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Budget:
This is a guide which is based around accommodation for a room for one person because of
the usually very high rates for rooms that are not shared in London.
Pairs, and sometimes people in 3s and 4s of course can usually benefit from the good value rates per person the establishments offer.
Some cheaper guest properties listed here don't offer private shower / bath and W.C. at the basic price and many do.
Many guest properties mentioned here or on Web pages mentioned here which charge between 25 and 50 pounds for a single room without private facilities also have ensuite rooms within a fifty pounds budget.
Please send an email message, if you can, if you find that some information is out of date. Latest update of information: The end of September 2009.
Two links for Free Rooms (which people agree to offer in their own home or where they stay on a basis of you agreeing a similar offer to people when you're able). See within this page below.
Meeting People: See the free rooms links in this page below,
Travelodge offer London prices at 49 pounds per room (for advance bookings)
Accommodation:
London and around
1. Guest Houses and small Hotels
The Swan Guest House. (Chiswick). A single from 27.50 pounds, with breakfast, without private bathroom. Nice, simple place. Good breakfasts on a huge table looking onto the garden. I love the small front single room with a small balcony to sit looking on the quiet street (bathroom is not private for this room, bathroom and loo are fine. Most rooms are ensuite, at higher prices). A nice breakfast on a huge oak table looking through onto a pleasant garden. 44 (0)20 8994 2870 email: sheilahyams@aol.com
http://www.hotels.uk.com/details/4466/Swan%20Private%20Guest%20House.htm
(The Swan)
UK Expo B. and B. (Directory). Lots at great prices. http://www.uk-expo.com/bnb/find-a-london-bed-and-breakfast.htm
Chiswick Court Hotel. Single with private facilities at 35 pounds pounds, includes breakfast. http://www.chiswickcourthotel.co.uk/ 020 8995 9903
The Chiswick Guest House. Simple and quite basic, 1 single room at "40 to 50 pounds", bathroom adjacent. Note late check-in time, given as 5-7 p.m. unless arranged. http://www.chiswickguesthouse.co.uk/ 44 (0) 20 8994 0876
London Home to Home. (Directory). The prices of some places outside of Central London in this collection are under fifty pounds per night. 020 8769 3500 http://www.londonhometohome.com/
The Aquarius Hotel. Single with private wash facilities at 35 pounds, includes breakfast. http://www.aquariushotel.co.uk/ 020 7373 6155 or 020 7370 6582.
The Dalmacia Hotel. Shepherds Bush. Singles with private facilities from 55 pounds. Breakfastã toæ pounds extra. 3 percent fee if paying with a card. 020 8603 2887
http://www.dalmacia-hotel.co.uk/
London Lodge. I found this nice looking place which has "economy" rooms from 25 pounds including the very small galley room in the eaves pictured. Though this is a very small cabin sleeping room, there is full access for all guests to a guests' living room and a small outdoor terrace garden. Also first class and business class rooms at 75 pounds and over.
http://www.alto-products.de/londonlodge - 020 8452 1860 (35 Cricklewood Broadway)
(London Lodge)
Plaza Guest House, Shepherds Bush. 020 7603 2667. Singles from 35 pounds, 45 pounds ensuite, special rates for 3 nights or longer. http://sitebuilder.yell.com/sb/show.do?id=SB0001742108000020
Studios 92. Links to hotels and guest houses. http://www.studios92.co.uk/
A1 Tourism. (Directory) Very many links here to establishments, many at under fifty pounds per night. http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/london-west.html
London Guest House. Single at 45 and 50 pounds including cont. breakfast, all rooms ensuite with fridge and hot drinks. Free wi-fi, free parking. http://www.londonguesthouse.uk.com/
Zettai. (Directory). Also select the areas on the right of the screen for more places. http://www.zettai.net/find/london/guest-houses
City Visitor. (Directory). Contact each establishment for their price. http://www.city-visitor.com/westlondon/guesthouses.html
A traveller's personal list. http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/5636/BB.html
A list (from a college). http://64.26.129.41/pdf/2605068accomodation%20list%20feb%202005.pdf
For the Good Times. (Directory). Contact each establishment for their price. http://forthegoodtimes.co.uk/bed+and+breakfast/england/london/london.html
London City UK. (Directory) From Claridges, The Dorchester and The Savoy to halls of residence. http://londoncityuk.com/london/london_city_uk_map.php
At Home in London. Only a few properties at under 40 per night, though some more at very good weekly rates (you may be required to stay two weeks, check with the agency).
