Securing an affordable hotel stay in London doesn’t mean you have to compromise on location or comfort. Data from Skyscanner shows that the cheapest deal within the next seven days can be as low as £42 per night, while the average weekday rate hovers around £128. In this guide, we compare the most searched budget and midscale brands — Travelodge and Premier Inn — along with key neighbourhoods like Kensington and Central London, using real rates from Booking.com, KAYAK, and Trivago.

Last checked: 2026-07-26

Keyword: hotel stay london · Primary Intent: multi_option_comparison · Typical Budget Range (mid-range): USD 197–303 per night · Cheapest Aggregated Rate Found: GBP 30 (Trivago); EUR 23 (Kayak) · Most Searched Budget Brand: Travelodge · Most Searched Midscale Brand: Premier Inn

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-07-26.

Sources reviewed: neutral review platforms (Booking.com, KAYAK, Trivago), property/operator websites (Premier Inn, Travelodge), online travel agencies (lastminute.ie), travel magazine (Condé Nast Traveler), independent travel blog (On the Luce), metasearch engine (Skyscanner).

No on-site visits or staff interviews were conducted; prices and availability reflect live or recent aggregated rates from the cited platforms as of publication month.

London hotel snapshot: key numbers

1 Lowest deal found
  • Skyscanner reports the cheapest London hotel deal within the next seven days at £42 per night (Skyscanner)
2 Average weekday price
  • The average weekday hotel price in London is £128 per night (Skyscanner)
3 Cheapest month
  • August is the cheapest month for London hotels, with average rates around £103 per night (Skyscanner)
4 Ultra-budget deal
  • KAYAK found recent London hotel deals as cheap as $48 per night (KAYAK)
Snapshot fact box: hotel stay London
Attribute Value
Keywordhotel stay london
Primary Intentmulti_option_comparison
Typical Budget Range (mid-range)USD 197–303 per night
Cheapest Aggregated Rate FoundGBP 30 (Trivago); EUR 23 (Kayak)
Most Searched Budget BrandTravelodge
Most Searched Midscale BrandPremier Inn
Top Neighborhood by QueryCentral London / Kensington

Hotels in London cheap: what “cheap” really costs

Before diving into specific brands, it helps to know the baseline. According to Skyscanner, the average London hotel price is £128 on weekdays and £121 on weekends. “Cheap” in this context means anything significantly below those averages.

What is the cheapest 2-star rate available?

Metasearch engines show entry-level prices can be remarkably low. KAYAK lists 2-star rooms from EUR 23 per night, while Trivago (via a similar aggregation) reports a floor of GBP 30. These rates usually apply to hostels or basic guesthouses in outer zones, often with shared bathrooms.

How do Travelodge and Premier Inn compare on lowest price?

For a private room with en-suite facilities, Travelodge consistently undercuts Premier Inn. KAYAK data shows a Travelodge London City Road room starting at EUR 92 per night. Premier Inn, by contrast, sells rooms almost exclusively through its own website, where rates for central properties typically begin around £100–£120. The trade-off is that Premier Inn often includes free WiFi and on-site restaurants, while Travelodge charges for extras.

Tip: Booking about 30 days ahead is considered the “sweet spot” for London hotel deals, according to On the Luce Travel Blog.

Travelodge London: the budget workhorse

Where are Travelodge properties located in Central London?

Travelodge operates multiple hotels within Zone 1, including locations near King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, and the City. The Travelodge London City Road property, for example, sits a short walk from Old Street and Moorgate stations, making it convenient for both business and leisure travellers.

What is the typical star rating and price range?

Travelodge is rated 2–3 stars. KAYAK lists the Travelodge London City Road starting rate at EUR 92, though prices can dip below £70 during off-peak periods. Guests generally describe the rooms as clean but basic, with limited on-site amenities. The biggest advantage is price consistency: Travelodge rarely spikes above £150 even during busy weeks.

“The cheapest hotel deal we found within the next seven days is £42 per night.”

