11 Best Hostels in London Centre

London is a sprawling city, covering 607 square miles and home to over eight million people. Here, you can find a fascinating collection of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants to choose from, and what’s not to love about a country that immerses itself in lush green spaces! This big city is so captivating that you might not want to return home! However, as with other big cities, London can be expensive. Its popularity means there are plenty of accommodations to choose from. But if you’re on a budget, staying in a hotel might not be the best option. Instead, why not look for the best hotels in London Centre? That way, you’ll be able to stay in the heart of London and enjoy everything it offers without breaking your bank! From youth hostels in London Central to party hostels, here are our recommendations!

YHA London Central

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You don’t have to stay at a luxury hotel in London to enjoy your trip. Providing high-quality accommodation in the heart of the capital, YHA London Central offers both comfort and convenience. This hostel boasts seven floors of modern, budget accommodation, just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street, Regent Street, Wigmore Hall, Carnaby Street, and more, making it one of the best youth hostels in London Central. The on-site amenities are great as well. There’s a bar that’s perfect for a relaxing drink or snack. It’s the best place for you to swap stories with fellow travelers. Apart from that, there are also 24-hour reception facilities and access.

Male and female dormitories at this London hostel feature bunk beds and come complete with lockers so you can store your valuables safely. As with other hostels in London Centre, there are shared bathrooms too, and in some dorms, they’re en suite. Meanwhile, those who want a bit more privacy can opt for the hostel’s private room instead. Of course, high-speed Wi-Fi is available in all public areas and can be accessed for free. Other notable amenities include vending machines, an on-site ATM, and lifts.

The Walrus Bar and Hostel

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Quirky and charming, The Walrus Bar and Hostel is unlike most hostels in London Centre. Let’s start by talking about the rooms at this hostel. The super spacious and bright dorms are among the cleanest and nicest in London. The biggest one is a 22-bed mixed dormitory room, which is huge! But if you’re not a fan of sharing your space with strangers, you can opt for the standard twin room instead! Of course, there’s free bed linen and free Wi-Fi as well, so you can update your socials anytime you want.

Like other youth hostels in London Central, there’s a shared kitchen where you can cook anything you want. Apart from that, there’s also an on-site pub with its unique style. At night, it turns into a great local spot that’s ideal for socializing, sipping on a couple of affordable drinks, and making new friends. Best of all, you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast every morning – the perfect way to start your day! Once your stomach is happy, head out to explore London! You’ll find yourself in the absolute heart of the city, within walking distance of all major attractions. Some of the main spots include London County Hall, London Aquarium, Big Ben, London Dungeon, The Old Vic, and more!

St Christopher’s Inn Village – London Bridge

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If sightseeing is your number one priority, you should stay at St Christopher’s Inn Village – London Bridge, one of the best hostels in London Centre! This hostel puts you mere moments away from the bridge itself, Borough market, and Tate Modern. You don’t have to bother renting a bike or looking for transportation when you’re here. You can reach tons of must-see attractions in less than a five-minute walk! Places like Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark Cathedral, The Shard, London Eye are a short walk away. When it comes to the location, this hostel is simply unbeatable.

Inside, rooms are monochromatic with whitewashed walls and odes to the city through canvas prints of some of London’s iconic sights. They remind you of Big Ben and classic red telephone boxes. The 16th-century building is also home to a pub of the same name – if you’re interested in sampling a local brew or two, wander inside for special guest discounts before heading off to explore London’s world-famous nightlife. Meanwhile, the on-site entertainment venue has karaoke nights, fancy-dress parties, and music. Plus, all guests will receive a 25% discount in selected restaurants and special offers on drinks.

Safestay London Elephant & Castle

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Housed in a Georgian building formerly the Labour Party headquarters, the Safestay London Elephant & Castle is an excellent choice for backpackers. Its zone-one location offers excellent transport links to the city’s tourist spots. London’s most popular attractions, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Oxford Street, and Leicester Square, can all be reached within a short tube journey via Elephant & Castle station. An early pioneer of the poshtel concept, you can expect to see a unique design and décor at this hostel with splashes of pop art, antique mirrors on the walls, and striped carpets.

As one of the top hostels in London Centre, the dorm rooms at this hostel have space for four to eight people with a separate shower room and toilet. You also get your lockable locker to store your valuables but bring your padlock. Apart from the dorms, this hostel offers 11 private rooms too. They’re a little pricey but sleep up to three people and come with an en suite bathroom, television, and coffee facilities. The room rate includes a basic breakfast. There’s also a basement bar where you can enjoy Pot Noodle and Budweiser!

