A Complete Journey: My Expenses for a Four-Day Cultural Escape in London

In our A Total Trip series, writers detail their spending on recent getaways. In this edition, Brekke Fletcher, Senior Director at Dinogo Planet, reveals her expenses for a four-day London adventure... to see Paul Mescal perform.

It’s a bit wild how much I adore traveling and the money I invest in it. If you think Dinogo Planet covers any of my expenses, think again. I’m a seize-the-day kind of person, so even if a trip feels financially daunting, I usually just go for it and sort out the finances later.

If you haven’t watched Normal People on Hulu or seen the remarkable film Aftersun, then what follows might not resonate with you. In April, I flew from New York to London to see Paul Mescal. His limited engagement as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Phoenix Theater received rave reviews, and I was eager to experience it and hear how an Irishman tackles a Southern accent.

I was joined by three of my closest friends for this adventure. Since the play took place in Covent Garden, and I had heard wonderful things about the NoMad London nearby, I decided to use my American Express Platinum Card to book a stay through their Fine Hotels & Resorts portal (earning 5x Membership Rewards Points). This provided me with a $200 credit, an upgraded room, and complimentary breakfast for two. (If you’re curious about which travel credit suits you best, check out this article.)

Pre-trip Expenses

Hotel $1,311 (for one): Four nights at The Nomad London. We absolutely loved it! Upon check-in, we were welcomed with a complimentary bottle of champagne and fruit, received a suite upgrade, and enjoyed breakfast for two. The main restaurant is stunning, and breakfast was fantastic: omelets, fresh fruit, granola, pastries—everything you could want. The room itself is breathtaking. The hotel features another restaurant with soaring ceilings and a lively bar, along with a chic lobby/living area filled with plush seating and beautifully arranged bookcases. They offer light bites, coffee, and drinks, and to cap it off, there’s an underground speakeasy serving specialty cocktails with a DJ.

Total: $1,311

On the Ground

Thursday

Transport: When I arrived at Heathrow Airport in London, I bought a ticket for the Paddington Express for $30. It turned out to be quite a bit pricier and not significantly faster than taking the relatively new Elizabeth Line, which I opted for on my return journey. I transferred to Tottenham Court Road from Paddington.

Dinner: We dined at Sabor, a vibrant Spanish eatery. Our group of four definitely overordered, but every dish was delightful, especially the croquettes. The vermouth cocktails were exceptional. My portion of the bill was $80.

Total: $113

Friday

Transport: A journey of about 40 minutes with one transfer to Highgate from Covent Garden ($3.75 on the Tube). By the way, that station has elevators, but this stubborn New Yorker opted for the stairs. Did you know this particular stairwell is narrow, circular, and has 193 steps? Because I certainly didn't.

Lunch: We enjoyed some of the best fish and chips, along with a few other dishes, at The Flask, Highgate. We also treated ourselves to beers, wine, and dessert for a total of $75.

Then it was time for another pint ($7). This was enjoyed in the sunny courtyard of The Gatehouse in Highgate.

Cocktail: Next, we headed to The Savoy Hotel, where I savored a $32 cocktail. (I know that sounds outrageous for one drink, but the atmosphere was stunning, we were dressed for our theater night, and we had skipped dinner after our hearty late lunch in Highgate. So, there you go.)

Theatre: Finally, onto the main event (the reason for our London trip) – A Streetcar Named Desire at the Phoenix Theatre ($101 for a single ticket bought weeks ahead). Paul Mescal was absolutely captivating. His portrayal was more Brando than Collum, raw and intense. The staging was impressive, and the mostly British cast (not including Paul!) gave their best attempt at the New Orleans accent. Mescal, however, opted for a different approach without the drawl, which worked for me. Honestly, I found myself paying much more attention to him. Also: snacking and drinking in London theaters? That would never happen in NYC. Plus, tickets were far more affordable. London theater scene for the win!

Total: $130.75 (+ pre-purchased theater ticket at $101) = $231.75

Saturday

Breakfast $23: A delicious Keema Per Eedu and a cappuccino at Dishoom, a popular Bombay-style café that has become a staple in London since opening in 2010. We dined at the original location in Covent Garden.

Activity: Next, I enjoyed an iced coffee ($4.50) at Notes on St. Martin's Lane, sipping it while strolling to St. James's Park. With the sun shining and flowers blooming, we walked the park's length, stopping to literally smell the flowers, watching people feed birds (which is illegal!), and meandering to Buckingham Palace before heading into Mayfair. Totaling 20,000 steps!

Snacks: Indulged in Negronis and nibbles ($60) in the gorgeous (and sunny!) courtyard of The American Bar at The Stafford Hotel, where the courtyard features charming carriage houses converted into hotel rooms.

Total: $87.50

Sunday

Activity: Started the day with the Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian exhibit ($25) at The Tate Modern. The exhibit was remarkable, and we also explored some of the permanent collections. There’s a lovely café outside along the Thames quay, where we enjoyed people-watching before and after our visit.

Dinner: We wrapped up our trip with a meal at Jacuzzi in the ultra-chic Kensington, where the ambiance was an experience in itself. Compared to other meals on this journey, it felt like a bargain. The details were delightful, including a water pitcher shaped like a fish. We enjoyed garlicky focaccia, a Napoli-style margherita pizza, and several negronis. My share totaled $64.

Total: $89

Airport transport: I learned from my previous mistake and took the Elizabeth Line ($7) to Heathrow instead of the Paddington Express, and that's my go-to from now on.

Total expense (for one): Accommodation ($1,311) + on-the-ground expenditures ($528.25) = $1,839.25

Additional Notes

We typically don't factor in airfare since prices can vary significantly based on your departure location, but just for reference, my roundtrip flight from JFK in New York to Heathrow was $869. I booked it two months ahead of time.

Cost vs. Value

London caters to all budgets, but if you opt for a luxury hotel and dine out frequently, it can get pricey. You can enjoy a similar experience for much less by choosing an Airbnb and cutting back on extravagant outings. While it was a considerable expense for a four-day trip, I felt it was worth every cent.