The Ultimate UK Travel Budget: How Much Does a 10-Day Trip Really Cost?

Planning a 10-day trip to the UK is an exciting prospect, but the big question is always: What is this going to cost me? The UK has a reputation for being expensive, but the reality is more nuanced. Your biggest price variable isn’t just how you travel, but where you spend your time.

In 2025, the “North-South Divide” is a very real factor for your wallet. A pint in London can easily set you back £7–£8, while in a cozy pub in Sheffield or Newcastle, you might still find one for £4–£5.

Here is the ultimate breakdown of what to expect for a 10-day UK adventure.

Budget: £700 – £1,200 over 10 days.

Hostels, supermarket meals, free museums, and coaches (National Express/Megabus).

Mid-Range: £1,500 – £2,200 over 10 days.

3-star hotels/Airbnbs, pub dinners, some paid attractions, and Advance train tickets.

Luxury: £3,500+ over 10 days.

4/5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours, and flexible first-class rail travel.

North vs. South: The Price Gap

Where you go matters. Generally, the further North you travel (Northern England, Scotland, and Wales), the further your money will go. As the south is closer to the capital this comes with a much higher price point, even the same chocolate bar that you would find in a Manchester tesco is going to be different price to the same one in Lonodn. There is a shift and it’s very important to consider these when planning a 10 day trip to the UK.

This could involve you spreading your budget more evenly by spending longer in the north and less time in the south.

The South (London, Oxford, Bath, Brighton)

The South is the most expensive region, with London sitting in a league of its own as the capital but also home to some of the richest history, largest sights and of course the monarchy.

Accommodation: A decent mid-range hotel in London averages £150–£200 per night. In popular spots like Bath or Brighton, expect to pay £120+. But if you are lucky, you might find a cheaper Airbnb, but this depends on whether you want full privacy, convenience and location. It can get as expensive as £300+ a night if you want a more luxurious London experience.

Dining: A casual dinner for two with drinks in the South will likely cost £60–£80. But again, this entirely depends on where you go, and can be as expensive as £15 a drink in some places, so consider your location, but also the kind of cuisine you wish to indulge in when here.

Breakfast places can be cheap if you just grab a quick bite to save on spending.

Transport: While London has the “daily cap” on the Tube (£8.90 for Zones 1–2), getting to these cities from London can be pricey without booking weeks in advance. But if you are already staying within these zones, it’s not a bad deal for £8.90 as a daily transport spend for a couple of days.

The North (Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool)

Heading North can significantly lower your daily spend without sacrificing the experience. Even in the likes of Manchester, which is the more expensive northern city. Some people from down south like to call Manchester a mini London due to its convenient size, but it has so much to offer and to do.

Other cities like Leeds and Liverpool are very great cities from both an entertainment and price point. Leeds and Liverpool are very much walking distance cities, which will reduce the amount of transportation needed, but for example, if you hire a car, you could spend up to £10 a day max on parking in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.

Accommodation: You can find high-quality hotels or boutique guesthouses for £80–£110 per night, nearly half the price of London. Not to mention, just a little further out of these cities, you could find hotels as cheap as £40 a night, which is an insane price saving.

Dining: The “Northern Pound” goes further. A hearty pub meal in Yorkshire often costs £12–£15, whereas the same dish in a London gastropub might be £22. It’s the same in the vast majority of pubs in the north, with options of local town cafes that charge as little as £8 for a full English breakfast. You can really stretch your money in the north as locals honour keeping an honest price.

Transport: Major cities like Manchester have introduced simplified fare systems (like the Bee Network) with bus/tram caps that make local travel incredibly affordable. So for a single journey you could spend as little as £2 and no more than £7.20 when on the tram services for a whole day of travel between all 4 zones in Manchester.

Getting Around: Trains, Coaches, and Cars

Transport is often the most underestimated cost of a UK trip.

Trains: In 2025, rail fares increased by about 4.6%–5%. A last-minute “Anytime” ticket from London to Edinburgh can cost over £150, but if you book an “Advance” ticket 8–12 weeks out, you can find it for £40–£60. While the government is currently looking at freezing prices, it’s still imperative to buy ahead of time to avoid price surges.

Coaches: If you’re on a budget, National Express or Megabus are your best friends. Intercity trips can be as low as £10–£15.

Car Rentals: Great for the Highlands or the Cotswolds, but a nightmare in cities. Budget £40–£60 per day plus fuel (petrol is roughly £1.40–£1.50 per litre).

Bus / Tram Tickets: You could buy a tram and bus bee network ticket (Manchester) which is flat fee over a period, this can also save you a couple of pounds down the lines but for a 2 week ticket to travel unlimited between all 4 zones is roughly £100+, this reduces significantly if you are planning to remain within Zone 1 or just a bus ticket.

Sightseeing & Activities

One of the best things about the UK is that major museums (the British Museum, V&A, and National Museum of Scotland) are free, but also there is no time limit, you can stay here so you can enjoy a coffee and a cake with a free little ponder, enjoying the history and art from the UK.

Paid Icons: Expect to pay for the big names. The Tower of London is £35, and Edinburgh Castle is £20. This can also change during peak periods, such as the summer, which is a much higher rate of tourism.

Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting many historic sites, look into a National Trust or English Heritage touring pass it pays for itself after 3 or 4 visits.

Final Verdict

For a mid-range traveller doing a mix of London and the North/Scotland, a 10-day trip in 2025 will realistically cost around £1,800 ($2,300 USD) per person. You can do it for less by staying in the North longer, or spend significantly more if you stay exclusively in the South.