Everything you need to know about Go City’s London passes

Royal palaces, soaring cathedrals, traditional British grub, and cute li’l sandwich-munching bears from Peru: you’ll find it all here, and then some!

Last updated: June 24, 2026
London tourist

Planning a trip to London? You’re in for a treat. Between sky-high views, world-class culture, historic palaces, river cruises and football temples galore, the city packs in more experiences per square mile than most places on earth. Go City London makes it simple to see as much as you like without juggling dozens of bookings. With two flexible pass types and access to more than 100 attractions, tours and activities, it’s a win-win for every kind of traveler. Power sightseers, families, weekend dabblers, even die-hard stadium-tour collectors can all tailor a plan that fits. Here’s how it all works, what’s included and how to get the most out of your London adventure…

The basics: what is the Go City London pass?

In a nutshell, it’s a sightseeing pass that unlocks entry to a massive lineup of top London tours and attractions, all for one upfront price. Just choose the pass type that suits your sightseeing style best, then scan and go at your pick of 100+ London attractions. All passes are 100% digital, live in the Go City app and deliver savings versus buying individual tickets at the gate.

All-Inclusive Pass

  • Choose a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10-day pass.
  • Our biggest attraction lineup including food stops and day trips out of London. 
  • Best if you want to complete your day with everything the pass offers – think English Breakfast in the morning followed by the London Eye, then a fish and chips lunch and a relaxing Thames cruise in the afternoon. Finish up with a chocolate cocktail in the evening to toast the perfect day.
  • Visit as many included attractions as you can each consecutive day while your pass is active.
  • Best value when you plan three or more attraction visits per day. Mix in a tour, a museum and an evening activity for the win.

Explorer Pass

  • Choose between two and seven attractions from the lineup.
  • You’ve got 30 days to use your selections once activated.
  • Best if you've got a curated hit list in mind. Pick your highlights and slot them in around brunch and dreamy park wanders.

Buying and activating your pass

  1. Buy online: Head to the official Go City site or app for the best prices and live support.
  2. Download the Go City app: Add your pass via the link from your confirmation email. The app shows your QR code for entry, plus opening hours, maps, and any booking links.
  3. Activate when you’re ready: All-Inclusive passes activate at your first scan and run for the number of consecutive calendar days you selected. Explorer activates the same way but stays valid for 30 days while you use up your choices.

Using your pass

What’s included?

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

You’ll find a stacked mix of big-name attractions, guided tours, cruises and stadium experiences. With so much variety, it’s easy to mix a couple of blockbusters with a lesser-known gem and keep every day feeling fresh. Just check the app to confirm which attractions are included with your pass type before you head out. A few favorites…

Big views and river vibes

The London Eye delivers those sweeping skyline views in a smooth 30-minute spin, perfect for getting your bearings and snapping the city from above. A Thames river cruise lets you tick off the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s dome, the South Bank and more, with a lively commentary that’s equal parts history and fun.

Prefer to do your sightseeing on wheels? The classic Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour loops around the must-see neighborhoods so you can tick off highlights without wrestling with Tube transfers all day.

Family fun and famous faces

Madame Tussauds London is a playful crowd-pleaser: pose with screen legends, sporting greats and music megastars in interactive zones that feel like a backstage pass. Meanwhile, London Zoo brings you face to face with lions, penguins, giraffes and more, all in the stunning setting of Regent’s Park.

The London Transport Museum is a Covent Garden crowd-pleaser whatever your age. Hop aboard vintage buses and subway train carriages and check out cool retro posters from the London Underground. Catch the Paddington Bear Experience on the South Bank and, in the evening, sing along with Glinda and Elphaba at the Apollo Victoria Theatre’s production of Wicked The Musical.

Stadiums and behind-the-scenes tours

The Wembley Stadium tour peeks behind the curtain at England’s football cathedral – changing rooms, player tunnels and that coveted view from the Royal Box.

Tours at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium promise fascinating club histories, pitch-side perspectives and plenty of nostalgia for fans, while

the Chelsea FC Stadium tour rounds out the London football circuit with trophy rooms, dugouts and photo ops galore.

Culture and quirky tours

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre tour walks you through the timbered playhouse where groundlings once cheered and jeered — a living slice of Elizabethan London.

The behind-the-scenes tour of Royal Albert Hall reveals the secrets of one of the city’s most beloved performance spaces, from the grand foyer to its most famous performers.

Walking tours included with Go City’s London passes cover everything from the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace to foodie fun in Soho and filming locations from the Harry Potter movies.

