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The pass is a plastic card with a microchip. You pay a one-off fee for the card, which functions like an electronic voucher, entitling once-only entry at a list of major sights, such as the Tower of London, the London River Cruise, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, and the London Bridge Experience. Passes range from one day to six days. A one-day pass costs $61 for adults (or $73 with travel on the subway, buses, and some trains and boats) and $41 for kids (or $44 with travel). A six day pass costs $136 for adults ($207 with transport) or $97 for kids ($130 with transport). Should you buy the pass?
It depends. If you are an adult under-60 (senior citizens receive discounted access in the U.K. regardless), and you plan on visiting a bunch of the more expensive sights then yes. You'll save money on entrance fees too. But only if you move quickly. We worked out that you would need to visit at least three attractions per day to make the pass pay. This is doable. But it'll be a run-a-round. And it will be very difficult to visit three attractions per day if you include a sight lying outside the city (like Windsor Castle) on your itinerary.
The pass also lets you jump lines and gives you discounts on food in locations like the restaurant at the Tower of London. You'll appreciate this in high season when visitor numbers are heavy.
Unfortunately, plenty of sights are not on the London Pass, including some of the city's biggest draws, such as the London Eye and Madame Tussauds waxworks. So you'll have to pay extra if you want to visit these.
And what about the travel deal?
The "Pass with Travel" is only worth it if you plan to stay in outer London because it covers all six of London's "transport zones." But as most travelers seldom venture beyond the center, they are unlikely to need to travel beyond "zone two." You'll get better value from an Oyster swipe card or a one-day travel card, both for sale at subway (Tube) stations. Learn more at the Transport for London site.
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Wow! That is expensive. If you compare it to the Paris Museum Pass, the London Pass is a poor value.
For instance, on the Paris Museum Pass you get unlimited 6-day admission to (almost) all the heavy hitters like the Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie, Versailles and about 50-60 other GOOD attractions. It only costs about $85.
Posted By Steve From TravelingProfessor.com on July 17, 2010, 8:57 AM
I've visited London many time with clients (I'm a travel planner), both when using the London Pass and when going "a la carte".
Want to know how to decide if it's worth it? Make a list of what you want to see, get a calculator, and add it up! Pretty easy, right?
In my experience it's hard to get the full cash value out of the London Pass unless you're a voracious sightseer (I am...), but during peak travel times it is definitely worth it for the time savings alone since it allows you to skip to the head of the line, which in the case of popular attraction like the Tower of London can be well over an hour long.
So...cash value or time savings & convenience? Only you can decide!
Posted By D Fury on July 19, 2010, 11:46 AM
We just got back from London.
We considered the London Pass, but decided not to get it...for the exact reasons stated in the article.
We purchased two weekly Oyster cards, zones 1 & 2, good for tube and buses. The only time we paid extra was for a quick trip to Wimbledon.
We also had booked a Golden Tour bus trip to WindsorCastle/Hampton Court. That tour was just ok for us. We felt like we had to rush to see what we wanted, to make certain we got back to the bus on time. Guided tours like that are just not for us, I suppose.
I can't imagine trying to do a minimum of 3 attractions a day, unless you're content just to run through something. We were pressed for time
trying to do two things on some of the days, but then, when I go to an attraction, I want to see and do it all.
Just ask my husband how long we were in Harrod's before he had to drag me out.;)
Posted By Juls on July 19, 2010, 3:18 PM
Wow, when did Brit museums start charging? They were free 2-3 years ago.
Think this is confusing? Try the Heritage Passes. I think there is one UK wide one but be careful. Most of them are by subunit like Wales, Scotland (own parliament), and England and what is good for one isn't for the other. Same issues as London one. Calculate if worth it. BTW, lines are not an issue for almost any Brit heritage site and that includes Stonehenge (and for God sake go to Avebury nearby) so that isn't a reason to get one. FAR better and you can actually walk on the site).
Posted By David Coursey on July 19, 2010, 3:34 PM
The major London museums (British Museum, Tate, tate Modern, Imperial War Miseums, National Gallery, National Portrait, etc.) dont charge admission. The Tower of London, etc., do.
The London Pass is a bad idea, just get a weekly unlimited travel Oyster card if you are going to be there 4 or more days. And they refund the 3 quid deposit for the card if you turn it in before you leave.
Posted By Rich on July 19, 2010, 5:03 PM
If you look through a guide book and find all the places you really want to see, and add up the total if paid individually, more often than not, you will find it's cheaper to go without the pass. Plus you will find places you want to see that are not on the pass and many that are which are forgettable. Also, be aware of buying the oyster pass for all zones unless you actually plan to go outside of London. You will save substantial money if you get one for the inner zones. A trip that is quite memorable and well worth the small charge is the boat that goes from London down the Thames to Hampton Court. We got one of the best views of London by boat, a magnificent day in Hampton Court Palace and gardens, and took the train back into London(the station is right across the river bridge from HC).
Also, don't miss Avebury. ONe of our fondest memories is sitting on a hillside in Avebury surrounded by sheep, looking down at the village and the monolithic rocks that circle it.
Posted By Elizabeth on July 19, 2010, 5:04 PM
We went as a family and each got a 3-day London Pass. We arranged our itinerary so we focused on covered attractions for those three days, and I thought we got good value -- especially since we usually had shorter lines. One other thing to watch for: if there's a public holiday during the days your London Pass covers, you will end up paying for a day during which many covered attractions are closed.
Posted By Doug on July 19, 2010, 6:25 PM
This information on how to decide to buy the London Pass is very helpful, but I don't understand how you came up with the cost of $280 (the most expensive pass I see is the 6-day at $161). Thanks!
Posted By Freddie on July 19, 2010, 7:08 PM
You should try the London 2 for 1.
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/
You need a train ticket for this to work. You can purchase a travel card good for unlimited Tube rides, but, the ticket must have the National Rail logo on it. You need to purchase these travel tickets from a National Rail office. Same ticket you get from Tube station, just the logo is on it.
Posted By Steve on July 20, 2010, 11:55 AM
Freddie, I got a pass for $155 for a 6-day London pass! Thanks a lot for the information to buy an inexpensive London Pass!
Cheers!
Posted By Vacation Ideas on July 22, 2010, 4:54 AM