Typical single room prices are 50 to 74 pounds in Central London, and 28.50 to 43.50 pounds in zones 2 and 3 (Holland Park, Chiswick, Hampstead, Islington etc.) http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/
The London Bed and Breakfast Agency. A good few rooms at below 50 pounds, broken into categories, some over and some above 50 pounds. (0)20 7586 2768 http://www.londonbb.com/cata.html
Hidden Europe Travel Magazine The magazine exploring Europe's special places
Free rooms and / or meeting people http://www.place2stay.net http://www.couchsurfing.com
2. EasyHotel
Singles from 25 pounds, each with ensuite shower and toilet cabin. South Kensington, Paddington, Earls Court, Victoria, Heathrow Airport and Luton (Luton town, not airport; Luton is a long distance outside London). These London hotels are worth checking near or at your time of stay though prices are often higher if you book around the time you are staying.
Checking on ocassions, a basic room frequently cost at least 35 pounds per night. Rooms at 25 pounds were found beyond more in advance. Surprisingly a 25 pound room at Heathrow airport was found at the first search. [What is going on, are 'our economic values' (!) changing in respect of airport hotel prices? ... hope so, thanks to Easy Hotel at least].
There are no windows in rooms at any price quoted here and rooms are very small. Rooms with a window cost more. Each room has a double bed.
(Easyhotel South Kensington)
3. Halls of Residence (only some here)
Most are available student vacation times only:
Summer, and some over Christmas and Easter times, except Baden Powell House (all year round).
City University Hall of Residence: Walter Sickert Hall and other halls 32 pounds for an ensuite (basic rather than "executive") single room. 020 7040 8822 http://www.city.ac.uk/ems/accomm/wsh.html
http://www.city.ac.uk/conference/accommodation/waltersickert.html
City University also has a very small number of year round guest rooms at Finsbury Residence at 32 pounds single with shared bathroom (60 pounds single / double ensuite suite) http://www.city.ac.uk/conference/accommodation/guest_rooms.html
London School of Economics Vacations. Single rooms from 32 pounds. Web booking fee of 2.50 pounds. http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/vacations
L.S.E.'s accommodation is at: Bankside House, Butler's Wharf, Carr-Saunders Hall, Grosvenor House Studios, High Holborn, Northumberland House, Passfield Hall and Roseberry Hall.
(You can choose which from what's available.)
University College London. Summer time only. From 29.50 pounds without breakfast (at Astor College and Ifor Evans sites, other prices in other locations, though many locations are for groups only. http://ucl.ac.uk/residences
Kings College London From 25 pounds single in Denmark Hill, South London and in Hampstead, North London. And from 40 pounds single in Central London. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/about/structure/admin/facser/conbro/accom
(Kings College Hall)
Meininger Hotel - Hostel (has been known as Baden-Powell House) Unable to find a price currently. Single rooms in the Hyde Park Hotel have been over 50 pounds in the past, this isn't noted as a particularly good value place for private rooms. Spaces in small dorms are cheaper. Note the early check out time of 10 a.m. unless for a 5 pounds supplement to stay to 1 p.m. This particular location is catered only, not offering a kitchen and so it is recommended mostly for groups looking for cheap accommodation in shared rooms, rather than private accommodation. Though the catering options seem to be quite good value.
http://www.meininger-hotels.com/en/hotel-hostel/hotelsuche/london/
The Carbon Neutral Company Climate Care
20 pounds off any order over 35 pounds at Brook Taverner
Just spend less than 5 minutes taking a survey at Brook Taverner
4. Homestays
Usually the same or a little cheaper than good priced Guest Houses. There is usually little difference in accommodation though you are in someone's own home space outside your room(s). This type of accommodation is called "private rooms" in much of Europe.
