Is London Expensive?

Comparing Prices To Other Major Cities

YES.

To make a long story short, London is a very expensive city. There is really no way around this fact.

I have gotten a number of questions about this in the comment section, so I wanted to take a deep dive into this subject and show what day-to-day costs look like here.

So, are Sidney and I finding ways around this hurdle as we familiarize ourselves with the city?

Also, yes.

Having both lived in Chicago, we know how to avoid overpaying in touristy areas, and Sid is a master at finding hidden gems and deals through social media.

Still, we are definitely looking forward to eastern European prices when it comes to food, drinks, and accommodations.

For a quick rundown, here is what we’ve found as average pricing for everything.

For reference, the British pound is equivalent to $1.36 is US dollars:

Our trips to the grocery store have been around £40-50 for breakfasts and snacks to have around the apartment, which is about $54-68.

A coffee is anywhere between £3-5 depending on the place. Which is about $4-7.

A ride on the bus costs £2 each, or $2.72.

A ride on the London Underground costs £2.70 each. Or $3.67.

A quick meal at a fast-casual restaurant usually ends up at around £13-15 per person. Or $17-20.

Our date night meals have exceeded £90 ($125). 😬

A pint of beer is usually between £5-7. Or $7-9.50.

A cocktail is usually around £12 ($16.50).

As you can see, this can add up quickly if you are not careful. We’ve had 2 nights out that both cost around $200, but we’ve made up for it with very cheap days in between. This is the key to making your money last in London.

There are hidden food spots EVERYWHERE where you can get a delicious meal for 3 or 4 pounds. And it’s not all pizza and kebabs either! Although you can certainly find that too after a night out.

I found an awesome bodega near us that makes quality turkey wraps for £2.50 each.

There’s also cheap fruit and vegetables at just about any street market.

In addition to cheap eats, there is also entertainment to be had for next to no cost! Many of the best museums in London are completely free. So far, we have only gotten to the National Gallery, but we are planning on seeing the British Museum, and the Tate Modern Art Museum sometime this week!

We also recently found out that many of the West End theaters offer last minute tickets for less than 10 pounds! While the seat locations are usually not ideal, it is still a great way to get into the theater without paying the usual West End prices.

Overall, it isn’t going to be the cheapest of months for us. London rivals Paris, Singapore, New York, and Tokyo as one of the most expensive cities in the world.

It is certainly more expensive than anything we experienced in Chicago, where there are bargains all over the place if you know where to look. In London, there aren’t exactly bargains, but there are at least reasonably priced finds that seem dirt cheap compared to the average listings.

However, there are ways to mitigate the cash flow, and we have been making sure to seek them out! We will also be visiting some of the cheapest places to live in Europe, so it will more than balance itself out over time. I actually think we have done pretty well so far!

So, just a fair warning if you are planning a trip to London. Be sure to budget accordingly, and check prices of activities and restaurants on your wishlist before arriving. Be open to straying off the beaten path, or spending an afternoon museum hopping, and you can make a significant cut to the price tag. Also, walking around and taking in the city’s stunning architecture is completely free, and we’ve been doing that just about every day!

When you are responsible and willing to make compromises here and there, it is absolutely possible to do London well on a budget. So don’t let the high prices discourage you from visiting one of the world’s most incredible cities!

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Thanks to everyone who has followed the adventure so far. We sincerely appreciate the support, and it is only going to get more exciting!