10 Best Budget Things to Do in London with Teens (2025)

Things to do in London with teens can feel limited if you’re sticking to a strict budget — especially in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

But London is packed with teen-friendly activities that won’t break the bank.

From epic viewpoints and walking tours to thrilling VR and quirky museums, we’ve found experiences that are fun, engaging, and full of value. And when you’re ready for a unique bite, you might enjoy exploring The 7 Best London Food Tours, which offer delicious and affordable ways to taste the city.

Or for something uniquely British and Instagram-worthy, hop aboard one of The 7 Best London Tea Bus Tours, combining sightseeing with afternoon tea.

Each full tour description below includes a price range so you know exactly what to expect.

Let’s explore the 10 best budget-friendly picks.

London with Teens

Compare Top Tours: London Food Walking Tour, IFS Cloud Cable Car, and Original Harry Potter Locations Tour

London Food Walking Tour	IFS Cloud Cable Car	Original Harry Potter Locations Tour
Duration: 3 hours	Duration: 10 minutes	Duration: 2.5 hours
Pickup: Not included	Pickup: Not included	Pickup: Not included
Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours	Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours	Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours
Includes: English-speaking guide, food tastings	Includes: Round-trip cable car ride, access to London Cable Car Experience	Includes: Professional guide, games and quizzes, souvenir
Taste diverse cuisines, explore Spitalfields Market, learn local food history	Panoramic views of London, unique aerial perspective, family-friendly experience	Visit iconic film locations, interactive quizzes, immersive storytelling
👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!

10 Fun Things to Do in London for Young Adults ([Year])

• Tour 1: London: London Food Walking Tour
• Tour 2: London: IFS Cloud Cable Car
• Tour 3: Original Harry Potter Locations Tour – Guided Tour of London
• Tour 4: London: Ghost Walk and River Thames Boat Ride
• Tour 5: London: Madame Tussauds London
• Tour 6: The London Eye Entry Ticket
• Tour 7: London: Secrets of the London Underground Walking Tour
• Tour 8: London: Street Art Bike Tour
• Tour 9: Iconic Sights of London: High-Speed Boat Trip
• Tour 10: Epic 60 Minute Free-Roam Virtual Reality Experience at Navrtar

London with Teenagers Tours (2025 Reviews)

Tour 1: London: London Food Walking Tour

💵 Price Range: $10–$20 (budget-friendly)

✅ Duration: 3 hours
✅ Meeting Point: Christ Church Spitalfields (look for the guide with a yellow umbrella)
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Local guide, 8+ food tastings, market & cultural stops
✅ Best For: Food-loving teens, first-time visitors, curious eaters
✅ Highlights: Viper chicken wings, African truffles, Banksy street art, Beigal Bake, hidden East End gems

I joined this tour with two teen boys who usually prefer burgers to biryani, and even they were hooked by stop number two.

The vibe is relaxed but quietly buzzing. I can tell you this is not your old-fashioned boring food tour, it’s contemporary, up-to-date, and full of fun.

You’ll explore London’s East End, a neighborhood packed with culture, graffiti, stories, and incredible bites. What I appreciated most was the variety: sweet, savory, spicy, and dishes we’d never think to try on our own. It must be the eclectic mix here in London because the food has so much variety.

Halfway through, right after sampling African truffles and churros, one of the teens said, “This is way better than I thought.” That’s when I knew we had a winner.

This London Food Walking Tour isn’t just about food — it’s about place. Your guide weaves in stories about immigration, gentrification, and artists like Banksy, making it feel like a cultural dive as much as a culinary one. It’s a modern tour covering all those interesting art and food areas that everybody will enjoy.

It’s not for picky eaters or slow walkers, but for teens with a curious palette and decent shoes, it’s one of the most rewarding ways to see (and taste) a different side of London.

Tour 2: London: IFS Cloud Cable Car

💵 Price Range: $10–$20 (budget-friendly)

✅ Duration: 10 minutes
✅ Meeting Point: Royal Docks or Greenwich Peninsula terminal
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: One-way or round-trip cable car ride with panoramic views
✅ Best For: Quick thrills, skyline photos, first-time visitors
✅ Highlights: Thames crossing, skyline views, Emirates Royal Docks, Canary Wharf, O2 Arena

It’s short, it’s smooth, and teens love it — especially when it’s timed around sunset.

The IFS Cloud Cable Car doesn’t pretend to be a major tour. It’s more like a cool little moment in the air — something that turns a walk near the O2 into a highlight of the day.

