London holds a prominent position among Europe’s prime destinations, especially when it comes to hostel accommodations. The city boasts hundreds of hostels in every corner.
However, if you are new to the city it will be hard to identify these hostels. Thankfully, we have collected an excellent array of the best London hostels in 2024.
The good thing with our selection is that it caters for diverse needs of travelers. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling solo or with family, you will find an excellent hostel that suits your situation.
And if you don’t want to read the full details of each hostel, then here is a short list of the top London hostels.
List of the Best London Hostels
- Onefam Notting Hill by Hostel One – Best Overall
- Wombats City Hostel London – 1st Runners Up
- Destinations Hostels @ The Gallery – 2nd Runners Up
- Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage
- St. Christopher’s Village
- Urbany Hostel London
- International Students House
- Generator
- Hostelle – Women Only Hostel
- Barmy Badger
The Best London Hostels in 2024
1. Onefam Notting Hill by Hostel One: Best Overall
Onefam Notting Hill is the best London hostel for backpackers, seeking fun and social connections. This hostel offers a lively atmosphere, free dinners and daytime social activities.
The youthful vibe is what attracts a lot of young travelers who are ready to party and explore. Located in the vibrant Notting Hill, backpackers get to explore iconic sites such as Portobello Market and Hyde Park.
You also get to choose from a variety of private rooms and dorms, already made by the time you arrive. However, its cozy size means that you have to book early.
Onefam Notting Hill Prices
- Rooms are priced from $21 per night but can go as high as $78 per night
2. Wombats City Hostel London – 1st Runners Up
The hostel is located in a beautifully refurbished building that once served as a sailor’s hostel. This informed the current atmosphere at the hostel, including the wooden bunk beds.
Unfortunately, they are a bit squeaky. Generally, the rooms are sizable, and there are plenty of activities for most nights of the week.Â
Another interesting thing about Wombats City Hostel London is the fact that it is centrally located.
The hostel is super close to London’s main attractions such as the tower of London, the Tower bridge, and the City Hall. You might also love it because of the fully equipped kitchen with a free food section.
Wombats City Hostel London Prices
- Average room price is just $37 per night
- But you can find rooms from $7 to $634
3. Destinations Hostels @ The Gallery – 2nd Runners Up
This is one of London hostels with a unique feature: a super cozy pub within the site run by the owner. This offers a great spot for evening socials. But you shouldn’t mistake it for a party hostel.
The good thing is that it fosters a strong sense of community as manifested by its numerous common areas, which offer a perfect environment for meeting and interacting with fellow travelers while you watch live sports or play board games or PlayStation.
The hostel offers a great vibe and excellent facilities for social interactions.
On top of this, it is located near London’s iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. It is therefore a perfect spot for exploring London’s rich history and culture.Â
Destinations Hostels @ The Gallery Prices
- Rooms start from $36 per night
4. Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage
Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage stands out in many ways. First, it is a family-friendly hostel that offers spacious common rooms, board games, a billiard table, and an in-house bar.
The hostels cater for several categories of travelers, ranging from mixed dorms to female-only and private rooms, each equipped with linen, lockers, and privacy curtains.
Another likable thing about this London hostel is its unique design that evokes a Hogwarts-like atmosphere. When it comes to privacy, Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage takes it to another level.
In fact, the largest dorm is spread over two floors to offer added privacy. There are also diverse common areas.
So, socially inclined guests will appreciate the diversity of the common areas, including BBQ area, a bar, and an antique-styled living room, with organized events like pub crawls and movie nights, which further enhance the communal vibe.
And if you are looking to explore the city, you will be happy to note that like some London hostels in this list, Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage is conveniently located near London Underground and Finchley Road’s amenities. From this spot, it is easy to explore the city or even catch a bus to Stansted Airport.
Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage prices
- In slow days rooms start at $22 per night but can go as high as $100 on busy days
5. St. Christopher’s Village
This hostel chain has several locations in London, but the Village venue seems to be the most interesting one. First, it is so near to the Borough Market, which is a plus if you are a foodie lover. It is also a walking distance from the London Eye and Tower Bridge.
There are a lot of social events within the area, including musical performances and regular beer pong nights, making St. Christopher’s Village a big party place.
Apart from this, it is also one of the first London hostels to have cozy pod-style beds. These beds are very comfortable and guarantee you one of the best sleeps while you are in the city.
St. Christopher’s Village Prices
- Prices ranges from $12 per night to as high as $138
6. Urbany Hostel London
This is another cozy London hostel that offers a vibrant, tech-friendly place within the heart of the city. Urbany Hostel London is ideal for any traveler who wants comfort at a great value.
Other than that, the hostel is a social retreat with a variety of events in its specious common area, ranging from cooking sessions to crawls.
Accommodations in the hostel vary from female-only dorms to mixed to private rooms. All of them feature comfortable beds and essential amenities. You might also love it because of its close proximity to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
Urbany Hostel London Prices
- Prices range from $ 28 to $126
7. International Students House
This is one of fantastic London hostels that offer cozy, budget-friendly accommodations for travelers. As the name suggests, this hostel is tailored for students from around the globe.
Students get to choose from a wide variety of room options ranging from shared dorms to private doubles.
Designed to enrich the lives of UK and international students, this charitable outfit has one of the most dynamic student denters located in the bustling zone one. WiFi is also available throughout the premises.
International Students House Prices
- Accommodations start from $81.75 for a private room.
- For long stay, rooms start at $260 per week
8. Generator Hostel London
This is the first hostel location for Generator, which now has several hostels spread across Europe. Like most of the London hostels, this hostel features a lot of modern, upscale fixtures, a bar, a restaurant, and a huge common area.
Besides this, there is a foosball and pool table. Some people love this hostel because it has plush beds and affordability. Actually, it is one of the cheapest hostels in London.
This is something rare, considering its prime location near King’s Cross Station. Generator Hostel London is also a short walk from Covent Garden, Regents Park, and the British Museum.
Generator Hostel London Prices
- Accommodations start $15 per night but can go as high as $110
9. Hostelle – Women Only Hostel
Hostelle provides a home away from home experience for female travelers. Nestled in a secure and charming neighborhood, this women only hostel provides a supporting and welcoming environment for female adventurers.
On top of this, Hostelle’s stylish and thoughtful designed rooms offer a comfortable and secure atmosphere for a peaceful night’s sleep. Also, the lockers, secure key card access, and 24/7 reception means higher safety for its residents.
Hostelle Prices
- Rooms start $16 per night
10. Barmy Badger Backpackers
This London hostel boasts a cozy shared lounge, serene garden, and picturesque terrace. The place is just a 16-minute walk from Olympia Exhibition Center, making it a perfect spot to explore the city’s vibrant center.
Guests get to enjoy an array of amenities like ample luggage storage and a communal kitchen. They can also stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the entire establishment. The rooms are also well designed and come with a secure safety deposit box.
Backpackers who troll this hostel will be thrilled by morning delights, which range from tasty buffet to continental breakfast options. Apart from this, there is a barbecue grill for alfresco feasting.
Barmy Badger Backpackers Prices
- There are various types of rooms with the cheapest being $25 per night
Final Remarks
As you can see, London has some really interesting accommodations options for budget travelers. There could be many more quality hostels, but you will have the best time staying in one of the above options.
Just note that timing is of essence when looking for affordable accommodations in top London hostels. Usually, summer months attract several visitors, so available budget-friendly beds tend to be scarce during this period. So, we recommend booking early if you know your dates. Â
Also Read:
- How to Become a Digital Nomad in 2024 (Pros, Cons, and Common Jobs)
- 12 Best Digital Nomad Coliving Spaces Worldwide for Remote Working We’ve Visited and Love
