Merlin Annual Pass 2026: the London attractions it covers, and how to get between them (and out to Legoland, Chessington and Thorpe Park)
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A Merlin Annual Pass pays for itself in about three visits, and London has six of the attractions within a mile of each other. The catch is the three big ones outside the city — Legoland Windsor, Chessington and Thorpe Park — which are a slow train plus a bus, or a fixed-fare car door to door. This guide lays out what the pass includes in 2026, how to do the London six in a day, and the car fares for the theme parks.
Merlin Annual Pass tiers and prices, 2026
| Pass | Price per person | Monthly option | Key terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | £139/year | — | Entry to 20+ UK attractions with 25 exclusion dates |
| Gold | £239/year | £19.99/month | Fewer exclusions, free parking, food and retail discounts |
| Platinum | £299/year | £24.99/month | No exclusion dates, Fastrack and bring-a-friend perks |
From merlinannualpass.co.uk, September 2026 (a promotion currently extends validity to December 2027). Prices change; check before buying.
The London six, and a one-day route on foot
The London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the London Dungeon and Shrek's Adventure sit side by side in County Hall on the South Bank; Madame Tussauds is on Marylebone Road by Baker Street; the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is out at Trafford — the London one is at the O2 (Greenwich). A sensible day: Madame Tussauds at opening (10:00), a car or the Bakerloo line to Waterloo, then the County Hall four in the afternoon, ending on the Eye at dusk. Pass holders still need to pre-book time slots online for the Eye and Tussauds on busy days.
The three big days out: Legoland, Chessington, Thorpe Park
| Park | Where | By public transport | By car from central London | By car from Heathrow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEGOLAND Windsor | Windsor, Berkshire | Train to Windsor & Eton Central (change at Slough), then shuttle bus; 60–80 min | 60–75 min · saloon from £75, MPV from £110 | 20–30 min · saloon from £75, MPV from £110 |
| Chessington World of Adventures | Chessington, Surrey | Train from Waterloo to Chessington South, 35 min + 10-min walk | 45–70 min · saloon from £75, MPV from £110 | 35–50 min · saloon from £75, MPV from £110 |
| Thorpe Park | Chertsey, Surrey | Train from Waterloo to Staines + bus 950; 60–75 min | 50–75 min · saloon from £75, MPV from £110 | 20–30 min · saloon from £75, MPV from £110 |
Illustrative from-prices, fixed when you book. Seasons run roughly March to early November plus Christmas events; check each park's calendar. Full detail: Legoland Windsor by taxi.
Why families book the car for the theme parks
- Doors open at 10:00; the queues are shortest in the first hour. A car from a London hotel at 08:45 gets you there for opening; the train-and-shuttle rarely does.
- The parks close at 17:00–18:00 and everyone leaves at once. A booked pickup at the drop-off zone beats the shuttle queue.
- Child seats are fitted free; the pushchair and the day's shopping go in the boot.
- Gold and Platinum passes include parking, which is irrelevant if you do not have a car — the transfer replaces it.
- Quote and book online at any hour — the fare is fixed at the moment you confirm.
- Driver details (name, vehicle, registration, direct mobile) arrive the day before.
- Flight tracking on every airport pickup: if your flight is early or late, the pickup moves with it at no charge, with 60 minutes' free waiting after landing.
- Pay by card when you book. No cash, no meter, no surge.
Sources
- Merlin Annual Pass — buy passes
- London Eye — Merlin Annual Pass
- LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
- Chessington World of Adventures
- Thorpe Park
Frequently asked questions
- How much is a Merlin Annual Pass in 2026?
- Essential £139, Gold £239 (or £19.99 a month) and Platinum £299 (or £24.99 a month) per person, as listed in September 2026.
- Which London attractions are on the Merlin Annual Pass?
- The London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the London Dungeon, Shrek's Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, plus Legoland Windsor, Chessington, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle within reach of London.
- How do I get from London to Legoland without a car?
- Train to Windsor & Eton Central via Slough then the Legoland shuttle bus, about 60–80 minutes — or a fixed-fare car door to door in 60–75 minutes (20–30 from Heathrow).
Essentials for international visitors
Flying in from abroad? The six things that catch people out, in one place. Full detail, with official links, in our UK visitor essentials guide.
Entry
Most visitors from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia need a UK ETA (£20, apply in the UK ETA app, valid two years) — airlines have enforced it since 25 February 2026. eGates from age 8 for EU, US, Canadian, Australian and most other visa-free passports. More ›
Money
Pounds sterling; cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, contactless taps up to £100. Choose to pay in pounds when a terminal offers your home currency. Prices include VAT and there is no tourist tax refund. More ›
Phone
Free Wi-Fi at all London airports; UK SIMs and eSIMs from £75 in every arrivals hall; EU roaming depends on your operator. WhatsApp +44 20 8888 9988 works from any country. More ›
Getting around
Tap in and out with any contactless card or phone on the Tube, buses and the Elizabeth line — no ticket needed, fares capped daily. A fixed-fare car wins for families, groups, late arrivals and days out the train does not reach. More ›
Children & luggage
Child seats on request when you book. In a licensed private hire car children may travel without one if none is available (under-3s on the rear seat). Tell us the bag count and the right size of car turns up. More ›
Emergencies
999 or 112 for police, fire or ambulance; NHS 111 for urgent advice; A&E is free at the point of use, but bring travel insurance. Plugs are Type G, 230 V; traffic drives on the left — look right. More ›
Book your fixed-fare car
Price confirmed at booking, driver details the day before, flight tracked where relevant. Pay by card online — nothing to settle in the car.
