StayAreas

Where to stay in London on a budget

You don't need to stay far out to save money. Several areas within zones 1 and 2 cost much less than the West End and are a short ride from the sights.

  1. Camden

    Some of the lowest prices in central London, lively markets, and the Northern line to the West End.

    Hotels in Camden · ~$215/night
  2. Greenwich

    The cheapest area we cover, with a village feel; allow extra time to reach the centre.

    Hotels in Greenwich · ~$200/night
  3. Canary Wharf

    Business hotels are cheap at weekends, and the Elizabeth and Jubilee lines are fast.

    Hotels in Canary Wharf · ~$220/night
  4. Paddington

    Good value near Hyde Park, with direct trains to Heathrow and across the city.

    Hotels in Paddington · ~$230/night
  5. Shoreditch

    Cheaper than the West End, with the best nightlife and food in east London.

    Hotels in Shoreditch · ~$240/night
  6. King's Cross

    Six Tube lines and Eurostar, and good mid-range chains.

    Hotels in King's Cross · ~$270/night

Typical prices by area

AreaBudgetMid-rangeLuxury
Greenwich~$115~$200~$350
Camden~$115~$215~$400
Canary Wharf~$120~$220~$430
Paddington~$120~$230~$440
Shoreditch~$125~$240~$470
Bloomsbury~$135~$255~$510
Notting Hill~$140~$270~$510
King's Cross~$135~$270~$565
South Bank~$155~$295~$605
Kensington~$145~$295~$645
Westminster~$160~$320~$695
Marylebone~$160~$320~$670
Soho~$190~$360~$735
Covent Garden~$190~$360~$805

Typical nightly rates for a double room, not live prices. Updated Sep 2026.

Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Oct 2026 · How we research our guides

Hotels we'd book in Paddington

Our top area for this guide. Mid-range doubles cost about $230 a night.

Paddington guide

Best value

The Pilgrm

Why we like it: Small, stylish rooms steps from the Heathrow Express.

Typical budget rate in Paddington: ~$120/night

Best value

Novotel London Paddington

Why we like it: Modern canal-side hotel with family rooms.

Typical mid-range rate in Paddington: ~$230/night

Best value

Hilton London Paddington

Why we like it: Grand railway hotel attached to the station.

Typical mid-range rate in Paddington: ~$230/night

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FAQs

What is the cheapest area to stay in London?

Of the areas we cover, Greenwich and Camden have the lowest typical prices, followed by Canary Wharf and Paddington.

Is it worth staying outside central London to save money?

On a short trip, usually not. Travel time and fares add up; Paddington, King's Cross or Camden save money while staying central.

More London guides

Where to stay in London

Hotels in PaddingtonMid-range from ~$230/night

See hotels