London Explorer Pass vs The London Pass - A Comparison

So, you know you should get a attraction pass to maximise your money when visiting London, but you're not sure which one to go for. Don't worry, here's some top tips to help you make your choice.

Published: July 18, 2024
The London Eye

Planning a trip to London and want to save on combined attraction admission? Compare two popular attraction discount passes: London Explorer Pass vs. The London Pass, to see which one is best for your trip and the attractions you want to visit. Be sure to check the website for both passes for the most current prices, available attractions, and more info relating to each product.

How the passes work & how you save

Big Ben in spring

The London Explorer Pass® lets you choose how many attractions you want to visit while The London Pass® lets you choose how many consecutive calendar days in a row you want to sightsee.

So for the London Explorer Pass, your savings are most dependent on which attractions you choose to visit, while The London Pass savings are highly dependent on how many attractions you're able to fit into the number of days you purchased.

With both passes, you could save up to 50% vs paying separately for each attraction at the gate.

London Explorer Pass

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The London Explorer Pass includes admission to your choice of up to seven London attractions for one low price. The pass comes in several options, from two-to-seven London activities, tours and attractions, and you can pick and choose as you go from a selection of over 100 included options. Show your pass at each attraction and you're in, it's that easy. Savvy travelers can save up to 50% off combined admission and will pay nothing at the gate. All you need to do to maximize the value is make sure you visit all your attractions within 60 days of first using your pass.

The London Pass

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The London Pass includes admission to almost 100 attractions for 1–10 consecutive days. Simply choose attractions, tours and activities as you go and show your pass at each attraction to get in.

London Attractions Available on the Pass

Both passes include the option to visit many popular London attractions, but they don't offer exactly the same attractions. So, be sure to check each website for the most up-to-date information and make sure all the ones you want to do are included on your chosen pass. There's nothing worse than realising too late that you'll have to pay separately for one of your must-sees.

London Explorer Pass:

Choose from over 100 attractions, including:

  • The Lastminute.com London Eye
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus London Sightseeing Tour
  • Madame Tussauds
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Tower of London
  • Shakespeare's Globe
  • The View From The Shard
  • Wembley Stadium Tour
  • Kew Gardens
  • London Zoo
  • St Paul's Cathedral
  • SEA LIFE London Aquarium
  • Popular walking tours, river cruises and more!
  • and more

The London Pass:

Choose from over 90 attractions, including:

  • The Lastminute.com London Eye
  • Madame Tussauds
  • Tower of London
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
  • Thames River Boat Cruise
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Westminster Abbey
  • London Bridge Experience
  • Windsor Castle
  • London Zoo
  • Kensington Palace
  • Shakespeare's Globe
  • and more!

Let's recap on the pros and cons of each pass

London Explorer or London Pass?

With the London Explorer Pass, you can choose how many attractions you want to visit and take up to 60 days to decide what you want to see from an epic selection of over 100 attractions, activities, and tours. If that sounds good to you, grab a London attraction pass and save while you sightsee!

Alternatively, The London Pass allows you to choose how many consecutive days you want to spend visiting attractions in London, and then try to pack in as many as you can from a 90+ selection over the number of days you've opted for.

If you're still figuring out what you want to do when visiting London, check out our things to do in London for tips!

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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London With Kids: Amazing Fun For The Whole Family