London Host and Guest Service. 44 (0)20 7385 9922 and http://buzzaway.beduk.co.uk/ (Choose details for London and scroll down the list to below the hotels.)
(Powell, A London Host and Guest Service house)
Welcome Homes. 44 (0)1227 276455 or 0845 370 9009 http://www.welcomehomes.co.uk/
See agencies in the college list above in the Guest Houses and small Hotels section.
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5. Self-Catering
I've also included some Travel Hostels in Section 6 for private rooms in accommodation where you can cook in a shared kitchen, though The Central does not have much room for this.
Welby http://www.welby.co.uk/
Studios with full equipped kitchen area in quaint, old London terraced villas (North-West, Belsize area). THE MINIMUM STAY / CHARGE IS OF ONE WEEK. The prices are for double studios with a double bed (1 or 2 persons). A twin bedded studio has a slightly higher rate. The telephones in the rooms have incoming calls only. May to August rates are higher.
Low Season Rates: (for high season costs - May to August - consult their website).
Shared washroom & w.c. at 180 pounds per week, then 30 pounds per night after that if less than a week. 2 weeks or longer, 160 pounds per week. 5 weeks or longer, negotiable from 130 to 160 pounds per week.
Ensuite shower & w.c. at 240 pounds per week, then 40 pounds per night after that if less than a week. 2 weeks or longer, 230 pounds per week. 5 weeks or longer, negotiable from 200 to 220 pounds per week.
Studios 92 http://www.studios92.com
Details as before. Select the Studios or Flats / Studios tab. Basic, clean accommodation. The lowest price shown is around 25 pounds per night, though note that often there can be a minimum stay of a week at that price. It may take some time looking in the London locations given within Studios 92 to find rooms at around 22 to 40 pounds per night at a nightly rate. For self catering, check when booking there are these facilities. A payment in advance is usually required, maybe by payment card and is usually an essential part of booking - card only. Deposits may be payable.
(A Studios 92 location)
Belsize Park Apartments http://www.belsizeparkapartments.com/
Belsize Square. I have stayed here a lot. A basic price appartment, not ensuite, is one self-contained studio room and is 38 pounds per night. Or 48 pounds with a private shower and loo. Note that cards are not accepted for payment - cash or sterling cheque only. When I reserved, it was just a matter of booking (by phone), without deposit or card information to secure a reservation.
Staying at this place is very handy for self-catering on a nightly basis. Longer stays are welcome. The rooms and wash facilities are nice and clean and quite basic though comfortable enough (with T.V.). There is a mini kitchen in each room with cooker, mini fridge and sink, also pots, plates and cutlery. Shared showers and loos are fine too for basic price rooms.
The non ensuite rooms are nothing special, but a reasonable place to stay in. It's good value for London if you don't especially plan to cook. It's very good value if you want to make your own food, and have a very economical stay for this expensive city. Even the opportunity to have large, low priced breakfasts just as you want, and snacks with tea and coffee when you want is attractive.
Belsize Park, just over 10 mins. walk away, has some restaurants, cafes and bars and there are a handful closer in quaint, tiny Belsize Village. Hampstead town is a good 10 to 15 mins. walk further from Belsize Park. Swiss Cottage is 10 mins. also
44 (0)20 7435 2557 or 44 (0)20 7794 4307.
Concept Studio Apartments http://www.conceptlondon.co.uk
This company offer short term lets as well as long term in London. The minimum stay is seven days. A deposit is required at booking, and there may be a vacating cleaning charge (make sure to enquire about that if you are enquiring). A medium let is a minimum of 90 days and has same daily rate as a short term let. 44(0)20 7229 1011
See also: "A list (from a college)." See above in 1.
Some more agencies you can search on the web to find (not at great budget prices): Acorn Apartments, The Apartment Service, Landmark Trust, At Home Abroad, Hideaways International, Hometours International, Interhome, Vacation Home Rentals Worldwide, Villanet, Villas and Apartments Abroad, Villas International.
6. Self-Catering in Travel Hostel
(Private Room)
Two of the very cheapest hostels are: Hostel 639 in Kensal Green and Central Hostel in Bayswater.
