Want to visit London and see several top attractions, take a sightseeing tour, join guided city walks and also use public transport?
Then a London City Pass is just the thing for you!
On this page we present you the most important London Passes with which you can visit many sights for free. If you buy a London City Pass through our partner links, we receive a commission from the provider.
You can find the following information on our website:
The Best London City Passes
There are several good London Passes that can be of interest to visitors:
- The London Pass (Read our analysis)
- London Explorer Pass (Read our analysis)
- London Turbopass (Read our analysis)
- Big City Saver Pass (Go to the provider)
We focus on the first two City Passes as they are by far the most attractive for most visitors to London. The London Pass and the London Explorer Pass contain similar attractions but work quite differently.
Here is a first overview:
The London Pass
You can visit as many sights as you can manage in the time available.
The following services are included in the London Pass:
- About 70 attractions free of charge
- incl. The Shard, Tower of London, Windsor Castle
- incl. hop-on/hop-off bus, boat trip, city tours
- Optional: Visitor Oyster Card for public transport
The London Pass is a digital product. You can simply download it to your phone or print it out. Once you use the London Pass for the first time, it will be activated.
Once activated, the London Pass is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 consecutive calendar days. The longer the pass is valid, the better the value for money.
Easter Offer: 10% Discount with discount code SPRING23LDN
Read here our detailed analysis on the London Pass.
London Explorer Pass
The London Explorer Pass is another product from Go City. This pass is suitable for travellers who want to visit fewer sights.
With the Explorer Pass you can visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions. The choice is almost as wide as the London Pass.
- About 60 attractions to choose from
- incl. The Shard, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey
- incl. hop-on/hop-off bus + boat trip on the Thames
The London Explorer Pass is a digital product. Simply download the pass to your phone or print it out. It will be activated as soon as you use the Explorer Pass for the first time.
Use the free Go City app to get information on all participating attractions.
After activation, the Explorer Pass is valid for 60 days.
Easter Offer: 10% Discount with discount code SPRING23
Read here our detailed analysis on the London Explorer Pass.
London City Pass: What's included?
With the two best London Passes, you can visit many of London's top attractions. Just show your digital pass at the ticket office and you'll get a free ticket.
There is also the London Turbopass and the Big City Saver Pass. These two passes only include a limited number of attractions.
In the table below you will find many of London's top attractions that you can visit for free with at least one of the London Passes featured here.
| Attraction | London Pass | Explorer Pass | Turbopass | Big City Saver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The View from the Shard | Free of charge | Free of charge | Free of charge | – |
| Tower of London | Free of charge | Free of charge | – | – |
| Tower Bridge Exhibition | Free of charge | Free of charge | – | – |
| St Paul's Cathedral | Free of charge | Free of charge | – | – |
| Westminster Abbey | Free of charge | Free of charge | – | – |
| Kensington Palace | Free of charge | Free of charge | – | – |
| Windsor Castle | Free of charge | – | – | – |
| Wembley Stadium | Free of charge | Free of charge | – | – |
| HMS Belfast | – | – | – | – |
| Hop-on/hop-off bus | Free of charge | Free of charge | Free of charge | – |
| Thames Boat Trip | Free of charge | Free of charge | Free of charge | – |
| Guided city walks | Free of charge | – | Free of charge | – |
| London Eye | – | – | – | Free of charge |
| Madame Tussauds | – | – | – | Free of charge |
| London Dungeon | – | – | – | Free of charge |
The table contains many of the most important sights and tourist services. In addition, you can visit other sights for free. In particular, the London Pass and the London Explorer Pass contain many more offers.
Here you will find all the attractions included in the London City Passes:
- All attractions with London Pass
- All attractions with Explorer Pass
- All attractions with Turbopass
- All attractions with Big City Saver
The Big City Saver Pass is flexible. You can visit up to five attractions, but also fewer. Then the pass is cheaper.
London City Pass incl. public transport
London is a huge city and most of the sights are spread over many parts of the city. The best way to get around London is by public transport.
The London Underground in particular is a very efficient means of transport.
With two London Passes you can also use public transport:
- The London Pass (optional)
- London Turbopass
When purchasing the London Pass, you can optionally book a Visitor Oyster Card. You will receive this by post before your trip. The London Turbopass always includes a Visitor Oyster Card.