London knows how to deliver the wow-factor for every kind of traveler—especially those with youngsters in tow. Whether you’ve got a dinosaur devotee, an aspiring wizard, or a future football star in the family, this city rolls out the red carpet for kids of all ages. Expect everything from history that jumps off the page to spellbinding theater, wild animal encounters, and hands-on science—you’ll never run out of things to do. Ready to fill your itinerary with family moments everyone will remember? Let’s jump into our shortlist of the top attractions and experiences for kids in London.  Our favourite things to do with kids in London include:  London Zoo  Tower of London  The London Eye  London Transport Museum  Science Museum  Tower Bridge  Natural History Museum  The Paddington Bear Experience  City Cruises – Thames River Pass  LEGOLAND® Windsor  Tower of London: Time Travel For Brave Adventurers  Bring your stories of knights, dungeons and dragons to life with a trip to the Tower of London. Youngsters (and, let’s be honest, plenty of grown-ups) will be gripped by the tales of beheadings, buried treasure, and centuries-old secrets at one of Britain’s most fascinating fortresses.  We love how the Tower’s Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, transform history into hilarious theatre—kids especially adore their gory stories. Climb ancient stairs, hunt for hidden ravens, and meet the legendary Crown Jewels in a dazzling display that beats any fairy tale.  The Tower’s battlements offer breath-catching city views, and themed trails make every visit an active adventure. There are regular family events, from knight training to immersive exhibitions, so check what’s on before you go. By the time you step back outside, kids feel as though they’ve mastered a castle and uncovered mysteries—and you get to enjoy seeing history stick for real.  The London Eye: Sky-High Sights (With Zero Legwork)  What’s more exciting for kids than being lifted high above a world-famous city in a giant glass pod? The London Eye is a family favorite for good reason: you’ll spot landmarks all around, point out boats on the Thames below, and—as parents—enjoy a moment’s sit-down while London spins by.  The ride lasts around 30 minutes, which keeps things short and sweet for attention spans. The pods are secure and spacious, and you can walk around for different views or just sit back and marvel. Kids love pressing the touchscreen guides to learn fun facts (and sometimes make rude faces at Big Ben—don’t blame us!).  It’s an unbeatable way to introduce little ones to London from above, and you’ll get family photos that really stand out. Try to book in advance and pick a time slot that works around naptimes and meal breaks. When you’re done, you’ll step back onto solid ground ready for the next adventure.  London Transport Museum: Playful Journeys Into The Past  If you’re raising a miniature bus driver or train-spotter, make tracks for the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. This place is heaven for kids who love wheels, maps and machines. With real vintage buses, early red trams and classic tube train carriages, the museum makes London’s travel history hands-on.  Climb behind the wheel of a double-decker, design your own ‘future of transport’ poster, or dash through the extensive play zone, Little Explorers, designed just for under 7s. Interactive displays let everyone ring old conductors’ bells, dress up in uniforms, and trace the expansion of the Underground across a light-up map.  The museum’s set in a sunshine-filled Victorian building, and the buzzy atmosphere (with lots of chuffed toddlers and grinning parents) means you don’t have to whisper or worry about keeping noise down. Finish with a souvenir shop browse—might we suggest a model Routemaster bus or a ‘Mind the Gap’ lunchbox?  Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs, Dodos And Discovery  The Natural History Museum is a right-of-passage for families in London. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of awe as you walk into Hintze Hall and come face-to-snout with the giant blue whale skeleton dramatically suspended above. Of course, dinosaurs are the star attraction: the animatronic T-Rex never fails to delight (or terrify—don’t forget to roar back!).  Young explorers can also discover mammoths, fossils, a glow-in-the-dark earthquake simulator, and endless hands-on science displays. The Darwin Centre, home to 80 million specimens, has touchable displays and quirky facts that are as much fun for parents as kids.  It’s easy to spend several hours here, and plenty of benches line the airy galleries for regular snack stops. Entrance to the main galleries is free (though special exhibitions may charge a fee), making it a great, budget-friendly addition to any London itinerary.  Science Museum: Brilliant For Budding Inventors  The Science Museum is an endlessly entertaining playground for curious kids (and anyone who ever wanted to press all the buttons). With seven floors of fascinating displays—think: rockets, satellites, steam engines, computers and robots—there’s more than enough to keep every age group completely absorbed.  The hands-on Wonderlab gallery lets kids launch rockets, build bridges, and create chain reactions, and there are live demos throughout the day (think: noisy chemistry tricks and dazzling light shows). The Pattern Pod is made for under-8s, and the basement-level interactive garden is ideal for the smallest visitors to splash, build, and explore.  Older children will love the flight simulators and 3D IMAX movies, where you can “travel” to the International Space Station. With a well-stocked café, plenty of seating, and free entry (special exhibitions may require a ticket), it’s a no-brainer for a rainy day or a long afternoon.  The Paddington Bear Experience: Whimsical London Adventures  Every child’s favorite marmalade-loving bear has a home in London, and the Paddington Bear Experience brings his story to life in the heart of the city. You’ll step into Paddington’s world, from the bustling platforms of Paddington Station—complete with the famous bronze bear statue—to a magical interactive adventure inspired by Michael Bond’s beloved tales.  The experience recreates key locations from the classic stories: the Brown’s Windsor Gardens home, Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and even the friendly chaos of the kitchen after Paddington’s latest mishap. Kids are handed their own suitcase and “passport” for plenty of fun tasks, games and lots of Paddington-themed giggles. You’ll meet actors playing characters from the books, join in storytelling sessions, and sometimes even bump into the bear himself.  This is London whimsy at its finest: gentle, playful, and impossible to resist. Parents will enjoy all the charming British in-jokes, while kids will love the chance to step straight into their favorite storybook.  City Cruises – Thames River Pass: Boats, Bridges & Big Sights  Turn a journey into an adventure with a family ticket on a Thames River cruise. Departing from Embankment or Westminster Piers (both easy to get to), these boats glide past some of London’s most jaw-dropping views, delivering a fresh perspective on the city’s landmarks—from the London Eye to the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral and the mighty HMS Belfast.  Commentaries are packed with fun facts and wild stories (did you know Tower Bridge sometimes gets stuck?), and kids love waving to speedboats and ducks along the way. The seats on deck let you spot everything with a breeze in your hair, and in colder months, inside cabins keep everyone warm and toasty. Snacks and drinks are available on board, making it a stress-free way to rest tired feet while still soaking up the city.  Boat trips always have that sense of “holiday magic” for kids—soak it up and see which bridges become family favorites.  LEGOLAND® Windsor: Where Imagination Runs Wild  Feel like you’ve covered London’s essentials? Hop on a quick train or drive out to LEGOLAND® Windsor, just outside the city, for a day packed full of excitement. This is kid paradise: all the rides, interactive zones, and zany LEGO® sculptures your family could ever dream up.  From Duplo Valley for tiny tots to pirate-themed water rides and Ninja training schools for the bigger kids, the park is brimming with hands-on experiences. Build and race your own LEGO® car, shrink yourself for the laser-shooting quest through Pharaoh’s Kingdom, and turn a corner to spot world landmarks recreated in bricks (see if you can find mini Buckingham Palace!).  There are rollercoasters, splash rides, and gentle merry-go-rounds for younger visitors. The 4D cinema offers a break from the action, while parents can recharge at themed cafes (The Knights’ Table does a mean fried chicken and curly fries). If you’ve got a LEGO® fan in the family, this is their happy place—bring spare energy and get ready for stories about their adventures all the way home.  Wrapping Up: Your Family’s London Adventure  London is light years away from stuffy history or ‘hands off’ attractions. Whether you’re meeting penguins, storming castles, riding double-deckers, or solving mysteries with marmalade-loving bears, every day brings something new. With a bit of planning and our go-to highlights, your trip will be a whirl of smiles, selfies and stories for years to come. Keep an open mind—and plenty of snacks on hand—and London will roll out endless discoveries for your whole crew.    Enjoyed this? Check out our guide to London’s quirkier side, and make your Pride a memorable one.   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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