These are O.K. places, basic, clean and respectable, the former with a reasonable amount of space to hang around in, the latter with little space but cosy, and both a more pleasant stay than in some hostels.
http://www.hostel639.co.uk/ and http://www.centralhostel.co.uk/
A single room in 639 costs 30 pounds, or 35 pounds at weekends.
A dorm. space in 639 is from 10 to 11 pounds, and from 8 pounds at Central (no single rooms, twins only from 35 pounds).
London Hostel Assocation Travel hostels
THE CHEAPEST WEEKLY PRIVATE ROOMS IN LONDON.
The Globetrotter Inn (near Hammersmith)
You may like to stay here for all or part of your stay if you like to meet people and to have good facilities:
a bar, kitchen (no washing up), London and U.K. travel information desk, computers with web access, eat your fill continental style breakfast provided, good sized attractive garden with tables outside by the bar, a pool table, small gym room, large screen video room with body sized beanbags and free video library, small T.V. rooms, small rooms to sit or work in.
If you want a private room, there are no single rooms advertised so you would have to pay the twin rate of 60 pounds per night, going over a 50 pound budget, unless their reception are willing to offer a slightly better price for 1. (Their price for a dorm. space is from 19 pounds)
If you cook for yourself you would anyway save on eating out you'd probably do in a guest house or hotel. It's one of the better travellers' hostels in London, and for the facilities the most reasonable. A garden is something to be really pleased with in London. The staff wash up for you if you cook for yourself and the kitchen is well arranged. There is a private or ensuite washroom if you take a private room. The bar is quite nice, with a good video jukebox and the option to drink outside.
It's an art-deco period simple and interesting building which used to be the headquarters of The Masons in the U.K. Each upstairs room has coloured crests upon its door of a particular British branch of The Masons.
http://www.globetrotterinns.com/
Globetrotter Inn
Also, London Tourist Board's information telephone line can be good for Homestay or Homeshare agencies and guest room agencies (as well as more guest houses, hotels, appartments and self catering accommodation). 44 (0)20 7971 0027 or 44(0)20 7932 2000.
The British Tourist Authority who can help are at 44 (0)20 01 8846 9000. Visitor Centre 44 (0)20 7620 1550 and accommodation line: 44 (0)20 7808 3801.
For those interested in learning English there are Homestay agencies with links to learning schools and learning with house hosts in accommodation.
*************
An easy trip suggestion from London
Canterbury: A return coach or train journey from London is easy. It's possible to visit Canterbury for a daytrip, or even visit on a number of days, returning to London as the coach ticket is well priced.
For staying in Canterbury, here are a few suggestions. There are also a good number of guest houses on the road where the Y.H.A. hostel is located, you can find single rooms from around 34 to 55 pounds.
A few other Canterbury guest houses: http://www.uk-expo.com/bnb/canterbury.htm
'Funfare' National Express coach tickets are available if you buy from The Web network only, with a card* (National Express on The Web). These are often five pounds or less.
There are many domestic travel agents which sell regular National Express coach tickets and you can buy from Victoria Coach Station anytime before you depart, and online or by telephone and pick up the ticket at Victoria Coach Station anytime the booking office is open (check the hours for collection before you book), including on day of travel. S.T.A. Travel sell the regular priced tickets them, whatever age the buyer is. As do most Y.H.A. youth hostels, all those in London, and the Canterbury and Dover Y.H.A. hostels.
If buying online, again the 'Funfare' price is from around 3 pounds each way.
A few Canterbury Guest Houses:: http://www.uk-expo.com/bnb/canterbury.htm
For persons interested in staying least expensively, there are the Y.H.A. Hostel and Kipps Hostel. The Y.H.A Hostel seems not to offer private rooms.
They are each about 15 minutes walk from the very centre, each in the opposite direction. A single room at Kipps is or 22 pounds or 36 pounds in a twin room (A dormitory space is 18 pounds.)
http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/south-east-england/hostels/canterbury/index.aspx
Free rooms and / or meeting people
http://www.place2stay.net/ http://www.couchsurfing.com/
Some places to stay around the country.
