London is one of the most popular cities for a tourist trip, and there are many reasons why this place is so popular among backpackers looking for an experience-rich stay. Being a famous centre for various cultural, fashion and music events and featuring so many important landmarks, it’s no wonder many call it the world’s capital. And the only way you can encounter everything this city offers is by staying at some of the best backpacker hostels in London.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Urbany Hostel London |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | St. Christopher’s Camden |
| 📍Top Location: | Urbany Hostel London |
| 🤑 Budget-friendly: | Astor Hyde Park |
| 👯 For Groups: | Astor Museum Inn |
| 👫 For Socializing: | St. Christopher’s Camden |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Safestay London Elephant & Castle |
This multicultural hub is home to more than 30 million tourists each year. With its stunning architecture, mesmerising views, chillout party vibes, and heavenly foods, London is always overwhelmed with adventurers eager to explore the depths of its history and culture. Some of the most popular sites you visit include Big Ben, the Tower of London, Westminster Abby, the London Eye, the River of Thames, the City Hall, and so much more!
Good to know: This guide is an extension of our initial guide on the best hostels in London and coolest party hostels in London.
😛 The Best Hostels for Backpackes in London are:
- Urbany Hostel London
- St. Christopher’s Camden
- Astor Hyde Park
- Safestay London Elephant & Castle
- Astor Museum Inn
Being such a popular cultural hotspot, this city also has a great number of museums that will allow you to step back in time and discover the national heritage Londoners are proud of. The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the National Gallery are just a handful of options to consider when diving into the rich British culture.
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. You can even filter specifically for Party hostels on Hostelz.com.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you want …
- to party!
- a social Hostel to actually meet people!
- a cool hostel with drinking games and such!
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to London
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm can be as cheap as £18 up to £30 per night. This is a rough average to give you an idea. As for private rooms, they have an average of £130. Bear in mind prices might be a bit more expensive on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on special holidays or events.
Well-rated hostels will be more expensive, around £25-£60/night (maybe you can find special offers).
You can also find super budget hostels, which costs around £12 per night. Don’t expect much quality at those hostels.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Backpacking tips for London: Before you set out to explore the best backpacker hostels in London, take a look at the useful tips we provided below:
- Although tourists always overcrowd this city, there are times when you can explore it more conveniently. Avoid the winter and summertime crowds, and book your trip here from January to April or September to November.
- You’re probably already aware that London has a humid climate, meaning rainfalls are quite common. For that reason, pack some waterproof shoes, a raincoat, and some warm clothing, just in case.
- Thanks to the well-developed transportation system, getting around London shouldn’t be hard. You can use their train, tube, or bus lines to quickly get from point A to point B. You can also rent a bike or a scooter if you travel short distances.
- As we already mentioned, there are plenty of places to visit during your trip, so make sure you spend at least a week here. Luckily, all of the backpacker hostels in London we will mention are conveniently located, so you won’t need long to reach the city’s most popular landmarks.
- When it comes to food, there is a variety of places you can experience international and local cuisine- from bars and restaurants to food markets and streetside eateries.
- One of the biggest issues backpacker faces is the travel budget. London is well-known for being expensive, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to explore it on a budget. Getting to the nearby attraction on foot, using public transport and eating from street food trucks are just some of the tips that can help you get a full London experience for cheap.
🔥 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 63 Craziest Party Hostels in the World (with Map)
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The Coolest Party Hostels in London are …
Let’s jump right into the fun hostels in London for partying:
- Urbany Hostel London
- St. Christopher’s Camden
- Astor Hyde Park
- Safestay London Elephant & Castle
- Astor Museum Inn
These are our favorite hostels in London to party. We put all these hostels on the map, including our own insider tips for bars, clubs, and popular night life areas in London (and more!).
1. Urbany Hostel London
Located in the bohemian neighbourhood of Notting Hill in London, Urbany Hostel London offers a variety of things that will make your stay pleasant. If you’re looking for a place that will allow you to experience the unique London vibe, this is the one you should consider first.
The property offers both dormitory and private room options, with shared bathroom facilities. All rooms are equipped with basic amenities, and towels are available for rent. In addition, the hostel features a shared lounge area and a garden and terrace where guests can spend their free time interacting. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and the front desk offers its services 24 hours a day.
Urbany Hostel is only 650m away from the popular Hyde Park and 1.2 km from the Portobello Road Market. Some of the other landmarks that are situated nearby include the Olympia Exhibition Centre, the Royal Albert Hall, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants. The hostel offers a well-equipped shared kitchen area if you prefer to cook the food yourself.