The Visitor Oyster Card applies to the following means of transport:
- London Underground
- Public buses
- Local trains
- Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
- River Boats (River Taxis)
Basically, each journey is paid for individually. However, the Visitor Oyster Card is loaded with credit that should be enough for your trip to London if you travel in the city centre (zones 1 + 2).
The longer the London Pass or Turbopass is valid, the more credit the Oyster Card contains.
For the London Pass:
- 1 day - £10 credit
- 2 days - £15 credit
- 3 days - £25 credit
- 4 days - £40 credit
- 5 days - £50 credit
- 6 days - £50 credit
- 7 days - £50 credit
- 10 days - £50 credit
A portion of the credit is deducted for each trip. However, there is a daily limit, which is usually reached after the third trip. Further journeys on the same day are not charged.
Delivery by post: The Visitor Oyster Card is not an electronic product. You will receive the card by post before you travel. You can only order the Travelcard if you buy the London Pass at least 15 days before your trip. For the Turbopass, you can expect a delivery time of at least seven working days.
How the London Passes work
In this section you will learn how London Passes work from purchase to use.
1. The London Pass
The London Pass is a digital product. After purchase, you will receive the London Pass by email. You can either import it into the free London Pass app or print it out. Once in London, show the digital pass at participating attractions to get your free ticket.
Once activated, the London Pass is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 consecutive calendar days. We recommend you start your sightseeing tour in the morning to make the most of each day. Visit as many sights as you can in the limited time. Please note that pre-booking is required for some offers.
If you choose the optional Visitor Oyster Card, you will receive it by post. You can use the card independently of the London Pass. It is not time-limited, but is topped up with credit. You can travel on public transport as often as you like until your credit is used up. After that, you can top it up again if you need to.
Tip: Read our detailed analysis on the London Pass.
2. London Explorer Pass
The London Explorer Pass is also a purely digital product. You will receive the Explorer Pass by email after purchase. You can either import it into the free Go City app or print it out.
Once in London, show your digital pass at participating attractions to get your free ticket. Visit between two and seven attractions with your Explorer Pass. Please note that some attractions require prior booking.
The pass is valid for 60 days from the first use.
Tip: Read our detailed analysis on the London Explorer Pass.
3. London Turbopass
The London Turbopass includes only a few services. For the few attractions, you will receive a digital ticket for each after purchase. Print your tickets or save them on your phone. Show your ticket at participating attractions in London. Please note that you must make an appointment in advance for The Shard and the guided walking tour.
Once you use the Turbopass for the first time, it is valid for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 consecutive calendar days. The Turbopass is cheapest for two or three days.
In addition to the digital tickets, you will receive the Visitor Oyster Card for public transport by post. You can use this independently of the Turbopass. The Visitor Oyster Card is not time-limited, but is topped up with credit. You can use public transport as often as you like until the credit is used up. After that, you can top it up again if necessary.
Tip: Read our detailed analysis on the London Turbopass.
4. Big City Saver Pass
The Big City Saver Pass is a special product. It is actually several combined tickets. The product can contain 2, 3, 4 or 5 attractions:
- London Eye
- London Dungeon
- Madame Tussauds
- SEA LIFE
- Shrek's Adventures
When you buy the pass, you choose the date to visit the first attraction. From this date you have 90 days to visit the other attractions. You can book the dates yourself online.
London City Pass: Prices
Prices vary according to the period of validity or the number of attractions you can visit with a London City Pass. Please note that you get different benefits. This means that a City Pass is not better just because it is cheaper.
All prices apply to persons aged 16 and over. There are reduced prices for children.
Tip: The London Pass is rarely sold at full price. Most of the time the prices are discounted.
London Pass
- 84 (1 day)
- 109 (2 days)
- 119 (3 days)
- 134 (4 days)
- 149 (5 days)
- 159 (6 days)
- 169 (7 days)
- 184 (10 days)
Explorer Pass
- 54 (2 attractions)
- 69 (3 attractions)
- 84 (4 attractions)
- 104 (5 attractions)
- 124 (6 attractions)
- 139 (7 attractions)
London Turbopass
- 55.90 (1 day)
- 70.90 (2 days)
- 73.90 (3 days)
- 87.90 (4 days)
- 90.90 (5 days)
- 103.90 (6 days)
- 107.90 (7 days)
The price of the London Pass does not include public transport. The price of the Turbopass already includes public transport.
