London Hostels Introduction

On this page you'll find a selection of inexpensively priced London hotels & accommodation, ranging from full-blown backpacker hostels to rooms in university halls of residence during summer breaks. For travellers who don't mind sharing, dormitories provide the cheapest option of all, while those requiring more privacy can usually opt for single/double rooms or self-contained flats. However, for anyone on a tight budget, our listings below represent some of the best value low-cost hostel/student lodgings in central London. For more information on budget travel in London (and Great Britain) take a look at the excellent Britain on a Budget website.

All properties on this page fall within the 'under £40 per night' a category.

Youth Hostel Association (England & Wales)

Head Office: Trevelyan House, 8 St Stephens Hill, St Albans, Herts AL1 2DY, England, Tel: 0870 870 8808, Fax: 01727 844126, E-mail: customerservices@yha.org.uk, Website: www.yha.org.uk
As part of the International Youth Hostel Federation, YHA (which is also affiliated to Hostelling International) provides some of the best budget accommodation in the capital, albeit at slightly more expensive rates than some private hostels listed on this page.

To book accommodation, you'll either need to be a member of the YHA, or belong to an organisation affiliated to Hostelling International. However, non-members can also join at any hostel when searching for a bed or room. A list of YHA's London properties is as follows: 

YHA Oxford Street - 14 Noel Street, W1F 8GJ, Tel: 020 7734 1618, Fax: 020 7734 1657, E-mail: oxfordst@yha.org.uk, Oxford Circus, Show Map
With a great downtown location, it's not surprising that the YHA's Oxford Street hostel is among their most popular London properties. Along with twin, triple and quad rooms, facilities include showers, lockers, a TV lounge, self-catering kitchen and Internet access. Needless to say, with Leicester Square and Soho being just a short walk away, the hostel is lively in the evening (open 24hrs).

YHA Earl's Court - 38 Bolton Gardens, SW5 0AQ, Tel: 020 7373 7083, Fax: 020 7835 2034, E-mail: earlscourt@yha.org.uk, Earl's Court/Gloucester Road, Show Map
In an area where standards of accommodation range from first-class to the absolutely dire (with somewhere in the middle being the norm), the YHA's Earls Court hostel offers clean, albeit fairly expensive beds in dorms sleeping 6-10 people. With a good range of shared facilities, including TV lounge, showers and laundry room, the hostel also offers foreign exchange services, luggage/cycle stores and a travel desk. However, for those after even more comfort, head for the YHA's newer premises at St. Pancras.

YHA Hampstead Heath - 4 Wellgarth Rd, Golders Grn, NW11 7HR, Tel: 020 8458 9054, Fax: 020 8209 0546, E-mail: hampstead@yha.org.uk, Golders Green, Show Map
Among the largest of the YHS's London properties, the Hampstead Heath hostel is also well-appointed, offering breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, along with a common room (the TV can be fairly intrusive) and facilities such as Internet access and video games. Housed in a classy building, the hostel is situated near to leafy Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill park

YHA Holland Park - Holland Walk, Kensington, W8 7QU, Tel: 020 7937 0748, Fax: 020 7376 0667, E-mail: hollandhouse@yha.org.uk, Website: www.hollhse.btinternet.co.uk, Holland Park, Show Map
With a tranquil setting overlooking Holland Park, the hostel is also close to major sights in London such as the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and Science/ Natural History Museums. In addition, it's also covenient for local shopping being just around the corner from Kensington High Street. Dorms are mostly 12-20 bedded rooms, with some 6-8 dorms also available. As well as a TV room, games room, and self-catering kitchen, the hostel also offers laundry facilities, a luggage store and quiet grounds. Evening meals served.

St. Pancras - 79-81 Euston Road, NW1 2QS, Tel: 020 7388 9998, Fax: 020 7388 6766, E-mail: stpancras@yha.org.uk, Euston/St Pancras, Show Map
As one of London's most modern hostels, the YHA St. Pancras makes for an ideal sightseeing base, being conveniently located near to Euston and King's Cross railway/Tube stations. Although the building stands on a busy main road (opposite the British Library), there's no way of knowing from the inside, thanks to decent insulation and double-glazing. The majority of rooms here are quads, although some five and six rooms are also available (as are double-rooms). More expensive than many of London's private hostels, but more comfy too. Breakfast, picnic lunches and evening meals served. Recommended.

Other hostel/value lodging in London:

Cartwright Hall

36 Cartwright Gardens, WC1H 9BZ, Tel: 020 7388 3757, Fax: 020 7388 2552, E-mail: carthalls@aol.com, Russell Square, Show Map
Open all year round, Cartwright Hall residence offer basic, but clean accommodation in a converted row of fine 19th-century Georgian townhouses. Comprising of single or double rooms, most are equipped with a mirror, wash basin, chair(s) and wardrobe. Shared bathrooms number four on each floor, while meals are available from the in-house cafeteria.

