Finding budget accommodation in central London isn’t easy, as it is one of the world’s most expensive cities, but there are six cheap YHA youth hostels in or near to the centre of the city. These include hostels not only in Kensington and close to Oxford Street but also in Earls Court (handy for several of the main museums), near St. Paul’s Cathedral, close to St. Pancras (handy if you’re going to Paris on Eurostar), and one close to Regents Street and Regents Park. In addition, there is a seventh YHA hostel out in London Thameside and close to Docklands, which is less convenient for the city but it is a modern purpose-built hostel where all rooms are ensuite.
The six more central London YHA youth hostels are:
London Oxford Street
14 Noel Street, London W1F 8GJ. Tel: 0845 371 9133
You can’t get more central than Oxford Street, and this hostel is just one block south, and about a 5-minute walk from Oxford Circus underground station. It’s in the middle of Soho, with pubs and clubs on the doorstep, so not recommended for families or those seeking a quiet night’s sleep. It has 76 beds, mostly in twin rooms, but also some dorms with three or four beds sharing.
London Central
104 Bolsover Street, London W1W 5NU. Tel: 0845 371 9154
On the north side of Oxford Street, the London Central YHA hostel is about a half-mile west of Goodge Street tube station and about a 5-minute walk to Oxford Street. It is spread over several floors, has a 24-hour reception and a 24-hour café-bar. Free London maps and free daily walking tours are provided. Again, it is more suited to single travellers and young couples than to families.
London St. Pancras
79-81 Euston Road, London NW1 2QE. Tel: 0845 371 9344
This YHA hostel is on the busy Euston Road and about a 2-3 minute walk from the Eurostar Terminal at London’s St. Pancras station, and King’s Cross mainline train station next door. It has 185 beds and is a cheerful, recently-renovated property. Most rooms are dorms sleeping 4-6 people, but there are some single rooms too. Most rooms have private facilities, and there’s also an on-site café/bar.
London St. Paul’s
36 Carter Lane, London EC4V 5AB. Tel: 0845 371 9012
One minute, if that, from St. Paul’s Cathedral, this is a great location in a historic part of London. It has 193 beds with a wide choice of rooms available, everything from 2 to 11 beds. The building used to be the school for choir boys for the cathedral, and although the hostel is modern, you definitely feel like you’re enjoying a part of London’s history.
London Holland Park
Holland Walk, Kensington, London W8 7QU. Tel: 0845 371 9122
Holland House was built in 1607 and the YHA hostel is in one wing of it, a former salon where famous names like Sir Walter Scott, Lord Byron, William Wordsworth and Charles Dickens all visited. It has 201 beds though they are all in larger dorm rooms. It’s yet another central London YHA hostel in a fantastic building and fantastic location.
London Earls Court
38 Bolton Gardens, London SW5 0AQ. Tel: 0845 371 9114
About a 5-minute walk from Earls Court tube station, and the 186 beds are mostly in larger dormitories, and there are no single rooms There’s a café, and also a garden at the back of the Victorian building, which has 24-hour access and luggage storage facilities. Another lively London location, not best-suited to families despite being close to several of London’s main museums.
Staying in a Cheap London YHA Youth Hostel
For more information on staying in any of these cheap London youth hostels, visit the website of the YHA. Remember, anyone of any age can join the YHA. You can also stay at their hostels without being a member, by paying a supplement £3 per night. Prices vary enormously but generally range from about £20-30 per night.
Mike Gerrard - Mike is an award-winning travel writer who has worked for National Geographic, the London Times, and many other clients. ...
