LONDON PASS ULTIMATE GUIDE
If visiting up to 80 attractions in London for a fraction of the cost sounds like a dream come true, then you obviously haven’t heard of The London Pass.
The London Pass is a travel card specifically designed for tourists in London who want to visit as many London attractions and landmarks as humanly possible during a short period of time… and for a fraction of the cost! Not only does The London Pass grant tourists free entry to over 80 attractions, customers can also take advantage of queue-jumping privileges at some of London’s top attractions, and each visitor will be given a guidebook packed full of all sorts of special offers and tips as well. All in all, if you combine your London Pass with booking some free walking tours, you will be able to visit the best of London on a budget.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the London Pass, including what it includes, how to purchase one, and how to decide if it's a good value for you.
How does The London Pass work?
The London Pass is essentially a sightseeing credits package. You purchase your desired credits package and redeem your credits to gain access to the attractions. The card is valid for consecutive days from when it’s first used, with each day of validity being one calendar day rather than a 24-hour period.
You can purchase a one-day pass, a two-day pass, or even six and ten-day passes, depending on how long your stay in London is.
However, the longer your stay and your pass is, the more money you will eventually save; so if you only plan on visiting a handful of attractions during your trip to London, then The London Pass may not be for you.
Once you purchase your pass, you can download it to your smartphone or print it at home. Then, all you have to do is show your pass at any entrance of a London attraction or landmark and you’ll instantly be allowed through without paying. Yes, it’s really that easy!
In addition, the pass allows you to skip the long entrance queues at several attractions. It also comes with a useful smartphone app and downloadable guidebook that is packed with special offers and helpful tips for your visit.
Can I travel with a London Pass?
All London Passes come with a free 1-day Hop on Hop Off bus tour and a 1-day River Roamer pass with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. If you need more extensive transportation options, you can purchase the London Pass with a Travel package, which includes an Oyster Travelcard for convenient public transportation throughout the city.
The Oyster Card is a smartcard used for travel on London's public transport system, covering zones 1-9 and including travel to and from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, and London City Airport.This combination makes exploring London more convenient and budget-friendly, especially because you can start using your Oyster Card as soon as you arrive in London, independently of when you activate your London Pass. For example, you can use your Oyster card to move around the city and attend several free tours before starting visiting inside your chosen attractions.
If you upgrade your London Pass with an Oyster Travelcard you can get more bang for your buck when using the London Underground or any of London’s buses. However, is it really worth it? If you already have an Oyster Card, have a contactless payment card, or do not plan to really use public transportation during your visit, it might be more cost-effective to purchase the London Pass without the Travel option and recharge your existing Oyster Card.
What’s included in The London Pass?
- Free entry into over 80 different attractions, tours and museums in London including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court, Kensington Palace, the London Zoo, Kew Gardens, the Churchill War Rooms, Windsor Castle and many, many more. (Please note that the London Eye and Madame Tussauds are not included in The London Pass).
- Fast-track entry into various attractions which could save you hours of waiting in line at London’s most popular landmarks (like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, just to name a few)
- A free Hop-on Hop-off bus tour with Golden Tours
- One river cruise on the River Thames
- A 160-page guidebook full of tips, information and maps (available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Japanese)
- An optional Oyster Travelcard
- Various discounts at shops and restaurants
- Free entry into paid exhibitions at various museums (such as free audio guides at the National Gallery and free access into the IMAX 3D theatre at The Science Museum)
How do I buy The London Pass?
It's very easy! You can purchase your London Pass online through their official website (LondonPass.com). Please note that the London Pass can only be purchased online as a mobile ticket. Upon purchase, you'll receive an email with a link to download and use your pass, as well as a printable version. If you choose the London Pass with Oyster TravelCard, the physical card will be mailed to you (3-4 weeks). That's why the London Pass with Oyster TravelCard must be bought well in advance!
Once you purchase your London Pass, you have 24 hours to cancel (and receive a full refund) as well as a whole year to activate it starting from the date of your purchase.
How much does The London Pass cost?
London Passes are available for adults (16 years and older) and children (5 to 15 years old).
One-day passes cost:
- £75 for adults (or £90 with an Oyster card)
- £55 for children (or £64.30 with an Oyster card)
Two-day passes cost:
- £99 for adults (or £119 with an Oyster card)
- £75 for children (or £93.60 with an Oyster card)
Three-day passes cost:
- £125 for adults (or £155 with an Oyster card)
- £89 for children (or £116.80 with an Oyster card)
Six-day passes cost:
- £169 for adults (or £224 with an Oyster Card)
- £125 for children (or £157.10 with an Oyster card)
Ten-day passes cost:
- £199 for adults (or £254 with an Oyster card)
- £194 for children (or £204 with an Oyster card)
A Few Tips and Advice
- Some attractions require reservations or advance notice for London Pass holders. Be sure to check ahead of time.
- The London Pass may not be a good value for children, as they often receive reduced or free entrance fees. Check prices before purchasing a pass for children.
- Children under 11 travel for free on public transport in London when accompanied by an adult with a valid Oyster Travelcard. Don't buy a London Pass + Travel for children under 11.
To make the most of your trip without breaking the bank, you might want to check out the numerous free tours in London departing daily.