The Generator

Compton Place, off Tavistock Place, Tel: 020 7388 7666, Website: www.the-generator.co.uk, King's Cross/Euston/Russell Square
With opinion divided over whether The Generator is a fun-filled, well-run establishment or an increasingly worn (and noisy) place to stay, it nonetheless deserves an entry here, being the biggest hostel in central London.

Housing up to 800 people, it offers single and twin rooms, as well as large dorm style accommodation (and a bar that's open until the early hours). The Generator has a tourist information centre and separate Internet and games rooms. Aimed at a more youthful clientele, it's certainly lively, although some may find the sheer size of the place a bit unsettling.

St. Christopher's Village

163 Borough High Street, Southbank, SE1, Tel: 020 7407 1856, Fax: 020 7403 7715, Website: www.st-christophers.co.uk, Borough
Modern, well-priced hostel accommodation in the heart of London housing up to 160 guests. Room choices range from doubles and quads, right through to 12 bed dorms. Basic facilities include secure swipe-card entry to your room, along with plenty of showers and toilets on each of the Village's three floors.

At weekends, the place has a real party atmosphere thanks to a late licensed bar, dance floor, big screen TV and even a roof-top hot tub and sauna.

Located close to the Tate Modern, Globe Theatre, Tower Bridge and Shad Thames, the Village is a sound choice if you're after a sociable hostel that's also good for sightseeing.

City University

Northampton Square, EC1V 0HB, Tel: 020 7040 8822 and 020 7040 8037 (Group bookings), Fax: 020 7040 8563, E-mail: Events@city.ac.uk, Website: www.city.ac.uk/ems, Angel, Show Map
Centrally located university residences offering clean, reasonably priced single rooms and self-contained flats accommodating up to 6 people. Depending upon location (the University operates three separate properties), you'll either have en-suite facilities, shared bathrooms (where rooms have only hand basins) or a self-contained flat. Walter Sickert Hall is possibly the best of the bunch, enjoying a decent location near to Angel Tube. Along with the Finsbury residence, both have room service (where beds are made daily) together with a continental breakfast delivered to your room! Public areas include television and reading rooms, along with a bar at Finsbury (equipped with large-screen TV).

International Students House

1 Park Crescent, Regent's Park, W1B 1SH (Visitors entrance: 229 Great Portland Street, Regent's Park, W1W 5PN), Tel: 020 7631 8300, Fax: 020 7631 8315, E-mail: general@ish.org.uk, Website: www.ish.org.uk, Great Portland Street, Show Map
With a decent location overlooking Regent's Park, the ISH's lodgings comprise of single, twin, triple and quad rooms housed within three different locations.

While the majority of accommodation is situated at Wills House and Great Portland Street, a third ISH property is located just a few minutes walk away at Mary Trevelyan Hall.

Public areas included the Cyber Café (with newspapers, coffee, teas, and also stocking a range of essentials including toiletries for your stay), while the Uno Mundo bar is open to all in the evenings. In addition, the in-house restuarant serves up reasonably priced meals throughout the day.

King's Conference & Vacation Bureau

3rd Floor, Strand Bridge House, 138-142 Strand, London WC2R 1HH, Tel: 020 7848 1700, Fax 020 7848 1717, E-mail: vac.bureau@kcl.ac.uk, Website: www.kcl.ac.uk, Temple/Covent Garden, Show Map
With seven different properties, the King's College owned sites provide a good choice of accommodation, ranging from single rooms to self-contained flats. With prices starting at just £18 per night, discounts are also offered to non-students staying for at least seven consecutive nights (students already receive the fully discounted rate).

Great Dover Street Apartments - 165 Great Dover Street, London Bridge, SE1 4YB, Tel: 020 7873 0888 ext 8935, Borough (Open from 5th July), Show Map
Centrally located (although perhaps not in the best part of town), the Apartments nonetheless offer a good base for sightseeing, with the London Dungeon, Vinopolis and the Globe Theatre being just a short walk/Tube ride away. Comprising largely of single rooms (arranged within self-contained flats), each is equipped with wash basin and en-suite shower/WC. In addition, each room has its own refrigerator. Some twin rooms, and flats are equipped for self catering are also available. Rates per night are £30 (single), £47 (twin).

Rosebery Hall - 90 Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TY, Tel: 020 7278 3251, Fax: 020 7278 2068, E-mail: vacations@lse.ac.uk, Chancery Lane, Show Map
Although sights are few and far between in this part of town (the exception being Dickens' House), Rosebery Hall nonetheless offers good quality accommodation in a building just a short walk away from Chancery Lane Tube. The vast majority of rooms have shared facilities, although a small number are en-suite. Toilets and showers are located on each floor, along with small kitchen areas. And, together with the hall's dining room (where full English breakfast is served) facilities include disabled access and a terrace bar.