The London Pass by Go City with 100+ Attractions

The London Pass turns London’s pricey headline attractions into one busy sightseeing plan. Scan your phone at places such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye, then use the included two-day hop-on, hop-off bus pass to connect some of the city’s far-flung sights.

I like two things in particular: you can choose from 1 to 10 consecutive days, and one pass covers a broad mix of landmarks, cruises, museums and tours. The main catch is that value depends on pace and planning. Reservations, limited entry windows and calendar-day activation can make an overpacked itinerary feel like a race.

Key points to know before you buy

1 / 10

• The pass covers more than 100 attractions and experiences, including the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Windsor Castle.
• Every pass includes a two-day bus pass, even if you choose a longer attraction-pass duration.
• You activate it at your first attraction, and days run by the calendar, not in 24-hour blocks.
• Some popular sites require advance reservations, including The View from the Shard and stadium tours.
• Fast-track entry applies at selected attractions, not everywhere, and some sites have their own admission rules.
• The best value comes from a planned route with several paid attractions each day, not from collecting as many QR scans as possible.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Workshops And Classes In London

What the pass actually covers

The London Pass is an attraction ticket bundle, not a general transport card. It gives you admission to more than 100 attractions and experiences, with choices that range from major historic sites to river cruises, stadium tours and museums. The exact selection can change, so check the Go City app before you commit to a plan.

Among the familiar names are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Kensington Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe, Windsor Castle, Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and The View from the Shard. The pass also includes a Thames River Cruise and a two-day hop-on, hop-off bus pass.

That variety matters. You can build a day around royal London, the Tower and the river, or mix a landmark with a stadium tour. It also means the pass can suit a first visit, when you are likely to want several major sights, as well as a return trip with more room for specialist stops.

The pass is digital. You link your booking to the free Go City app, then show the pass on your phone for scanning. There is no need to print it, but do set up the app and sync the pass before you leave home. A phone with a charged battery is part of the ticket.

How to plan a day without turning it into a sprint

The first question is not how many attractions the pass includes. It is how many you can reasonably visit. London’s sights are spread across a large city, and queues, transit and opening hours all take time. Two or three substantial attractions can make a full day; trying for five or more may leave you seeing the entrance halls more than the places themselves.

For a classic central London day, you might pair the Tower of London with Tower Bridge, then use a river cruise or bus ride to move toward another part of the city. The Tower deserves time: its history, buildings and displays are not a quick photo stop. Tower Bridge is close enough to make a natural pairing, but allow room to explore both rather than treating them as one brief visit.

Another full day could focus on Westminster and the City. St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey are major visits in their own right, and neither is best treated as a filler between bus stops. Check the pass app and each venue’s official information for entry windows. Westminster Abbey can have restricted access for pass holders, including afternoon-only admission on some days, and services or events can affect visits.

A third day could be less compact: use the bus or river service to reach a palace, a museum or a stadium tour. Windsor Castle is outside central London, so it needs more travel time than a central landmark. It can be a fine use of the pass, but do not plan it alongside a string of central attractions unless you have checked the journey and entry times carefully.

The right rhythm is usually one or two anchor sights, plus a nearby stop or a ride that helps you get around. The pass rewards good sequencing. It does not make London smaller.

The Tower, Westminster and London’s great landmarks

The Tower of London is one of the strongest reasons to consider the pass. It is a major paid attraction, and its mix of fortress, royal history and famous displays gives you plenty to see. The site can take a large part of a day, so I would not book a tight appointment elsewhere immediately afterward.

Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral bring a different kind of visit. Both are working religious sites as well as historic buildings, so access can vary with services and events. The pass may make entry easier at selected venues, but it does not override a closure or a time restriction. Check opening details on the day and build in flexibility.

Tower Bridge is another useful stop because it pairs naturally with the Tower of London. Shakespeare’s Globe offers a contrasting look at London’s theatre tradition, though performances may require advance booking. Treat it as a planned experience rather than assuming you can turn up at any time and walk straight in.

Kensington Palace adds royal history to a day that might otherwise be dominated by churches and fortresses. Windsor Castle is a bigger outing, with a longer journey from central London. Both can be worthwhile, but the pass’s value comes from the admission you use, not from the number of included names you manage to tick off.

Views, river rides and the two-day bus pass

The London Eye and The View from the Shard offer two different ways to look across the city. The Eye puts you beside the Thames and the central landmarks; the Shard gives you a high viewpoint over a wider sweep of London. Both are popular, and advance reservations are strongly recommended for The View from the Shard. Check the app for booking instructions and available times before you set your day around either one.

The Thames River Cruise can be more than a sightseeing extra. It gives your feet a break while connecting riverside landmarks, and it offers a different angle on the city. Some pass users also make use of Uber Boat services, but confirm which particular service and route are included in the current pass before planning around it.

The included hop-on, hop-off bus pass runs for two days and has more than 60 stops across the city. That is useful for getting a broad sense of London and linking areas where the Underground or walking may not suit your plan. It is not a replacement for the Tube or an Oyster travel card, which is not included.

Bus operations and routes can be affected by service changes, so check current details rather than assuming a bus will be waiting at every stop. One practical approach is to use the bus as transport and orientation, not as a promise that you can cover the entire city from the upper deck in one sitting.

