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Being a local Brit, a trip to London is just a few hours by car, and having visited the capital many times over the years, I’ve gotten to know the best (and worst) places to stay.
So if you’re traveling to England and plan on staying in a local hostel, in this article, I’ll reveal the best hostels in London, so you can find the perfect place for your needs, no matter what your travel style.
Quick Summary
- 🤑 Best Hostel for Budget Travelers — NX London Hostel
- 👪 Best Hostel for Families — Destinations Hostel @ The Gallery
- 💻 Best Hostel for Digital Nomads — PubLove @ The White Ferry, Victoria
- 🎉 Best Hostel for Partying — Onefam Notting Hill by Hostel One
- ⛷ Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers — Destinations Hostel @ The Gallery
- 🏆 Best Overall Hostel — St. Christopher’s Village
Visiting London
London, England, a city with a history dating back to Roman times, is home to many famous attractions and famous people such as Madonna and Kate Moss. As the most visited city in Europe, London boasts around 27 million visitors yearly (that is a lot!).
While visiting London, consider stopping by Hyde Park and taking a stroll where the suffragettes once famously protested. Or, maybe visit the world-renowned Buckingham Palace, home to the British royal family since 1837.
There is so much history to explore within this city it’s impossible to fit it all into one trip (or article). Pick your reason for visiting London. There is no shortage of them!
The 13 Best Hostels In London, UK
1. Wombats City Hostel London
Wombats City Hostel London is an 18 and older-only hostel. This hostel is part of the Wombats City hostel chain with award-winning houses throughout London, Budapest, Berlin, Munich, Venice, and other parts of Europe.
When you check into this hostel anytime from 2 pm until 11 pm, you must provide valid proof of your identity, such as a photo identification card or a passport. Once you have provided identification, you can pay in either cash or using a credit or debit card. Before booking, remember that this hostel has a seven-day maximum stay policy.
Included with your stay in one of this hostel’s spacious dorms is a personal locker for your belongings, bedding, wifi, city maps, a guest kitchen for your use, a room to store your luggage on the day of your arrival and departure, as well as a complimentary welcome drink offered at check-in.
Additional features this hostel offers include low-cost drinks, a happy hour at their on-site bar, a breakfast buffet for a small fee, coin-operated laundering facilities, and bike rental.
2. Pickwick Hall
At this hostel, you can stay in either an en-suite room with a private bathroom or in a standard room where the bathroom equipped with toilets and showers is shared with a limited number of guests.
This hostel has a guest sitting room with cable TV access and access to the internet, allowing you to stay connected with the world during your travels.
Provided during your stay are bed linen and towels, as well as laundering facilities to keep such items clean. During your stay, you will also have the option of eating at Pickwick Hall’s continental breakfast, or if you’d rather cook, this hostel allows you access to a guest kitchen.
No matter what type of room you stay in, or how you obtain your sustenance, this hostel is situated in the prime location for the ambitious traveler.
Pickwick Hall is within a ten minutes walk from the British Museum, the University of London, West End, and Covent Garden. For those who want to experience maximum cultural diversity during your trip, this hostel is also conveniently located right by SoHo and Chinatown.
3. PubLove @ The Rose & Crown
Located directly above a London pub, the Rose & Crown is strictly for 18 years and older. This location is near all major tourist attractions and transport hubs in London. The pub below this hostel is open with 24-hour access to those staying in the Rose & Crown.
This hostel permits check-in from 2 pm until 3 am the following day, and requires check-out before 10 am on your scheduled check-out date.
You must pay the entire balance of your stay in cash or with a card upon arrival. Be aware that breakfast is not included in the cost of your stay. However, there are plenty of cafes nearby.
Furthermore, much of the sightseeing you’ve planned to partake in during your trip to London is easily accessible from the hostel’s location. At any rate, a short stroll will reveal much of London’s local culture, including clubs, restaurants, and novelty shops.
4. PubLove @ The White Ferry, Victoria
Like the Rose & Crown hostel, this hostel is owned by the same chain. HostelWorld guests claim that their stay at the White Ferry, Victoria was the best hostel stay of their lives.
This location is above a London pub and maintains an 18 years old and older policy.
When you stay at this hostel, you receive discounts on food and drink at the pub downstairs. You can check in from 2 pm until 11 pm, head directly to the pub, or stay in your room.
