Should I buy the London Pass or individual attraction tickets?

So, you’re planning a trip to London – exciting stuff! Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, you’re probably staring at a list of must-see sights and wondering: Should I get The London Pass, or just buy tickets as I go? Great question. Let’s break it down. 

We’ll look at the pros and cons of both options – but spoiler alert: unless you’re planning on visiting exactly one museum, grabbing a sandwich and calling it a day, a pass like The London Pass is almost always going to be the better deal. Here's why... 

Firstly, what IS a sightseeing pass? 

Sightseeing passes – like The London Pass – are all-in-one tickets that give you access to loads of top attractions for a single upfront price. Instead of paying separately for each museum, tour, or historic site, you just show your pass and head in.  

Think of it as your golden ticket to the city – minus the chocolate factory (unless you count the gift shops). 

Is the London Pass worth it?

Deciding whether the London Pass is worth it really comes down to how you like to travel. If you’re planning to pack your itinerary with big-name sights and make the most of each day, it can offer excellent value – but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, so it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons based on your plans.

The pros of using a pass 

You know what you're spending  

Budgeting for a trip can feel like trying to herd cats. With The London Pass, you get one upfront cost that covers loads of attractions – so there are no nasty surprises or last-minute panic ticket purchases when you realise Westminster Abbey is £30* a pop. 

You pay once, and then you can just enjoy. 

Everything you need in one app 

With the pass, everything’s in one place. No printouts. No 67 open tabs, trying to remember what time Madame Tussauds closes. Just download the app, show your pass at the door, and you’re in. It's sightseeing made simple. 

Big savings (that don’t feel like compromises) 

If you're planning to hit up a few major sights – say, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and a river cruise – you're already saving money with the pass. Throw in a couple of museums, a walking tour and maybe Tower Bridge, and the savings just keep stacking up. 

Total flexibility 

Not sure exactly what you’ll fancy doing on day three of your trip? No problem. With The London Pass, you don’t need to choose your attractions in advance – just pick what you fancy on the day. You can keep things spontaneous and follow your mood (or the weather). 

Just remember some popular London attractions like the Shard do require a booking but that’s just to guarantee your spot as they can get pretty busy. All the info you need and your booking details are in the Go City app and easy to amend.  

Even better, the pass is valid for one year from purchase and only activates the first time you use it, so you can buy early, get it at the best price and still change your plans if needed. It’s sightseeing on your terms. 

Hidden gems you might not have thought of 

You’ve got your London Eye, The Shard and the Tower of London. But what about the Royal Mews? The Fan Museum? Or a day trip to Windsor Castle or Brighton Pavilion? 

The pass includes cool, quirky and often overlooked spots that you might not have discovered on your own. You may even find your new favourite! 

Perks, perks, perks 

Skip-the-line access. Gift shop discounts. Food and drink offers. Audio guides or guide books included. Exclusive goodies. Some London Pass attractions throw in extra treats just for passholders – which means more bang for your buck (or pound). 

The pros of individual tickets 

Okay, to be fair, buying tickets one by one can work for some people. If you’re only planning to visit one or two paid attractions, or you’re the super spontaneous type who just doesn’t want to commit in advance, it might make sense. 

You only pay for what you use 

There’s no upfront commitment, and if you change your mind or decide to spend the day wandering the parks and markets instead, you haven’t lost anything. 

Flexible by the minute 

If you like to plan your day around the weather, your mood or what snacks you’ve just discovered at Borough Market, buying tickets on the fly gives you ultimate freedom. 

But… there’s a catch. 

Once you start adding up those big-hitter attractions (and trust us, you’ll want to see them), you’ll often spend way more than if you’d just bought the pass. Especially if you’re travelling with family or planning to cram a lot into a few days. And you'll miss out on the extra perks too. 

When the London Pass is less worth it

The London Pass really shines when you’re planning to visit multiple paid attractions but there are a few travel styles where it might not deliver the same value.

For example, if your itinerary leans heavily toward London’s incredible (and free) museums – like the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Natural History Museum – and you’re only planning to visit one or two ticketed attractions, the cost of a pass may outweigh the savings. In this case, paying individually can often be the more economical choice.

Similarly, if your trip is centred around experiences that fall outside the pass offering – think West End theatre shows, immersive dining, or ticking off a list of classic afternoon teas – you won’t get as much benefit. The London Pass is designed for attraction-based sightseeing rather than entertainment or food-focused itineraries, so if your priority is shows and culinary experiences rather than landmark-hopping, it may not align as well with your plans.

It’s less about the pass being “not worth it,” and more about making sure it matches the kind of London trip you actually want to have.

Let's compare...
 

Feature	The London Pass	Individual tickets
Upfront cost	✔ Paid in advance, easier to budget	✖ Pay per attraction, adds up fast
Total savings	✔ The more you see, the more you save	✖ No guaranteed savings
Convenience	✔ One app, one QR code, done	✖ Booking and managing multiple tickets separately
Extra perks	✔ Skip-the-line access, shop discounts, food offers, free guides	✖ None – you get what you pay for
Food & drink deals	✔ Includes some options and offers	✖ Not included
Hidden gems	✔ Curated line-up by local experts	✔They’re out there, you’ll just need to do some more research
Flexibility	✔ Visit what you want, when you want	✔ Freedom to pick day-by-day
Risk of overspending	✔ No nasty surprises	✖ Hard to track daily spend

How much are you actually saving? 

Here’s an example of what you could save over a standard 2-day sightseeing trip to London. 

Day 1 
The London Eye (£42) 
The Uber Boat 1-day River Roamer (£28.30) 
Tower of London (£35.80) 

Day 2 
Madame Tussauds (£42) 
London Zoo (£42) 

Plus, hop on and off the Big Bus for two days (£55.99) 

That’s a total individual ticket cost of £246.09. So, with a 2-day London Pass Plus for £154, you would save £92.09 or around 38% – jolly spiffing if you ask us!* 

Plus, you’re getting flexibility and convenience, and it’s all paid for before you even arrive – that's priceless on a packed London day.  

Final verdict: should you go for the pass? 

We think so. If you’re here to explore London’s iconic sights, dive into some quirky museums and save a bundle while you’re at it, The London Pass is the smart way to do it all. 

Think of it like this: would you rather spend your holiday juggling tickets and receipts, or just flash your phone and head straight in? 

Plus, you’ll feel like a total boss every time you skip a queue, find a hidden gem or realise you’ve just saved £40 before you’ve even paused for lunch. 

Enjoyed this?      

Check out  our complete guide to using The London Pass or find out how to see London in only one day.  

Step up your sightseeing with The London Pass®. We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems, and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings compared to buying individual attraction tickets.      

See more, do more, and experience more with The London Pass® – just choose a pass to get started!  

*all prices accurate at the time of writing (13th August 2025)