Everything you need to know about the Go City London Pass

What are the Go City London City Cards?

Go City London city cards are your smartest shortcut to exploring one of the world's most storied capitals without the ticket-queue stress or budget surprises. Two distinct pass types are available: the London Pass (a day-based pass) and the Go City London Explorer Pass (an attraction-based flexible pass), each tailored to a different travel style. They unlock access to 100+ of London's top attractions, from the Tower of London to The View from the Shard bundled under one digital pass.

Go City is the world's largest provider of tourist passes, with over 7.5 million active users and approximately 700,000 passes sold annually across 31 cities. The Go City app carries a 4.7-star rating, and thousands of Go City London Pass reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot show high overall satisfaction, especially for value and ease of use.

Go City London City Card types

Go City offers two types of city cards for London, each built around a different approach to sightseeing. Whether you prefer the flexibility of picking attractions one by one or packing London's highlights into a few packed days, there's a pass for your pace.

Overview: An attraction-based pass where 1 credit equals 1 attraction visit. Choose from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions from a list of 100+ options across London.

Who is it for: Ideal for relaxed explorers, frequent visitors to London, or travellers on longer stays who want to pace out their sightseeing without feeling rushed. Perfect if you know exactly which bucket-list spots you want to tick off rather than trying to see everything.

Savings: Save up to 55% compared to buying individual tickets; the more attractions you choose, the better the per-attraction value.

Pass duration options: Choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attraction credits at the time of purchase.

Validity period: Once purchased, the pass is valid for 1 year before first use. After visiting your first attraction (activation), the pass is valid for 30 days to use your remaining credits.

What's in it: Entry to your chosen number of attractions from 100+ options, including iconic landmarks, museums, river cruises, bus tours, guided experiences, and outdoor adventures.

Key advantages:

  • No need to plan your entire trip upfront, pick attractions based on weather, mood, or energy on the day
  • 30 full days after activation means no rushing; perfect for extended city breaks or multi-visit trips
  • Outstanding value when you include high-ticket attractions like the Tower of London (£34.95) or Westminster Abbey (£31)

Book the pass here: London Explorer Pass by Go City

Overview: A day-based sightseeing pass where you choose a duration (1–10 consecutive days) and gain access to attractions for that duration.

Who is it for: Best suited for first-time visitors to London and travellers with tightly scheduled, attraction-packed itineraries, especially those who want to visit multiple sights each day.

Savings: Save up to 50% compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

Pass duration options: Choose from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 consecutive days.

Validity period: The pass is valid for 1 year from purchase before first use. Once activated at your first attraction, consecutive calendar days count down from that point.

What's in it: The London Pass gives access to 1005+ attractions, including premium must-sees like Tower of London, London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more.

Key advantages:

  • Ideal for high-intensity sightseers who plan to visit at least 4 attractions daily
  • Includes Hop-on Hop-off bus access, making it easy to navigate between London's spread-out sights

Book the pass here: The London Pass® by Go City

Why get the Go City London City Card?

Save up to 55% on London's priciest attractions

London's top sights are stunning, but they aren't cheap. Tower of London tickets run £34.95; Westminster Abbey costs £31; and a visit to The Shard can set you back over £30. Go City London attractions bundled into a single pass means the savings compound quickly: visit three or four high-ticket spots and you've already recouped the cost of the pass.

Perfect for first-timers who want London's greatest hits

Visiting London for the first time? Figuring out which Go City London attractions to prioritise and then tracking down tickets for each is a logistical headache. The London Pass and Explorer Pass both come with the Go City app, which offers pre-built itineraries, maps, and attraction tips so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring.

Custom-fit for every travel style

In the classic London Pass vs Go City Explorer Pass debate, the answer is: it depends on your pace. Power tourists heading to London for 3-5 days will get maximum value from the day-based London Pass by packing in as many sights as possible. Slower travellers will love the Go City London Explorer Pass, which lets them choose 2–7 specific attractions over 30 days without time pressure.

Smart, stress-free digital experience

No printing, no queuing at ticket offices, no frantic last-minute bookings. Both passes sync to the Go City app, and once loaded, the app works offline. At most attractions, a simple QR code scan is all you need for entry.

Top attractions included in your Go City London City Card

Historic landmarks & royal palaces

  • Tower of London – One of the world's most famous fortresses, home to the Crown Jewels and over 900 years of history.
  • Westminster Abbey – The iconic Gothic church where monarchs are crowned, married, and laid to rest.
  • Kensington Palace – The working royal residence where Queen Victoria was born; explore stunning State Rooms and royal gardens.
  • Hampton Court Palace – Henry VIII's sprawling riverside palace, complete with the world-famous maze and Great Hall.
  • Tower Bridge – London's most recognisable bridge offers a jaw-dropping glass walkway 42 metres above the Thames.
  • Windsor Castle – The world's oldest and largest occupied castle, an afternoon escape that history lovers shouldn't miss.

Available on: London Explorer Pass & London Pass

Museums & cultural experiences

  • Shakespeare's Globe – Step inside the spectacular reconstructed Elizabethan playhouse on the South Bank for a theatre tour.
  • London Transport Museum – A surprisingly fascinating deep-dive into the world's oldest underground railway network.
  • Royal Observatory Greenwich – Stand on the Prime Meridian Line and explore the history of time and navigation.
  • Cutty Sark – Clamber aboard the world's last surviving tea clipper, beautifully preserved in dry dock at Greenwich.
  • Royal Air Force Museum London – A free-roam experience through decades of British aviation history, from WWI biplanes to Cold War jets.