The ride lasts around 10 minutes each way, but gives you stunning views across Canary Wharf and the Thames. It’s calm but high enough to give you that tiny flutter in the stomach.

It allows for a complete reset for teens who think London is boring, or do we have to keep on walking? You don’t have to walk, and you can see 100 things in 10 minutes.

About halfway through the glide, my 15-year-old leaned over and said, “This is kind of awesome.” And it was. You can book the IFS Cloud Cable Car here, and the best part is, it’s one of the cheapest paid experiences with a huge visual payoff.

No guide, no commentary — just you, the glass cabin, and that perfect London skyline. A brilliant low-cost add-on to any day.

Tour 3: Original Harry Potter Locations Tour – Guided Tour of London

💵 Price Range: $10–$20 (budget-friendly)

✅ Duration: 2.5 hours
✅ Meeting Point: Outside the Palace Theatre (Harry Potter & The Cursed Child)
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Live guide, walking tour, quizzes and games, photo stops
✅ Best For: Harry Potter fans, interactive sightseeing, families with teens
✅ Highlights: Diagon Alley, Ministry of Magic, filming sites, trivia games, hidden streets

If your teen is even mildly into Harry Potter, this walking tour is a no-brainer.

The experience is guided by an energetic host who blends trivia, storytelling, and just the right amount of fan enthusiasm.

You’ll visit spots like the real-life Diagon Alley and the entrance to the Ministry of Magic — and the guide keeps teens engaged with team games and quizzes throughout the walk. It’s paced well and never feels like a lecture.

About halfway in, when we hit the street that inspired Knockturn Alley, I overheard one teen whisper, “Okay, that’s actually sick.” That’s the sweet spot — somewhere between cool and nerdy.

This tour does something for Harry Potter that I’ve never really seen before: it takes a concept that’s sometimes a little weird and nerdy, and it makes it really cool

This Harry Potter Locations Tour isn’t just sightseeing — it’s active, social, and surprisingly funny. A great pick for parents who want their teens to learn something without realizing they’re learning.

Tour 4: London: Ghost Walk and River Thames Boat Ride

💵 Price Range: $20–$30 (standard activity)

✅ Duration: 2 hours
✅ Meeting Point: All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Guided ghost walk, Thames river cruise, live commentary
✅ Best For: Teens who like spooky stories, evening activities, history with a twist
✅ Highlights: Tower of London, Traitor’s Gate, Execution Dock, ghost legends, nighttime river views

This tour surprised us — in a good way. It’s not cheesy haunted house stuff, but an eerie walk through London’s darker corners, followed by a gorgeous cruise down the Thames. All this for a super budget price, you’ll enjoy the tour, and you’ll enjoy the great value for money that it gives.

The storytelling is sharp, full of detail, folklore, and just enough theatrical energy to keep teens listening.

It starts near the Tower of London and winds past execution sites and haunted landmarks before boarding a boat that cruises under London’s bridges by night. The Ghost Walk and Boat Ride combo adds a cinematic edge to what would otherwise just be a nice walk.

You know I’m not one for super or over-organized tours, but this one allows you to have a little rest to enjoy the ghostwalk and have things detailed to you that you wouldn’t normally know, and then the relaxing boat ride. I would recommend this tour for anyone, not just teens.

One teen in our group kept whispering theories about one of the haunted jail cells — totally drawn in. And the boat ride at the end? Chill, scenic, and just spooky enough to feel like you’re floating through history.

Tour 5: London: Madame Tussauds London

💵 Price Range: $30–$50 (standard activity)

✅ Duration: Flexible (approx. 1.5–2.5 hours)
✅ Meeting Point: Madame Tussauds London, Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LR
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: General admission, Marvel & Star Wars zones, Spirit of London ride
✅ Best For: Pop culture fans, selfie-seekers, first-time visitors
✅ Highlights: Life-size wax figures, Marvel heroes, The Royal Family, immersive film sets

Let’s be honest — teens love a good selfie spot, and Madame Tussauds delivers that in spades.

This isn’t just a wax museum. It’s an interactive, full-sensory experience that blends pop culture, history, and just enough “wow” to keep everyone engaged. One minute you’re posing with Zendaya or The Rock, and the next you’re walking through a Star Wars set or jumping into a Marvel universe.

The selfies aren’t just about the kids; it’s about who’s with them. Can you imagine the talking points and stories when they get back home about standing with Prince Charles, the queen, or any other far-flung famous British folks? It’ll probably lead to social or intercultural discussion and show a level of knowledge that only traveling can bring.