Hostel One Camden

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For solo travelers looking to see the more indie side of London and mix with locals and backpackers simultaneously, we highly recommend the Hostel One Camden. As one of the best youth hostels in London Central, it’s set above a pub with a fully stocked bar, darts board, pool table, and a footie table too. Camden Town is one of the city’s most vibrant areas, a definite place to visit in London, especially if you love live music and hipster bars. Here, you can start your day fully recharged with some coffee and a cheap-as-chips breakfast. On top of that, you’ll also get a free vegetarian dinner every single night! You’ll be taken care of when staying at this amazing hostel.

Being a solo traveler can feel a bit lonely at times. Luckily, there are three common rooms at this hostel! This means there’s loads of space to share travel stories, meet fellow travelers, and even get some work done on your laptop. If you’re a shy backpacker, join the nightly pub crawl the hostel holds, and you’ll be guaranteed to make friends in no time. There are two different room types: typical dorms with bunk beds and private rooms. Each of them is spacious, clean, and equipped with private lockers.

Astor Museum Hostel

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The clue is in the name! When you look out of the window of your dorm or private room, you can easily spot the British Museum, which is the nation’s biggest museum, standing out proudly across the street and is free to explore. By staying at the Astor Museum Hostel, Oxford Street is only a stroll away, too, making this hostel one of the most popular hostels in London Centre for history buffs and shopaholics alike. Covent Garden and Leicester Square can be reached within 15 minutes on foot, while Soho, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square are less than a 20-minute walk from the property.

Furthermore, the hostel’s fully equipped kitchen is a great place to meet fellow travelers over dinner, while the enclosed terrace feels a little like something out of Alice in Wonderland! You can also make new friends in the shared lounge area, complete with a TV and vending machines. Of course, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building as well. Housed in a Georgian townhouse, the hostel doesn’t look or feel out of place in the shadow of such a historical museum, adding a quintessential touch to your stay in the UK capital.

Generator London

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Set in Camden Town, Generator London hostel is the brand’s first hostel, as it’s now a huge chain spread all over Europe. Housed in an old police station, you can’t go wrong with this hostel. Like most Generator hostels, this property has many modern, upscale fixtures, a huge common area, a bar, and a restaurant. However, there’s one thing missing: a common kitchen. Luckily, the on-site restaurant won’t break your bank. Plus, it also offers vegetarian meals! Even better, there’s also a pool and foosball table, meaning there’ll never be a dull moment when you decide to spend your nights here. Like other hostels in London Centre, free Wi-Fi is available in all areas, and there are plenty of on-site activities that you can participate in, including pub crawls and walking tours.

There are many options for you to choose from when it comes to room selections. There are shared and female-only dormitory rooms, and the biggest one can accommodate more than 10 people. Depending on which room you get, some of them come with a shared bathroom. If you need some privacy and want a guaranteed good night’s sleep, opt for the private room instead! Surprisingly, the beds are plush and comfortable! This is quite shocking, considering how affordable the hostel is. Not to mention, its location is near King’s Cross Station and a short walk from Regents Park, Covent Garden, and the British Museum!

Hostel One Notting Hill

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Next on this list is Hostel One Notting Hill. This hostel is located in a 19th-century building located in the famous neighborhood of Notting Hill. The recently restored historic building now offers brand new bathrooms and a common area, making it one of the best hostels in London Centre. Due to its location, Hostel One offers easy access to many tourist spots and amenities. Close by; you’ll be able to find the Portobello Market, Hyde Park, and Kensington Palace. There are so many things to do in London that you can do here, so you’ll never have a boring day!

As one of the top youth hostels in London Central, this accommodation offers a social atmosphere. Run by fellow backpackers, the staff understands the appeal of meeting new people. They host daytime activities as well as nightly drinking games and pub hopping. Furthermore, this hostel provides a complimentary dinner every night for its guests! In addition to the free nightly dinner, you can also take advantage of the complimentary tourist info, maps, Wi-Fi, lockers, luggage storage, and more!

SoHostel

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Based in the heart of London’s coolest central neighborhood, Soho, SoHostel is perfect for people who want a party atmosphere. With its enviable central location, this hostel is only a three-minute walk away from the shops on Oxford Street. The West’s theaters, clubs, and restaurants and Piccadilly Circus are only a seven-minute stroll away. This hostel boasts public areas with funky bar stools and Fatboy bean bags for you to chill on. Named one of the best hostels in London Centre, it also has a guest-only bar that’s open until 1 AM, perfect for those who love to drink!

There are plenty of dorm rooms at this hostel for you to choose from. The biggest one can even accommodate 18 people! For those who need privacy, twin and double rooms are also available. The rooms and dorms are all well furnished and come with extremely comfy mattresses to make sure you rest well after a day of exploring London’s delights. Apart from the usual amenities, this hostel has quirky additions to make it unique, including a “pamper room” complete with light bulb-framed mirrors, hair straighteners, and hairdryers. No wonder it’s deemed one of the best youth hostels in London Central!

