Hostels London

If you’re on a tight budget and are looking for an alternative to a hotel, you could try one of the many hostels London has to offer. Staying in a hostel is a fantastic option for you, particularly if you want to stay in central London. You could find yourself making new friends from places you’ve only ever dreamt of visiting.

There are many cheap hostels in the capital, so you’re sure to find one that suits your budget in a location that excites you and is right where you want to be. You might find it of benefit to stay in a hostel which is close to a station (or bus stop), so that you can benefit from London’s decent but stretched public transport system (invest in an Oyster card for the cheapest fares on London’s transport – you can buy these online).

One of the central London locations worth considering is Bloomsbury – the district where many of the Olympic VIPs will stay during the 2012 Games. This is the area which is home to the British Museum and many university buildings, and is just a short walk from Covent Garden, with its famed piazza, street entertainment and numerous bars, pubs, restaurants and theaters.

Bloomsbury is also great as it is nestled between several London Underground (“Tube”) stations on various lines, so however and wherever you arrive in London, this place will be easy to get to.

One of the capital’s most popular hostels, London’s Generator Hostel, is situated in Bloomsbury (nearest Tube: Russell Square, on the Piccadilly line – the dark blue one on the Tube map and also the same line that Heathrow’s Underground stations are on).

The Generator is London’s largest hostel (with over 850 beds) and is the perfect place to have fun and make new friends. The famous Generator Bar is open from 6pm-2am and staff are on hand 24 hours a day. You can also benefit from their free “all you can eat” breakfast. The hostel, which is close to Oxford Street, one of the world’s premier shopping locations, is very popular so be sure to book well in advance.

Other popular hostels in London include…

The Piccadilly Backpackers Hostel – With mixed rooms, en-suite rooms, female-only dorms as well as private rooms, singles and doubles, this hostel is a great choice, and its location is like no other: Piccadilly Circus is right on its doorstep!
Palmers Lodge Hostel – housed in an elegant Victorian building in Swiss Cottage. Although not in the center of London it has a wide selection of accommodation. Facilities include free Internet and WiFi and a continental breakfast is included in the price
London Backpackers Hostel – this hostel bills itself as, “Possibly the cleanest, safest hostel in London”. Again, like Palmers, not that central but situated only 30 seconds from a Tube station which can get you into central London within 20 mnutes

Whether you’re a backpacker, student, traveler, organizing a group, or simply want to travel with family and/or friends, and you enjoy saying in hostels, London really can meet all your needs.