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 price, 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 visiting a large number of attractions over consecutive days
🧭 Go City London Explorer Pass – Best for flexibility, letting you choose a set number of attractions at your own pace
🎫 Merlin London Attractions Pass – Best for families exploring favourites including the London Eye and Madame Tussauds
How we chose the London sightseeing passes
Our selection is based on a mix of:
- What travellers are searching for, from popular queries to seasonal trends
- How each pass engages visitors on Visit London, including clicks, views and bookings
- Local insight from the Visit London team and real‑world testing
- Attraction mix and value, looking at coverage of top sights, 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 Merlin London Attractions Pass.
The London Pass – Best for accessing more than 100 attractions
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 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 if you’re planning a busy itinerary. With multiple attractions included, you won’t need to buy individual tickets, helping you save time and enjoy great value. Just scan your pass on your phone and head straight in. To maximise savings, plan your days in advance and prioritise higher‑value attractions.
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 top attractions as possible in a short time
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 your 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.
Merlin London Attractions Pass – Best for building your own Merlin attractions bundle
Attractions: 2, 3 or 5 attractions
Top inclusions: The London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Shrek's Adventure! and SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Choose from five of London’s most family‑friendly attractions with the Merlin London Attractions Pass – a flexible, great‑value way to explore the capital. The pass offers savings of up to 45% compared with buying individual standard tickets, and we’ve found it’s especially handy for families who want to build their own mix of Merlin attractions.
Save on your choice of two, three or five top spots, including The London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Shrek’s Adventure! London and SEA LIFE London Aquarium. There’s no need to rush either, the pass is valid for 90 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy each attraction at your own pace.
Best for: Families looking to experience London favourites at a lower cost
Good to know: If you need to change your timeslot for any attraction, you can reschedule at no extra charge.
| The London Pass | Go City London Explorer Pass | Merlin London Attractions 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 | Choose from 5 attractions to visit within 90 days |
| Included attractions and experiences | The View from The Shard, Tower of London, Thames river cruise | The London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey | The London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Shrek's Adventure!, SEA LIFE London Aquarium |
| 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 | |
| Best for | Short trips, seeing as many attractions as possible while saving money | Longer trips, visitors wanting flexibility over 30 days | Families or those wanting to visit a few iconic 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 Merlin London Attractions Pass online now.
Which London pass is right for you?
The London Pass is best when…
…you’re planning a short trip to London and want to see as many attractions 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 Merlin London Attractions Pass is best when…
…you want to tick off iconic London attractions while making big savings.
