The London Pass: A Must-Buy for Your London Independent Travel! How to Buy It Cheapest?
The London Pass is a pass that grants unlimited entry to London’s major tourist attractions or participation in designated tour experiences for a set number of days. On this trip to London, we found that this pass, valid for over 100 London attractions, indeed saved us more than a third on admission costs. It’s definitely worth buying.
London is a city steeped in history, home to many historical buildings worth visiting, quite a few of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites and popular tourist destinations. However, admission to London’s tourist attractions is often quite expensive, with adult entry fees often exceeding £20 and increasing yearly.
Even if you selectively visit just 7-8 famous spots, the combined entry cost in 2026 could be around £150-160. So, if you’re planning an independent trip to London, you must consider the London Pass – it can save you money.
>> Click to compare London Pass prices across different websites <<
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Using the London Pass Saved Us Over a Third on London Attraction Entry Fees!
Our itinerary this time included a five-day, four-night stay in London. Besides visiting famous London attractions and museums, much of our time was spent shopping. So, we planned to focus only on must-see iconic spots, such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge Exhibition, the British Museum, and a river cruise on the Thames.
Except for Buckingham Palace and the British Museum, which are free (interior tours of Buckingham Palace require a fee and are only open from July to September annually), the combined entry cost for the other attractions would be approximately £170 per person (2026 prices).
Since these attractions are all covered for free by the London Pass, we decided to purchase a 2-Day London Pass for each of us. A 2-Day Pass costs only £114 (2026 prices), saving us over £50 – a full one-third reduction. Moreover, with the London Pass, we didn’t have to queue to buy tickets every time, and for some attractions, we didn’t even need to queue for entry, saving both money and time.
The London Pass must be used on consecutive days. Our 2-Day Pass needed to be used on two consecutive days. Since we arrived in London around noon on October 17th, we planned to use the London Pass on the 18th and 19th. We arranged our itinerary so that attractions covered by the pass were visited on those two days, while other attractions not covered (like Buckingham Palace interior, British Museum) were scheduled for other times.
Here are the attractions we visited during our trip that were free with the London Pass (Note: prices are 2026 estimates):
| 2026 Entry Fee (per Adult) | |
| Westminster Abbey | £31 |
| St. Paul’s Cathedral | £26 |
| Tower of London | £35.8 |
| The Tower Bridge Exhibition | £16 |
| Household Cavalry Museum | £11 |
| London Transport Museum | £25 |
| Thames River Cruise | £24.5 |
| Total: | £169.3 |
So, unless you’re on a group tour or visiting London only for family or shopping without entering its tourist attractions, buying a London Pass will definitely save you money. The only question is how many days’ pass you need.
London Pass Types, Prices, and Buying TIPS
In 2021, the London Pass underwent two major innovations. The first was the abolition of the physical card, switching to a digital pass. So now, after purchasing a London Pass, you no longer need to collect a card at an office in London. You simply store the received London Pass on your phone, or you can print it out.
The second innovation changed the previous model of unlimited use within the validity period to a system where you get a fixed number of credits for the validity period. Different duration passes come with different credit amounts. One credit is equivalent to £1.
For example, a 2-day adult London Pass includes 460 credits, equivalent to £460. When you use the pass to enter an attraction, credits are deducted based on the attraction’s standard ticket price. For instance, entry to Westminster Abbey costs £31, so using the pass would deduct 31 credits.
Although it changed from unlimited use to a fixed number of credits, the credit amount is relatively large, and they must be used within the validity period. So, the practical effect is virtually the same as the old unlimited system.
Taking our London trip as an example, if we had bought individual tickets for the attractions we visited over two days in 2026, the total cost would have been £169.3. The price for a 2-Day London Pass in 2026 is £114 (Tip: Buying on Klook costs only £92.35).
It comes with 460 credits, equivalent to £460, which is much higher than the total £169.3 cost of the attractions we visited. After visiting these attractions, we would still have 290.7 credits left.
A. Types of London Pass: What’s the Difference Between The London Pass and The London Pass Plus?
The London Pass is divided into two types: “The London Pass” and “The London Pass Plus“. The main difference is the number of attractions and activities included.
“The London Pass” provides access to 107 attractions and activities, while “The London Pass Plus” offers 110 – three more: The London Eye, Madame Tussauds London, and The View from The Shard.
If you plan to visit all three of these attractions, purchasing The London Pass Plus is more economical. However, if you only intend to visit one, such as the London Eye, there’s no need to buy the Plus version.