Plan ahead

  • Group by neighborhood. A bit of planning makes a huge difference in London. Start by grouping your day by area: South Bank for the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; Westminster for its gloriously gothic abbey and easy access to river cruises; Greenwich or the stadiums on separate days. That way, you’ll spend more time exploring, and less wildly zigzagging.
  • The early bird catches the worm. If you chose the All-Inclusive Pass, aim for an early start to maximize active hours.
  • Book the big hitters. Timed-entry attractions can get booked up at peak times, so pop into the app a few days out to reserve preferred slots. Weekends and school holidays tend to be busier; weekday mornings are often much quieter, even at premium attractions like Madame Tussauds. 
  • Check opening times. Some museums close on certain weekdays, and attractions may adjust hours for events; some tours don’t run daily and last entries can be earlier than you might expect. You’ll find up-to-date details in the Go City app. 
  • Travel smart. Getting around is easy with contactless payment or Oyster on the Tube and buses; if you’re taking a hop-on hop-off loop, use it to connect neighborhoods while you rest your feet.
  • Get the best of London. Finally, blend paid experiences with London’s brilliant free offerings – parks, waterfront walks and free public museums – so your days feel full without seeming rushed.

Reservations

Go City app

Several popular London attractions use timed entry or require advance booking. You’ll find a ‘reservation required’ note for these in the app with direct links or instructions. Book as early as you can for popular choices like the London Eye or busy weekend tours. Always bring your pass in the Go City app to be scanned alongside your reservation – both are needed for entry. If your plans change, use the app to cancel or reschedule to free up your spot for others.

What’s the main advantage of Go City London passes?

  • Flexibility and freedom: pick the pass that matches your travel style.
  • Real savings compared with buying separate tickets.
  • Instant mobile entry and all the planning info in one app.
  • Freedom to discover new experiences you might have skipped if paying full price.
  • Easy to switch up itineraries if the weather changes or plans shift.

Is buying a pass worth it?

Raven at the Tower of London

In a word, yes. Go City London makes exploring the city’s greatest hits easy and cost-effective. Whether you’re riding the London Eye, cruising the Thames, meeting A-listers at Madame Tussauds or touring hallowed football grounds, the pass pulls it all into one simple plan. Pick the pass that suits your sightseeing style, line up a few key attractions, and get ready to see more of London – minus the stress and sticker shock.

Let’s say you get a 3-day All-Inclusive Pass and visit: 

Day 1

  • Tower of London (£36)
  • St Paul’s Cathedral (£26)
  • Thames Clipper one-day roamer ticket (£25)

Day 2 

  • Big Bus 2-day hop-on hop-off tour (£56)
  • London Zoo (£38)
  • Jack the Ripper walking tour (£14)

Day 3:

  • Wembley Stadium tour (£28)
  • The Paddington Bear Experience (£44)
  • Gin-tasting in Greenwich (£26)

That’s £293 worth of tickets on a £139 pass. That equals serious savings of over £150 – more than 50%!* 

*prices accurate as of January 2026

Seeking more inspiration for your London adventure? Check out some of the city’s best strolls and find fun things to do on the South Bank.

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®

We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. 

See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® - just choose a pass to get started!

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Explore The Shard's Neighborhood For Free: Top Picks Revealed

