Where to Stay in London for the First Time: A Complete Guide

This guide is part of our main page where you can compare all hostels in London. Instantly find the best-rated hostels and real-time prices from Hostelworld and Booking.com. Compare prices side-by-side and save money every time. Learn how we compare prices.

Find your Perfect Hostel in London

I’ll never forget my first London arrival: half‑asleep after an overnight bus, I surfaced from King’s Cross, saw a swarm of commuters moving faster than humanly possible, and realized I had no clue where my hostel was. 

I dragged my backpack along Euston Road, passed the same Pret three times, and finally crashed in a dorm that smelled like damp socks and regret. Lesson learned: picking the right area in this sprawling city makes or breaks the trip. 

Since that rough start, I’ve returned five more times, testing hostels from Camden’s canals to Greenwich’s hilltops.

This longer guide distills all that trial and error into one no‑nonsense rundown so first‑timers can plant their backpack in the perfect neighborhood, save money on transport, and focus on the good stuff—free museums, hidden markets, and pubs older than most countries.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in London

Best for Hostel Newbies

Destinations Hostels @ ...9.3

from £14.27 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Onefam Notting Hill9.2

from £15.06 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Onefam Waterloo8.8

from £17.54 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Top Neighborhoods to Stay in London

Covent Garden & Soho

• Welcome to the West End: cobblestone piazzas, street performers juggling under gas lamps, and theaters flashing neon marquees. Covent Garden charms by day with handmade crafts and great cafés, while Soho rules the night with karaoke basements and ramen bars open past midnight. I once scored a last‑second ticket to a musical, then walked two blocks for Chinatown dumplings—zero Tube rides required.
• Best for: Solo travelers who want dense sightseeing, nightlife, and never‑ending restaurant choices.

Camden Town

• Think punk posters, canal bridges, and market stalls selling everything from vintage Doc Martens to vegan doughnuts. Music history oozes from every pub; even weekday nights host live sets. Grab £6 world‑food portions along Camden Lock and eat beside narrowboats.
• Best for: Budget backpackers, music fans, and street‑food hunters wondering where to stay in London without draining their wallet.

Shoreditch

• This is graffiti central—colorful alleys, converted warehouses, and cafés that serve oat‑milk lattes alongside coworking desks. Sundays bring Brick Lane’s curry aromas and Upmarket’s cheap eats. I joined a free street‑art tour here and found Instagram gold on every corner.
• Best for: Digital nomads, creative travelers, and anyone who judges a city by its coffee scene.

South Bank & Waterloo

• Stretching along the Thames, South Bank links the London Eye, National Theatre, and a riverside skate park. Golden hour here glows off the water, and street food under Waterloo’s arches is an underrated dinner spot. Staying near Waterloo Station means direct trains to the south coast for easy day trips.
• Best for: First‑timers craving iconic skyline strolls and straightforward transport across London and beyond.

Kensington & Earl’s Court

• Leaf‑framed streets hide hostels inside Victorian terraces, and you’re steps from world‑class museums that magically cost nothing. Knightsbridge shopping and Hyde Park picnics are short walks away, while the Piccadilly line rockets you to Heathrow in under an hour.
• Best for: Travelers seeking calmer evenings, free culture fixes, and a quick airport link.

Notting Hill

• Pastel townhouses, Portobello Road antiques, and that famous travel‑bookstore door. Fridays and Saturdays fill with market buzz, but evenings wind down to pleasant wine bars. I loved wandering quiet mews at dusk, camera in hand, chasing that classic London movie vibe.
• Best for: Instagram fans, couples, and solo walkers who enjoy colorful streets and leisurely brunches.

Brixton

• South London energy, Caribbean food halls, and a live‑music calendar that refuses to quit. Brixton Village serves global plates under fairy lights, while street art brightens every alley. The Victoria line gets you to Oxford Circus in about 12 minutes.
• Best for: Foodies, night‑owls, and travelers comfortable in energetic, multicultural neighborhoods.

King’s Cross & St Pancras

• Once scruffy, now polished, this rail hub boasts the British Library, canal‑side bars, and speedy Eurostar trains. Bookworms will love the library’s free exhibits; bargain hunters enjoy the central transport zone for discounted Oyster fare limits.
• Best for: Rail travelers, Harry Potter photo seekers (hello, Platform 9¾), and anyone catching an early flight from Gatwick or Luton via Thameslink.

