Eye (buy tickets online to save), and maybe a quick visit to the (free) Tate Modern museum nearby. Windsor Castle is in the suburbs, so you’d need to plan ahead to get out there.
It’s hard to offer specific advice without knowing all of the places you want to visit, but I can say that the underground is really efficient for getting around quickly, so you can see a lot. I’ll also suggest downloading the London Pass iPhone or Android app, which you can do for free, even before you buy. On it you’ll see all the places covered along with operating hours and such. That makes choosing where to go much easier, when you can see them all on the same map.
Hopefully this helps. Have a great trip, regardless of what you decide. -Roger
Hi, Roger!
Thanks for the info on the London Pass; I was really confused before reading your comments. You mentioned the river cruise as a good way to start a quick visit. We were also looking at the Big Bus tours as a way to get an overview of the city at the beginning of our trip. Do you recommend that, or will the river cruise be sufficient? Thanks SO much!
Judy,
I’m always happy to hear that this information helps. I think the Big Bus tours are an ideal choice for someone with only a day or two to see a city, but I think there are better ways of getting oriented if you’ve got a bit longer. The Thames River Cruise has excellent views of most of the important sights, and you obviously spend far less time sitting in traffic, which is unfortunately a major feature of the bus tours. So if you have at least 3 days in London, or hopefully even more, I prefer the river cruise early on, and also the “free” walking tours of the city center (Westminster) area. The walking tour goes places where the buses can’t go, and the descriptions and stories are much more vivid. They make money by asking for tips at the end if you’ve enjoyed it, and I always give around £5 because even that feels like a great bargain.
Also, if you are getting the London Pass you’ll be seeing many of these attractions (Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, Windsor Castle etc) from the inside and outside as you visit, so seeing them from the top of a bus as it drives by is not as important. But again, if you have a very limited time, I do think the bus tours are far better than nothing. -Roger
Roger,
You are awesome! I really appreciate your taking time to share your very helpful insights. We have just five days in London, and now we know just what we are going to do with them! Many thanks!!
Hi Roger!
Me and my family of 4 (3 adults + 1 Child) are planing on going to London in early July. We only have one day to see the city and planing on visiting about 3 or 4 attractions. I was going to purchase to one day pass to avoid the “lines” and to save some dimes, what would your recommendation be? And one more question, where exactly do I click to apply the 6% coupon code you provided? Couldn’t find it in check out…
Thank you in advance for your reply Roger!
Patty,
Personally, I like to start quick city visits with a tour, so I’d recommend the Thames River Cruise in the morning. After that you’ll easily have time to see at least 3 more things, as most of the most famous sights are within walking distance of each other and near the river. Westminster Abbey and the (very interesting) Churchill War Rooms are close together, and from there you can take a long stroll (or fast taxi or tube ride) to the Tower of London. There are a few other included sights along the way, so you’ll have many options.
London Pass now has a free smart phone app (iPhone and Android) that shows you all the attractions on a map, with opening times and descriptions and whatnot, and that can help you choose.
To apply the promo code, go through the Checkout process and under “Step 4 – Additional Products” there is a thing at the bottom that says “Promo code? Click here.” Just click there, put in the code, and it will instantly change the price in the shopping cart. -Roger
Arriving London from Australia on 29th March with voucher for 3 day London Pass. Is the final day to use the Pass to visit St Paul’s Monday 31st March or Tuesday 1st April?
Jan,
That’s a good question. When I wrote to them about it, my contact there wrote that St. Paul’s would no longer be included “past April 1,” and I assumed he meant it would drop off at the end of March. But looking at it again, April 1 could be the last day. I’d plan on going in March just to be safe, though you might email them if an April 1 visit would be much more convenient just in case. Fingers crossed that it works out well for you. -Roger
Thanks Roger,
London Pass + London Travel Card (1 day) it is.
I’m try and see if I can squeeze Tate modern and Shakespeare’s Globe on the same day as well.
Thinking about visiting tower of london, tower bridge, westminster abbey and london eye all in a days work. Doable? And, would you recommend the london pass for this?
Simon,
You could definitely see all four of those in one day. Westminster Abbey is just across from the London Eye, and it’s a 40-minute walk or quick tube ride over to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. However, the London Eye isn’t part of the London Pass (although you can save money if you buy tickets online). So those other 3 are included and you do get to skip the ticket queues at the Tower of London. You’d probably also have time for another attraction or two because so many are just in that same area. -Roger
Thanks Roger,
Do you advise getting the London Pass online or when I arrive at Heathrow? Also should I get it with the travel card or get the oyster card instead? Thanks!
Simon,
If you have time, I’d buy the London Pass online. You can always get a discount of at least 6% online, and sometimes it’s 10%. Better still, you can start planning because it comes with a downloadable PDF guide to London and the Pass, as well as a smartphone app with all the hours and details of each place included.
I’d buy the Travel Card as well because using it is exactly like an Oyster Card, but you don’t have to pay the £5 deposit for it. They both essentially work for unlimited rides on the underground and on daytime buses, and that really comes in handy in a city as spread out as London. -Roger
Simon,
A tip – I went to the Tower of London last year, and while you get to skip ticket lines with the London Pass, there was still a pretty sizable line to get in to see the Crown Jewels. If that’s important to you, you might wish to move the ToL to the top of the day’s activities.
Hi
I am interested in the Lord’s tour and the wimbledon tour which comes with London Pass..Does this tours happen every day or I need to get information beforehand? If so, from where do I get information?
Abhijit.
The Lord’s Cricket Ground Tour that is included leaves daily at 10am, 11am, noon, and 2pm. Starting in May there is also a 3pm tour and an extra 1pm tour on weekends. In November they scale back to 4 per day, but it goes every day of the year except for major match days and match preparation days.
The Wimbledon Tour also goes daily, but they don’t announce all the tours for the year in advance. The Wimbledon Tour does NOT run from 18 June through 14 August, due to tournaments and such.
I was able to get that information from the free iPhone app that you can download even if you don’t buy a London Pass. It should also be in the free pdf guidebook they offer on the London Pass site. -Roger