— Skyscanner editorial team

Hotel Premier Inn London: the mid-scale alternative

How many Premier Inn hotels are in Central London?

Premier Inn has more than a dozen properties in Central London, with concentrations near Leicester Square, Southwark, and the City. Unlike Travelodge, Premier Inn sells rooms almost exclusively through its own site, so aggregated prices from third-party platforms are rare. Direct-book rates for a central Premier Inn typically start around £100–£130 per night, depending on the season.

What makes Premier Inn different from Travelodge in terms of price and amenities?

The key differentiator is the all-inclusive offer. Premier Inn generally includes free WiFi, a restaurant on-site (often with a breakfast buffet for an extra charge), and larger room sizes. Travelodge, by contrast, charges for WiFi and has fewer dining options. A comparison by On the Luce notes that Premier Inn’s “Good Night Guarantee” often appeals to business travellers, while budget-conscious families lean towards Travelodge’s lower base price.

Note: Neither Travelodge nor Premier Inn typically appears on deep-discount aggregator sites; booking direct is usually the only option for Premier Inn, while Travelodge rooms can sometimes be found via Kayak or Trivago.

Hotel stay London reviews: what guests really say

How do Travelodge and Premier Inn compare on review platforms?

On Booking.com, Travelodge properties in Central London average around 7.5–8.0 out of 10, with cleanliness scoring higher than staff service. Premier Inn hotels typically rate 8.0–8.5, with guests consistently praising the beds and quiet rooms. KAYAK review aggregates show similar patterns: Premier Inn tends to edge ahead on comfort, while Travelodge wins on value for price.

What do recent guests say about budget London hotels?

Several recent YouTube reviews suggest that even ultra-budget options can be acceptable if expectations are managed. One vlogger noted that a last-minute booking at “the cheapest hotel in London” cost £115 per night, but off-peak rates for the same property dropped to about £70. A recurring observation among budget travellers on Reddit’s r/uktravel is that proximity to a Tube station matters more than the hotel’s star rating — even a basic room near a Zone 1 station can save money on transport costs.

Hotel stay London Kensington: geography and character

Which budget and midscale hotels are in Kensington?

Kensington is home to a mix of independent hotels and small chains. Brands like The Resident (inside doubles from roughly £50–£90 per night) and Point A Hotels (from about £61–£81 per night) offer compact, well-designed rooms within walking distance of Hyde Park and the Royal Albert Hall. These edited-service hotels cut costs by omitting restaurant and lounge spaces, focusing instead on high-speed WiFi and comfortable beds.

What is the neighbourhood character of Kensington for visitors?

Kensington is a premium residential area with tree-lined streets, museums (Natural History Museum, V&A), and upscale shopping. Hotels here command a premium — typically 10–20% above Central London averages — but the convenience for first-time tourists is hard to beat. The area is well served by Circle, District, and Piccadilly line stations, making it easy to reach the West End and the City.

Caution: Last-minute bookings in Kensington can exceed £200 per night during peak seasons. Booking at least 30 days in advance (per On the Luce’s advice) is especially important for this zone.

Multi-option comparison: London hotel brands & zones
Brand / Zone Average Nightly Rate (lowest found) Star Rating Range Notable Location(s) Best For
Travelodge London EUR 92 (Kayak – City Road) 2–3 star City Road, King’s Cross, Liverpool Street Budget travellers, business basics
Premier Inn London Direct-book only; typical from £100–£130 3–4 star Leicester Square, Southwark, the City Business visitors, families seeking consistency
Budget Central Hotels (generic) From GBP 30 (Trivago) / EUR 23 (Kayak) 2 star Various Zone 1–2 locations Extreme budget, solo travellers
Kensington Hotels Roughly £80–£150 (estimated, premium over central average) 3–4 star South Kensington, Knightsbridge First-time tourists, museum visitors
London City Hotels From EUR 92 (Travelodge City Road) 2–4 star City of London, financial district Business travellers, weekend city-breakers

Pros & cons at a glance

  • Travelodge: Pros – lowest en-suite rates, multiple central locations. Cons – extra charges for WiFi, limited dining.
  • Premier Inn: Pros – larger rooms, free WiFi, on-site restaurant. Cons – higher base price, no third-party deals.
  • Independent budget hotels (e.g., The Resident, Point A): Pros – modern design, central, often cheaper than chains. Cons – compact rooms, no full-service restaurant.

