London’s Top 10 Lodgings for the Budget Traveler

We’re headed to the UK for a wedding this summer and we will be using the opportunity to take in some epic UK food, craft beer, and adventure. To get us pumped (and to help inspire us with some low-cost accommodations), here’s a guest post from Jessica Brown on 10 places to stay under 50 pounds in London. Photos are from my first trip to the UK – a very budget but very fun summer-long adventure.

Spend the night in London’s boroughs for less than £50

Whether you’re a backpacker on a budget, a business traveler working with set allowances, or just a vacationer with some time to kill, at some point, you’ll find yourself faced with the problem of securing lodgings – especially if you’re visiting a city as prominent as London.

Hotels and apartments have always been popular with regular travelers, but the New York Times reports that hostels and budget accommodation are now becoming popular with business travelers as well. Because of the economic strains experienced worldwide, budget traveling has now emerged as the next big thing. Recognizing this, the largest countries in the world now have accommodations for people on a tight budget.

On my first trip to London, we spent a few mostly comfortable nights in a hostel.

On my first trip to London, we spent a few mostly comfortable nights in a hostel.

BudgetTravel.com says that hotel rates in most tourist countries have gone down by as much as 10%, but the best part is that cheaper options for lodgings have popped up in key locations in major cities as well. The Heathrow airport page on parking4less lists out well-established hotels that offer free shuttle services.

Throughout London, you’ll find apartments, hostels and bed and breakfasts scattered in notable areas of the city. Here are our Top 10 picks for the cheapest places to stay, which will give you great value for your money.

1. Oakwood Bed and Breakfast in Heathrow
119 Station Rd, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7ND, United Kingdom

This quaint little bed and breakfast is located five minutes away from Heathrow airport. The staff members are extremely friendly and show a genuine concern for their guests. Although the rooms have been rated as “quite small”, each room also has its own en-suite bathroom, and the hotel serves an excellent English breakfast.

Price: £44 for a standard single room. Rates are inclusive of free breakfast.

2. Barking Park Hotel
56-60 Tanner St, Barking IG11 8QF, United Kingdom

This hotel is located 10km from London’s city center, and is in close proximity to Ilford Golf Club and the Geffrye Museum. They provide airport transfers, meeting areas, free WiFi in public areas, and non-smoking rooms. The rooms themselves all come with a coffee/tea maker, a microwave, and free WiFi.

Price: £33 for a single en-suite room. Rates are inclusive of free breakfast.

3. Rossmore Hotel
301-309 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Greater London East, London, United Kingdom IG1 4UA

A great location, friendly staff, and a small price tag to boot, Rossmore Hotel is one of the best budget hotels in London. It’s located 10 minutes away from the airport and the hotel offers free parking, its own bar/pub, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and free WiFi access.

Price: £33 for a single room, inclusive of buffet breakfast.

changing of the guard

4. Heathrow Lodge
556 Old Bath Road, Heathrow & Nearby, London, United Kingdom UB7 0EF

Heathrow Lodge is located a short walk away from Heathrow’s Terminal 5, but they also provide free airport transfers. All rooms are equipped with TVs, hair dryers, and in-house movies. It’s great for one-night stays for connecting flights, or backpackers who are looking to set up camp while exploring Heathrow.

Price: £25 for a budget single room, £27 for a budget twin room.

5. 2 Bursteads Cottages Stansted
Spellbrook Lane West,Sawbridgeworth, Stansted Airport & Nearby, London, United Kingdom CM21 0NB

Possibly the best in London, 2 Bursteads offer extremely cheap rooms with a beautiful garden view. There are airport transfers and shuttle services to some of the city’s key locations, as well as free breakfasts daily.

Price: £40 for a double room, as low as £43 for a family room.

6. Palmers Lodge: Swiss Cottage
40 College Crescent, Camden – Hampstead, London, United Kingdom NW3 5LB

For the thrifty traveler, dormitories and hostels will always be a welcome sight. Palmers Lodge is found 4 minutes from the Swiss Cottage Tube station, in an exclusive part of London. The hostel has staff ready to assist guests 24/7, a common room for watching movies and getting to know other travelers, and its own restaurant.

Price: £15 for a bed in a 28-bed dormitory, breakfast included.

london eye

7. Safestay Hostel
144-152 Walworth Road, Elephant & Castle, Waterloo and Southwark, London, United Kingdom SE17 1JL

Perfect for large groups, Safestay Hostel has everything you could ever need in a hotel: a bar, coffee shop, family room, safety deposit boxes, laundry services, and guided tours. They even allow pets in their rooms!

Price: £20 for a standard 6-bedded dorm; £22 for an 8-bedded en-suite dorm.

8. Equity Point London Hostel
100-102 Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom W2 6QE

Recommended for its central location, Equity Point is only minutes away from Paddington Tube station and a walk away from Hyde Park. There are major attractions surrounding Equity Point, with excellent choices for dining, entertainment, and shopping. The hotel offers free breakfast where you can make your own sandwiches and tea and meet guests from all over the world.

Price: £23 for 1 bed in an 8-bedded dorm with a private bathroom.

9. St. Christopher’s Inn Hammersmith
28 Hammersmith Broadway White City Estate, Hammersmith and Fulham, London, United Kingdom W6 7AB

St. Christopher’s Inn is just adjacent to the Hammersmith underground station and it’s also surrounded by affordable restaurants and shopping areas. The hotel itself has its own bar, coffee shop and restaurant, so you can also fill up without having to leave the building.

Price: £17 for 1 bed in an 18-bed pod dorm; £20 for 1 bed in an 8-bed dorm. Rates are inclusive of breakfast.

10. Generator Hostel
37 Tavistock Place, Russell Square, King’s Cross / Islington, London, United Kingdom WC1H 9SE

The Generator Hostel is perfect for students and backpackers. Not only is the hostel a wonder to look at, but it’s also surrounded by some of the greatest attractions in London. It even has its own disco! Russell Square underground station and King’s Cross underground are only a short walk away from the hostel. The British Library and British Museum are within walking distance as well.

Price: £22 for 1 bed in an 8-bed dorm, inclusive of breakfast.

Jessica works for a new media agency in the UK. We would like to thank her for her tips, and for helping us to continue to bring our readers great content!

 

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The Local Traveler

Two travellers' tales of finding adventure on the East Coast. This blog is dedicated to the best parts of travel, and to discovering, celebrating and promoting things to do in our corner of the world, and sometimes beyond. We especially love craft beer, day trips, romantic escapes, local food & hidden gems. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and share tips and photos of your favourite East Coast adventures.

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