Check out before 10:30 am on your check-out date and head down to the pub to have a little fun before you head out.
5. Park Villa
Park Villa is in a restored Regency villa with an attached coach house. This hostel allows access to a kitchenette, TV lounge room, and internet access.
When you arrive from noon to midnight, you should provide proof of identity, such as a passport, and then pay in cash or with your card. At check-in, you can purchase access to their continental breakfast, fresh towels, coin-operated laundry machines, and access to car parking.
All the rooms come with comfortable furniture and all the basics you’d expect in a hotel room. As far as bathrooms go, both shared and private are available. That said, make sure to keep this in mind when reserving a room at any hostel.
6. The Finnish Church in London
The Finnish Church in London is a great place for those looking to relax and enjoy their time in London, England. This church has many unique extras offered exclusively for guest use.
Included with your stay, this hostel offers a buffet breakfast and a Finnish sauna, as well as inclusion in any church activities you would like to attend.
If you are visiting London on a holy pilgrimage, or are a firm believer in the Church, there are few better lodging options for such an affordable price in all of London that offer such a religious experience.
When you check in to this hostel, be prepared to pay the balance of your stay and a refundable key deposit with cash or card, and remember those traveling under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at this hostel.
7. St. Christopher’s Village
If you want to be able to walk to the key attractions of London, then it is safe to suggest that St. Christopher’s Village may be the perfect spot for you. This hostel also includes access to the hostel’s party bar, Belushi’s. Talk about having a good time!
Remember to bring a passport to check-in, as well as payment of cash or card (excluding American Express cards). You are expected to pay a refundable keycard deposit. That said, it’s well worth it, and still considerably more affordable than an over-priced hotel in some out-of-the-way place.
After checking in, visit the London Eye or the Tower Bridge, both only a short walk from this hostel. You can see many of the city’s most popular attractions just by strolling around the area surrounding the hostel.
8. Astor Victoria
As a youth hostel, Astor Victoria accepts only travelers ages 18 through 40 years old. When you check-in, be sure to bring your passport, as it is mandatory to provide a valid government-approved form of identification.
This hostel is excellent for sociable travelers, allowing guests to join in daily organized events hosted by this hostel. If you prefer to do things solo, you can pick up a free city map from the reception desk anytime.
For those concerned about guest safety, this hostel has CCTV security monitoring and free security lockers for all of your valuables.
9. Onefam Notting Hill by Hostel One
Perfect for solo travelers looking to mingle and meet new friends.
Onefam Notting Hill by Hostel One is highly rated on HostelWorld thanks to its fun and lively atmosphere. This establishment specializes in welcoming travelers from all walks of life and making everyone feel like a big family in a home away from home.
The staff are passionate about travel and are more than happy to give tips to guests, take people out on day trips around London, and even cook meals at night.
The Notting Hill location is ideal for those who want to see London landmarks like Portobello Market and Abbey Road, while still not being overly busy or crowded.
10. NX London Hostel
Basic budget accommodation with loads of free perks.
NX London Hostel is just a short distance from the New Cross Gate and New Cross Tube/Train lines, which give you easy access to the Jubilee Line and several prominent London destinations. The O2 arena is also only 15 minutes away on the bus, so this is a great place to stay if you’re in London for a concert.
There are multiple types of rooms on offer, from private rooms to dorms, and families are welcome as long as all children are over six years of age.
The best part about NX London Hostel is the value for money. Included in the price for a bed or room is free linen, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast! It’s perfect for those who are looking to save on a decent room and aren’t concerned with creature comforts and luxuries.
11. Urbany Hostel London
A relaxed hostel with tight security measures set in an historic building.
Featuring both mixed dorms and private rooms, Urbany Hostel London is located in Notting Hill. As a social youth and backpacker hostel, this isn’t ideal for families, but it is great for solo travelers and budget travelers looking to make new friends.
The hostel is located within walking distance from the Portobello Market and Hyde Park, and is set in an historic Victorian terraced house that dates back to the 19th century.
For added security, this hostel offers CCTV security footage 24/7 throughout the entire building, and a staff member will be there to check you in up until 11 p.m. There’s no curfew, which means you can come and go as you please.
12. Clink261 London
Ideal for travelers using the Eurostar.
