The 13 Best Hostels in London for Every Traveler

London is a bright and energetic city with exciting attractions and fun things to do. However, there is no doubt that it can also be expensive, and finding affordable accommodation in London can be challenging. Many people looking to visit the vibrant capital of London choose to stay in a hostel to save money during their stay. Here in London, you can find some of the most interesting, cool, and quirky hostels to help you stay unforgettable while saving money.

Our Top Picks: The Ultimate List of Our Favourite Hostels in London

We have picked the best hostels in London for your next city vacation. Whether you are looking for a cheap hostel or a cool hostel we have something for everyone.

  1. 01

    Urbany Hostel London - Notting Hill

    Hostel in Notting Hill
    Urbany Hostel London
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    This West London hostel is located in the trendy affluent area of London close to Notting Hill Gate tube and is ideal for young people and solo travellers. The location is brilliant for visiting London’s Hyde Park and exploring the quirky Portobello Market, with plenty of public transport connections.

    Situated in a Victorian townhouse the hostel has a cosy atmosphere and includes a lounge area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a large outdoor terrace perfect for socialising and meeting other like-minded travellers. The hostel has a young community vibe with social activities organised every day. Private rooms are available otherwise all rooms are shared mixed dorms with security lockers, 24-hour reception, high-speed Wi-Fi and shared bathrooms.

  2. 02

    Wombats City Hostel - Whitechapel

    Hostel in Whitechapel
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    Located in the Whitechapel area of London, Wombats is a cool hostel in London with bright lofty communal spaces and a fun-loving atmosphere. Located in the arty East London, the hostel is well located to sight-see with the Tower of London and Tower Bridge within walking distance.

    Situated in a historic brick building Wombats City Hostel is ideal for backpackers, or solo travellers.
    The hostel has its own bar, cafe and spacious lobby. Private rooms and dormitory rooms are available and all have en suite bathrooms and private lockers. There is also a 24-hour reception and free wifi, laundry facilities and a guest kitchen available at the hostel.

    The lively area of Shoreditch is located nearby, making this hostel a great choice for those wanting to experience London’s vibrant nightlife.

  3. 03

    Generator London - Russell Square

    Hostel in Bloomsbury
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    Generator Hostel is a funky and fun design-led hostel located in the heart of Kings Cross area. This vibrant hostel is great for backpackers and solo travellers with a large dining hall and lively bar area, modern features and large comfy beds. Rooms offer the typical dormitory bunk bed sleeping with brightly decorated interiors or private rooms. This central London hostel is ideal for young travellers due to the energetic student vibe with social events organised throughout the week. Laundry facilities and private lockers are available as standard and there is a big entertainment room for guests to socialise in.

    The hostel is well located to explore London with Russell Square tube, the British Museum and Tottenham Court Road within walking distance.

  4. 04

    St Christopher’s Inn - Liverpool Street

    Hostel in City of London
    St Christopher Inn, London Liverpool Street
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    Located above a charming British pub in the city distinct from London, this hostel is well located to explore the heart of the capital. With Liverpool Street Station nearby, St Christopher’s Inn has great public transport connections and guests will enjoy being close to the iconic Gherkin skyscraper. The trendy areas of Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Brick Lane are within walking distance making this a great hostel in London City.

    Inside the hostel has clean modern rooms with security lockers, air conditioning and free wifi. There is a great variety of rooms on offer including single and double private rooms, female-only dorms and mixed dormitory rooms. It is a great hotel for backpackers and solo travellers with a fun atmosphere with pub crawls and quizzes organised for guests.

  5. 05

    Smart Camden Inn Hostel - Camden

    Hostel in Camden Town
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    Situated in the vibrant area of Camden, known for its live music and alternative art scene, the Smart Camden Inn is a modern hostel in North London. With a spacious communal lounge, colourful interior and clean dormitory-style rooms, the Smart Camden Inn is a cheap hostel located in a bustling area of London.

    The outdoor terrace area creates a great place for guests to socialise and the clean rooms offer bunk bed-style accommodation, with private lockers and free wifi. Guests also have access to laundry facilities and full kitchen equipment making this a great place to stay for backpackers and solo travellers who will enjoy easy access to the nearby concert venues and the lively Camden nightlife.

  6. 06

    Clink261 Hostel - Kings Cross

    Hostel in Kings Cross
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    Located close to Kings Cross Station, where you can wake up and jump on the Eurostar, Clink261 is an arty hostel with plenty of character. Situated in Zone 1 it is an ideal hostel for backpackers or anyone young at heart. Its interiors are bright and colourful with Britpop art adorning the walls and guitars propped up waiting to be played. Clink261 is a fun and eclectic hostel that is great for young travellers.

    Accommodation options include private rooms, female-only dorms and mixed shared dorms offering plenty of options for travellers. The amenities include kitchen and laundry facilities, free wifi and private lockers. The interiors have also been designed to create a cool hostel stay in the heart of London, with takeaway pizza and coffee available and a location close to the city’s main attractions.

  7. 07

    Hootananny Hostel - Brixton

    Hostel in Brixton
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    Located in the heart of vibrant Brixton, this South London hostel is ideally located for exploring the lively music and bar scene the area is known for. Situated in a historic Edwardian public house with a busy music venue located below, this hostel is great for young backpacking travellers seeking a fun stay in London.

