London Explorer Pass Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Go London Explorer Pass Review1 - picture of Big Ben with Britain flag

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In this Go City: London Explorer Pass review, we discuss how it works, consider the price, and determine whether it’s a good deal for you.

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: London is one of my favorite cities in the world. I love the history. I love the culture. I love the energy. From Piccadilly Circus to Knotting Hill, there is always something interesting happening in the U.K.’s capital city.

If you’re a history nut like I am, you’re going to love your first trip to London. Filled with stories of famous (and infamous) kings and queens, you’ll find dozens of the world’s most renowned castles and churches scattered in and around the city. Some of my personal favorites include Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey.

It’s no secret, though, that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Before booking your itinerary, it’s smart to look for ways to save.

The best sightseeing passes help you enjoy more for less, and London has a few options worth considering. By packaging more than 70 of the city’s top attractions at a reduced rate, the London Explorer Pass by Go City helps you save money in London.

But is Go City’s London Explorer Pass worth it? Let’s find out!

What Is the London Explorer Pass?

The London Explorer Pass by Go City bundles more than 70 of London’s best attractions for a discounted price.

Don’t confuse Go City’s London Explorer Pass with the London Pass, though, because this one works differently.

Some travel cards, like the New York Pass and the Paris Pass, offer unlimited sightseeing for a predetermined number of days. Pricing for the London Explorer Pass by Go City, however, is based on the number of sights you wish to visit.

With the London Explorer Pass, you are limited to visiting between two and seven sights — depending on which pass you choose. One credit is equal to one entry, regardless of the gate price.

Although the pass does not include unlimited sightseeing, that doesn’t mean that it is short on options. You can visit any of the 70+ attractions included on the pass, and many of them are spectacular.

As with most sightseeing passes, simply choose where you’d like to visit and present your pass upon entry. Regardless of which “size” pass you select, Go City’s London Explorer Pass is valid for 60 days after your first use of the card.

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Top Attractions on the London Explorer Pass

Go City’s London Explorer Pass includes free entry to more than 70 of London’s best attractions, including:

  • Westminster Abbey — £27.00
  • Tower of London — £29.90
  • Hampton Court Palace — £26.30
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral — £23.00
  • The View from The Shard — £37.00
  • Up at The O2 — £38.00
  • Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour — £37.00
  • Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour — £24.00
  • City Cruises Thames River Pass — £23.00
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — £21.50
  • Royal Observatory Greenwich — £18.00
  • Cutty Sark — £18.00
  • Wembley Stadium Tour — £26.00
  • Tower Bridge — £12.30
  • Find a complete list of London Explorer Pass attractions here.

*Current as of April 28, 2023

Editor’s Note: Some attractions may require reservations, have limited hours/capacity, or be unavailable at this time.

London Explorer Pass Pricing

PassesAdult Price (16+)Child Price (Ages 5–15)
2 Choice Pass£49.00£37.00
3 Choice Pass£64.00£47.00
4 Choice Pass£79.00£52.00
5 Choice Pass£99.00£67.00
6 Choice Pass£114.00£77.00
7 Choice Pass£124.00£87.00
*Current as of April 28, 2023

As you can see, Go City’s London Explorer Pass is definitely worth considering. This sightseeing pass includes entry to several of the most expensive tourist attractions in London. So if you’re planning to visit these sights anyway, this pass will almost certainly save you money.

For example, let’s say you purchase the 3 Choice Pass for £64. You then use your pass for Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the View from The Shard. Doing so would save you £29.90 per adult pass. Adding the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour and the Wembley Stadium Tour on a 5 Choice Pass (which costs £99) would save you an impressive £57.90 per adult pass.

So, what pass offers the best possible deal? The 7 Choice Pass used for the seven most expensive attractions, of course! This combo comes in at £295.75 without the pass. Buying the 7 Choice Pass for £124 means you save a whopping £171.75 per adult — that’s 58% off the regular price.

