London is fondly known as the “Big Smoke,” and big, it certainly is. One of the most developed cities in the world, London is brimming with grand palaces, dazzling artwork displays and museums that span the course of its almost 2,000-year history.

London passes help you to choose the sights you’re most interested in and enable you to save a pocketful of change without sacrificing the enjoyment of your trip.

As such, it can be overwhelming, not to mention costly, to pack all the attractions you wish to visit in one trip.

Here's all you need to know about London passes, one of the most popular options for sightseeing tours in London.

What is a London sightseeing pass? What is included?

While these sightseeing passes are similar in many ways, the London pass includes unlimited access to any of the 90+ attractions it offers for the number of consecutive days that you choose.

On the other hand, the Go City London Explorer Pass allows you more flexibility by giving you a period of 60 days to visit the attractions of your choice. However, your ticket is only valid for one visit to each attraction you pre-select.

The London Pass also offers a free 1-day hop-on hop-off bus tour, as well as access to a digital guidebook available in seven languages.

The beauty of these London sightseeing passes is that you can purchase them online and start wherever in the city takes your fancy.

There is no need to collect your tickets from an office, so you can dive straight in and head to your first planned landmark without wasting any time.

A London Pass is valid for the duration you pre-select from the time it is activated at your first attraction, whereas you can use your Go City London Explorer Pass at your own leisure for a period of 60 days.

With each of these London passes, you’ll be able to download your ticket on your smartphone, which you’ll simply flash at each attraction to gain entry.

What are the best passes in London?

The London Pass

The London Pass offers unlimited access to more than 90 of London’s most iconic attractions for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days.

There is no need to pre-select any of your attractions meaning you can go wherever the wind takes you as you explore new parts of the city.

The tours, attractions and museums included in this London pass are wide-ranging, meaning there’s something to suit every interest.

If you want to see the whole city, you can ascend its tallest building — the Shard — to gain a panoramic view stretching over the London skyline and far beyond.

Alternatively, if you’re obsessed with the royal family, you can access the Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace, explore the king’s stables at the Royal Mews or discover the Old Royal Naval College’s links to King Henry VIII.

Sports enthusiasts can take a tour of a number of stadiums, including those belonging to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC.

History buffs will be pleased to learn the long list of museums included in this London sightseeing pass, such as the Florence Nightingale Museum — dedicated to the founder of modern medicine.

You can wander around Charles Dickens’ former home and see original artifacts from the writer’s lifetime including letters, and paintings, or dive deeper into the Holocaust at the Jewish Museum.

If you’re finding the city slightly overwhelming, why not head to one of the botanical gardens included in your ticket, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, which features an astounding collection of plants from around the world?

Go City London Explorer Pass

Those who are more particular about the sights they wish to see while in London or who have limited time to spend in the city may opt for a Go City London Explorer Pass instead.

This pass enables you to choose between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 of London’s top attractions and save on their entrance fees by purchasing together in one all-inclusive pass.

In doing so, you’ll save around 35% versus buying tickets separately and you don’t need to go through the hassle of booking several activities.

Some of the top attractions included in this pass are Kensington Palace — the official residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales — as well as Westminster Abbey, where a number of royal celebrations have been held.

If you’re interested in London’s long-standing history, you can select the Tower of London as one of the attractions in your London pass, which has served as a palace, a prison and a fortress since it was built by William the Conqueror.

Alternatively, witness the splendor of the magnificent dome that forms St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is one of the largest in the world.

Not just for adults, this London pass includes a plethora of activities perfect for the whole family, such as ZSL London Zoo and All Star Lanes bowling.

You can use your pass for a hop-on hop-off bus tour of London or alternatively, gain a unique perspective of the city from the water on a Thames River cruise.

There are 80 museums, attractions, dining experiences, tours and cruises covered by the pass meaning it will be easy to put together your own personalized package.

Both London passes grant access to ZSL London Zoo, located in Regent’s Park in the center of the city. The Tower of London is another attraction you can gain access to with either of the London passes.

How much do passes in London cost?

The London Pass has different budget options, which depend on how many consecutive days you wish your ticket to last.

On average, holders of this pass save almost £60 versus buying tickets to each attraction. It also enables you to free up time otherwise spent booking tickets to enjoy exploring more.

London Pass prices

1-Day pass

Adults: £76
Children aged 5-15: £48
Children under 5: Free

2-Day pass

Adults: £99
Children aged 5-15: £65
Children under 5: Free

3-Day pass

Adults: £116
Children aged 5-15: £77
Children under 5: Free

4-Day pass

Adults: £134
Children aged 5-15: £85
Children under 5: Free

5-Day pass

Adults: £144
Children aged 5-15: £94
Children under 5: Free

6-Day pass

Adults: £154
Children aged 5-15: £99
Children under 5: Free

7-Day pass

Adults: £153
Children aged 5-15: £103
Children under 5: Free

10-Day pass

Adults: £170
Children aged 5-15: £111
Children under 5: Free

Go City London Explorer Passes prices

2-Choice pass

Adults: £50
Children aged 5-15: £35
Children under 5: Free

3-Choice pass

Adults: £65
Children aged 5-15: £44
Children under 5: Free

4-Choice pass

Adults: £80
Children aged 5-15: £50
Children under 5: Free

5-Choice pass

Adults: £99
Children aged 5-15: £63
Children under 5: Free

6-Choice pass

Adults: £112
Children aged 5-15: £75
Children under 5: Free

7-Choice pass

Adults: £123
Children aged 5-15: £84
Children under 5: Free

Is a London pass worth it?

The main draw of any London pass is that the more attractions you visit, the more you save. This is why it’s preferable to purchase a pass that covers the entire duration of your trip to offer the most flexibility.

Not only will you save money at each landmark, but you can also save on transportation as these passes include hop-on hop-off bus tours in London, as well as Thames River cruises and assorted other methods of getting around the city.

Travel tips

Before your trip, write a list of your must-see attractions as London is brimming with points of interest and it can be easy to accidentally miss a destination that you really want to visit.
If you’re planning a longer trip to London, opt for the 7 or 10-day London Pass and plan your itinerary to explore a new corner of the city each day.
Generally, you’ll save more money on any of the London passes the greater number of days of attractions you book for.
Pack an umbrella for your trip to London as the weather can be unpredictable throughout the year.

London Passes in London