For guests in the category of 18-40 years old, this is one of the top backpacker hostels in London you can choose from – perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long day of exploring the area.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. St. Christopher’s Camden
St. Christopher’s Camden is located in Camden – a cultural hotspot famous for its lively atmosphere and amazing street food. Set on Camden High Street, the property is considered one of the best backpacker hostels in London due to its central location and convenient surrounding. The popular Camden market is literally at the hostel’s doorstep, which means you’ll have easy access to London’s food heaven. Other tourist spots that are located nearby are Regents Canal, Camden Town tube station and Primrose Hill.
The property features twin and several dormitory room options, all of which are neatly organised and equipped with all the basic amenities to ensure a pleasant stay for its guests. Shared bathrooms are offered with every room, and free Wi-Fi facility is available throughout the building. The reception is open 24/7, and guests can enjoy relaxing or mingling in the common chill-out room.
St. Christopher’s staff is incredibly kind and helpful, ready to assist you with whatever you need. What’s more, there is a bar beneath the hostel which offers tasty beverages and meals, and several other on-site restaurants where you can eat and drink at a discount.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Astor Hyde Park
Popular for its convenient location, Astor Hyde Park is one of the best backpacker hostels in London that offers great value for money. A variety of cultural sites, including the National History Museum, Victoria and Albert and Science Museum, surround it. Staying at this hostel will also provide easy access to the city’s best transportation means.
There are both private and mixed-dormitory room options, which allow you to choose the accommodation that best fits your budget and preferences. All rooms are simply furnished, containing all the basic amenities a traveller would need. The guests have access to shared bathrooms, which is not inconvenient – given that they’re cleaned often and thoroughly.
Astor Hyde Hostels offers 24 hours front desk and a free Wi-Fi service. You are allowed to use the shared kitchen and common lounge area to cook your meals or share your adventuristic stories with some of the other fellow backpackers. In addition, there is a good-quality breakfast served daily for a small price. Security lockers and clean towels are also available for rent. The staff at this hostel is kind and welcoming and is always there to answer your inquiries.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
4. Safestay London Elephant & Castle
Next on our list of best backpacker hostels in London is Safestay London Elephant & Castle – a beautiful and cosy accommodation that will make your trip a pleasant experience.
Situated in the south, the property is conveniently located close to many popular spots, including the Elephant and Castle tube station, National Theatre, Imperial War Museum, London Aquarium, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and so much more! So, if you’re looking for budget lodging that will help you explore the culture and history of the city, this is the hostel you should book your stay in.
The property offers different types of rooms – from twin, triple and quadruple rooms to mixed-dormitory options. There are both en-suite and shared bathroom facilities, depending on the type of lodging you pick.
All guests are provided with access to security lockers, as well as to the shared kitchen and garden area facilities. There is also a hostel menu, which offers burgers, pizzas and several coffee options.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
5. Astor Museum Inn
Located in the very heart of the city, Astor Museum Inn is one of the top choices for backpacker hostels in London if what you’re looking for is budget lodging in a convenient place. Having the famous British Museum at its doorstep, as well as other popular sites you can visit nearby, this place will definitely help you experience London in all its magnificence.
There are both private and dormitory room options, all of which come with a shared bathroom equipped with basic facilities. The property’s relaxed and hippie atmosphere attracts guests from around the world who are searching for a place to unwind after a long day of exploring the city. In addition, there are a shared kitchen and common areas will allow you to spend your free time interacting with other guests. Astor Museum Inn provides a free Wi-Fi facility and a 24 hours reception and laundry service.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
We have now reached the end of our recommendation list for top backpacker hostels in London. The city’s rich history and welcoming vibe will make for an unforgettable travel experience, and our accommodation options will help you get the proper rest from all the exploring during the day. Before you pack your bags, don’t forget to consult our guide and rest assured that you’re set for an amazing adventure.
What about the cheapest hostels in London?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in London.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in London
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of London best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for London?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile stores. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in London put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the handmade map we have created for you. As promised, below we list all backpacker hostels and best hostels in London, as well as sights and our own travel tips.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map. It’s just easier. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
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FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Any questions about hostels in London?
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Flights to London?
London has several airports, such as Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport, Stansted Airport, and City Airport.
Make sure you get to the right one when flying back. However, it does not really matter where you are flying into London. The distances are almost the same, and transport is easy.
Here is a map of all London Airports and how to get to the city center.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay if you are backpacking in London. We also have the best hostels London, England has to offer. You can also check coolest party hostels in London, secret tips to London, fun things to do in London, and things to do in London for FREE.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Manchester UK
- best hostels in Brighton
- best hostels in Liverpool
- best hostels In Bristol
- 19 BEST hostels in Scotland, including best hostels in Edinburgh
- 24 best hostels in Ireland, including best hostels in Dublin
- best hostels in Galway
- best hostels in Belfast, Northern Ireland
From London, it’s also super easy to hop across and check out the best hostels in Amsterdam and the best hostels in Belgium.
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this London guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
