In a nutshell
- We’re not only real London insiders, but also pretty good at spotting cheap hotels in London that feel nice without blowing your budget.
- Two of our best affordable hotels in London are The Corner London City and The Z Hotel Strand – both perfect if you’re wondering where to stay in London on a budget.
- If you don’t mind being outside the center, London’s suburbs are great for budget hotels. Our top pick is The Drayton Court Hotel in Ealing, one of the best places to stay in London on a budget.
- For cheap hotels in central London, check King’s Cross or Paddington. The best time to book is August or the winter months, and prices are usually lowest on Sundays and Mondays.
How to Find Affordable Hotels in London
If there’s one thing we’re really good at, it’s travel planning.
And when it comes to the question “where to stay in London on a budget”, we know exactly how to find places that are affordable, comfortable, and still worth staying in.
Ready? Let’s go!
The Problem: Hotel Prices in London
Staying in London can be pricey. Very pricey. A decent hotel in a central location can easily cost 260 pounds or more in peak season. And we’re not talking about fancy luxury stays or stylish boutique hotels in London—just regular accommodation.
For example, a long weekend in London (three nights) in September at a standard three-star hotel in central London can easily run 300 pounds per night.
Yes, there are slightly cheaper options. For around 215 pounds a night you might find a tiny 13-square-meter room, but it’s in the “lower first floor” (basement), and breakfast isn’t included. Ouch.
Is that a reason not to visit London?
Of course not!
London is far too amazing for that. And the good news: there are cheap hotels in London that are still nice—and we’ll show you how to find them.
Our Solution: Best Place to Stay in London on a Budget
We know London inside out and are real experts at finding budget hotels in London. Affordable doesn’t mean bad. What we’re talking about are good and affordable hotels in London where you’ll feel comfortable.
Because after a long day exploring, we want to come back to a place where we can relax and feel at home.
Sure, there are cheap hotels in central London that are even less expensive, and also some of the best hostels in London—but not all of them are what we’d call “feel good” places. That’s why we’ll share our favorites and the best places to stay in London on a budget.
Cheap Hotels in Central London
There are quite a few good budget hotels in London. Most follow a similar concept:
- central location
- compact rooms
- modern design
- reasonable prices
You can score great deals at these places, but not always.
Depending on when you travel, they can also get expensive. Still, these are the best affordable hotels in London we always check first.
Your task: see if they’re a fit for your travel dates.
These are our 5 favorite budget hotels in London:
The Z Hotel Strand: Fantastic location right in Westminster. Small, modern rooms. Some start at 85 pounds per night, but during busy times prices can climb to 215 pounds.
Motel One London: The German chain’s London branch is just as reliable as elsewhere. Very good standard and a top location near Tower Bridge. Rooms start around 130 pounds per night.
citizenM Shoreditch: We’re big fans of citizenM. Rooms are compact but cleverly designed, beds are comfy, and the vibe is super stylish. Right in the heart of trendy Shoreditch. Rooms start at about 170 pounds per night.
The Corner London City: Close to Tower of London, with a fun, creative design and larger rooms than most budget hotels in London. Prices start from 130 pounds per night.
The Wesley Camden Town: Compact but modern rooms in a great spot near Camden Market. Rooms start at 125 pounds.
As mentioned, rates can vary a lot and sometimes double or triple. Whenever we plan a trip, we check these first—because they’re often the best place to stay in London on a budget.
If they’re too pricey for your dates, no worries: we’ll show you more tips for cheap hotels in central London, as well as the best hostels in London if you’re after an even cheaper stay.
Where to Stay in London for Cheap: Best Areas
Most travelers look for accommodation in the famous central districts like the West End, Westminster, or Covent Garden. They’re right in the middle of the action, but they also come with the highest prices.
If you stay just a little outside that core tourist zone, you can often save around 80 pounds per night without giving up convenience.
Our tip for cheap hotels in central London: focus on the neighborhoods of King’s Cross and Paddington.
Both areas are still very central, have excellent transport links, and usually offer hotel prices that are about 20–30% lower than in the most popular central spots.
Affordable Hotels in King’s Cross
The area around King’s Cross and St Pancras station is one of the best choices if you’re looking for where to stay in London on a budget but still want to be close to everything.
By tube, you can reach most of the city’s highlights in about 20 minutes. Some sights, like Camden Market or several museums, are even within walking distance.
Affordable Hotels in Paddington
Paddington is another great option if you’re looking for budget hotels in London.
From Paddington station, multiple underground lines connect you quickly to the main attractions, and the area is also very well linked to London’s airports. It’s one of the best places to stay in London on a budget if you want value and convenience in one.
Where to Stay on a Budget: London's Suburbs
In King’s Cross and Paddington, you’ll already save a little compared to Westminster or Covent Garden, but it’s still far from a real bargain.