Prepaid Cards information
* Considering National Express 'Funfares' and also generally, if you don't have or use a credit / debit card to purchase online, by post or telephone travel tickets or to pay for accommodation you can easily get the following prepaid cards. You don't need a bank account or to be employed or a credit reference.
National Express take all of these cards. Most places which take cards take MasterCard and just about anywhere which takes cards takes VISA (see 3V VISA Vouchers, Lloyds prepaid VISA and other prepaid VISA cards).
There are fees per transaction of most of the prepaid cards, for example typically 2.5 to 3 percent of each transaction or cash withdrawal made, and an immediate load fee of about 2.5 to 3.5 percent at any shop with a PayPoint terminal, though loading at a Post Office which takes a day or two is free with most of these cards.
VISA Electron* Travel Money Card from the Post Office (free, information at postoffice.co.uk, given immediately at many Post Offices if passport is presented and your initial load amount of at least 50 pounds is loaded. Takes a day to activate.)
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/
MasterCard from Virgin Money 9.95 pounds, posted in around a week from a Web network application.
http://uk.virginmoney.com/pay-as-you-go/
VISA vouchers and 3V card The card is free and the vouchers cost a few pounds each time, except 20 pound vouchers which have no cost. These can be used only by telephone, mail order or online anywhere which accepts VISA. This is unlike the other cards as there is a maximum limit of two hundred pounds per voucher and so per transaction.
http://www.compareprepaid.co.uk/
http://www.which-prepaid-card.co.uk/
http://www.idtprime.com/
http://www.sterlingcard.co.uk/
http://www.easykard.co.uk/
http://www.splashplastic.com/
http://www.pixpaycard.com/index.aspx
https://www.extremecred.com/
http://www.bluecorner.co.uk/
https://prepaid.oakam.com/
http://www.which-prepaid-card.co.uk/features/uk-pre-paid-cards.html
Many of the above cards do not require an existing credit or debit card to buy or load money onto them. The Post Office, PayPoint shops and Payzone shops can often be used.
VISA prepaid cards.
The following links are about the only prepaid full VISA cards (without vouchers and without the quite low purchase limit of 3V VISA vouchers) I can find available in the U.K.. One is not from The U.K. and for any customer internationally. You can only purchase and load any of these three companies' cards if you already have a credit or debit card or can pay with someone else's. The fees of the one foreign card are higher than of the other cards.
https://www.epassporte.com/
http://www3.lloydstsb.com/travel/travel_money_card.asp
http://www.barclays.co.uk/travelmoneycard
Regarding the two British cards:
A Lloyds T.S.B. Travel Money Card is a full prepaid VISA card (not VISA Electron and not 'Virtual VISA'). The terms declare it can be loaded only with sterling credit or debit cards. A card is not available in sterling denominations, but Euros or Dollars. Cards can be used for sterling (and other currencies different to the card) transactions for a 2.75 % fee and currency transfer at VISA's rate.
A Barclays Travel Money Card is a VISA card also. As with the Post Office VISA Electron card, more than one card can be taken, one for each different currency, of Dollars, Sterling and Euros and again there is only a transaction charge (2.75%) if the purchase is in a different currency to the card. The card doesn't cost to buy and can be loaded with any credit or debit card and only this way. The cash machine cash withdrawal charge is slightly lower than most other cards for foreign withdrawals at 2% of the cash or a minimum fee for each withdrawal.
Virtual VISA prepaid cards.
http://www.entropay.com/
http://www.rietumu.com/eng.nsf/page?ReadForm&pid=1&page=level_31&menuref=615B2B2BDF0B47D0C2256BA60037267E
http://www.vcardpro.com/virtual_cards/what_is_virtual_card.htm
The three companies whose information is in the above links each offer only a 'Virtual VISA card' for computer network, phone or mail purchases only.
About prepaid cards in The U.K.