Stadium tours and other advance bookings

The pass includes attractions beyond the classic sightseeing circuit, such as Emirates Stadium tours. Tottenham stadium tours are also among the experiences for which advance planning is recommended. These can add a welcome change of pace, especially if you have already seen several churches and royal buildings.

Reservations are also strongly recommended for The View from the Shard, Shakespeare’s Globe performances and Windsor Castle. The app marks attractions that require reservations and provides instructions. Book early in peak season, and leave enough time between appointments to travel across town.

Pay attention to cancellation rules for individual reservations. If you book a timed visit and arrive late, you may not be able to change it easily. The attraction pass itself may be flexible before activation, but a booked attraction can count as activation and may make the pass non-refundable.

Does the London Pass save money?

The pass is priced by duration, with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10-day options. The listed starting prices range from roughly $140 for one day to about $406 for ten days, though prices can change. Check the current price for your dates and package before buying.

The advertised saving can be as much as 50 percent compared with buying individual tickets. That is possible if you visit enough included attractions, but it is not automatic. As a guide, the stated individual-ticket values rise from up to £180 for a one-day pass to £290 for two days, £385 for three, £585 for five, £785 for seven and £865 for ten. Those are potential values, not a promise that every itinerary will reach them.

A useful test is to list the paid attractions you genuinely want, add their current individual prices, and compare that total with the pass price. Three or four major paid visits in a day can often cover the pass cost, but that is a brisk day. Free museums and time spent walking through neighborhoods do not add to the pass’s financial return, though they may be the best parts of your London visit.

Prices can fluctuate, so compare the current offer before purchasing. Also remember that the bus is included for two days, not for every day of a longer pass. If the bus is important to your plan, place those rides on the days when they help most.

The app, activation and the small print

After purchase, follow the confirmation link to connect the booking to the Go City app. Your pass activates the first time it is scanned at an attraction. From then on, the day count runs on consecutive calendar days, not 24-hour periods. Activate early in the morning if you want a full first day.

The voucher is valid for 365 days from the booking confirmation date, so you do not have to use it immediately. Once activated, however, it is linked to one person and cannot be transferred or shared. You may be asked to show identification.

Some attractions have reduced hours or seasonal closures. Check the app on the day, and check official venue information for opening times and access rules. The pass does not include an Oyster card, and it is not a blanket skip-the-line ticket. Fast-track entry is available at selected attractions, while reservations and venue procedures still apply elsewhere.

The app is central to using the pass, which is convenient when it works and frustrating if you cannot connect your booking. Sync it in advance, save your confirmation details and avoid leaving setup until you are standing at an entrance. If the app gives you trouble, the supplied details do not promise quick customer support, so a little preparation is sensible.

Who will get the most from it?

I would look closely at the pass if you are visiting London for the first time and want several major paid sights in a short stay. It also suits active families and couples who have agreed on a realistic list in advance. Child passes are available for ages 5 to 15; for children aged 0 to 4, check with each attraction about admission.

It is less compelling if you prefer slow days, plan to focus on free museums and parks, or want only one or two paid attractions. The one-day option can be worthwhile for a concentrated sightseeing day, but it asks you to move quickly. Longer passes spread the cost over more days and allow more breathing room, though you should still choose a duration that matches the places you truly intend to visit.

The most common source of disappointment is not a lack of attractions. It is expecting to see too many of them, or assuming every site allows entry at any hour. Build a route by neighborhood, reserve the timed visits first, and leave space for meals and delays. A London trip is better when the pass serves your plans, rather than the other way around.

Should you book the London Pass?

Book it if you have a clear list of paid attractions and can group them into sensible days. The Tower of London, Westminster, the London Eye, a river ride and a stadium or palace visit can add up quickly, and the bus pass gives you a practical way to connect some of them.

Skip it if you want an unhurried London stay or are buying it mainly because the attraction count sounds impressive. Before paying, check the current attraction list, compare individual prices, reserve any must-see timed visits and choose your activation day carefully. Used with a plan, the pass can save money and simplify entry. Used as a checklist, it can turn a good city break into a timetable.

FAQ

How many attractions are included?

The pass advertises access to more than 100 London attractions and experiences. The exact selection can change, so check the Go City app for the current list.

Which pass durations can I choose?

You can choose a pass for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 consecutive days.

When does the pass activate?

It activates the first time you scan it at an attraction. Your chosen number of days then runs on consecutive calendar days, not in 24-hour periods.

Is the pass valid before I travel?

Yes. The voucher is valid for 365 days from the booking confirmation date and expires at 23:59 on the final day.

Do I need to use the Go City app?

Yes. Link your booking to the free Go City app and show the digital pass on your phone at participating attractions. No printing is required.

Do I need to reserve attractions in advance?

Some attractions require advance reservations. The View from the Shard, Emirates and Tottenham stadium tours, Shakespeare’s Globe performances and Windsor Castle are among those for which advance booking is strongly recommended.

Is the hop-on, hop-off bus included for the full pass duration?

No. The pass includes a two-day bus pass with unlimited stops along the route, even when you buy a longer attraction pass.

Does the London Pass include an Oyster travel card?

No. An Oyster travel card is not included.

Can I get a refund if I change my plans?

You can receive a full refund before redeeming the voucher, as long as it has not expired. Once it has been redeemed, used at an attraction or used for a ticket, it is non-refundable. Booking an attraction may also count as activation.