Looking for the best London city pass to make the most of your trip? With so many sightseeing options on offer, it can be tricky to know which one gives you the best value. London is packed with iconic sights, world‑class tours and unforgettable experiences, and the right pass helps you see more while saving time and money.
This guide compares the top London sightseeing passes, highlighting what each one includes and who they’re best suited for. We’ve looked at value for money, flexibility, included attractions and ease of use, along with real visitor needs like trip length, interests and how you prefer to explore.
Whether you’re planning to step inside the Tower of London, marvel at Westminster Abbey, cruise along the Thames or uncover hidden gems, this guide will help you find the pass that fits your London adventure.
London sightseeing passes at a glance
🏙️ The London Pass – Best for those looking for a wide choice of tours and attractions
🧭 Go City London Explorer Pass – Best for flexibility, letting you choose a set number of attractions at your own pace
🎫 Golden Pass – Best for combining a hop-on hop-off bus tour with a selection of top attractions
How we chose the London sightseeing passes
Our selection is based on the attraction mix and overall value of sightseeing passes, focusing on those that offer broad coverage of London's top sights and cater to a range of interests and traveller types.
What is a London sightseeing pass?
A London sightseeing pass is a digital pass you can buy before or during your trip, giving you entry to a selection of attractions, tours and experiences over a set number of days. It’s an easy way to see more of the city while saving money.
With one pass on your phone, you can enjoy flexible entry to major sights, explore at your own pace and unlock great value across top attractions.
In London, the main passes to choose from are The London Pass, the Go City London Explorer Pass and the Golden Pass.
The London Pass – Best for accessing more than 100 attractions, tours and experiences
Attractions: 100+ included
Top inclusions: The View from The Shard, Tower of London, Thames river cruise
The London Pass is one of the most comprehensive ways to explore the city, offering access to a huge range of top attractions, tours, experiences and dining options in one easy digital pass. It’s ideal for visitors who want to see as much as possible over up to 10 consecutive days, from historic landmarks to guided tours and river cruises.
We’ve found this pass works best for a busy itinerary. With multiple attractions included, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual tickets – simply scan your pass on your phone for entry. To maximise your savings, plan ahead and prioritise higher-value attractions using the Go City app, which makes it easy to organise your day and get the most from your pass.
It’s a great choice for first‑time visitors, offering a simple way to tick off London’s biggest highlights without the hassle. Enjoy flexible entry to most attractions, whether you’re exploring the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Windsor Castle, or taking in the views on a Thames river cruise.
Best for: Seeing as many of London’s top attractions as possible in a short space of time with one all-inclusive pass
Good to know: Your pass activates on first use and runs on consecutive days, not 24‑hour periods. During peak times, some popular attractions may have limited availability, so we recommend planning ahead and booking where needed. A number of attractions require advance reservations, most of which can be made easily through the Go City app.
Go City London Explorer Pass – Best for choosing a smaller number of attractions and exploring at your own pace
Attractions: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 choices from 100+ attractions
Top inclusions: The London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey
If you’re looking for flexibility while ticking off a few top London experiences, the Go City London Explorer Pass lets you choose a set number of attractions to use over 30 days. We recommend this pass if you live in London or nearby, visit often, or are staying in the city for a longer trip.
This digital pass gives you plenty of breathing room between visits while still offering great savings – up to 50% on top sights, tours and must‑see experiences. With 30 days to use your choices, there’s no pressure to rush through everything at once.
We advise choosing your attractions wisely, as the pass is based on a fixed number of picks. Prioritise higher‑value experiences to get the best savings. Highlights include St Paul’s Cathedral, Kensington Palace, a two‑day hop‑on hop‑off bus tour and Moco Museum.
Best for: Flexible sightseeing with a choose‑your‑own‑attractions approach
Good to know: Availability can be limited at peak times, so it’s worth planning key experiences in advance. Some attractions on the London Explorer Pass require reservations, you can check and book these easily through the Go City app.
Golden Pass – Best for combining a hop-on hop-off bus tour with a handful of top London attractions
Attractions: Hop-on hop-off bus tour, 1, 2 or 3 top London attractions, and optional Thames river cruise and themed walking tours
Top inclusions: Hop-on hop-off bus tour, Afternoon Tea Bus, SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Explore London for less with the Golden Pass, an all-in-one sightseeing ticket that combines a hop-on hop-off bus tour with a choice of top attractions and experiences. You also have the option to add a Thames river cruise and themed walking tours for even more ways to discover the city.
Choose from a range of attraction combinations, with up to three iconic London attractions included. Your pass is valid for 30 days from the date of your selected hop-on hop-off bus tour, giving you the flexibility to explore at your own pace while making the most of the savings available.
We’ve found this pass works best for visitors who want to pair a hop-on hop-off bus tour with a handful of popular attractions. Highlights include the Afternoon Tea Bus, SEA LIFE London Aquarium and The London Dungeon, with the pass offering better value than purchasing tickets individually.
Best for: Seeing London's key sights, with transport and sightseeing included in one pass
Good to know: If you choose the 24-hour bus tour Golden Pass ticket rather than the one-day bus tour option, you can enjoy a Thames river cruise and two free walking tours. Some attractions require reservations, which can be made through the booking portal you'll have access to after purchasing your pass.
| The London Pass | Go City London Explorer Pass | Golden Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access and duration | Visit 100+ attractions during a set number of days (1-10 days) | Visit a fixed number of attractions (2-7) within 30 days | Combine a hop-on hop-off bus tour with a handful of attractions to visit over 30 days |
| Included attractions and experiences | The London Eye, The View from The Shard, Tower of London, Thames river cruise | The London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey | Hop-on hop-off bus tour, 1-3 top London attractions |
| Additional options | The London Pass adds The Royal Mews, Windsor Castle, The King’s Gallery | The Go City London Explorer Pass adds Wicked The Musical, Hard Rock Cafe London (Old Park Lane), LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort | Thames river cruise and themed walking tours included with a 24-hour bus tour Golden Pass ticket |
| Best for | Short trips, seeing as many attractions as possible while saving money | Longer trips, visitors wanting flexibility over 30 days | Those wanting a bus tour and a few key attractions |
How to buy and use your pass
All three passes are available to buy online before or during your trip. You’ll receive an email confirmation with details on how to download the pass to your smartphone, or how to display or print a scannable barcode.
Buy a London Pass, Go City London Explorer Pass or a Golden Pass online now.
Which London pass is right for you?
The London Pass is best when…
…you’re planning a trip to London and want to access as many attractions, tours and experiences as possible while saving money.
The Go City London Explorer Pass is for you when…
…you live in or near London, are planning a longer visit, or prefer to explore the city at a more relaxed pace.
The Golden Pass is best when…
…you want to combine a hop-on hop-off bus tour with a handful of top London attractions.
