London vs New York City

London and New York City compared across the three travel tiers — budget, mid-range and luxury — for daily costs, hotels, food, things to do and the practical stuff that actually decides which one you should visit.

London

United Kingdom · Europe

London is one of the world's great cities — a place where a free world-class museum sits next to a Michelin three-star, where the Tube costs £2.80 and a hotel suite costs £2,800. Messy, multicultural, and permanently surprising, it rewards every type of traveller.

New York City

United States · North America

New York City is the city that defines cities — an overwhelming, exhilarating collision of cultures, cuisines, and ambitions packed onto a tiny island. From dollar-slice pizza in the Village to tasting menus in Midtown, from the subway at 2am to a penthouse view of Central Park, NYC rewards every traveller at every budget.

Daily cost per tier (USD)

Tier	London	New York City
budget	$50–$80	$45–$75
midrange	$180–$300	$160–$260
luxury	$700–$1500	$600–$1200

At a glance

	London	New York City
Country	United Kingdom	United States
Currency	GBP (£) - pound sterling. Cards accepted almost everywhere; contactless is universal.	USD ($)
Language	English	English (Spanish widely spoken; the most linguistically diverse city on earth)
Best months	May – June, September	April – June, September – November
Climate	Oceanic climate: mild, overcast, and unpredictable year-round. Summers (June-August) are warm (22°C) but rarely hot - the city thrives. May-June brings long days and the parks at their best. July-August is peak season: crowded and expensive. September-October offers golden light and thinning crowds. December brings Christmas lights along Oxford Street and the markets. Carry a layer at all times.	Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Spring (Apr–Jun) is mild and flowering — the best time. Summer (Jul–Aug) is hot and humid (35°C+), but the city is fully alive. Autumn (Sep–Nov) is crisp and perfect, with the most beautiful light. Winter (Dec–Feb) is cold (below 0°C) with occasional blizzards — but New York at Christmas is genuinely magical. Avoid July–August if you can; embrace December if you can't.
Visa	UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) required for most visa-free nationalities from 2025 - apply online for £10. US, EU, and most Western passport holders qualify. Separate from Schengen - a Schengen visa does not cover the UK.	ESTA authorization required for Visa Waiver Program countries ($21, apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72h before departure). Traditional visa required for others.
Safety	Generally safe - standard big-city awareness, especially on the Tube late at night	Generally safe in tourist areas — exercise normal urban awareness, especially on late-night subway
Tipping	10-12.5% at restaurants, often added automatically as a "service charge" - check the bill before adding more. Taxi drivers and hotel staff: round up or £2-5. Not expected at pubs.	18–20% at restaurants is not optional — it is the expected standard. Taxi drivers: 15–20%. Hotel staff: $1–5 per bag, $5 per night for housekeeping. Bartenders: $1–2 per drink.
Metro	Yes	Yes