London is a place of superlatives – it is by far the largest city in Western Europe, it has the most green spaces, it is one of the most diverse and exhilarating. However, it is also one of the most expensive and hotel accommodation is at a premium. It is also a place in constant flux, with ongoing regeneration. But for the savvy tourist, there are accommodation options which aren’t out of reach, even within London’s most exclusive areas.
Staying in a central location with good tube links is a definite plus in London, as the further out you stay the more expensive it becomes to travel into the centre for sightseeing. The usual advice would be to opt for a base in Transport for London’s travel zones one or two, although if you find a real bargain in zone three and don’t mind spending a little longer getting into town, the sums might stack up in your favour. However, all of the suggested areas below do fall in the inner zones.
The streets around Kings Cross used to be a bit of a no-go area but have been smartened up in recent years. There are new canal-side developments with great places to eat and drink. Transport links are excellent; there is a direct Tube link to Heathrow Airport on the Piccadilly line (cheaper than the Heathrow Express) and if you are arriving from Europe on the Eurostar, St Pancras Station is an easy walk away. Several of the better-value chains can be found here and there are also budget hotels and a few more luxurious options.
Just south of Kings Cross and with many of the same advantages is quieter Bloomsbury, an attractive area of city squares and elegant houses, many of which have been converted to hotels. Some of these are quite smart and therefore expensive; others are nearer the budget end of the spectrum. Southampton Row on the district’s west side has some larger hotels which again span most budgets. From here it’s a reasonable walk to the tourist hub of Covent Garden, which Russell Square Tube station on the Piccadilly line will link you easily to the theatre district, Piccadilly Circus and Heathrow Airport. This is a good option if you want to be close to the centre but in a somewhat quieter area.
These three are strung out along the Piccadilly line to the west of the centre. They all have a wide range of hotels but you will find more at the higher end of the price range in South Kensington, being the nearest to the centre, and a wider range of budget options in Earl’s Court, the furthest away. Gloucester Road occupies the middle ground between these two, both literally and in terms of price, so is particularly worth considering. All three, but especially South Kensington, make a great base if you plan to visit the museums in the latter or attend a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and all are on the direct Piccadilly line to Heathrow and within easy reach of Paddington if you’re opting for the faster but dearer Heathrow Express service. They are also easy to get to from Victoria if you’re arriving from the south or from Gatwick Airport.
The area around Paddington Station is popular with visitors because of the ease of access to the Heathrow Express and cheaper Heathrow Connect services. There are quite a few hotels in the lower price ranges here and some smarter options too, but it’s not the most attractive of London districts. However, the new developments around Paddington Basin on the Grand Union canal offer some good eating and drinking options. It’s an easy walk to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, and transport links to other parts of the city are good.
Made famous by the film of the same name, Notting Hill attracts streams of tourists to the lively Portobello Road markets, many of whom also come looking for Hugh Grant’s blue front door. With houses painted in a rainbow of pastel shades, Notting Hill feels a bit like a section of Cornwall lifted and set into the middle of leafy, whitewashed Kensington, and it has plenty of alternative, independent shops and cafes to keep any bohemian happy. It is well connected to the rest of London, whilst feeling almost like its own village. It’s possible to find B&Bs and small hotels offering reasonable prices around here, particularly outside of the main Summer Season.
There are a few good hotels around Victoria station, but also some definitely to avoid, so choose carefully if you’d like to stay around here. The plus points are easy access to Gatwick Airport, and being within walking distance of some of London’s most iconic sights – Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament. Pretty St James’s Park is also on your doorstep and there are a growing number of shopping, eating and drinking options as well as a couple of popular theatres.
There aren’t many cheaper options around here but if your budget allows it’s a great place to stay. Not only are you right by one of London’s most famous and visited sights, the Tower of London, you also have the Thames at your doorstep. Pretty St Katherine’s Dock is nearby too, with the historic Dickens Inn, and across the river you can visit HMS Belfast and choose from a wide selection of restaurants and pubs in the More London development around City Hall.
London’s East End used to be one of the poorest and most run-down areas of the city, but now it is the parade-ground for trendsetters. The areas of Shoreditch, Brick Lane and Hoxton retain a grungy feel - graffiti tours are a key attraction here – and ‘distressed’, arty-looking warehouses sit side-by-side with genuinely distressed, tumbling-down buildings. Still, independent businesses run by young entrepreneurs are booming here, and now visitors in the know are seeking out boutique hotels and quirky restaurants. Hotels here are generally mid-range, but it is possible to find some which, in London anyway, count as budget. If you’re looking to party in London or to explore pop-up shops, then Shoreditch is the place to be.
Offering a similarly alternative vibe to Shoreditch, Camden is better placed to access the rest of London. Situated just north of Regent’s Park, Camden provides wonderful access to this huge green space, which includes London Zoo, so it can be a good option for families. A wander up the Parkway towards the Camden Town tube offers a range of delightful, cosy-looking restaurants, as well as live music venues, making it a good option for a more relaxed night out. Further up, at Camden Locks, things get rather more hectic, with tourists spilling in and out of the markets, but it’s a fun place to spend the day – and there are some great street-food stands. There is a greater range of budget accommodation here than anywhere else listed, making it an all-round good choice.
As an introduction to London, Southwark has it all: the famous London and Tower Bridges stretch across the Thames and the picture-postcard views of Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s and The City. For excellent vantage points, Southwark boasts both the London Eye and the Shard, offering views across the whole city. For culture-lovers, Southwark offers the Tate Modern, the Oxo Gallery and the Royal Festival Hall, whilst Westminster is just a short walk or tube ride away. Foodies, meanwhile, will delight in Borough Market, located near London Bridge. There is a lot of expensive accommodation here, but there are also guesthouses and budget hotels available if you look hard enough.
For more options on places to stay, have a look at our London accommodation listings
@Toonsarah is an experienced traveller based in London. She has visited over 80 countries around the world.
Last updated 6 Feb 2025