Situated near King’s Cross St Pancras station, Clink261 is a top hostel for those who are traveling to continental Europe via the Eurostar, or who will be coming and going from London via Heathrow Airport.
There’s free Wi-Fi on offer throughout the building, and guests will have access to a self-catering kitchen, sofas to chill out on, and a friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome.
With girls-only dorms as well as mixed dorms and private rooms, this is a great hostel for female travelers. Towels are available for free for those in private rooms, while those in the dorms can access towels for a small fee.
13. Destinations Hostel @ The Gallery
The perfect hostel for families.
Just a 15-minute walk from Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, Destinations Hostel @ The Gallery is located in Pimlico, directly across the road from the Tube station. Notably, this hostel is participating in the “Rooms 4 Refugees” campaign by providing shelter for refugees who have fled Ukraine.
There are both four and six-bed dorms, plus family rooms available. Guests can kick back in a common room (Hogwarts, anyone?) when they’re not enjoying the super comfortable memory foam mattresses.
The family rooms come with their own TV, fridge, safe, and tea and coffee-making facilities, while every room has free internet access. Plus, there’s a jukebox and wide-screen TV in the common room with a catalog of TV shows and movies to choose from.
Selecting the Best Hostel For Your Needs
As you might guess, there are many great (and more often than not low-cost) lodging options in London, England.
Whether you prefer a quaint little hostel that conjures imagery of Harry Potter to mind or a cutting-edge smart facility, London is sure to have the perfect hostel for your trip abroad.
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and sensations of London. Make new friends create once-in-a-lifetime memory, and most of all, remember that it is your trip, so make it the best it can be.
Enjoy your travels, and never be afraid to look beyond the borders for your next destination.
FAQs About Hostels in London
What is the best hostel to stay in London near Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace is in Westminster, an area of London known for its high prices, so there’s not an abundance of budget accommodation here.
Destinations Hostel @ The Gallery in Pimlico is one of the closest establishments, being just 15 minutes away from Big Ben and a 25-minute walk from Buckingham Palace.
What are the best hostels in London for solo travelers?
Hostels in general are great options for solo travelers because they typically offer the opportunity for shared accommodation, which will give you the chance to meet other travelers. Additionally, many hostels run social events and have communal areas.
One of the best is Onefam Notting Hill by Hostel One, a hostel known for hosting fun social events and encouraging mingling between guests.
How much are hostels in London?
As of June 2023, the average rate for a private room in a hostel in London is around £57 ($72), while an average bed in a dorm costs about £15 ($20) per night.
This may be less or more depending on what kind of hostel you stay at, what sort of facilities there are available, and what area the hostel is in. Generally, prices rise the closer you get to tourist hotspots, particularly in the West End.
What's the best neighborhood to stay in when visiting London?
The West End is a great option for visitors to London as it puts you within walking distance to several iconic sights and destinations.
Soho and Covent Garden are thought to make up part of the West End, as do Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Marylebone, and Bloomsbury, which sits on its eastern boundary.
If you’re after a fast-paced London experience and don’t mind being surrounded by crowds, then the West End districts are ideal to base yourself in. However, you can save money by choosing accommodation in less popular areas further from the city center, such as Shoreditch or Paddington.
Victoria is another central area with several hostels that would be ideal for those traveling in and out of London via Victoria Coach Station.
Where should I stay in London for the first time?
Your best bet for a first-time visit to London is staying as central as possible so you can easily access the major landmarks.
There’s also lots to explore outside Greater London, but you’ll never be able to do it all on one trip, and your first visit should be reserved for ticking off those bucket list items (think Big Ben and Buckingham Palace).
To this end, opt to stay in areas like Westminster, Soho, Covent Garden, Marylebone, Mayfair, Bloomsbury, South Bank, and Fitzrovia.
Where should you not stay in London?
Every area of Greater London has its strengths and weaknesses, and those to avoid largely come down to your preferences.
For example, if you don’t enjoy being in the midst of crowds, staying in the West End might not be for you. Or if you want to be in the heart of the action, you would avoid quieter districts, such as South Kensington.
In terms of safety, there are a few areas of London that should be avoided, particularly at night. These include Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Enfield, Haringey, Croydon, and Lewisham (via UK Care Guide).
