Cheap places to stay in London?

If anyone knows what this is, I’d be more than glad to hear it :p

If you’re travelling outside of university term time (mainly summer) then most university’s in London rent out rooms in their accommodation. Tends to be pretty reasonable and very central.

The YHA link you pasted is a very reputable organization. Accommodations will be very basic, possibly dorm style with bunks and clean. You’ll meet interesting people from all over the world.

Another way to go would be to rent a room through Airbnb.com. I did that in London last summer and got a lovely room in a private house with my own bathroom for $93.00 a night. It was in the neighborhood of Hammersmith on a direct tube line from Heathrow and also two lines that went into Central London.

If you want to discover interesting areas of London and their history, Londonwalks.com is a great way to do it. You find the schedule online and it lists all the walks. There are themed walks such as Dickens’ London, a Jack the Ripper walk, the old City of London, etc. You don’t need to register, just show up at the meet up point – always at a tube stop, and pay 10 pounds for an informative two hour tour.

The British Library near King’s Cross has an exhibit on the Magna Carta where you can view one of the originals and also see many other famous manuscripts from their permanent collection.

Other highlights of my stay were a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (reconstruction), and cake in the basement cafe at St Paul’s Cathedral.

For food, take away from cafes is cheaper than sit-down restaurants.

Oh – and if you’re going to use the tube a lot, buy an Oyster card at any station. It’s a debit card and the easiest way to use the Underground.

Defnitely try Airbnb – I’ve used them a bunch, and I’d be surprised if you couldn’t find anything at 100 euros per night. At the very least, they offer sharing options (i.e., renting a room in someone’s home instead of the whole home). Just be sure to read all the reviews for the place you’re interested in, to make sure that the host is honest about what they’re offering.

Have a great trip!

Wonderful city. Not a place to show up and hope for the best place to stay. Know your city areas. What you may be interested in doing may decide where would be best to be near. Have $ in your pocket upon arrival. Banks are not the top places to get exchange rates. See if credit cards are accepted where you wish to go. ( idea- tell credit card company about trip, that way if strange charges- they do not put it on hold- and you stranded no $. Some cr cds have a password to be used. Ask) Research the costs going to different spots. It isn’t cheap- but it is London =spectacular! Get on the train to Hampton Court Palace. Do not be afraid to use the Tube, but a taxi is smart if navigating using time as the rule. Don’t leave your stuff out and around where you stay. If it is an off-season, ask the guards about anything special about where you are at sights, or stories- etc. You find out the most interesting things. Don’t be surprised by some stopping at 4 for tea- is for real. Try it. A pub is not just for drinking. They have hearty fare for meals- check it out. Piccadilly traffic! The park near Big Ben is nice. Try their candy, teas, meat, etc. not imported from here! Make sure to leave info in room where you are going- and home phone-in case needed. Elecrical outlets NOT like in US/some other country’s – look for converter before. Get on train- travel outwards from city. There is always something. Go up to Scotland! Gifts home? Department stores nice- Check small shops for Irish, Scottish, Welsh items. Excellent Woolens and such. Stay hydrated on plane- put feet up during some parts of flight. Don’t keep cash, etc, all in one place on your person. If someone says ‘mind the step, or gap’ etc- you’re in a situation to fall. Immigration and trouble for those trying to get over to GB- I would usually say to take the tunnel over to Paris. But right now- Don’t. Have a care about your surroundings. No knives on planes. Think of investing in a small pocket- model there. Good for cutting food you keep wrapped well in room for snacks, meals. You won’t be able to have them on person at any sites.They do help- not for defense, however. If you buy things- ask about shipping them home- it’s worth it. No carry- hassles, no plane space hoo-ha. Sometimes just sit down and look around you. The Olde Curiosity Shoppe. Parliament buildings. Get ready to have carry items checked out at some places. Check to make sure all items are with you before walking away. Pickpockets don’t just appear in Dicken’s Oliver Twist for fun. Beggers on street have animals, or just beg- and some rent their children to other beggers because they bring in more $. You make a decision about handling that. Go in bakery shops…oooo and fresh!!!! Do not get drunk or go to places at night not on the main thoroughfare. Go to the Tower and all it’s available extras- et al.$-worth it.
Where you stay, or on streets there are places to get tourist info or tickets to some fantastic theater experiences. Do your research! Know a generalized idea of what day to try what. Some things are not open every day. Some ideas for meals- go to corner market. Buy foods for a lunch or breakfast- keep in room. Do try to do an English breakfast or two. You will experience different and some of the best things offered for that meal. If you bump into someone- do not say excuse me- say: Sorry.( excuse me means you need to use the restroom…) Its going to be cloudy. Its going to rain. Invest in good shoes. Good jacket to throw on. Be alert. Be aware. Buy a bumpersticker from the corner tourist shops- a good one, it will make you smile later. Be polite. Westminster- go behind alter for small $ – burial of Kings, Queens. Oh, so worth it.,In St Pauls Cathedral- go try out the Whispering Gallery Dome by Sir Christopher Wren . British Museum Wow.You can buy travel sized toiletries there- but$ expensive – make a decision on bringing or alloting $ – then leave them there when you go home. Look nice. Stay out of the fountains no matter how hot! If cooler weather- great warm clothes to be found there. Figure tips into budget. Ask about % average before. Read about it. Read about it. Research it. When you get there- dont go to bed because of time difference. Stay up a bit. It helps to adjust so much faster. Go to 2 different street markets on weekends- you will NEVER find other flea markets like theirs. Oh. Lucky, lucky, you! Congratulations. You’re going to love it. You worked hard to get there. Enjoy it. Stay alert. Study up. Breath deeply- it will stay in your blood forever. Be careful. Be aware – it’s still a big city. Be polite. Talk to people! But- don’t be overly physical towards anyone. They are not demonstrative people. Kind though. Be careful of ‘darts’ game hussles in pubs- they’re good. Public loo’s may be co-ed. Ohhhhh- you’ll LOVE it! Buy some postcards- not everything can be on phone- no photos in Museums! Have fun, oh have fun!

THANK YOU! That’s awesome, waaaay more information than I thought I’d get! Thank you so much, guys :)

I’d look for Bed & Breakfast places. London is very large, but it has an amazing underground public train system. So you can find cheaper places further from the center – but I’d look for one close enough to a Tube station.