Clink261 Hostel

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Located near King’s Cross and Euston train stations, Clink261 Hostel has been open for an impressive 20 years and has seen millions of backpackers pass through its doors, so the staff knows a thing or two about what guests are looking for. The reception is open 24 hours a day, and the friendly and knowledgeable staff is always willing to help. There are also free lockers at reception and free luggage storage for those who arrive before check-in. Are you looking for tours? You can join the hostel’s free walking tour that leaves every day! And when you’re hungry, feel free to explore the nearby restaurants and bars that are only a few steps away from the hostel’s front door.

Unlike some hostels in London Centre, this one doesn’t blow you away with its decor. However, everything is clean and modern. Plus, there are plenty of useful touches, such as individual reading lights and USB charging ports beside each bunk bed. All rooms share several bathrooms on each floor, and each room has a sink. Moreover, bed linen is free, and you’ll have a personal key card to access your room and the front entrance. Unlike other youth hostels in London Central, private rooms aren’t available here.

Wombat’s The City Hostel London

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With its enormous underground bar, hammock-strewn terrace, and lounge area, the Wombat’s The City Hostel London is by no means lacking in communal spaces where like-minded travelers can meet and mingle. The cavernous bar comes equipped with table football and a pool table and hosts beer pong tournaments at night. This hostel also provides board games, so getting to know other travelers is a piece of cake. Staying at this central hostel, you’ll be located in a prime spot in Whitechapel, close to the famous Tower Bridge, Tower of London, and the iconic Wilton’s Music Hall. With the free city map, it’ll be a breeze to get around and explore the rest of London’s top attractions as well!

This accommodation is one of the few hostels in London Centre that has kept its cleanliness, value, and fantastic hospitality over the years. You can choose from three different room types: dorms (mixed or female-only), private double rooms, or private single rooms. And the best thing is that they all have their private shower! No more sharing a smelly bathroom with loads of other travelers. Both dorms and private rooms are sleek and modern in style, with personal charging points and reading lights in each bunk. For a unique experience, opt for a double in the dorms! Housed within an arch, it’s like sleeping in your personal pod.

Where to Stay in London Centre

Which parts of London qualify as central varies according to who provides the definition. However, most people agree that it includes the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Camden.

Westminster is known to house some of the best cheap hostels. It takes in a large area of central London and is set to the south of Camden. Here, many great attractions can make your trip memorable. They include the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, The Supreme Court, Guards Museum, Westminster Abbey, and more.

Then, there’s Kensington and Chelsea. It’s an Inner London borough and the second smallest district in England. This is an area of historical and architectural interest. Apart from cheap London hotels and hostels, you can easily find tons of breathtaking buildings as well as plenty of theaters.

Lastly, there’s Camden. It’s one of London’s quirkiest neighborhoods and is packed with brilliant places to see. You can expect plenty of lively bars, cool street art, shopping, and pubs by staying here. Oh, it’s also home to Camden Market!

Recommended Restaurants / Bars in London Centre

• Honest Burgers – Fast food lovers should try out Honest Burgers! The menu is simple with a choice of chicken, beef, or veggie. There are plenty of toppings to add, but the plain beefburger is always a winner, especially as it comes with some of the best rosemary chips!
• Princi Soho – This restaurant serves delicious Italian food in a canteen style environment. Join the queue and take your pick from big slices of Milanese style pizza, pasta and delicious salads full of Mediterranean ingredients. Be sure to save some space for some of the treats in the bakery/patisserie section!
• Flat Iron – When you’re in the mood for a cheap steak, head to Flat Iron. By spending less than 15USD you can have a great steak with a green salad as well as chops. It’s worth noting this is a restaurant with a no reservation policy, but when the food is this reasonable, it’s worth the wait!

Recommended Activities in London Centre

• London: Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour – Get ready to see London’s famous landmarks on an open-top, hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour! Listen to commentary in one of five languages and select the Classic (24-hour), Premium (48-hour), or Premium Plus (72-hour) ticket. All tickets include a Thames River cruise!
• Magical London: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour – Embark on an interactive Harry Potter tour around central London with a guide! Walk in the footsteps of your favorite wizards (and witches) around Muggle London. Your Harry Potter enthusiast guide will be armed with weird and wonderful trivia all along the way.
• London: City Highlights Bike Tour – Follow a cycle tour around central London and see the city’s famous sights from the saddle of a comfortable bike. Experienced guides will escort you along cycle paths, side roads and alleys to discover London’s heart.