StayAreasSoho or Covent Garden: where should you stay in London?
- Hotels cost about the same: around $360 a night for a mid-range double in either.
- Covent Garden is closer to 7 of the 12 big sights we timed; Soho wins on 2.
- Covent Garden has an easier time with kids.
- From Heathrow, Soho is quicker: 56 min against 61 min.
SohoRestaurants, bars & theatresPick Soho if
- Night owls and theatre-goers
- Food lovers who want choice on every street
- Short city breaks where location beats room size
Covent GardenTheatres, shopping & street lifePick Covent Garden if
- First-time visitors on a short trip
- Theatre-goers
- Couples who want to walk everywhere
Soho vs Covent Garden, side by side
The better one in each row is in green| What | Soho | Covent Garden |
|---|---|---|
| What a night costs · typical double outside peak events, Sep 2026 | ||
| Budget double | $190 | $190 |
| Mid-range double | $360 | $360 |
| Luxury double | $735 (better) | $805 |
| Door to door · public transport or on foot, weekday morning | ||
| To Leicester Square | 5 min | 5 min |
| Covent Garden Market | 19 min walk | 1 min walk (better) |
| Trafalgar Square | 14 min walk | 9 min walk (better) |
| British Museum | 19 min walk | 17 min walk |
| St Paul's Cathedral | 29 min | 18 min (better) |
| London Eye | 33 min walk | 21 min walk (better) |
| Big Ben | 22 min (better) | 27 min walk |
| Arriving · weekday afternoon | ||
| From Heathrow | 56 min (better) | 61 min |
| From Gatwick | 62 min | 64 min |
| From Stansted | 82 min | 82 min |
| From Luton | 63 min | 58 min (better) |
| From London City Airport | 47 min | 43 min (better) |
| From Eurostar (St Pancras) | 25 min | 20 min (better) |
| What it's like · crime: data.police.uk; ratings ours | ||
| Street crime | Above the city average | Above the city average |
| Sights on foot | Very good | Excellent (better) |
| Nightlife | Excellent (better) | Very good |
| Quiet at night | Poor | Limited (better) |
| Food | Excellent (better) | Very good |
| Families | Limited | Very good (better) |
| Transport | Excellent | Excellent |
Hotels in Soho and Covent Garden
Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Soho or Covent Garden: questions
Is Soho or Covent Garden better to stay in?
Hotels cost about the same: around $360 a night for a mid-range double in either. Covent Garden is closer to 7 of the 12 big sights we timed; Soho wins on 2. Covent Garden has an easier time with kids. From Heathrow, Soho is quicker: 56 min against 61 min. Soho suits night owls and theatre-goers and food lovers who want choice on every street; Covent Garden suits first-time visitors on a short trip and theatre-goers.
Which is cheaper, Soho or Covent Garden?
Typical doubles in Soho: $190 budget, $360 mid-range, $735 luxury. In Covent Garden: $190, $360 and $805. Rates outside peak events, updated Sep 2026.
Is Soho or Covent Garden safer?
Street crime in Soho is above the city average; in Covent Garden it is above the city average. Based on data.police.uk.
Which is closer to the sights, Soho or Covent Garden?
Door to door: Covent Garden Market is 19 min walk from Soho and 1 min walk from Covent Garden; Trafalgar Square is 14 min walk from Soho and 9 min walk from Covent Garden; British Museum is 19 min walk from Soho and 17 min walk from Covent Garden; St Paul's Cathedral is 29 min from Soho and 18 min from Covent Garden.
How far is Heathrow from Soho and Covent Garden?
56 min to Soho and 61 min to Covent Garden, door to door by public transport.