Go City London Explorer Pass Review 2026
A flexible London tourist pass letting you choose 2 to 7 attractions from 25+ experiences — the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Kew Gardens, and more, all on your own terms.
Book Now — From £49
The Go City London Explorer Pass is a flexible tourist pass that lets you choose 2, 3, 5, or 7 London attractions from a curated list of 25+ experiences. Prices range from approximately £49 to £189 per adult. It’s worth buying if you have a clear shortlist of London sights and plan to visit at least three paid attractions — the pass typically saves 30–40% compared to individual ticket prices.
- Choose exactly which attractions to visit
- 30-day usage window — very flexible
- Lower upfront cost than the London Pass
- Strong savings at 5 and 7-attraction levels
- 60-day window before activation
- Credits are limited — can’t add more after purchase
- Unused credits expire with no refund
- Less value if visiting 4+ attractions per day
- Timed-entry slots still required for key sites
What Is the Go City London Explorer Pass?
The Go City London Explorer Pass puts you in control of your London itinerary. Rather than committing to a fixed bundle or paying for unlimited day access, you simply choose how many attraction credits you want — 2, 3, 5, or 7 — and then decide which specific sites to visit using the Go City app. There’s no need to pre-select all your attractions at purchase; you can make choices on the go throughout your trip.
This approach makes the Explorer Pass a strong fit for travelers who know roughly what they want to see but appreciate flexibility in planning. It’s particularly well-suited to those visiting London as part of a longer trip, or those who want a lower upfront cost compared to the London Pass.
What Attractions Can You Choose?
Historic Royal Palaces & Fortresses
Iconic Views & Landmarks
Gardens, Maritime & River
Tours & Entertainment
How Much Does the Explorer Pass Cost?
| Pass Option | Adult Price | Child Price (5–15) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Attractions | £49 – £65 | £35 – £49 |
| 3 Attractions | £69 – £89 | £49 – £65 |
| 5 Attractions Best Value | £109 – £139 | £79 – £105 |
| 7 Attractions | £149 – £189 | £109 – £139 |
How Much Do You Save?
The Explorer Pass typically saves 30–40% compared to buying the same attraction tickets individually. The greatest savings come at the 5 and 7-attraction levels — here’s a breakdown for a 5-attraction pass:
| Attraction | Approx. Individual Price |
|---|---|
| Tower of London | £34.80 |
| Westminster Abbey | £27.00 |
| London Eye | £35.00 |
| Kensington Palace | £21.50 |
| Tower Bridge Experience | £14.80 |
| Total if bought separately | ~£133.10 |
| 5-attraction Explorer Pass | ~£109–£139 |
| Savings | Up to ~£24 per adult |
At the 7-attraction level, covering London’s most expensive individual tickets, savings of £40–£60+ per adult are very achievable.
How Does the Explorer Pass Work?
Select 2, 3, 5, or 7 attractions at checkout. You don’t need to specify which attractions yet.
Your pass and QR code live here. Load it before you travel so it’s accessible without Wi-Fi.
No rush — buy in advance and activate when you’re ready to start sightseeing.
Your 30-day usage window begins. Select your specific attractions through the app as you go.
The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the Shard all require advance reservations — do this immediately after activation.
The Tower of London is the UK’s most visited paid attraction. Time slots — especially weekends and school holidays — fill up fast. Book yours the moment your pass is activated.
Which Attractions Are Worth Choosing?
- Tower of London (~£34.80) — the most expensive individual inclusion and one of London’s greatest experiences; an essential pick
- London Eye (~£35.00) — pricey individually, great value on the pass; book a dusk slot for the most dramatic views
- Westminster Abbey (~£27.00) — one of the most historically significant buildings in Britain; not to be missed by first-timers
- The View from The Shard (~£32.00) — the highest viewpoint in Western Europe; spectacular on a clear day — check visibility before booking
- St Paul’s Cathedral (~£23.00) — the dome, Whispering Gallery, and Golden Gallery offer extraordinary views; the crypt is remarkable
- Kew Gardens (~£22.00) — a beautiful full or half-day experience; best in spring and summer when the gardens are in full bloom
- Tower Bridge Experience (~£14.80) — the glass walkway and Victorian engine rooms; pairs naturally with the Tower of London
- Hampton Court Palace (~£30.00+) — Henry VIII’s stunning Tudor palace; a perfect half-day out of central London
- Kensington Palace (~£21.50) — elegant royal state rooms in Kensington; calmer and less crowded than the major tourist sites
- Cutty Sark (~£18.00) — the beautifully restored tea clipper in Greenwich is excellent for children; pair it with the National Maritime Museum
Who Is the Explorer Pass Best For?
The Explorer Pass suits visitors who have a clear shortlist of London attractions and want the flexibility of choosing exactly what they visit. It’s ideal for selective planners, returning visitors, and those combining London with other UK or European destinations.
Great Fit
- Visitors with 3–5 specific London sights they want to see
- Those who prefer a lower upfront cost than the London Pass
- Travelers combining London with other UK or European destinations
- Returning visitors focusing on attractions they haven’t seen before
Consider Skipping
- Visitors planning 4+ attractions per day — the London Pass may offer better value
- Very short trips of 1–2 days where only 2 sights are planned
- Those who want unlimited access without tracking credits
Explorer Pass vs London Pass
| Feature | Explorer Pass | London Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Attraction choice | Choose 2–7 from 25+ | Unlimited (80+) |
| Usage model | Credit-based | Day-based unlimited |
| Validity | 30 days from activation | 1–14 consecutive days |
| Entry price | From ~£49 | From ~£59 |
| Best value at | 5–7 attractions | 4+ attractions per day |
| Suits | Selective planners | Power sightseers |
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Explorer Pass
- Book the Tower of London as soon as your pass is confirmed — the most visited paid attraction in the UK; extremely busy at weekends and school holidays
- Pair the Tower of London with Tower Bridge on the same day — they’re a five-minute walk apart and complement each other perfectly
- Visit the Shard on a clear day — check the visibility forecast before booking your slot; hazy conditions significantly reduce the view
- Activate the pass on your first full morning of sightseeing — don’t waste the activation day on an afternoon arrival or rest day
- Use the Thames Clipper if selected — a practical and scenic way to travel between Westminster, the South Bank, and Greenwich
- Size up your credit count if uncertain — you can’t add credits after purchase, so choose more rather than fewer if you’re on the fence
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Go City London Explorer Pass work?
You purchase the pass with a chosen number of attraction credits (2, 3, 5, or 7). You have 60 days from purchase to activate it, and then 30 days from first activation to use all your credits. Credits are redeemed by showing your QR code at each attraction. You select specific attractions through the Go City app — you don’t need to decide all of them at purchase.
Does the Explorer Pass include the Tower of London?
Yes — the Tower of London is one of the strongest inclusions at approximately £34.80 individually. It’s one of the highest-value choices on the pass and should be a priority selection for most visitors. Book your time slot as soon as your pass is activated.
Does the Explorer Pass include Westminster Abbey?
Yes — Westminster Abbey is included at approximately £27 individually. Timed-entry slots are required and should be booked in advance, particularly for morning visits which are the most popular.
Can I visit Greenwich with the Explorer Pass?
Yes — the Explorer Pass includes several Greenwich attractions: the Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum. The Thames Clipper hop-on hop-off river bus, also potentially included as a credit, is a scenic way to reach Greenwich from central London.
What happens to unused Explorer Pass credits?
Unused credits expire at the end of your 30-day usage window with no refund. Always choose the right credit count for your trip and plan your itinerary in advance to ensure you use every credit.
