Choosing Cheap Hotels in London
Budget London Accommodation Can Be Found, But Book Ahead
Jun 21, 2007
It is possible to find cheap hotels in London, but you need to plan ahead and do your research. If you want to stay in smart areas like Kensington, Knightsbridge or Hampstead, you're not going to find budget accommodation – or at least accommodation that most of us would regard as budget.
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Learn London
To begin with, get to know your London districts. Study a good map. Areas like Earl's Court, Paddington and Victoria are cheaper bets, but they are all just as central and with good tube connections. If you're no more than 5-10 minutes walk from a tube station, you can get anywhere quickly. Those districts ate also central enough for you to indulge in the occasional taxi, if tired or you don't fancy traveling on public transport late at night. Parts of those areas are a little bit run-down, but they're safe and close to the action and many of the attractions of London.
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Read Reports
If you're using online hotel booking services like TripAdvisor or Expedia, always read their members' reports on individual hotels. You can learn a lot from the experiences of other London visitors. One bad report might just be an unfortunate experience, or be written by a traveler who is easily displeased (there are plenty of those about) or even by a rival hotel. It has been known. So always read several reports before you even consider booking. If you see several reports of poor service, check out another hotel.
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Check Maps
Always look at the maps provided too. See how far it is to the nearest tube station. Although London has a good bus network, the tube is usually the easiest option for most visitors as you know exactly where you need to get off.
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Consider Outlying Districts
Don't ignore the further out districts, especially those close to Heathrow. If you're flying through Heathrow Airport, then neighborhoods like Ealing or Hounslow have lots of accommodation, and you'll be on the Piccadilly tube line which links Heathrow Airport with central London. Here you'll find b&bs, guesthouses and the cheaper 2-star and 3-star hotels, catering for people who need easy access to the airport. The facilities may be basic and simple, but you'll be out all day anyway. If you want to see what London's really like, you'll see more of the real London here than anywhere in the city centre.
Again, do your research, check maps, email the owners if they have a website and ask questions. If you find a likely hotel or guesthouse, put the name into Google and see what comes up. If you're not traveling in high season you can always book your first night or two, and see how you like it.
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Final Point
Remember that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so if you're traveling on a budget be prepared to pay more for a cheap hotel here than in many other places. But they can be found.
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