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B. London Pass 2026 Prices
The London Pass is available in eight durations: 1 Day, 2 Day, 3 Day, 4 Day, 5 Day, 6 Day, 7 Day, and 10 Day. Prices are divided into adult and child (ages 5 to 15). Children under 5 do not need a ticket and therefore do not need a London Pass. The 2026 prices for the eight passes are as follows:
| Duration | The London Pass | The London Pass Plus | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Price | Child Price | Adult Price | Child Price | |
| 1-Day Pass | £79 (incl. 280 credits) | £39 (incl. 250 credits) | £109 (incl. 280 credits) | £74 (incl. 260 credits) |
| 2-Day Pass | £114 (incl. 460 credits) | £54 (incl. 390 credits) | £154 (incl. 465 credits) | £99 (incl. 400 credits) |
| 3-Day Pass | £139 (incl. 620 credits) | £69 (incl. 520 credits) | £189 (incl. 635 credits) | £119 (incl. 530 credits) |
| 4-Day Pass | £154 (incl. 775 credits) | £79 (incl. 630 credits) | £204 (incl. 790 credits) | £13 (incl. 655 credits) |
| 5-Day Pass | £169 (incl. 915 credits) | £89 (incl. 720 credits) | £224 (incl. 935 credits) | £144 (incl. 760 credits) |
| 6-Day Pass | £179 (incl. 1,040 credits) | £99 (incl. 795 credits) | £244 (incl. 1,065 credits) | £154 (incl. 845 credits) |
| 7-Day Pass | £189 (incl. 1,150 credits) | £104 (incl. 855 credits) | £254 (incl. 1,190 credits) | £164 (incl. 915 credits) |
| 10-Day Pass | £219 (incl. 1,435 credits) | £119 (incl. 1,020 credits) | £279 (incl. 1,490 credits) | £179 (incl. 1,080 credits) |
Among the 100+ London attractions covered by the pass, maybe only a dozen or so are appealing to tourists. You can decide whether to buy a 1, 2, or 3-Day Pass based on your length of stay and the number of attractions you’re interested in. Longer-duration passes are generally unnecessary and not cost-effective.
>> Click to compare London Pass prices across different websites <<
C. Where to Buy the London Pass Cheapest?
Besides the official The London Pass website, you can also buy the London Pass on many different travel product platforms, including Klook, KKday, Trip.com, etc. Below is a price comparison for The London Pass across these platforms. (Note: Only comparing adult prices for The London Pass 1~3 Days)
| Pass Type | London Pass Official Site | Klook | KKday | Trip.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Pass | £79 | £63.9 | £79 | £70.3 |
| 2-Day Pass | £114 | £92.35 | £114 | £101.44 |
| 3-Day Pass | £139 | £112.59 | £139 | £123.68 |
Note: The comparison shows Klook has the cheapest prices. Additionally, buying on Klook also allows you to use promo codes, making the price even lower.
The London Pass: Eligible Attractions and How to Use It
Attractions you can enter for free with the London Pass number around 110, but it does not cover all London attractions. Some famous ones, like the interior tour of Buckingham Palace, are not included and require separate tickets.
A. Major London Attractions Covered by the London Pass
Here are some of the famous attractions or experiences you can enter for free with the London Pass:
- London Eye [The London Pass Plus only]
- Madame Tussauds London [The London Pass Plus only]
- The View from The Shard [The London Pass Plus only]
- Tower of London
- Tower Bridge Exhibition
- Westminster Abbey
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Kensington Palace
- Hampton Court Palace
- Windsor Castle
- Household Cavalry Museum
- Guards Museum
- Royal Mews
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- London Transport Museum
- Royal Observatory Greenwich
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- The Cutty Sark
- Royal Albert Hall Tour
- Harry Potter Walking Tour
- Wembley Stadium Tour
- Chelsea FC Stadium Tour
- 1-day River Roamer on the Thames (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers)
- 2-Day Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
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B. How to Use The London Pass?
The London Pass is now digital. There are two ways to use it:
- Add the pass to the official mobile app “Go City – Travel Plan & Tickets”.
- Use the PDF e-ticket.
1. Using the “Go City – Travel Plan & Tickets” App
“Go City – Travel Plan & Tickets” download links:
After downloading the app, you need to download your purchased London Pass to the app. To do this, enter the verification code provided in the email you received after purchase. Once confirmed, the digital London Pass will be stored in the app.
When entering an attraction, scan the QR code for your London Pass in the app, and the corresponding credits will be deducted.
2. Using the PDF E-Ticket
Besides using the mobile app, there are two other ways to use your digital London Pass. The first is to take a screenshot of the London Pass QR code provided in the email you received and save it on your phone, or simply use the QR code directly from the email.
The second is to print the PDF file of the London Pass QR code from the email. When entering an attraction, scan the QR code from the screenshot or the printed paper, and the corresponding credits will be deducted.
Regardless of which method you use for your digital London Pass, you won’t be able to see your credit balance. To find out your balance, you’d have to call customer service. However, as discussed earlier, it’s very difficult for the average person to use up all their credits, so there’s no need to worry about the remaining balance.
C. How is the London Pass Validity Period Calculated?
The London Pass‘s validity period starts from the moment you first use it to enter a tourist attraction, meaning it is officially activated upon the first QR code scan.
