Here is the cost of living in England so that you can budget to come to England
Payment Cards
Withdrawals from ATMs or card payments may result in bank charges, we are outside the euro zone. In order to avoid these charges, some banks offer free withdrawals from their own ATMs worldwide (such as HSBC) or from banks with which they have an agreement depending on the country (check before departure).
Online banks such as Revolut, N26, or Boursorama offer free cards that do not charge any commission for payments and withdrawals.
Budget in England
Life in England is about 30% more expensive than in France. Please note that the £/€ conversion rate may vary depending on the possible effects of Brexit.
Accommodation
Housing will certainly eat into your budget. The youth hostel is the cheapest (albeit…) permanent accommodation with chain hotels, if you book well in advance. B&Bs remain the most convivial way to discover the British way of life and, big advantage, breakfast is included in the price.
If you are travelling in a group, many youth hostels, hotels and B & Bs offer family rooms. Don’t neglect seasonal rentals (self-catering). This is very convenient for families and saves on meals.
The price categories indicated on our pages correspond to a double room, breakfast included for the guest rooms, generally in addition in the other addresses :
- Camping: about £12-25 (about €14-29) for 2 people, with a tent and the car.
- Cheap: £10-25 (approx. €12-29) per person, or less than £50 for 2 (approx. €58). These are mainly youth hostels. Breakfast is usually not included.
- Average prices: £50-90 (approx. €58-104) for 2. These are mainly B & Bs (mostly in the £70-80 range).
- Chic: £90-120 (about €104-138).
Restaurants
The prices correspond essentially to a main course, without the drink, or to fixed menus, apart from the tip (10-15%).
- Cheap: dishes less than £10 (about €12). Especially in coffee-shops, fish & chip shops, museum cafeterias and some pubs.
- Average prices: dishes £10-15 (about €12-23).
- More chic: dishes £20-30 (about €23-35).
- Very chic: dishes over £30 (€35).
Museums
A real budget, with some castles charging more than £25! And the prices go up every year. More surprisingly, access to some cathedrals is also charged. We cannot advise you too much to consider the passes, more economic if you wish to make several visits and to visit in priority the national museums which are… free. Think about making a donation in the free places that suggest it, the British are quite keen on this principle.
- The English Heritage pass allows you to visit more than 100 historical sites with unlimited access, including Stonehenge for £35-42/adult over 9 days (couple and family tickets).
- Even cheaper (as there are more sites of interest), the National Trust pass allows you to visit more than 300 properties also for £33-36/adult for 7 or 14 days (couple and family ticket).
If you take your tickets online for the main tourist sites, you will sometimes get a small discount.
Tourist offices sometimes sell tickets cheaper than at the museum ticket office.
Blessed are the over-60s, who most often benefit from reduced rates, as do students (don’t forget your card!) and families.
Car
Gasoline is a little more expensive than in France (i.e. not given). Parking is particularly expensive, especially since the slightest parking space has to be paid for.
Tipping
It is customary to tip 10-15% in a restaurant. Do not deviate from this quasi-legal rule, an oversight would make you look like a rude person. Of course, if the service is bad (which is rare!), you can reduce this amount, but you must then report your remarks to the person in charge. More and more restaurants systematically include the service in the bill, which is much simpler.
The 10-15% rule also applies to taxis.