How Much Spending Money You'll Need in the UK for 1, 2 or 4 Weeks

It’s home to Big Ben, Stonehenge, the much-loved Devonshire tea, and of course, the Queen herself. The United Kingdom has plenty to offer and now it’s calling you.

With a destination famed for its iconic attractions, it’s hard to know just how much cash you’ll use to make your holiday everything you’ve dreamed of.

On average, it’s a good idea to put aside enough for £135 of currency in the UK each day but your budget will ultimately depend on how you like to travel (for example, budget or luxury) as well as how long you’ll be away for.

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How Much Does the Average Person Spend a Day in the UK?

This depends on the kind of holiday you want. You could get the royal treatment, splashing out on a hotel room worth of Buckingham Palace and hailing the quintessential black taxi everywhere you go.

Or you could opt for the affordable hostel experience, getting about via London’s renowned Underground and grabbing all your meals from the nearest Pret A Manger sandwich shop.

On average, tourists spend around £135 a day while in the United Kingdom. If you’re careful, you could spend less than £55 a day, or you can make it a grand occasion with a daily budget of up to £300.

how much spending money for UK

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How Much Should I Budget for a Trip to England?

How Much Spending Money for One Week in the UK?

A week in the United Kingdom is the perfect taster. You could easily spend all 7 days in London or choose to hit up the major cities. We recommend the following budget per person for 7 days in the UK:

  • Budget trip: £385
  • Mid-range trip: £945
  • Luxury trip: £2000
Spending money in the UK for 1 week
Spending money in the UK for 2 weeks

How Much Spending Money for 2 Weeks in the UK?

Two weeks gives you enough time to venture further afield. You could hire a car and head south to Stonehenge and the White Cliffs of Dover or take a road trip from Edinburgh to spot the monster at Loch Ness. Whatever your itinerary, this average per person budget for 2 weeks should get you by:

  • Budget trip: £770
  • Mid-range trip: £1890
  • Luxury trip: £4000

How Much to Take for a Month in the UK?

A whole month in the UK allows you to adventure deep into the heartland of the island nation. You’ll have the opportunity to explore England, Scotland, and Wales – with time to spare to venture over to North Ireland.

For such a journey, we recommend budgeting the following sums per person:

  • Budget trip: £1540
  • Mid-range trip: £3780
  • Luxury trip: £8000
Spending money in the UK for a month

How Much It Costs to Travel in the UK

The Costs of Accommodation in the UK

Are you up for a hotel room fit for royalty or will you be sharing more of the Tower of London experience a la 1500s (in modern terms: the backpacker dorm)?

No matter the experience, your accommodation choice will likely take a hefty chunk from your holiday savings (especially if you’re spending a lot of time in London).

The United Kingdom has a plethora of accommodation options, from the darling B&B in the Cotswolds to the traditional English pub arrangement.

On average, you’ll be looking at about £150 per night, though this can vary dramatically depending on your budget:

  • Budget: £30-80 per night
  • Mid-range: £80-130 per night (£100-200 in London)
  • Luxury: from £130 per night (or £200 in London)

 

The Costs of Food in the UK

how much spending money for usa

The United Kingdom is known for its homey suppers and high teas, from the quintessential pub to the high-end restaurant.

How much you spend on food will depend greatly on your mode of eating: a visit to the supermarket for a home-cooked meal will cost far less than a decadent night at one of London’s culinary hotspots.

You can expect to pay on average (per person, per meal):

  • Budget meal at a pub or cafe: £12–16
  • Mid-range meal at a decent restaurant: £30–35
  • A high-end meal at a luxury venue: £70

Thankfully, it’s easy to save money on food in the US by following some of these tips:

  • Split a meal. Portions are typically huge so you should still be satiated even when sharing one dish.
  • Get takeaway. If you have a fridge in your motel or a kitchen at your Airbnb, request a box for your leftovers and save them for another meal.
  • Cook your own food. Accommodation options from Airbnbs to hostels often have kitchens you can use to prepare your meals.

The typical traveller spends between £40 and £60 per day on food. If you want to save some pennies, it’s best to avoid tourist traps by venturing away from the most well-known tourist attractions.

In London, food stalls in Brixton Market, Borough Market, or Camden market guarantee high-quality dishes without the hefty price tag.

 

The Costs of Transport in the UK

how much spending money for usa

It’s a small nation, yet the United Kingdom has tourist destinations in just about every direction.

In Central London, many places are within walking distance, eliminating the need to catch public transport at all.

If you want to go further afield within the capital, it costs £14 for an unlimited daily travel card. Single journeys cost about £2.50, depending on the London zones you’re travelling in and if you end up getting a Visitor Oyster Card.

Further afield, Great Britain has an extensive public transport and road network, making it easy to criss-cross the country without fuss.

In the hierarchy of long-distance travel, coaches are your cheapest option while train travel and car rentals are a little more pricey. You’ll find better train ticket prices if you book in advance.

  • Average cost of a roughly 300km coach journey: £20–50
  • Average cost of a roughly 300km train journey: £30–90
  • Car rental per day: from £30

 

The Costs of Activities in the UK

how much spending money for usa

Luckily for you, there are many attractions you can appreciate in the UK without needing to spend a penny. Walking the streets of London or any other British city or town is like walking through the pages of history.

The UK is renowned for its imperial architecture, from the grand dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the mighty Big Ben. And it’s possible to appreciate these buildings without paying for entry.

But of course, there are certain paid attractions you won’t want to miss out on, including:

On average, we recommend putting aside between £35 and £70 per day to get the most out of the United Kingdom’s best attractions.

What is the best way to take money to the UK?

There are a variety of ways to take travel money to the UK so the option that best suits you depends on your needs, the duration of your trip, and the amount of money you plan to take.

The best ways to carry British pounds include:

We recommend exchanging Australian dollars for British pounds in advance and then having a debit card available to withdraw further sums if needed.

Learn more: The Six Best Ways to Take Money to the UK

Best way to take money to the UK

Learn more about currency exchange

Ready to buy some British pounds at a great value for your trip? Check our best AUD to GBP exchange rates to find out how much you’ll get for your Aussie dollars today.

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