What the London Pass is
The London Pass is a sightseeing pass sold by a pass provider. It covers a list of London attractions for a set number of days, or for a chosen number of sights. This site is independent. It does not sell passes, and nothing here comes from the pass provider or from any attraction.
The key question near Big Ben is what the pass does and does not include. It lists Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower of London and a City Cruises 24 Hour Thames River Pass. The Tower of London is a different place from the Elizabeth Tower, which holds Big Ben. The attraction list does not include entry to the Elizabeth Tower, so you book that tour separately.
London Pass and Explorer compared
The two pass models side by side.
| Question | London Pass | London Pass Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From £105 | From £65 |
| How you choose | Days: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 | 2 to 7 attractions, valid 30 days after first use |
| Activation | Within 1 year of purchase | Within 1 year of purchase |
| Refund | Unactivated pass, within 90 days | Unactivated pass, within 90 days |
A starting price is not the price for every length or age group. The full price list for each number of days is not shown here, so look at the provider's page for the option you want.
Tours and tickets near Big Ben
Single tickets, cruises and city tours you can book on their own, with live prices and availability.
Sights near Big Ben on the pass
Single adult prices where they are known, and what to reserve.
| Sight | Single adult ticket, 2026 | In the pass | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster Abbey | £32 | Yes | Required, in the pass provider's app |
| London Eye | From £29 online, £39 walk-up | Yes | Required |
| Tower of London | – | Yes | – |
| City Cruises 24 Hour Thames River Pass | – | Yes | – |
| Elizabeth Tower tour | £55 (ages 11 to 17: £35) | Not in the attraction list | Book separately, online |
| Churchill War Rooms | £34 | Ask before you plan around it | Timed tickets |
Extras the pass leaves out: the Abbey's Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries are not included. The cruise pass does not give you a free ride on the river bus. Details are on the page about Thames cruises.
Reservations and rules
What the pass does not do for you.
Westminster Abbey
The Abbey accepts the pass, but you must reserve in the pass provider's app. You can book up to 10 days ahead. Changes and cancellations are possible up to 15 minutes before your arrival. The pass gives no separate guide and no guaranteed skip-the-line entry. Sunday is for services instead of sightseeing.
Westminster Abbey visit guide →London Eye
The Eye is in the current catalog and needs a reservation. The ticket time is when you join the queue, not when you board a capsule. The Eye closes on 25 December.
London Eye tickets →The Elizabeth Tower
Tower tickets are released three months ahead on the second Wednesday of the month at 10:00. Confirm the time zone in the booking calendar. Because the pass does not cover the tour, plan the pass days around your tower slot.
Tower tour and tickets →Is the London Pass worth it
No pass pays off for everyone.
1. List what you will actually do
Write down the sights you can fit in the days you have, including the time needed to travel and queue. A pass tempts people to add stops they cannot reach.
2. Add up the single tickets
Use current single prices, for example £32 for the Abbey and from £29 online for the London Eye. Add the prices for the others from their own pages.
3. Compare with the pass on the day
Check the price of the pass option you want, for the number of days or sights you picked. Compare it with your total from step 2.
4. Count the reservations
Every reserved sight needs a slot. Check that the slots fit together before you buy.
Other sightseeing passes exist. Compare their attraction lists the same way, and look for the Elizabeth Tower in each list.
Plan the rest of your trip
Sights the pass touches, and the ones it does not.
London Pass: frequently asked questions
Does the London Pass include Big Ben?
The attraction list does not include entry to the Elizabeth Tower. Book the tower tour separately. Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower of London and a Thames cruise pass are in the list.
How much does the London Pass cost?
The London Pass starts from £105 and the Explorer from £65 in 2026. The price depends on the number of days or sights. Look at the provider's page for the exact figure.
Do I need to reserve with the pass?
Yes for Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. For the Abbey, book in the pass provider's app, up to 10 days ahead.
Can I get a refund?
An unactivated pass can be refunded within 90 days. A pass can be activated up to 1 year after purchase.
Does the pass include the river bus?
No. The pass includes a City Cruises 24 Hour Thames River Pass. It does not give a free ride on the river bus.
Is the pass always cheaper than single tickets?
No. It depends on the sights you choose, the pass price on your date and how many you can fit in. Do the sum before you buy.