Top 5 Reasons to Get This Pass

picture of London Eye

1. 60-Day Use Window

Similar to Go City’s New York Explorer Pass, you get 60 days after activating your pass to complete your sightseeing with the London Explorer Pass. This is perfect for travelers with extended stays or those whose plans include staying in London for short bursts as they travel throughout the U.K. (such as two days in London, seven days in Edinburgh, two days in London). It also allows you to take your time so you don’t feel rushed by trying to visit too many sights in one day.

2. Save Money

One of the biggest benefits of Go City’s London Explorer Pass is that you’re almost certain to save money. The pass is so well conceived that it’s pretty hard to screw it up. Provided that you visit the full number of attractions you paid for — and you do it within a 60-day window from the first time you use it — you should save money based on the retail price of each attraction.

3. Great Attractions

London has some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and several of them are included on this pass. While the London Pass includes more attractions, most of the same sights can be found on the Explorer Pass. This includes Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

4. Convenience

Personally, I love the convenience of having a sightseeing pass with me when I travel. I don’t have to find, purchase, and organize tickets when I’m planning the trip. Better yet, there is no waiting in long ticket lines at each attraction. Plus, I have the ability to change my sightseeing plans while I’m there. All I have to do is bring my sightseeing pass to an included attraction, present it at the gate, and I’m good to go. I love them!

5. Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus Tour

London is a huge city, and one of the most iconic ways to explore it is on a bus tour. It’s also a great way to get your bearings in the city. The one-day HOHO bus tour offers two different companies (Big Bus or Golden Tours) and dozens of stops for you to get on and off. You’ll drive by famous London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, and more. Audio commentary is available in five different languages while you ride.

Other Benefits of the London Explorer Pass

  • City Cruises Thames River Pass — City Cruises Thames River Pass gives you a chance to see London from a different angle. There are four different docks where you can hop on or off, and your ticket is good for 24 hours.
  • Stadium Tours — With Go City’s London Explorer Pass you can tour several of London’s most iconic sports stadiums.
  • Mobile Pass & App — Purchase of the London Explorer Pass by Go City includes access to the free Go City mobile app, including your instant digital pass.
  • Free Guidebook — In addition to the pass and mobile app, you’ll also receive a handy digital guidebook and sightseeing map (complete with attraction details) to help you find your way around London.
  • 90-Day Cancellation & 2 Years to Activate — The London Explorer Pass by Go City provides refunds on any non-activated passes for up to 90 days after purchase. You also have 2 years from the date of purchase to activate your pass.

Save Big Money in London – With Go City’s London Explorer Pass, you can save up to 50% (or more) on admission prices at the city’s biggest attractions. Click here to get yours now!

Where the Pass Falls Short

Before I tell you what’s wrong with the pass, let me be clear: Go City’s London Explorer Pass is a great multi-attraction pass that could well suit your needs. However, if you want to pack a lot of sightseeing into a short amount of time, the London Pass could be a better fit.

The London Explorer Pass does include several of my favorite sights in London. However, it leaves a couple of big attractions off the list.

Missing from the London Explorer Pass is entry to Windsor Castle, a very important sight near London. This castle serves as the King’s official residence (when not in London or Edinburgh) and is the final resting place for several kings and queens – including the infamous Henry VIII and Britain’s longest serving monarch Elizabeth II. They have recently added a HOHO Bus Tour of Windsor to the pass, however entry to the castle is still not included.

If we’re getting really nitpicky, some sightseeing cards (such as the Rome and Vatican Pass) include use of the city’s public transportation. While the London Pass offers a transportation card for a fee, Go City’s London Explorer Pass does not. Of course, you can always purchase an Oyster Card on your own, but just sayin’…

Who Should Buy the London Explorer Pass?

Go London Explorer Pass Review - picture of St Pauls Cathedral at dusk

Return Visitors to London — If you’ve been to London before and you’ve already seen most of the major sights, Go City’s London Explorer Pass is a good way to pick and choose a few you might want to see again. Since there is a 60-day window, you can spread out your sightseeing over several days.

Travelers Visiting One Sight (or Fewer) Per Day — If you want to visit multiple sights during your visit but will visit less than two sights per day, Go City’s London Explorer Pass is for you! You can take your time and still save money while you do it.

