Finding cheap places to stay in central London is quite an achievement. London is known for being one of the most expensive cities in Europe and in the world. I’ve put together this list of the best budget places to stay in central London to save you some time when searching where to stay in London and so you can explore the city without spending all your money in accommodation. The list includes a selection of the cheapest hotels in London.
In this post you will find:
- Cheap areas to stay in London
- Cheap hotels in London
- Cheap hotels in Central London
- Cheap hotels near Central London
- Cheap hostels in London
- Map of cheap hotels in London
- Tips for finding cheap accommodation in London
Cheap areas to stay in London
There are thousands of places to stay in London but it is hard or rare to find hotels with a central location for under USD $200. The most important thing is to know that in order to get a cheap hotel in London you will probably have to move away from the most central area or lower the quality of the accommodation. You will hardly find a hotel that is located in the center of London, cheap and also has good quality.
These are the areas where you can find the cheapest accommodation in central London:
- Camden Town
Camden is a northern district of London. Just because it’s a little further away from some of the most famous tourist attractions I’ve find it is a little bit cheaper than other areas.
- Spitalfields
Spitafields is an East End area, home to artists and a large Bangladeshi community. It’s not a super touristy neighbourhood although it’s located in central London, so you might find cheaper accommodation in this area.
- Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury neighbourhood is a very central area, close to the famous British Museum. It is not the cheapest area in the city but I’ve find many hostels are located in this area so you can get really cheap accommodation.
Best budget places to stay in central London
The most important thing for me when choosing accommodation is its location. While there are cheaper hotels in other areas, I’ve decided to include only properties located in central London. From all the properties listed you can easily get to the London’s main attractions on foot or metro and save you as much time getting around as possible.
Important: Prices vary greatly depending on the dates of your trip. Rates almost always go up. That’s why I suggest booking your accommodation in London as soon as possible.
Sidney Hotel is located in Wesminster, just 5 minutes away from Victoria station where you can take public transportation to any area in London. With rates from 100€ (double base), this hotel is ideal for couples and families who want to be in a quiet area of the city but still well connected.
Check out the latest prices for Sidney Hotel London
St Athans Hotel is a small family-run hotel, located close to St. Pancras Station and the British Library. The building is located in several single-family houses of Georgian style, so it has original elements and a very warm and cozy atmosphere. With rates from USD $120 (double base), this hotel is ideal for couples and families.
Check out the latest prices for St Athans Hotel
St Giles London is a 3-star hotel located near Tottenham Court underground station and Oxford Street shops and restaurants. The rooms are a bit old but they are fully equipped with everything you need. Breakfast is optional. With rates from USD $140 (double base), St Giles is an ideal hotel for couples.
Check out the latest prices for St Giles London
It is one of the cheapest hotels in central London, for around €100-€110 you can book a double room. It is located 100 meters from Hyde Park, near Kensington Gardens. The rooms are functional and you can also book your stay with breakfast.
Check out the latest prices for Central Park Hotel
Cheap hotels near central London
This hotel is located in Ealing, on the outskirts of London. It is located close to North Ealing tube station, where you can take the tube to central London in 30 minutes. It is a boutique hotel of very good quality. For about €110 per night you can reserve a room for two.
Check out the latest prices for Hotel 55
The cheapest hotel on this post. For about €60 you can book a room for two people in this 3-star hotel located near Canary Wharf. The rooms have a private bathroom and there is also a living room and a kitchen for common use. It is a very affordable hotel but it is important to keep in mind that it is more than half an hour by metro from the central area of the city.
Check out the latest prices for Thames View House Surrey Quays
This accommodation is far from the central and tourist area of London but if you are willing to give up the location for getting cheaper accommodation it’s okay. It is located in a quiet area, close to West Hampstead train and tube stations, about 20 minutes from central London. It is a simple hotel, where you can rest every night and be outside the hotel all day exploring. You can get a double room with a private bathroom for around €80.
Check out the latest prices for Charlotte Guest House
A very good quality boutique hotel located about 20 minutes from central London. If you are willing to sleep further from the center this hotel is a great option because although it is cheaper it does not lose quality. It has a restaurant, gym and they offer breakfast. Double rooms cost around €130.
Click aquí para ver precios de The Lodge Hotel – Putney
Cheap hostels in London
The SoHostel is ideally located right in the middle of Soho neighborhood, close to the restaurants, shops and attractions at Oxford Street. You can stay in shared rooms (USD $30-50) or private double rooms (USD $100-130). The hostel is very modern and colorful. It has a bar, a games room and a terrace. If you’re looking for budget hostel but want to be located in the heart of London, this is the best hostel.
Check out the latest prices for SoHostel
Smart Russell Square Hostel is a budget hostel located some meters away from Russell Square Underground Station in Bloomsbury district. The hostel has private double rooms and shared rooms for 4, 6, 9 15 and up to 18 people where you can stay for USD $20-30 per night. I don’t know what the rooms will be like for 18 people but I stayed in a room for 6 and honestly we were already pretty tight. Every room (even if shared) has a private bathroom. A great thing about this hostel is that breakfast is included. The hostel also has a kitchen for guests to use.
Check out the latest prices for Smart Russell Square Hostel
The Clink78 is centrally located, just a 10-minute walk from King’s Cross metro station and St Pancras International station. The hostel has private double rooms (USD $80-100) and shared rooms for 4, 6, 8 10 and up to 14 people where you can sleep for USD $20-30 per night. The hostel is located in a stylishly renovated Victorian 200 year old courthouse. Facilities include an onsite bar and for just USD $3, you have a full breakfast included.
Check out the latest prices for Clink78 Hostel
Map of cheap hotels in London
Tips for finding cheap accommodation in London
- Book your hotel as far in advance as possible. Prices vary greatly depending on your travel dates and how far in advance you book. That’s why I recommend that you make a reservation as soon as possible.
- Avoid high season. There are dates like Christmas or summer when hotel prices rise even more so if traveling cheap is a priority, avoid these dates.
- Book a hotel near a tube station. Getting around on the city’s subway system is very easy so it is essential that the accommodation you choose is close to a station.
- Prioritize good location. Although there is cheap accommodation on the outskirts of London, my recommendation is that you prioritize location since all the attractions are in the center of the city. Even if accommodation is cheap, you will spend much more on transport than if you stay in central London.
- Are you looking for a better category hotel? If any hotel on the list does not convince you and your budget is a little higher, read my post on where to stay in London: best areas and hotels.
I hope this post has helped you to find where to stay in London on a budget and save you some time. Do you recommend any place to stay in London? Please share any tips in the comments!
Other London posts that you might like:
- Where to stay in London: best areas and hotels
- Complete 4 day London itinerary
- London Pass vs London Explorer Pass
- Best free museums in London
- Visiting the Tower of London: is it worth it?
- Stonehenge day trip from London
- How to get to Oxford from London
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