The Big City Saver Pass with five attractions costs £90.00 for people aged 16 and over.
Which City Pass is the best?
Basically, we recommend the London Pass and the London Explorer Pass. These two products are of interest to most visitors to London and are frequently purchased.
But which City Pass is worthwhile for whom and are the other London Passes also worth considering? These questions are answered in this section. Choose which of the following statements applies to you.
I would like to visit many sights
If you want to do a lot of sightseeing, we recommend the London Pass. The more attractions you visit, the cheaper the pass becomes.
I would like to visit only a few sights
If you only want to visit a few attractions, we recommend the London Explorer Pass. You can decide how many attractions you want to visit (2 - 7) when you buy. There are more than 60 attractions to choose from.
I want to decide spontaneously which sights I want to visit.
For spontaneous sightseeing without much planning, the London Pass is best. Although you need to make a reservation for some attractions, you can visit most of them spontaneously. Explore the city at your own pace and visit sights you hadn't planned before.
I would like to use public transport
If you also want to use the city's public transport with your London City Pass, we recommend the London Pass or the London Turbopass.
The Turbopass includes a Visitor Oyster Card, which you will receive by post before your trip. When you buy the London Pass, you can order the Visitor Oyster Card as an option.
I'm only in London for two days
For a short stay in London, the London Explorer Pass is suitable. You can visit two to seven sights. Just the thing for two days in London.
I am in London for four days or more
If you have plenty of time, you can try out many tourist attractions. The London Pass with around 70 attractions is ideal for this. Book the London Pass, which is valid for the entire duration of your stay, and explore some of London's sights every day.
I would like to buy a London City Pass spontaneously
Most London Passes can be bought spontaneously when you are already in London. However, you will not be able to use public transport because the Travelcard will be sent to you by post before your trip. Also note that you need to book in advance for some attractions. This is especially true for The Shard and guided city tours.
The following London Passes can be purchased at short notice: London Pass (without Travelcard), London Explorer Pass and Big City Saver Pass.
I am in London with children
The Big City Saver Pass is particularly suitable for parents with children. With this pass you can visit attractions that are also interesting for children: London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon, SEA LIFE and Shrek's Adventures.
London Explorer Pass can also be suitable for families if you limit yourself to a few attractions that are interesting for all family members.
Questions & Answers
Is a London City Pass worth it?
A London City Pass is worthwhile for many travellers, but not for everyone. If you are in London for the first time and want to visit many of the top attractions, the London Pass is definitely worthwhile. However, you should use two or three offers per day.
If you only want to visit a few sights, you may not need a London City Pass. But even in this case, the Explorer Pass can be worthwhile.
Can I use public transport?
With the London Pass you can optionally order a Visitor Oyster Card for public transport. With the London Turbopass you always get a Visitor Oyster Card.
How much does a London City Pass cost?
It depends on the product. If you only want to use a few services, you can buy a City Pass from as little as £54.00. However, if you want to visit many sights and use the London City Pass on several days, you should expect to pay more than £100.00.
Do I get priority admission with a City Pass?
No, no London City Pass gives priority entry at participating attractions. In some cases you can book an appointment in advance, but at most attractions you will get your free ticket at the box office.
Do I have to pick up a City Pass in the city?
No, you do not need to collect your London City Pass. All London Passes are digital products that you can save on your phone or print out. Only the Visitor Oyster Card, which is included in some London Passes, will be sent to you by post before you travel.
Can I cancel the purchase free of charge?
Yes, most purchases can be cancelled before your trip begins. Go City's London Pass and London Explorer Pass have a 90-day money-back guarantee as long as the pass has not yet been activated.
London Turbopass can be cancelled up to one day before departure. However, a cancellation fee of €30 per pass will be charged.
The Big City Saver Pass cannot be cancelled unless you have booked it through GetYourGuide. There you can cancel any purchase free of charge up to 24 hours before departure.