Greenwich

• Hop the DLR across the Thames for maritime museums, the Cutty Sark clipper, and city‑skyline views from Greenwich Park’s hill. It feels almost village‑like, offering fresh air and spacious dorms for less money—though the ride back after midnight requires night buses.
• Best for: Repeat visitors, runners, or anyone wanting a low‑key base with grass instead of concrete outside the window.

First-Time in a Hostel? 17 Basic & Advanced Tips to have a great Time

Sleeping and staying in hostels can be challenging. Between having to share with people you don't necessarily know,

Read more

Top 10 tips for your first time in London

1. Tap in, tap out. Use contactless cards or phone pay for Tube and buses—cheaper than paper tickets and daily spending caps save pounds.
2. Mind the zones. Plan sights in clusters (eg. Westminster day, Camden day) to avoid crisscrossing; long Tube swings burn time and money.
3. Love the freebies. Major museums (Tate, V&A, Science, etc.) cost nothing—perfect for rainy‐day plans.
4. Walk the Thames path. Between Tower Bridge and Westminster you’ll tick off half the skyline for free.
5. Sample meal deals. Supermarkets sell sandwich‑snack‑drink combos for a budget lunch under a tenner.
6. Carry a reusable bottle. Fountains sit in most stations and parks—avoid paying £2 for water.
7. Check closing times. Many Tube lines shut around midnight; Night Tube runs only on main lines Friday–Saturday.
8. Stand right, walk left. Escalator etiquette matters—stand on the right side or expect Londoners’ side‑eye.
9. Use Citymapper. This app shows real‑time delays, alternative routes, and walking shortcuts better than standard maps.
10. Pack layers. Weather jumps from sunshine to drizzle in a single Tube ride; carry a light waterproof and breathable shoes.

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

Best for Groups

International Students House

8.6

Regents Park

"…to 10 a.m.; evenings between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. are usually peak hours Thursday through Saturday more

from

£30.75

Astor Kensington Hostel

8.1

Bayswater

"…It's a great base from which to explore London. The rooms are extremely clean and hygenic, and the more

from

$22.04

Astor Museum Inn

8.7

Bloomsbury

"…I will keep coming back here for sure. Keep up the good work guys. Definitely one of the best more

from

$24.75

London Backpackers

8.4

Hendon

"…Thanks to the staff. We really enjoyed our stay at London Backpackers — the staff were really more

from

$12.01

Hostels in London are the best option — Here’s why

Yes, London can swallow your budget faster than you can shout “Mind the gap,” but hostels soften the blow. 

Dorm beds keep costs down, and the best properties add breakfast, kitchens, and free walking tours.

Common rooms become social hubs—perfect for teaming up to snag group discounts on West End shows or day‑trip trains. Plus, many hostels sit inside grand old buildings—converted courts, former schools, even a Victorian fire station—so you get a slice of history with your bunk.

Staying in a hostel also means staff who know the cheapest curry houses, the quietest viewpoints, and the pubs that still pour £5 pints.

9 Hidden Gemz for London (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Final Recommendations

London’s size can intimidate, but nailing your neighborhood trims travel stress by half.

Choose Covent Garden or Soho if theater lights and instant noodles at 2 a.m. sound perfect. Head for Camden when you need vintage jackets and canal sunsets on a budget. Shoreditch delivers creative energy and craft coffee; South Bank offers iconic views and gentle river walks.

Kensington rewards museum lovers, Notting Hill brings pastel charm, Brixton guarantees bold flavors, King’s Cross keeps you transport‑central, and Greenwich gifts you space and skyline in equal measure.

Book a hostel near a Tube station, pack for all weathers, and give yourself permission to wander. 

London’s magic isn’t just in the big sights; it hides in unexpected bus routes, market snacks you can’t pronounce, and strangers who become day‑trip partners by lunchtime.

Choose your base wisely, and the city unfolds like a well‑thumbed travel novel—page after page of historic corners, pop‑up surprises, and maybe your new favorite pub down an unmarked alley. Now grab an Oyster card and go explore.

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!

Must-Read

Solo Travel London

My experience and what you can expect

How to Pick a Hostel in London

What to Expect (and what not!)

Backpacking London

All those cool and unique experiences we are looking for!

I stayed in a Backpacker Hostel in London

My experience and what you can expect

Where to Stay in London as a Solo Traveler

Best Areas and how to get around

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.