StayAreasIs Covent Garden a good place to stay in London?
Yes, especially for a first or short trip. You can walk to the theatres, Trafalgar Square, the river and the British Museum, but you pay for it and share the streets with crowds.
Stay here if
- First-time visitors on a short trip
- Theatre-goers
- Couples who want to walk everywhere
Look elsewhere if
- You want quiet streets by day
- You're on a budget
- You'd rather avoid tourist crowds
Is it safe?
More street crime than the London average. Keep an eye on your phone and bag in crowds.
Source: data.police.ukHotels in Covent Garden
All Covent Garden hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Sep 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Covent Garden
Covent Garden is one of the most central places you can stay in London. You're within walking distance of the West End's theatres, Soho's restaurants, Trafalgar Square and many of the city's biggest attractions. It's a particularly convenient base if you're visiting London for the first time.
The area is lively from morning until late evening. You'll find streets full of shops, cafés, restaurants and street performers, with plenty of places to explore without needing public transport. There's a mix of historic buildings and modern shopping, and it's easy to spend an entire afternoon just wandering around.
The downside is the crowds. Covent Garden is one of London's busiest tourist areas, especially on weekends. Hotels can be expensive, restaurants near the main square often charge a premium, and finding a quiet street isn't always easy.
What makes Covent Garden special is how much of London you can experience without planning your day around transport. Whether it's sightseeing in the morning, shopping in the afternoon or a show in the evening, so much of what people come to London for is right on your doorstep.
Getting around
- Covent Garden Market1walk
- Trafalgar Square9walk
- British Museum17walk
- St Paul's Cathedral18transit
- London Eye21walk
- Big Ben27walk
- Heathrow61
- Gatwick64
- Stansted82
- Luton58
- London City Airport43
- Eurostar (St Pancras)20
Covent Garden questions
Is Covent Garden a good area to stay in London?
Yes, especially for a first or short trip. You can walk to the theatres, Trafalgar Square, the river and the British Museum, but you pay for it and share the streets with crowds. It suits first-time visitors on a short trip, theatre-goers and couples who want to walk everywhere.
Is Covent Garden safe?
Street crime in Covent Garden is above the city average for London, based on data.police.uk. Keep an eye on your phone and bag in crowds.
How much does a hotel in Covent Garden cost?
A typical double is around $190 a night at a budget hotel, $360 mid-range and $805 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Heathrow to Covent Garden?
About 61 minutes door to door: Piccadilly line direct from Covent Garden.
How far is Covent Garden from the main sights?
Door to door from Covent Garden: Covent Garden Market 1 minutes on foot, Trafalgar Square 9 minutes on foot, British Museum 17 minutes on foot and St Paul's Cathedral 18 minutes.