If you’re visiting from abroad, the exchange rate will be your new best friend or your worst enemy. It changes daily, so do a quick Google before you go. At the time I’m writing this, one pound is roughly worth... well, it depends on the minute.
But here’s the uplifting truth: don’t let the numbers scare you. London is expensive, yes, but a £5 meal from a street market (hello, Borough Market) can be the best thing you eat all year. A £3 museum donation can buy you a whole afternoon of wonder.
And a simple £1 coin? That can buy you a sticker, a glimpse of a street performer, or—if you’re really lucky—a smile from the person behind the counter at a tiny independent bookshop.
So don’t overthink it. The currency of London is the pound, but the real currency is the joy of the journey. Whether you’re paying with cash, card, or a cheeky contactless tap, every transaction is just a tiny step in a big, beautiful adventure. Go spend it, your way. And if you see a tenner on the ground? That’s just London saying hello.