Available on: London Explorer Pass & London Pass

Views, cruises & outdoor experiences

  • The View from The Shard – Soar to 244 metres for the most breathtaking 360-degree panorama of London.
  • City Cruises Thames River Pass – Drift past iconic riverfront landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul's on an open-top river cruise.
  • Big Bus Tours (Hop-n Hop-off) – The most flexible way to get your London bearings, with commentary in 12 languages.
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – A UNESCO World Heritage Site; 300 acres of extraordinary gardens and glasshouses just outside central London.
  • Up at The O2 – Scale the iconic dome of The O2 Arena via a guided climb across its fabric roof for sweeping Docklands views.

Available on: London Explorer Pass & London Pass

Sports, entertainment & family fun

  • Arsenal Stadium Tour & Museum – Explore Arsenal's home turf and relive decades of football history in a world-class stadium.
  • Wembley Stadium Tour – Walk in the footsteps of legends at England's national stadium – site of the 1966 World Cup Final.
  • London Zoo – One of the world's oldest scientific zoos; home to 600+ species from Gorilla Kingdom to Penguin Beach.
  • LEGOLAND Windsor Resort – A full-day adventure park for families with young children, located 30 minutes outside central London.

Available on: London Explorer Pass & London Pass

Booking reservations using Go City London Card: All you need to know

Planning ahead for a few key attractions ensures you won't miss London's most in-demand experiences. Here's everything you need to manage your itinerary like a pro.

Must-book attractions (reservation required):

  • The View from The Shard
  • The London Eye (London Pass Plus)
  • Madame Tussauds London (London Pass Plus)
  • LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
  • Chessington World of Adventures
  • Up at The O2

How to book via the Go City app:

  • Sync your pass to the app and look for the "Reservation Required" label on any attraction listing
  • Tap the attraction to access the direct booking link; select your preferred date and time slot
  • Time slots can typically be booked up to 15 days in advance – secure popular spots early, especially during summer and school holidays
  • Show your digital confirmation alongside your pass QR code at the attraction entrance

Walk-in options (no advance booking needed):Many of London's best-loved sights welcome Go City pass holders as walk-ins. Head straight to Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe, Royal Observatory Greenwich, London Transport Museum, and City Cruises Thames River Pass without pre-booking – though at peak times, Tower of London may ask you to wait briefly for the next available slot.

How to book & use your Go City London City Card

Step 1 – Choose your pass

Decide between the Go City London Explorer Pass (attraction-based, 2–7 attractions, 30 days) and the London Pass by Go City (day-based, 1–10 days, 100+ attractions). Pick based on your trip length, sightseeing pace, and which Go City London attractions matter most to you.

Step 2 – Purchase online and sync to the Go City app

Buy your pass online. After purchase, download the free Go City app and sync your pass using the code in your confirmation email. Note: syncing does not activate the pass.

Step 3 – Activate at your first attraction

Your pass activates the moment you redeem it at your first attraction. For the Explorer Pass, your 30-day window begins here. For the London Pass, your consecutive day count starts after visiting the first attraction.

Step 4 – Scan and explore

At most attractions, simply show your QR code in the Go City app for instant entry. Check the app for any attractions marked "Reservation Required" and book those time slots in advance – the app provides direct booking links.

Tips to make the most of your Go City London City Card

  • Visit the high-value attractions. Tower of London (£34.95) and Westminster Abbey (£31) are your biggest money-savers – use your pass on these before anything else.
  • Get to Tower of London by 9am. The Crown Jewels queue builds fast after 10am. Go City pass holders who arrive early typically walk straight in and get the Jewel House to themselves.
  • Use the London Pass day-by-day, not hop-and-skip. The London Pass days must be consecutive – you can't use it on a Tuesday, skip Wednesday, and resume Thursday. Plan your packed sightseeing days back-to-back.
  • Start Day 1 with a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour. Whether you have the Explorer Pass or the London Pass, using Big Bus Tours on your first day gives you a brilliant overview of London's geography before you dive in on foot.
  • Art lovers: pair the National Portrait Gallery and Tate Modern on the same day. Both are in roughly the same corridor and keep you close to the South Bank and St. Paul's for efficient routing.
  • History fans: dedicate a full day to Greenwich. Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, and the Old Royal Naval College are all within walking distance of each other – a self-contained historic pocket outside central London.
  • Families: book LEGOLAND Windsor in advance. It's a full day out and hugely popular during school holidays. The Explorer Pass includes LEGOLAND – just reserve your slot through the app well ahead of your visit.
  • Check the app for reservation-required labels before you travel. The View from The Shard and certain immersive experiences require pre-booked time slots – the app makes this easy and takes only minutes.
  • In the London Pass vs Go City Explorer Pass decision, count your planned attractions first. If you plan to visit 4+ attractions per day in 2–3 packed days, the day-based London Pass is likely a better value. If you want 4–5 specific sights at your own pace over a week, the Go City London Explorer Pass wins.
  • The Go City app works offline. Once your pass is loaded, you can pull up your QR code anywhere – even in the Underground, where data drops out. No need for roaming data just to get into attractions.
  • The Go City London pass covers attractions, not public transport. The pass does not include London Underground travel; pick up an Oyster Card or use contactless payment separately for Tube and bus journeys.

Frequently asked questions about Go City London City Cards

The Go City London Pass is worth it, provided you plan to visit at least 4 high-cost attractions. A single day visiting Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and The View from The Shard would cost over £95 individually; the right pass can bring that down significantly. The value increases the more you visit.