{"id":4914,"date":"2026-10-27T10:47:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T09:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T09:14:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T08:14:57","slug":"england-travel-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/en\/guides\/england-travel-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Budgeting for a trip to England and London: how much should you plan for in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prepare the budget for a trip to England<\/strong> It avoids many unpleasant surprises. London is among the most expensive cities in Europe, but the English countryside, small towns, and numerous free museums make the country more affordable than you might think. Having lived in the UK since 2012, we detail the main expenses, the actual costs of our trips, and our tips for managing your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short:<\/strong> Our trips to England start at \u20ac270 per person for a 3-day stay in London during the Christmas markets, and at \u20ac1,200 for a 5- to 6-day tour of the regions, excluding flights. Accommodation in London and major attractions, such as the Tower of London (\u00a338), account for the largest portion of the cost. A passport and an ETA (\u00a320) are also required. To save money, take advantage of free museums and the daily travel limit on London's public transport system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to go to England?<\/strong> Our on-site experts design your tailor-made trip to England<\/a>, tailored to your budget.<\/div>
Get my free quote<\/a> Free and without obligation<\/span><\/div>
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What budget should I plan for a trip to England?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The budget depends mainly on three factors: the length of stay in London, the season, and the mode of transport. A short stay in the capital and a road trip in Cornwall obviously don't cost the same. Here are the starting prices for our trips to England, per person and excluding flights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel<\/th>Duration<\/th>From<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Christmas markets in London<\/a><\/td>3 days<\/td>270 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
London: the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum<\/a><\/td>3 days<\/td>1 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Halloween stay in London<\/a><\/td>4 days<\/td>1 200 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Splendours of English gardens<\/a><\/td>5 days<\/td>1 500 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
At the heart of Wuthering Heights<\/a><\/td>6 days<\/td>1 200 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
On the trail of the Birmingham gangsters<\/a><\/td>7 days<\/td>1 300 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Following in Shakespeare's footsteps<\/a><\/td>8 days<\/td>1 700 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Following in the footsteps of Robin Hood<\/a><\/td>8 days<\/td>1 700 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
In the footsteps of William the Conqueror<\/a><\/td>8 days<\/td>1 790 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Road trip in Cornwall<\/a><\/td>10 days<\/td>1 700 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These prices then vary depending on your dates, the level of accommodation and the activities chosen. Each trip remains fully customizable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main items in the budget for a trip to England<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the biggest expense, especially in London. Central hotels are expensive, particularly on weekends and during holidays. Staying in a well-connected area a little further out often saves money. Outside the capital, B&Bs, pubs with rooms, and small hotels offer better value. Our guide to...\u2019accommodation in the UK<\/a> compare the options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transportation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In London, there's no need to rent a car. The Tube and buses accept contactless bank cards directly, and a daily spending limit restricts your expenses: around \u00a39 per day for zones 1 and 2. Check fares on the Transport for London website<\/a> before leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the countryside, such as the Cotswolds, Cornwall, or the Lake District, a car remains the most liberating option. They drive on the left there: our guide to... rent a car in England<\/a> details the points to check. The train also connects London to major cities quickly, and tickets are much cheaper when booked in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Good news: London's major national museums are free, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Natural History Museum. Monuments, however, do charge admission. Here are a few pointers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit<\/th>Adult price<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Tower of London<\/td>\u00a338 (official website)<\/td><\/tr>
Westminster Abbey<\/td>Approximately \u00a330<\/td><\/tr>
London Eye<\/td>Approximately \u00a330, depending on the day<\/td><\/tr>
Stonehenge<\/td>Price varies depending on the date; reduced when booking in advance.<\/td><\/tr>
British Museum, National Gallery<\/td>Free<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prices change: check them on official websites, such as that of the Tower of London<\/a>. For Stonehenge, book online at least the day before to get the best price: all our tips are in our guide for visit Stonehenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lunch in a pub or a sandwich from the supermarket remains affordable. In the evening, however, London restaurants are more expensive than in the provinces. For a typical break, afternoon tea is a lovely experience, but its price varies considerably depending on the establishment: see our selection of\u2019afternoon teas in London<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The formalities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since the UK left the European Union, an identity card is no longer sufficient: a valid passport is required. European travelers must also obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which has cost \u00a320 since April 2026. The UK uses the pound sterling, but credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Full details are in our travel guide. formalities for the United Kingdom<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our trips to England at the best price<\/div>
3 days \u00b7 from \u20ac270 per person<\/div>
Christmas markets in London<\/div>
Three days between Covent Garden, the South Bank and the major London Christmas markets.<\/div>See the trip<\/a>Request a quote<\/a><\/div>
6 days \u00b7 from \u20ac1,200 per person<\/div>
At the heart of Wuthering Heights<\/div>
Yorkshire, Haworth, Whitby, York and the landscapes of Emily Bront\u00eb.<\/div>See the trip<\/a>Request a quote<\/a><\/div>
7 days \u00b7 from \u20ac1,300 per person<\/div>
On the trail of the Birmingham gangsters<\/div>
Birmingham, Digbeth and the Black Country Living Museum, following in the footsteps of Peaky Blinders.<\/div>See the trip<\/a>Request a quote<\/a><\/div><\/div>
Fully customizable trips: dates, duration, stages and accommodations according to your budget.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our tips for reducing the budget of a trip to England<\/h2>\n\n\n\n