Walking around money - which may include a bit of shopping, a visit to the theatre, a newspaper, a taxi ride, meals, a pint at the pub - you know your own habits better than we do. As a rough estimate, though, perhaps 40-50GBP per day should do it - that's not including accommodation and travel expenses.

In 2026, London has become one of the most "cashless" cities in the world, meaning you actually need very little to no physical cash for a typical day of touring. Virtually every merchant—including street food vendors at Borough Market, small cafes, and all public transport (Tube and buses)—accepts "Tap and Pay" via contactless credit cards or mobile wallets like Apple Pay. For a mid-range traveler, a daily budget of approximately £100 to £150 ($135 to $200) is typical for food, transport, and attractions, but this will almost exclusively be spent via card. If you prefer to have "emergency cash," carrying £20 to £30 is more than enough for the rare occasion a card machine is down or for a small tip in a traditional pub. If you are a budget traveler, you can get by on £55 per day by utilizing free museums and the daily "Tube cap." Conversely, luxury travelers can easily spend over £1,000 per day. The only places that might still strongly prefer cash are certain high-end barbers or very small, old-fashioned independent boutiques in the outer boroughs, but for 99% of tourists, your smartphone or a contactless card is your most important "currency" in London today.