We booked Madame Tussauds London for a rainy day, and it totally hit the mark — dry, warm, and full of high-energy visuals. The Royal Family section got a lot of eye-rolls… until phones came out and everyone wanted a photo.

Great for teens who love movies, music, or TikTok-famous figures. It’s playful, unexpected, and surprisingly well done. Make it a must-do for your London vacation.

Tour 6: The London Eye Entry Ticket

💵 Price Range: $30–$50 (standard activity)

✅ Duration: 30 minutes (1 rotation)
✅ Meeting Point: The London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Entry to the London Eye, 4D cinema experience (optional)
✅ Best For: First-time visitors, skyline lovers, families
✅ Highlights: 360° city views, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, photo ops

Some things are popular for a reason, and the London Eye is one of them.

It’s calm, quiet, and gives teens that rare mix of “this is kind of cool” and “I can post this later.” The slow-moving rotation gives you about 30 minutes to soak up skyline views stretching as far as Windsor Castle. The enclosed capsules feel safe but open enough to enjoy the ride.

What really sells this experience is the London Eye Entry Ticket: skip-the-line access if you book early, plenty of space inside each capsule, and the chance to spot London’s landmarks all at once.

From my traveling and sometimes well-outlandish activities, I have a certain apprehension of heights, but in the London Eye, I feel so much safer and secure, even when it goes to such dizzying heights. Ok, but this is true. I still hang on to the handrails in the capsules just to make sure.

It’s short, photogenic, and fun — and one of those activities teens won’t fight you on.

Tour 7: London: Secrets of the London Underground Walking Tour

💵 Price Range: $20–$30 (standard activity)

✅ Duration: 2.5 hours
✅ Meeting Point: Baker Street Station (exact details on booking)
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Expert guide, small group tour, hidden Underground history
✅ Best For: Urban explorers, history-loving teens, curious minds
✅ Highlights: Abandoned platforms, forgotten tunnels, Tube trivia, secret wartime shelters

This tour feels like stepping behind the curtain of a city most people think they already know. Teens who are into hidden histories, conspiracies, or just cool underground spaces will get a real kick out of it.

The London Underground, or the tube, first opened in 1863, and it’s the oldest underground railway in the world. About five million Londoners use the tube every weekday, with trains arriving every 2 to 3 minutes during busy times.

On this tour, you’ll explore abandoned Tube stations, back corridors, and hear strange but true stories about secret war bunkers, forgotten tunnels, and the politics behind London’s famous map. It’s gritty, surprising, and very much off the beaten path.

We booked the Secrets of the London Underground Tour on a cloudy afternoon that rain was predicted, and it became one of the most talked-about parts of the trip. The guide kept the energy up, tossing out facts that stuck and questions that made you think.

It’s not for the claustrophobic, but you are able to walk through all areas standing up. But for teens who like things slightly weird and very real, this one’s gold.

Tour 8: London: Street Art Bike Tour

💵 Price Range: $30–$50 (standard activity)

✅ Duration: 3.5 hours
✅ Meeting Point: Shoreditch area (exact location on booking)
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Bike rental, helmet, local guide, Shoreditch & East End route
✅ Best For: Creative teens, urban cyclists, photography lovers
✅ Highlights: Banksy murals, Shoreditch graffiti, hidden alleys, bike-friendly route

This tour feels more like a ride with a cool older cousin who happens to know every hidden wall in East London and provides a handy constant reminder that in this country, we travel on the left side of the road.

Starting in Shoreditch, you’ll cycle past ever-changing murals, stencil art, and political graffiti while your guide gives context on who made it and why it matters.

There’s a bit of Banksy, but also tons of lesser-known (and often better) local artists. Teens love it because it’s visual, edgy, and doesn’t feel like a “tour.” Some of the focal law that comes along with these artists, especially Banksy, are awe-inspiring, and you can’t help but listen and hang on to every word.

The route is easygoing and includes regular stops for photos and water, so even not-so-confident cyclists are totally fine.

My 14-year-old, who usually tunes out on walking tours, was snapping pics and asking about artists within 20 minutes.

The London Street Art Bike Tour is hands-on, immersive, and lets teens explore the city from a fresh angle — wheels spinning, camera ready.

Tour 9: Iconic Sights of London: High-Speed Boat Trip

💵 Price Range: $60–$70 (premium/extended tour)

✅ Duration: 50 minutes
✅ Meeting Point: Tower Pier, EC3N 4DT
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Speedboat ride, safety gear, Thames commentary
✅ Best For: Thrill-seeking teens, boat lovers, action-packed sightseeing
✅ Highlights: London Eye, Tower Bridge, MI6 Building, river stunts, high-speed turns

This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s sightseeing with an engine and an attitude.

