UK Trip Cost Guide
How much does a week in the UK really cost? Updated for 2026 with prices for London, Scotland, and the North.
Budget Explorer
£600
Hostels, Tube & Supermarkets
Standard Tourist
£1,250
Hotels, Pubs & Trains
Luxury Traveler
£3,000+
Boutique, Fine Dining & Private Cars
Planning a trip to the United Kingdom is a bucket-list item for many, but the GBP exchange rate can be intimidating. From the iconic streets of London to the misty highlands of Scotland, understanding your daily costs is essential for a stress-free holiday.
2026 Pricing Insight
UK travel costs have stabilized in 2026, though rail prices remain high. Our AI Trip Planner helps you find the sweet spot between comfort and cost by optimizing your route and suggesting mid-week travel deals.
City-by-City Daily Budget
London
Daily Budget Per Person
£100-£250
approx. $125-$320
Accommodation
Meals
Transit
Daily average: £10-£15
Includes Tube, local buses, or trams.
Top Sights
Edinburgh
Daily Budget Per Person
£80-£180
approx. $100-$230
Accommodation
Meals
Transit
Daily average: £5-£8
Includes Tube, local buses, or trams.
Top Sights
Manchester
Daily Budget Per Person
£70-£150
approx. $90-$190
Accommodation
Meals
Transit
Daily average: £4-£7
Includes Tube, local buses, or trams.
Top Sights
Money Saving Hacks
Book Trains Early
Buying "Advance" tickets 12 weeks out can save you up to 70% compared to buying on the day.
Meal Deals
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Boots offer sandwich meal deals for ~£4. Perfect for a quick lunch.
Free Museums
Most major national museums in the UK are completely free! Save your budget for the hidden gems.
Coach it
National Express or Megabus between cities is significantly cheaper than the train if you have the time.
Stop Guessing, Start Budgeting
Our AI travel planner calculates real-time UK costs based on your selected hotels and transport preferences.
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Frequent Questions
Is London much more expensive than the rest of the UK?
Yes, specifically for accommodation and dining. You can expect to pay 30-50% more in London than in cities like Sheffield or Cardiff.
Should I get an Oyster Card or use Contactless?
In 2026, contactless is more convenient and carries the same daily caps as Oyster. Only get an Oyster if you have a Railcard discount to apply.