Looking for an affordable place to stay in London? Then check out our guide to the best hostels in London.
General Info on Hostels in London
London has superb hostels but it also has some very bad ones.
Here are some things that you might want to consider before booking a hostel in London.
- Price - London Hostels have some of the most expensive hostel prices in Europe. In bed in a dorm room starts at €15 per night (normally large dorm rooms), but expect to pay €25 to €40 per night in a medium-sized dorm room (6 to 10 beds) in high season. As with all other major cities in Europe prices at the weekend tend to be 20% to 40% higher.
- Location - London is a massive city so it's best to stay in a central location close to the top sights and nightlife. But if you stay in a local district, there's really no problem as the whole city is covered by the Tube metro system and buses.
- Amenities/Services - Every hostel in London offers free Wi-Fi and a few hostels include breakfast in the price, but if you want more specific services be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs.
- Staff - Most hostels in London have excellent staff. They are normally very friendly and will give you some great tips on restaurants, bars and clubs etc. But my advice is to read reviews to make sure the hostel you choose has friendly and helpful staff because rude or unhelpful staff could ruin your hostel experience.
The 6 Best Hostels in London
1. Wombats City Hostel London
Wombats City Hostel London is the best hostel in London. They have been setting the standard for hostels in London ever since it opened its doors in 2014. It's very close to a load of London's main tourist sights.
This hostel has all the amenities you would expect including a large onsite bar, a beautiful courtyard, a cosy common area beside the lobby.
Dorms from €20.90 & Privates from €129.00
2. Astor Museum Inn
Astor Museum Inn is a multi-award winning hostel, located in the heart of London only a stone's throw from the British Museum and just a short walk to some of London's most famous attractions such as Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden.
The hostel has a fully equipped kitchen with large refrigerators to store your food and drink and all-you-can-eat breakfast is available for only £1.00.
Dorms from €21.80
3. SoHostel
SoHostel is yet another hostel in a central location, within walking distance of Oxford Street, Soho Square, Piccadilly and Leicester Square.
SoHostel Breakfast is also only £1 and in their onsite bar, you can enjoy Happy Hour with half-price drinks, live music and karaoke nights.
Dorms from €18.30
4. Palmers Lodge
If you are looking for an authentic London experience, Palmers Lodge is the place for you as it is situated in a Victorian mansion dating back to 1882. While it's not as close to the centre as some other hostels, it is very easy to get around London via the Tube (London's Underground Transport). Swiss Cottage or Finchley Road Tube stations are only 200 metres away.
The hostel has many common rooms including a Victorian-style living room. You can take advantage of their 5-hour Happy Hour at their bar (Swiss Bar).
Dorms from €15.00 & Privates from €77.00
5. Astor Hyde Park
Astor Hyde Park is located in the upmarket Kensington area of London, right the famous Hyde Park. This is the second Astor hostel on our list. Astor Hostels in London get good reviews across the board and seem like a very well ran hostel group.
The hostel has a fully equipped guest kitchen and breakfast is served daily for an extra fee of only £1.
Dorms from €18.70 & Privates from €83.00
6. St Christopher's Village
St Christopher's Village is very close to London Bridge in the centre of London. The hostel is only a 2-minute walk from two tube stations making it easy to get around London.
This hostel offers guests Japanese-style capsule beds with USB ports, cool mood lighting and privacy curtains. St Christopher's Village has a reputation for being the best party hostel in London.
Dorms from €15.30 & Privates from €67.00
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in London
I hope this list of the best hostels in London helps you pick a hostel that best suits your needs during your stay in London. In general, the overall standard of hostels in London is mediocre at best but there are some very good ones as well. Hopefully, this list will help you avoid bad and mediocre hostels to ensure you enjoy your stay in London.
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