Once activated, the London Pass must be used on consecutive days. For example, a 3-Day Pass must be used on the three consecutive days starting from the first day of use. It will become invalid on the fourth day, even if you have remaining credits.
Also, please note that the London Pass validity is calculated on a calendar day basis. So, even if you activate it in the afternoon of a certain day, that day still counts as one full day. For example, if you buy a 3-Day Pass and activate it at 4 PM on October 15th, your pass is only valid for use on October 15th, 16th, and 17th.
A few activities included with the London Pass require reservations, mainly some tours or group activities. Some popular attractions also need reservations, such as The View from The Shard, The London Eye, and Madame Tussauds London. To participate in these activities, you can make reservations on the Reservations page of The London Pass official website.
London Explorer Pass: Another More Flexible London Attraction Pass
The London Explorer Pass is also a digital ticket, and its usage method is the same as the London Pass.
A. Major London Attractions Covered by the London Explorer Pass
Currently, the London Explorer Pass covers around 110 attractions and activities. Most of the included attractions overlap with the London Pass, but there are some differences. Major attractions and activities included in the London Explorer Pass are:
- LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
- The Paddington Bear Experience
- Up at The O2
- The View from The Shard
- Tower of London
- Tower Bridge Exhibition
- Westminster Abbey
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Kensington Palace
- Hampton Court Palace
- Household Cavalry Museum
- Guards Museum
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- London Transport Museum
- Royal Observatory Greenwich
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- The Cutty Sark
- Royal Albert Hall Tour
- Harry Potter Walking Tour
- Wembley Stadium Tour
- Chelsea FC Stadium Tour
- City Cruises 24 Hour Thames River Pass
- 2-Day Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
The following table shows the major attractions and activities included in The London Pass, The London Pass Plus, and the London Explorer Pass:
| Attraction | The London Pass | The London Pass Plus | London Explorer Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Eye | ✓ | ||
| Madame Tussauds | ✓ | ||
| The View from The Shard | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Tower of London | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tower Bridge Exhibition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Westminster Abbey | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| St. Paul’s Cathedral | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kensington Palace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hampton Court Palace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windsor Castle | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Royal Mews | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| London Transport Museum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Household Cavalry Museum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guards Museum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Royal Observatory Greenwich | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| The Cutty Sark | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Royal Albert Hall Tour | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Harry Potter Walking Tour | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wembley Stadium Tour | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chelsea FC Stadium Tour | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Day Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uber Boat by Thames Clippers 1-day River Roamer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| City Cruises 24 Hour Thames River Pass | ✓ | ||
| LEGOLAND Windsor Resort | ✓ | ||
| The Paddington Bear Experience | ✓ | ||
| Up at The O2 | ✓ |
B. London Explorer Pass Prices
The London Explorer Pass is available in six options: 2 attractions, 3 attractions, 4 attractions, 5 attractions, 6 attractions, and 7 attractions, allowing you to visit any 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 London attractions within 30 days. The 2026 prices for the London Explorer Pass are as follows:
- 2 Attractions – £54 (Children aged 5-15 £39);
- 3 Attractions – £79 (Children aged 5-15 £54);
- 4 Attractions – £99 (Children aged 5-15 £69);
- 5 Attractions – £114 (Children aged 5-15 £79);
- 6 Attractions – £129 (Children aged 5-15 £89);
- 7 Attractions – £139 (Children aged 5-15 £99).
Price comparison between the London Explorer Pass and the London Pass:
| London Explorer Pass | 1-day London Pass | 2-day London Pass | 3-day London Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Attractions | £54 | £79 | £114 | £139 |
| 3 Attractions | £79 | £79 | £114 | £139 |
| 4 Attractions | £99 | £79 | £114 | £139 |
| 5 Attractions | £114 | £79 | £114 | £139 |
| 6 Attractions | £129 | £79 | £114 | £139 |
| 7 Attractions | £139 | £79 | £114 | £139 |
From the price comparison table above, we can see:
- The price of the 2-attraction Explorer Pass is cheaper than the 1-day Pass, and the price for 3 attractions is the same as the 1-day Pass.
- The price of the 4-attraction Explorer Pass is cheaper than the 2-day Pass, and the price for 5 attractions is the same as the 2-day Pass.
- The price of the 6-attraction Explorer Pass is cheaper than the 3-day Pass, and the price for 7 attractions is the same as the 3-day Pass.
As the London Explorer Pass is valid for 30 days, there’s no need to rush or stick to a strict schedule, making it a stress-free option. So, if you’re planning to visit only a few attractions and the Explorer Pass covers the ones you want, purchasing the London Explorer Pass might be a better choice than the London Pass.
Besides the official London Explorer Pass website, you can also purchase it from other travel product platforms, such as KKday and Trip.com. However, Klook does not sell it; instead, it has its own Klook London Pass, which is designed similarly to the London Explorer Pass.
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