Best for each traveller type

  • Budget travellers – Travelodge or a basic 2-star in Zone 2 (from EUR 23).
  • Central-location seekers – Premier Inn near Leicester Square or The Resident in Kensington.
  • Business visitors – Premier Inn in the City or Travelodge City Road for proximity to financial district.
  • First-time tourists – Kensington (Point A or The Resident) for easy access to landmarks.

Pricing bands: what you get for your money

  • Budget (under £100 / USD 130): Basic private room, often in outer zones or with shared facilities. Examples: 2-star hostels, Travelodge off-peak.
  • Mid-range (£100–£200 / USD 130–260): Standard chain hotel (Premier Inn, Travelodge peak), edited-service boutiques (The Resident).
  • Premium (over £200 / USD 260): 4–5 star hotels, Kensington luxury options, business hotels with full amenities.

Alternatives to the big chains

Beyond Travelodge and Premier Inn, several smaller brands offer competitive rates in central areas. The Resident has inside doubles from roughly £50–£90 per night, trading a window for a lower price. Point A Hotels provides compact, smartly designed rooms from about £61–£81. Both are recommended by On the Luce and appear in Condé Nast Traveler’s list of editor-approved affordable hotels. For the lowest rates outside the centre, Green Rooms in Wood Green (starting around $70 for arts-community members) is worth considering if you don’t mind a slightly longer Tube ride.

Our pick: which option suits which reader

  • Budget-conscious families – Travelodge London City Road (EUR 92, en-suite, family rooms available).
  • Business travellers needing a central base – Premier Inn in Southwark or the City (direct-book, free WiFi, reliable workspaces).
  • First-time tourists prioritising sightseeing access – The Resident Kensington (compact, well-located near museums and Hyde Park).
  • Solo travellers on a tight budget – A 2-star hostel or guesthouse from EUR 23 (via Kayak) near a Tube station.

For the best balance of price, location, and comfort, Travelodge City Road offers the lowest en-suite rate we found (EUR 92) while keeping you within walking distance of the City and a short Tube ride from the West End. If you’re willing to pay a bit more for a quieter night and included breakfast, Premier Inn Leicester Square delivers a consistent midscale experience.

Additional sources

youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest area in London to stay in?

The cheapest aggregated rates are found in outer zones (Zone 3–4), with 2-star hostels starting from EUR 23 per night on KAYAK. For a private en-suite room, Travelodge London City Road offers rates from EUR 92 per night.

Is Kensington more expensive than Central London for hotels?

Yes, Kensington hotels carry a premium. The average 4-star hotel in London is $321 per night (KAYAK data), and Kensington 4-star properties are typically priced above this average due to the residential location and proximity to museums.

Which is cheaper: Travelodge or Premier Inn in Central London?

Travelodge is cheaper: the Travelodge London City Road starts at EUR 92 per night, while Premier Inn central properties typically start around £100–£130. However, Premier Inn includes free WiFi and on-site dining, which may offset the price difference for some travellers.

Are there any hotels in London City under GBP 100 per night?

Yes — Travelodge London City Road offers rates from GBP 75–95 (depending on season), and basic 2-star hotels in the City area can be found from GBP 50–70 via aggregator sites like Trivago.

Do Premier Inn hotels in London include breakfast?

Breakfast is not automatically included in the room rate; Premier Inn offers a paid breakfast buffet (typically £10–£15 per person). Some business rates may include it.

Sources cited