Tool
GBP trip budget planner
A small, honest budget sketch for a UK trip. We use Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2024–2026 reference prices for accommodation, food, transport and attractions in budget, mid-range and luxury tiers, then add a cushion you can dial with the inflation slider.
Reference figures drawn from ONS CPI categories for catering, accommodation services and rail fares (2024–2026 average; OBR March 2025 forecast). Tier presets are illustrative mid-points — override any field for your actual itinerary.
What this solves
Most online "£X per day in London" numbers are old, US-anchored and ignore that the UK has a different mix of paid attractions. This planner starts from three tiers (budget, mid, luxury) that map to typical UK traveller behaviour, then lets you overwrite any field with the price you've actually seen for your hotel or tour.
How to read the result
- Subtotal = nights × accommodation + days × (meals + transport + attractions). No hidden multipliers.
- Inflation uplift is the cushion on the slider (0–20%) applied to the subtotal. Use it to absorb surprise costs (a black cab, an extra museum, a Sunday roast).
- Daily average is the total divided by your trip days, including nights.
- Verdict: under £80/day it's tight (budget tier, mostly supermarket food and free museums); £80–£180/day is comfortable (mid-range, casual dining); above £180/day is splashing out (central London, theatre, fine dining).
Limitations
- It does not include flights, travel insurance, visa fees or souvenirs — add a flat line item if relevant.
- Children under 16 typically pay less for UK attractions and many museums are free; this tool doesn't model that.
- London prices skew the mid and luxury tiers. Scotland, the North East and rural Wales run 10–25% below London on the same tier.
- It does not model the £100+ nightly jump for major events (Wimbledon, Premier League final, Edinburgh festival).
FAQ
Is £100/day realistic for London in 2026?
For a mid-range couple sharing a hotel room, just about. A central Zone 1–2 hotel costs £120–160/night, casual meals £30–40/day each, transport £15–20/day. For one person in a single room, £140–170/day is a safer working figure.
Do you include tipping?
No — UK tipping is optional and built into this as 0%. If you plan to tip 10% on a couple of restaurant visits per trip, add £10–£20 to the total. Service charge on the menu is different (already in the bill).
How do I adjust for Scotland versus London prices?
Lower accommodation by 15–25% (especially outside Edinburgh festival weeks), keep meals and transport broadly the same. Attractions are usually a touch cheaper — most Scottish national museums are free, and English Heritage / National Trust sites run £10–£15.
Why a separate inflation slider?
ONS CPI in 2024 ran around 2.5–4% and the OBR forecast 2.6% for 2025/26. A 0–20% slider lets you absorb realistic swings (forex, strikes, a heatwave that lifts hotel prices) without rewriting the whole tier preset.
Sources
- ONS — Consumer Price Inflation, UK, detailed reference data, 2024 and 2025 releases.
- OBR — Economic and fiscal outlook, March 2025 (CPI forecast 2025–2026).
- VisitBritain — UK Tourism Forecast 2024 (average day-trip and overnight spend bands).