Backpacking London (The Definite Budget Guide)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in London

If London were a person, it’d be that loud friend who orders every appetizer, quotes Shakespeare, and somehow still makes a 5 a.m. sunrise jog.

My first backpacking whirl through the city was pure chaos: I mistook a 24‑hour café for my hostel (the barista kindly pointed out the difference), paid £6 for a “cheap” latte, and learned that standing on the wrong side of an escalator is a social crime.

Since then, I’ve returned with better shoes, a sturdier budget, and a head full of hacks. This backpacking London guide will give you these hacks. 

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Budget & Estimated Daily Costs in London

Let’s address Big Ben in the room: London is pricey. A realistic shoestring budget is €70–€85 per day if you play your cards right . That covers a hostel bunk, three budget meals, a capped Oyster card, and the occasional pint. Bump it to €100–€120, and you unlock West End matinees, craft‑beer flights, and a taste of high tea.

• Hostel dorm (8+ beds): €28–€40
• Cheap eats & groceries: €22–€28
• Transport daily cap: €8
• Fun buffer (coffee, thrift find, museum donation): €6–€10

London’s secret weapon is free culture. Between parks and world‑class museums, you can burn hours without burning euros.

Typical Daily Expenses in London

• Accommodation: €30–€42 (shoulder season dorm)
• Breakfast: €4–€6—grab a pastry and filter coffee from a bakery chain.
• Lunch: €6–€9—supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink).
• Dinner: €10–€14—market stall noodles or pub pie.
• Transport: €7–€8—Oyster cap zones 1–2.
• Attractions: €0 if you stick to free galleries, up to €20 for special exhibits.
• Entertainment & extras: €10—one pint or thrift‑shop treasure.

Grand total swings between €70 and €90. Add €25 if you crave the London Eye or a Harry Potter studio tour.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in London

1. St. Christopher's Inn Oasis-Female Only
2. International Students House - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Groups (10+ people), Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller
3. Astor Kensington Hostel - best for Solo Traveller
4. Astor Museum Inn - best for Female Solo Traveller, Solo Traveller
5. London Backpackers - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel

St. Christopher's Inn Oasis-Female Only

8.2

Southwark

"The first thing the weary traveller will do, upon debarking at London Bridge Station and stepping more

International Students House

8.7

Regents Park

"…Laundry facilities are really nice, but are on a card system. You have to pay a deposit, charge a more

from

$40.92

Astor Kensington Hostel

8.1

Bayswater

"…Butchey, you rule man!!! The lounge room is just the best. Good music, nice seats and lots of fun more

from

$21.14

Astor Museum Inn

8.7

Bloomsbury

"…For what I paid I thought it was great. The showers and toilets were clean and the kitchen was not more

from

$23.57

London Backpackers

8.5

Hendon

"…It was great. I have been travelling for about 4 months and have never had so much fun in a hostel more

from

$11.82

Money saving tips

• Tap a contactless card to ride—fares auto‑cap, and you skip ticket machines.
• Visit museums during late openings; crowds thin and entry stays free.
• Supermarkets discount perishables near closing—look for yellow stickers.
• Download the “Too Good To Go” app for deep‑discount bakery bags.
• Use public water fountains in major stations instead of buying bottles.
• Hunt for day‑of theater lotteries—West End seats for ~€25.
• Join free city walking tours (tip a fiver) instead of €30 paid ones.
• Pair up with hostel mates for group travel cards on rail day trips.
• Ride buses for sightseeing—front seat of the top deck beats expensive tours.
• Picnic in parks rather than café hopping; nobody charges rent for grass.

Getting around London on a budget

London’s transport is both friend and wallet gobbler. Master it, and you zip from palace to punk market in minutes.

• Oyster/contactless caps: zone 1–2 maxes at about €8 daily; beyond zone 2 add a euro or two.
• Buses: flat fare, cheaper than Tube. Sit up top and count landmarks.
• Walking: Central London is surprisingly compact—Tower Bridge to Westminster takes 40 minutes along the Thames.
• Cycle: Santander bikes cost ~€2 for the first 30 minutes; docks scatter everywhere.
• Night Tube: runs Friday/Saturday on main lines; otherwise, night buses fill the gap.
• Railcards: If staying a month, a 16–25 Railcard saves one‑third on off‑peak trains.

Pro move: plan sights by neighborhood to avoid ping‑pong Tube rides that eat both time and cash.

Best Free & Budget Friendly Attractions

Free things to do

• National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A—spend a day, spend €0.
• Watch street theater in Covent Garden’s piazza.
• Stroll the Princess Diana Memorial Walk through Hyde Park.
• Explore Leadenhall Market’s Victorian arcade (Harry Potter film spot).
• Catch buskers under the South Bank skate park.

Low cost attractions

• Monument climb for skyline views—around €6.
• Sky Garden—free ticket but pre‑book; coffee inside ~€3.
• Greenwich foot tunnel + up the hill to Royal Observatory fence for free meridian photo.
• Emirates cable car across the Thames—fun ride around €6.
• Standing tickets at Shakespeare’s Globe—€7ish.

Food and Drinks on a Budget

• Breakfast: Bakery chains (Greggs, Pret) for sausage roll or croissant under €4.
• Markets: Brick Lane’s Sunday food hall or Borough Market after 5 p.m. for discount leftovers.
• Pubs: Chains like Wetherspoon run curry night or steak club deals, meal + pint ~€12.
• Ethnic eats: Brixton Village for Caribbean patties or Camden Lock for global stalls ~€7–€9.
• Drinks: Happy hours in Shoreditch, BYOB curry houses on Brick Lane, or supermarket cans for park picnics.
• Cook: Hostels with kitchens let you whip up pasta; split grocery hauls with dorm mates to halve costs.

Experiences for Backpackers

• Free street‑art tour of Shoreditch—tip what you like.
• Cycle Regent’s Canal from King’s Cross to Little Venice on a rental bike.
• Hampstead Heath wild‑swimming ponds (small entry fee) for a no‑chlorine dip.
• Join a hostel pub crawl; skip the organization headache.
• Day trip to Brighton: off‑peak train booked early under €20 return.
• Volunteer an hour at FoodCycle kitchens; score a good meal and meet locals.
• Sunrise on Primrose Hill—pack coffee, watch the city wake.
• Catch sunset from Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath for free golden hour photos.

9 Hidden Gemz for London (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Additional tips & Final Thoughts

• Best time to visit: May–June or late September—milder weather, fewer school crowds.
• Book in advance: Hostels, long‑distance trains, and popular West End shows sell out; reserve 6–8 weeks ahead.
• Avoid tourist traps: Skip Leicester Square eateries—walk two blocks for cheaper, tastier food.
• Safety first: Keep zips closed on Oxford Street, use hostel lockers for passports, know last Tube time.
• Cultural respect: Stand right on escalators, don’t block pavement texting, and mind local queue etiquette.

London will try to raid your wallet, but armed with these hacks you’ll dodge overpriced sandwiches and spend your euros on memories instead. Picture yourself strolling the Thames at dusk, pockets intact, head full of museum masterpieces—then go make it happen.

Backpacking London? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.