* Prepaid cards which are not linked to a personal bank account are typified by a charge for cash withdrawals from cash dispensing computers and some by a percentage charge for transactions. (Remember that Credit Cards have an interest rate based fee which adds up if transactions are not paid for within an interest free period.) Most prepaid cards don't have a monthly fee, the fee for those that do is small. Some charge a small loading fee also. (The Post Office only charges transaction charges if the purchase is in a different currency to the card currency, though any person can take out one each of Sterling, Euros and Dollars card. There is only a loading fee of 1.5 % or a minimum value a time with sterling currency cards. This 'Travel Money' card does not have to be used for travel related spending, it is for anything.)
None of these cards can be used as a guarantee or financial information in addition to basic payment to book a hotel, hostel or guest house room or rent a car or bicycle etc.. Any can be used to pay for a room in advance if payment is all that is agreed. You would have to ask to pay fully in advance with a card transfer if the hotel, hostel or guest house asks for card information to reserve your room (and see below regarding if card information is further required).
I don't know about paying deposits, but I think this would be fine with a prepaid card also, as long as further card details are not required for guarantee or any future payment (the latter isn't allowed by most prepaid card companies, including using the card details to pay for anything in installments).
Some travellers' hostels require a key or security deposit payment to be made on arrival (as well as your payment) by some means if 'credit' card's security details aren't given, and some hostels only take a payment for this. Some hotels, most often apartment hotels, ask for a security deposit, most often for around 150 to 350 pounds for stays of a week or longer. Prepaid card holders could only use their cards for this by paying from the card rather than guaranteeing, meaning the full amount would have to be available. These deposits are seldom asked for before arrival and cash is always taken.
A small percentage of commercial companies ask for the card which purchased the item to be presented if collecting an item in person after payment for identification purposes (I don't know if whether or not you have your passport for example, usually only stated is for the payment card to be presented). This includes many concert venues in the U.K. for prepaid ticket collection. This is fine with most prepaid cards. I am not sure about the 'Virtual VISA cards' or the 3V card together with a voucher. Though I don't know. Ask the seller regarding these before or at time of purchase. It seems also to me that with such proof, and a passport or license as well, how could you be refused what you have paid for?
It may also be the policy of some hotels, hostels and guest houses to ask to see the card which paid when you arrive for identification purposes only. This might be a problem if you paid with a 3V card or 'Virtual VISA' card and they assumed it is a physically operable VISA card. With 3V payments it is wise to keep the voucher just in case. Many persons would say they can't see you being denied when you have paid if presenting I.D. as well, though some places may just refuse if a card can't be shown with the card number on it. Establishments may be required to see a payment card with card number.
3V cards have a different number to the VISA card transaction number, which is given in the voucher you buy, and which is the number you give on the phone or type into a computer to pay. The VISA transaction number, from the 3V voucher, is the equivalent of a credit or debit VISA card number. The 3V card number is meaningless to a retailer and they don't know about it anyhow. 3V cards don't have a VISA logo or name anywhere on them. Establishments may themselves be required to see a payment card with the VISA transaction number on it.
Any of these cards can be used to pay anywhere in the world. Again the 3V card with 3V VISA vouchers can not be used in person.
Some of the prepaid cards declare they don't allow, specifically, payment via Paypal (eg. Post Office VISA Electron) with them and some do. But I have unwittingly used this card with Paypal.
Some cards, as with the Post Office card, bizarrely don't enable payment to individuals as distinct from companies if made via The Web network (but telephone payments are fine). I suppose that might be only if you know it is an individual you would be paying. (I have made cheque payments for guest house rooms to individuals but wouldn't have known about that if I had paid by a card.) It seems to me likely that these rules go against European and perhaps national legislation. As with Paypal, though it is possible, and, actually, why shouldn't you? In this one instance anyway, I am sure the card issuers don't care.
email: stayinlondon@bluebottle.com
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London Budget Accommodation on Freewebs
Site first launched: 6 June 2007.
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Contact by electronic mail with comments you wish to give about accommodation mentioned here or on list or links page mentioned here.
Or post in the guest book or in the Travel Forum pages.
I can't answer any enquiries about the accommodation beyond what is given, except to give personal experiences if I remember.
I'd be happy to receive information about more London budget accommodation establishments.