Teens absolutely light up on this one. The boat starts slow, gliding past iconic London landmarks with light commentary, but the second you hit the high-speed zone past Tower Bridge, it’s full throttle. You’re gripping the seat rails, grinning, and getting just enough spray to feel alive.

These were three things that I had never associated with each other: the Thames River, sightseeing in the middle of London, and a fast, thrilling, speed boat ride – but it worked really well.

My teenager was skeptical at first, then didn’t stop talking about it for the rest of the trip. There’s music, jokes, and just the right amount of safety briefing before the adrenaline kicks in. The High-Speed Boat Trip on the Thames strikes a perfect balance between fun and fearlessness.

Some parts you can’t help but notice the surroundings and focus on some of the great historic areas and buildings, and other parts you are hanging on tight and laughing your head off as every twist and turn and wave bump makes it a thrill-a-minute ride.

It’s a splurge, yes — but for a teen who’s into excitement over museums, this is a core memory in the making.

Tour 10: Epic 60 Minute Free-Roam Virtual Reality Experience at Navrtar

💵 Price Range: $60–$70 (premium/extended tour)

✅ Duration: 60 minutes
✅ Meeting Point: Navrtar, Dickens Yard, West London
✅ Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Full VR headset & gear, immersive multiplayer game, safety briefing
✅ Best For: Gamers, competitive teens, rainy-day fun
✅ Highlights: Team missions, free-roam VR arena, zombies or aliens, cutting-edge tech

If your teen’s eyes lit up when you said “VR,” this is your golden ticket.

Navrtar isn’t your average sit-in-a-chair experience — it’s a free-roam, multiplayer, high-tech space where you actually move through the game world. Up to six people can play together, and the missions range from fighting off alien invasions to surviving zombie attacks. It’s active, intense, and teens eat it up.

We booked the Navrtar VR Experience on a rainy afternoon and it ended up being one of the trip highlights. It’s indoors, fast-paced, and full of those jump-scare moments that make teens laugh even when they’re pretending not to be scared.

This is definitely a step up from other VR activities that I’ve experienced, and so I should be. I mean, it’s one of the favorite activities in London, England.

It’s not historical, educational, or particularly “British” but it is in London — and that’s exactly why it works.

FAQs (10 Best Budget Things to Do in London with Teens 2025)

1. Are these tours suitable for teens aged 13–17?
Yes — all 10 tours were selected specifically for teenagers. They mix fun, learning, and freedom to explore without feeling too “kiddy” or too adult. Some, like the VR experience and boat ride, are ideal for older teens who want more independence and adrenaline.

2. How much do these activities cost?
Each tour lists a clear price bracket in USD. They range from $10–$20 for low-cost walking or cable car rides, up to $60+ for premium experiences like high-speed boat trips or immersive VR. Budget-conscious families can easily find great options under $30.

3. Are these tours guided or self-paced?
Most are guided (like the food tour, ghost walk, and Harry Potter experience), while others — such as the cable car or London Eye — are self-paced. The mix gives flexibility depending on how structured or casual you want your day to be.

4. Can I book multiple tours on the same day?
Yes — some tours are short (10–90 minutes), so you can pair, for example, the IFS Cloud Cable Car with the Underground Tour, or do the VR experience after dinner. Each tour lists its duration to help with planning.

5. Are these tours accessible for all abilities?
Not all tours are fully accessible. The food walking tour, street art bike ride, and ghost walk include uneven paths, stairs, or longer walking distances. Always check the provider’s accessibility section before booking if you have mobility concerns.

6. Are there age restrictions or waivers needed for teens?
Most tours are open to ages 12+ with a paying adult. Some, like the VR or boat tours, may require a minimum age (usually 13 or 14). Waivers are generally handled during booking or upon arrival — nothing complicated.

7. What’s the cancellation policy like?
Every tour listed offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time, giving families flexibility in case of weather, energy levels, or changing plans.

8. What if it rains — are these tours still worth doing?
Most of them, yes. The VR experience, Madame Tussauds, and the Underground Tour are fully indoors. Walking or bike tours run rain or shine, so bring a waterproof jacket just in case. London weather’s unpredictable, but these activities are flexible enough to handle it.

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501Places Editor’s Ranking: London: London Food Walking Tour