How to Find Cheap Hotels in London (Without Staying Far Away)
11 November 2026 · GoFlyLo Blog
London is one of the most expensive hotel cities in the world. A basic room in the centre can cost $200–$300 a night, and even a small room near Oxford Street is rarely under $150. But you do not have to pay that — and you do not have to stay an hour from the centre either. With the right area, the right timing, and the right booking site, you can stay in London for $70–$120 a night and still be 20 minutes from Big Ben. This guide shows you where to stay, which hotels to book, and the exact steps to find the lowest price.
TL;DR — The Short Version
Budget target: $70–$120 per night for a clean, well-located room.
Best areas: Earl's Court, Hammersmith, Stratford, Greenwich and Camden — all on the Tube, 15–30 minutes from the centre.
Best chains: Premier Inn and Travelodge, booked early.
Book: 4–8 weeks ahead, on weekdays if you can.
Check: hotel and tour deals on Klook before you book anywhere else.
Why London Hotels Cost So Much
London is expensive for three simple reasons. First, the centre is small and everyone wants to stay there — demand is huge. Second, hotel taxes and operating costs are high. Third, weekends are packed: Friday and Saturday nights can cost double the Tuesday price for the same room.
The good news is that all three problems have a fix: stay one or two Tube stops outside the very centre, book early, and travel midweek if you can. The Tube runs until midnight (and all night on some lines at weekends), so a hotel 20 minutes away feels central — because it is.
The Cheapest Areas That Are Still Central
Earl's Court and Hammersmith (west): quiet, safe streets, budget hotels and hostels, 20 minutes to Oxford Street on the Piccadilly or District line.
Stratford (east): modern hotels near the Olympic Park and Westfield shopping centre, 15 minutes to central London on the Central line — often the cheapest rooms in the city.
Greenwich (south-east): a beautiful riverside area with the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory, 20 minutes to London Bridge.
Camden (north): lively markets and music, good hostels and budget hotels, 15 minutes to the centre on the Northern line.
Wembley Park (north-west): new hotels near the stadium, 20 minutes to Baker Street on the Jubilee line — very good value on non-event nights.
Avoid the trap of the cheapest rooms in Zone 4, 5 or 6: the hotel is cheap, but you will spend $10–$15 a day and an hour each way on transport. A $90 room in Zone 2 is better value than a $60 room in Zone 5.
How to Book Cheap — Step by Step
Step 1: Search on Klook first. Klook lists hotels in London alongside tours and attraction tickets, and its member prices are often lower than the hotel's own website. Check the hotel price there before you book anywhere else. Read our Klook guide to see how it works.
Step 2: Check the budget chains directly. Premier Inn and Travelodge are the two best-value chains in London. Their rooms are small but clean, quiet and reliable — and if you book 4–8 weeks ahead, you can often find rooms for $70–$100 a night, even in good locations.
Step 3: Compare weekday vs weekend. If your dates are flexible, a Sunday–Thursday stay is often 30–40% cheaper than a Friday–Saturday stay.
Step 4: Book free cancellation. Prices drop often — a free-cancellation booking lets you rebook cheaper if the price falls.
Step 5: Consider a hostel private room. A private room in a good hostel (Generator, YHA London Central, Astor) costs $60–$90 a night — cheaper than most hotels, with a kitchen and a social atmosphere.
More hotel booking sites are coming soon to GoFlyLo — for now, Klook is our main hotel partner, and you can see all our partners on the Travel Partners page.
For what to do once you arrive, read our London travel guide — it has the best free museums, the cheapest food, and a 3-day plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cheap hotel price in London?
A good budget room costs $70–$120 per night if you book 4–8 weeks ahead. Central rooms booked last-minute often cost $200 or more.
Which area is cheapest to stay in London?
Stratford, Earl's Court, Hammersmith and Wembley Park are the best-value areas — all on the Tube, 15–30 minutes from the centre.
Is it better to stay in Zone 1 or Zone 2 in London?
Zone 2 is usually better value. Rooms cost much less, and the Tube ride to the centre takes only 15–25 minutes.
When should I book a London hotel for the best price?
About 4–8 weeks before your trip. Weekday nights (Sunday to Thursday) are usually 30–40% cheaper than Friday and Saturday nights.
Related Guides
Klook — Full Guide · London Travel Guide · All Travel Partners
Affiliate disclosure: GoFlyLo is reader-supported. When you book a flight, hotel, tour or other travel service through links on this page, we may earn a commission from our partners (Aviasales, Klook and other Travelpayouts programs) at no extra cost to you. Prices change often — always check the final price on the booking website before you pay.