Travelers Splitting Time Between Cities — This pass is also a good deal for those who are splitting time between several U.K. cities. With the 60-day use window, you can activate your pass upon arrival in London, head to your other stops, then resume sightseeing upon your return to the city.

Slow-Paced Travelers and Those on Extended Visits — Those making extended visits to London (more than a week) and other slow-paced travelers may find Go City’s London Explorer Pass more economical than other passes. Again, you can visit multiple sights but at a much slower pace.

Who Should Skip This Pass?

First-Time Visitors — Most travelers want to pack as much sightseeing as possible into their first visit to London. If this describes you, the London Pass may provide you with more value.

Heavy Sightseers — Those visiting two or more sights per day will probably find the London Pass to be a better fit.

Tips for Using the Pass

  • Take Your Time — One of the biggest benefits of Go City’s London Explorer Pass is that you have 60 days to use it. Take your time and don’t rush through these sights. Visit one or two sights each day and the pass will pay off.
  • Use All of the Attractions — This pass bundles admission fees for up to seven included attractions of your choosing. Although you’ll pay less than you would at the door, you could lose money if you don’t visit the number of attractions you paid for.
  • Choose the More Expensive Attractions — Many of the attractions included on Go City’s London Explorer Pass are high value, which makes it easy to get your money’s worth. Visiting only the cheapest options means you could lose money.
  • Combine It with a London Pass — If you’ll be in London for four days or more, you might consider combining Go City’s London Explorer Pass with a 3-Day London Pass. That way, admission to Windsor Castle and about 20+ other attractions will still be covered.

How to Buy the London Explorer Pass

Buying Go City’s London Explorer Pass is super simple. Buy the pass online here!

Once you’ve paid, you’ll instantly receive your pass via email. From there, you have two options: Stick with a digital pass or print a hard copy.

If you go the digital route, just download the free Go City app on your smartphone to house your pass and your free guidebook. If you prefer paper, print your pass and guidebook at home and carry them with you.

You have two years from the date of purchase to activate your pass. After that, it expires. There’s also a risk-free guarantee that allows you to get a refund on non-activated passes within 90 days of purchase.

London Explorer Pass Review: Is It Worth It?

So, is Go City’s London Explorer Pass worth it? We think so, but it depends on how you use it.

If you like taking your time and plan on visiting just one or two sights per day, then the London Explorer Pass by Go City is probably a good fit. Likewise, if you plan to visit several spots in the U.K. and are splitting up your stays in London, then this pass may be for you.

As we’ve mentioned, entry to Windsor Castle is not available on Go City’s London Explorer Pass. However, if the pass is a good fit otherwise, you might want to buy both the Explorer Pass and the London Pass. You could also purchase separate tickets to visit the sights not included with the Go City: London Explorer Pass, though they won’t be discounted this way.

Regardless of how you look at it, Go City’s London Explorer Pass should save you money. Provided you visit the number of attractions you paid for and don’t load up seeing cheap sights, it’s hard to see a scenario where you don’t come out ahead.

Thanks so much for reading our Go City: London Explorer Pass review. Have a great time in London. Until next time, happy traveling!

Go London Explorer Pass Review Pin - pictures of London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, and Big Ben

SAVE BIG IN LONDON! Grab the London Explorer Pass by Go City and save up to 50% (or more) on regular admission prices to the city’s most epic sights. Learn more here.


Go City: London Explorer Pass Review
  • Attractions
  • Pass Options and Lengths
  • Price
  • Savings
  • Overall Value
Overall
4.5

Go City: London Explorer Pass Review Summary

The London Explorer Pass by Go City is an excellent option for saving time and money in London. The pass is best suited for return visitors, those with extended stays, and those who are splitting their time between London and other cities. It includes entry to some of the most iconic sights in London, and you’re not required to activate the pass until two years after the date of purchase.

Regardless of how you look at it, Go City’s London Explorer Pass should save you money. Provided you visit the number of attractions you paid for, its hard to see a scenario where you don’t come out ahead.

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