So you’ve ticked The Shard off your London must-see list and snapped those impressive skyline photos—but what next? The surrounding neighborhood brims with local character and no-cost experiences for anyone who likes their adventures wallet-friendly. From riverside promenades and tucked-away gardens to intriguing museums and quirky street art, there’s a hidden world waiting just beyond The Shard’s shadow. We’ve rounded up the best free things to do nearby, perfect for travelers who love an authentic city vibe (and saving those pounds for the next pastry or pint). Get ready to soak up history, culture, and views—no ticket required.  Our favourite free things to do near The Shard:  Potter’s Fields Park  Borough Market Wandering  Southwark Cathedral  Hay’s Galleria  Thames Riverside Walk  The Old Operating Theatre Museum (lobby & exterior)  Crossbones Graveyard  White Cube Bermondsey  St. George the Martyr Church  Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel  Potter’s Fields Park   If you fancy fresh air with a proper view, Potter’s Fields Park is the perfect patch of green. Located right between The Shard and Tower Bridge, this riverside spot is everyone’s go-to picnic area or sun-tanning base. It’s the park where Londoners unwind, watch boats cruise by, and catch up with friends—no entrance fee, no fuss. Grab your sandwich from a nearby deli and find a spot on the grass, where views of the Thames and iconic Tower Bridge elevate every bite. In spring, the flower beds burst into colour, while summer brings all manner of pop-up entertainment, from open-air film nights to dance performances. It’s often just buzzing enough to feel lively, but there’s always a quiet patch for a quick nap or some people-watching. You’ll spot fitness classes, families with kids, and selfie-takers all sharing the same riverside magic—this is a bit of real London life right by The Shard.  Borough Market Wandering   Just a couple of minutes stroll from The Shard, Borough Market pulses with legendary London energy. Now, while shopping and snacking cost money, exploring the sights, sounds, and (let’s be honest) smells is completely free. You’ll wander through Victorian arches soaked in foodie history, passing cheese stalls that look straight out of a British film set, piles of colourful produce, and the occasional stallholder giving away flamboyant samples (fingers crossed for cheese or olives). The market’s lively hum mixes up chatter from locals, camera-toting tourists, and chefs from nearby eateries on their lunch break. Soak up the aromas, spot some of London’s oldest street signage, and see if you can find the market cat. If you’re lucky, you might catch a culinary demonstration or a spot of acoustic music out front—sometimes the “food theatre” is even open for public events. Even just window-shopping rounds here count as pure entertainment.  Hay’s Galleria   Rain or shine, Hay’s Galleria is one of the city’s most picturesque enclosed spaces—think iron-and-glass curves, riverside breeze, and plenty of places to explore. Originally a Victorian wharf, today it’s filled with striking public art, including the epic Navigators sculpture that looks like something from a Jules Verne novel. Wander through the covered walkways for free and watch the fountains dance. Window-shop at the quirky little kiosks or soak up views over the Thames from the riverside terrace. During holidays, twinkling lights and seasonal decorations transform the galleria into a magical retreat. When buskers show up, it’s basically a free concert under the glass roof.  Thames Riverside Walk   Nothing says “London experience” like a stroll along the Thames Path. Head east or west from The Shard and you get an ever-changing backdrop: gleaming glass towers, historic brick warehouses, bobbing boats, and dramatic bridges. Stop to admire Tower Bridge’s engineering up close, watch skateboarders at the Southbank Centre, or spot City Hall’s glassy curves next door. Handy signposts point out historical landmarks along the way. Bring your camera—golden hour here is always special, and there’s plenty of space to lean on the railings, people-watch, and pretend you’re in a spy movie. The best part? It’s always open and always free.  The Old Operating Theatre Museum (Lobby & Exterior)   Inside, there’s a fee for the full museum, but you can pop into the entryway of one of London’s oddest history spots for free, and admire the centuries-old herb garret exterior from the curb. The Old Operating Theatre Museum sits in the church tower of St Thomas’—literally round the corner from The Shard—and its quirky spiral staircase has enticed curious passersby for generations. Take a peek at the preserved facade and the tiny apothecary shop in the entry; pick up a free pamphlet on medical history before you go. Even if you don’t head up, standing beneath the high windows and stone tower is worth a short detour.  White Cube Bermondsey   Big-name contemporary artists, award-winning architecture, and a cool, gallery-chic vibe—all with zero admission? Yes please. White Cube is tucked down Bermondsey Street, a 10-minute walk from The Shard, and it’s always free to visit. This vast, minimalist space rotates exhibitions from emerging and global stars (think Yayoi Kusama or Damien Hirst), but even if modern art isn’t your usual cup of tea, the sheer scale and creativity on display can surprise you. The gallery staff are friendly if you fancy a chat, and the vibe is relaxed—you can spend 5 minutes or an hour, and nobody rushes you.  St. George the Martyr Church   Nestled on Borough High Street, St. George the Martyr is another historic gem that welcomes visitors for free exploration. Charles Dickens put this 18th-century church on the literary map in “Little Dorrit”, and its Georgian façade remains a tranquil counterpoint to city bustle. Step inside for a breather, admire the ornate stained glass and elegant wooden pews, or linger in the small, sun-drenched garden out front. A real sanctuary for a quiet moment—and often a hub for free community music events and choral recitals if your timing’s good.  Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel   Feeling creative? The Leake Street Tunnel, near Waterloo and an easy stroll from The Shard along the riverside, is London’s largest legal graffiti wall. Every inch of brick is layered with artworks, slogans, and wild bursts of colour, refreshed by artists daily. The tunnel thrums with energy and photo ops galore. It’s all constantly changing—so even if you’ve been before, you’ll spot something new. Sometimes you might catch a street artist at work or find impromptu performances spilling out from the vaults. Best of all, it’s all free, and the ever-evolving display makes this one of London’s most vibrant urban art spaces.   Ready for Free Fun Near The Shard?   London’s tallest skyscraper may steal the skyline, but there’s so much to discover just outside its doors that won’t dent your budget. Take your pick from peaceful parks, dramatic riverside walks, hidden pieces of history, and eye-popping art spaces. Life near The Shard runs at its own pace—sometimes tranquil, sometimes buzzing, always inviting.  With these picks on your list, you’re set for a day (or two) of free discoveries—all just a stroll away from one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Happy exploring!    Enjoyed this? Check out our comprehensive guide to Madame Tussauds, and how to celebrate Pride in the city.  Step up your sightseeing with Go City®   We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® – just choose a pass to get started! 

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