If you want to know where to stay in London for cheap, you’ll need to look a bit further out.
In the suburbs, hotel rates are often less than half the price of comparable rooms in the center. Over the course of a week, that can mean hundreds of pounds saved.
The catch is that you’ll have a daily commute into central London, and you won’t be right in the middle of the action. But if that doesn’t bother you, the suburbs are among the best places to stay in London on a budget.
Even in peak season, you can often find a comfortable hotel room here for just 85 to 130 pounds per night.
Our Tip: Affordable Accommodation in Ealing
One of our favorite areas outside the center is Ealing, a leafy suburb about 15 km west of London’s core.
Ealing has several Underground connections, so you’ll reach the city in about 30–45 minutes. Another bonus: Heathrow Airport is close by, which makes it extra convenient for arrivals and departures.
Best Hostels in London
A great low-budget alternative to hotels are the many hostels in London. If your priority is simply paying the lowest price while staying as central as possible, then a bed in a dorm is the best choice.
Dorm beds usually start at around 35 pounds per night, though prices vary a lot and can be much higher for last-minute bookings.
Many hostels also offer private rooms—sometimes with shared bathrooms, sometimes with private ones. However, these aren’t always the best value, as classic budget hotels in London can often be cheaper and more comfortable.
These are our 5 favorite hostels in London:
Lee Abbey: A student hostel in quiet Kensington that also rents rooms to travelers. Only twin rooms are available, many with private bathrooms. Excellent value for money.
Urbany Hostel: A simple but modern hostel in Kensington with a good location and friendly vibe.
Hostelle: A women-only hostel near trendy Shoreditch, just steps from the tube. Safe and stylish.
Wombat’s City Hostel: Part of the well-known Wombat’s chain. Great location within walking distance of Tower Bridge and a stylish atmosphere.
Onefam Notting Hill: A lively hostel in Notting Hill. Perfect for meeting other travelers thanks to regular events and a community-focused vibe.
The Cheapest Months to Stay in London
London is busy all year round, but there are definitely months when prices are much lower and crowds are smaller.
Here’s when hotels in London are most expensive or cheapest:
Most expensive months: April, May, September
Cheapest months: August, December, January, February
April, May, and September are classic city break months in Europe, which makes hotels in London especially expensive then.
The winter months from December to February are usually the cheapest time to visit. A cruise on the Thames or wandering through London’s markets is possible in winter too, even if it’s not quite as cozy.
If you’re more into London’s museums, the season doesn’t really matter, as most are indoors anyway.
Our tip: February is drier than December and January, so in our view it’s the best winter month to visit London.
Our top pick for affordable travel to London is August. Many people head to the coast for summer holidays, and business travel slows down too. That means more cheap hotels in central London, better prices in general, and usually great weather.
The Most Affordable Days to Stay in London
It’s not just the month that affects hotel prices in London—the day of the week makes a big difference too. If you’re flexible, try to plan your trip so it includes a Sunday or Monday.
Sunday is usually the cheapest night of the week, followed closely by Monday. Prices jump up on other days, and the difference can be dramatic. A Sunday night stay often costs half as much as Saturday night.
So if you’re planning three days in London, the best value is when your trip includes Sunday and Monday. That way you’ll have more to spend on sights, food, or maybe even an upgrade from a hostel to one of the cheap hotels in central London.
Book Early
Booking early is often called the ultimate insider tip for cheap hotels in London, but it’s only partly true.
London hoteliers know exactly when demand is high. So you won’t find a bargain for a May weekend, even if you book a year ahead.
But if you book far in advance for a quieter month like January, you can find some of the best affordable hotels in London at great rates.
What is definitely true: booking at the last minute is almost always more expensive.
So if you decide to head to London next week, you’ll have a much harder time finding budget hotels in London at good prices.
Not Everything is Expensive in London!
If you’re feeling discouraged by hotel costs in London, here’s some good news: a lot of the city can be enjoyed without spending much at all.
Don’t believe it? Here are a few examples:
- Most museums in London are free—including world-class spots like the Tate Modern.
- London has plenty of markets that cost nothing to enter. Many also offer amazing street food that won’t break the bank.
- Of the 22 highlights we share in our guide to the top London attractions, 14 can be visited free of charge.
- Public transport is affordable too. With the Oyster Card, you’ll never pay more than 8.10 pounds a day, no matter how much you travel.
So even if your room is a little over budget, you can save in many other areas of your trip.
Extra tip: If you plan to visit several paid attractions, check out our London Citypass comparison. With the right pass, you can save quite a bit.
Do you have any tips for affordable hotels in London?
Have you stayed at a good budget hotel in London that you’d recommend? Or maybe you know a great hostel in London for meeting other travelers? Share your advice or questions in the comments—we’d love to hear them!