    Inside the dormitory-style rooms are mixed or female-only and are spacious with large windows offering plenty of light. Bathrooms are shared and offer hot showers with laundry facilities onsite.

    Guests can enjoy free breakfast and free wifi at the hostel as well as security lockers, a comfortable lounge and a large kitchen dining area. There is also an outside terrace with seating and the main attractions of London are a short tube or bus ride away.

  8. 08

    Smart Hyde Park View Hostel - Queensway

    Hostel in Paddington
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    Located a short walk from London’s Hyde Park, the Smart Hyde View is a modern hostel in central London. Situated close to Queensway Tube station, the hostel is a great backpackers hostel where guests can explore the street markets and excellent bars and restaurants of West London.

    The hostel is clean and modern with colourful dormitory bedrooms that include bunk bed-style sleeping or private rooms that offer comfortable double or twin beds, all with ensuite private bathrooms. A bright and welcoming cafe and communal dining and lounge area are available onsite where guests can enjoy socialising and meeting new people. Guests also have access to laundry facilities, free wifi and a 24-hour reception making this an excellent cheap hostel in London

  9. 09

    PubLove @The Exmouth Arms - Euston

    Hostel in Kings Cross
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    This cosy central London hostel is located close to Euston station above a classic English pub, ideal for backpackers looking for a convenient stay. The pretty Regents Park is a short walk away and the area is filled with many fascinating museums.

    Inside the hostel offers shared dormitory rooms with female-only rooms available, each with bunk bed-style beds. Security lockers, free wifi and a 24-hour reception are offered at the hostel with the downstairs pub acting as the social space for guests to use. Here in the pub travellers can grab a hot meal or enjoy meeting other travellers staying at this cheap hostel in London.

  10. 10

    Safestay London Kensington Holland Park

    Hostel in Kensington
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    Located in the stunning Holland Park this West London hostel is a fun and energetic stay in a popular area of London. Situated ideally to explore the nearby Portobello Market and vibrant Notting Hill area, this cool hostel is great for young people and solo travellers.

    Inside the Grade 1 listed building, the hostel has an attractive pink and purple decor, creating a funky welcoming vibe. Private rooms are available alongside dormitory-style rooms and each room has an ensuite bathroom. Guests can feel at home with the use of the spacious communal dining area, entertainment room and breakfast area. There is also a pretty outside terrace area, the entire Holland Park on the doorstep, and the hostel holds weekly events for guests making it desirable for young people and backpackers.

  11. 11

    Smart Hyde Park Inn Hostel - Bayswater

    Hostel in Paddington
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    The Smart Hyde Park Inn is an attractive hostel in West London a few streets away from the famous Hyde Park and Bayswater tube station. The area is well known for its excellent restaurants and bars and gives easy access to areas such as Oxford Street and Buckingham Palace via its excellent public transport links.

    The hostel is smart and modern with brightly coloured bunk bed-style dorm rooms with under-bed security lockers making this an appealing backpacker hostel. Each room has an ensuite bathroom and is only accessed with a secure keycard. Guests at this cheap London hostel can also enjoy the bright and airy communal bar and dining area where they can socialise and meet other travellers.

  12. 12

    YHA London Earl's Court

    Hostel in South Kensington
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    You’ll find multiple YHA hostels in London, but the one in Earl’s Court stands out as a favorite. It’s a mere 5-minute walk to the Earl’s Court tube station and about a 10-minute stroll to the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. The nearby Kensington High Street, with its fabulous boutiques, is also a big draw. This hostel caters to all needs, offering everything from private double rooms to bunk beds in shared rooms. I believe it’s one of the most peaceful options available. If you’re looking for a spot to unwind after a day filled with sightseeing, this is the perfect place.

  13. 13

    The Walrus Hostel - Waterloo

    Hostel in Lambeth
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    This quirky cheap hostel in South London is located above a great British pub close to London’s famed London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster. The hostel has a homely vibe with complimentary breakfast and a large open communal space for guests to enjoy.

    Rooms are large and offer dorm-style sleeping with bunk beds or private rooms offering twin beds and ensuite bathrooms. There is a fully equipped kitchen for guests to use or they can enjoy the atmosphere of the charming pub downstairs.

    With Waterloo station located around the corner, this is a great hostel for backpackers or those looking to do day trips outside of London.

London Hostel FAQ

When is the cheapest time to visit London?

The cheapest time to visit London is during the low season in January or February however expect the weather to be cold and wet. Visiting in spring (March to April) is more affordable than in summer with warmer temperatures and sunny days.

How much do hostels cost in London?

The price of hostels varies, especially during the time of year you visit. Generally, hostels in London cost between £25 – £60 per night. This is considerably cheaper than a hotel in London which usually costs more than £100 per night.

Profilbild Laura Haig
About the author

Laura

I love traveling in Europe and I am passionate about writing about my travels. The cultural peculiarities of each region always fascinate me. I enjoy exploring and discovering the best-kept secrets of each town or village. I love road trips as much as city breaks; I love visiting an art gallery and also the magic of musicals or discovering new delicacies in a street market. In this blog, I write about all my travel adventures and my best tips and tricks! Auf Loving Travel schreibe ich über alle meine Reiseerlebnisse und gebe euch meine besten Tipps und Tricks!

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