Londoners may frequently grumble about the Tube, but there’s lots to love about it — including that it makes this big city much more navigable.

However, before you hop on board, there are a few written (and unwritten) rules that you should know about, so you can ride the Tube like the locals do.

London Tube tips to ride like a local

These tips will save you money, time and gain you the unspoken appreciation of your fellow passengers.

1. Don’t use the Tube in central London

Locals know that in central London it’s often easiest not to take the Tube. Getting the bus or even walking may be quicker and more direct — not to mention cheaper. This is a handy list of stops where it’s quicker to walk than to change tubes. Take note of the Covent Garden/Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus/Charing Cross and Embankment one to feel extra smug around fellow Tube-reliant visitors.

Related: Top budget hotels in London

Use an Oyster card wisely and you’ll save a plethora of pounds. Photo: Mikey on Flickr

2. Play your Oyster or credit card right

Visitors may want to get an Oyster travel card for the cheapest Tube fares. You can read all about our guide to Oyster cards here.

Another option is using a contactless payment card to travel on the London transport network for the same price as an Oyster card. Just check with your card provider first that you can do so without incurring a transaction fee.

3. Don’t rely on the Tube 24/7 (on most nights)

The Tube doesn’t run 24 hours a day, so don’t rely on it to get you to that early morning train. (Note: A “night tube” was launched in September 2015 for certain lines on Friday and Saturday nights.)

Times vary from line to line, but most open shortly after 5 a.m. and close again before 1 a.m. The time of the first and last train should be displayed at each tube station. For public transit outside these hours, you’ll need to rely on the night bus services.

Related: How to save on Tube and bus tickets in London

Don’t even try to get on during the morning scrum on the Tube. Photo: Ted Sullivan

4. Avoid traveling during rush hour

Why on earth would you want to squeeze yourself into a carload of grumpy Brits during morning rush hour if you have the leisure of waiting a bit? Need another reason to wait to jump on board? It’s cheaper to travel after 9:30 a.m., too. Relax — have a coffee, then travel “off peak.”

5. Let everyone off before boarding

The train has pulled into the station. We know you’re eager to get onto the train, but don’t push your way in the second the doors open. Let everyone who wants to exit the train get off before getting on (admittedly this principle gets a little stretched at very busy times).

6. Be prepared to give up your seat

You shouldn’t need us to tell you, but consider this a gentle reminder to give up your seat on the Tube to someone who looks like they need it more than you — most expectant mothers will wear a “Baby on Board” badge — and take a look around before you throw yourself onto the last remaining seat in a carriage.

This being Britain, we’ll just glare, and perhaps mutter under our breath rather than simply saying if someone really does need a seat. But we always appreciate being offered one.

7. Move down!

Try not to stand by the doorways of the trains. Chances are there are plenty more people who’ll want to get on at the next stop. The same goes for the station platforms, too. The entrance to a Tube platform is not the best place to stop with your case and pull out your Tube map if you want to make new London friends. And when you get off, keep an eye out for directional signs to show you the nearest exit.

8. Everybody always gets off at your stop

It’s really busy and they announce your tube stop. You leap to your feet and start trying to make your way to the door so you don’t miss it, right? Rookie error. Chances are half the carriage will also be getting off at your stop, and trying to get there in advance is not only pointless but the pushing required will also wind up and frustrate most of the car.

Wait until the train gets to the station, then try and make your way to the exit (and then any pushing is, of course, fully justified).

9. Stand on the right. Walk on the left.

Perhaps the London Tube’s most sacred rule: When standing on an escalator, stand to the right; if you want to walk up or down it, do that along the left-hand side. Sorry, suitcases/friends/loved ones you want next to you will not be tolerated — it’s single file only. Londoners are so well-trained that you’ll probably catch us doing this on department store escalators too.

10. Keep it down

Shhh…  for a place that’s so busy and vital to the city, the Tube can be eerily quiet. Don’t take that as your cue to fill the void with noise. It’s not that we’re unfriendly; it’s just easier this way. Playing loud music, of course, is definitely a no-no and probably goes without saying. And going without saying is definitely one of a London tube traveler’s favorite things…

Your tips on the London Tube?

Do you have any tips for riding the Tube like a local? Share in the comments below.

The post London: 10 tips for riding the Tube like a local appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Hailing a London taxi can cost a small fortune and riding the night buses can take a long time to get you back to your hotel.

However, all that might change with the arrival of the Night Tube – a boon to party people and budget travelers who like to stay out late or are catching a late-night flight.

What is the Night Tube?

After announcing the new service in 2014, the Night Tube has finally arrived! It offers a 24-hour service on selected Underground lines on Fridays and Saturdays.

At the moment, the service is running on the Central Line (that runs west to east across London including stops in Notting Hill, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Bank and Liverpool Street) and the Victoria Line (that crosses the city south to north, including Brixton, Victoria, Oxford Circus, Euston, King’s Cross, Highbury & Islington).

The service is due to start running on the Jubilee Line starting October 7, 2016 and will be extended to the Piccadilly and Northern lines later in the autumn.

Related: 10 Tips for riding the London Tube like a local

How much does it cost?

The service costs no more than a standard off-peak journey on the Underground, whether that’s a single ticket or an Oyster card fare. Day tickets are valid from the day of purchase until 4:30 am the following day — so if you buy your ticket at 10 am on a Saturday, it’ll still be valid come 4:15 am on Sunday morning (although you’ll personally probably be exhausted!).

How will it benefit the budget traveler?

The obvious benefits are convenience and cost. Rather than having to navigate the network of night buses or shell out for a taxi, this will open up most of central London.

Even the two lines offering the service at the moment are convenient for traveling, servicing some of the typical budget hotel areas including Warren Street, Victoria, and Holborn. Party areas such as Brixton and Shoreditch (using Liverpool Street station) are now much more easy to reach — and return from — in the early hours.

It will also be a huge help for travelers who have scored cheaper flights or trains into and out of London, with Victoria (for trains to and from Gatwick), Liverpool Street (trains to and from Stansted) and King’s Cross (for the Eurostar) all on the network. When the Piccadilly line becomes part of the Night Tube, Heathrow will also be accessible.

Related: The Cheapest and fastest options for getting to the airport in London

The post London’s Night Tube Opens! How does it work? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Fear not, you can tackle most of the big sights – and some interesting extras – over the course of just a few days. We’ve created three suggested itineraries, based on 1, 2 or 3 days in London, which will give you a proper flavor of the city.

They’ll be busy days however, and require a lot of walking – the best and cheapest way to get around London – so bring some comfy shoes! Ready? Let’s go!

Related: Top budget hotels in London

One Day In London

Just one day in the big smoke? Phew! There’s a lot to pack in. You may think you need to spend lots of cash to manage to go from Tate Modern to the London Eye, and a squeeze in Big Ben and Buckingham all in one day, but our one-day itinerary proves that it’s possible without that.

We even fit in a visit to the theater, and some budget eating options! It’s a great basis for beginning to explore the city, even if you have longer in London – although you might want to take it at a slightly more leisured pace!

Related: 21 London hotels under $100 per night

Two Days In London

You’ll have ticked off many of the “must-dos” on your first day. Our suggested itinerary for a second day in London helps you get a flavor of how London changes from neighborhood to neighborhood. Fortify yourself with a hearty hotel breakfast (like a free one from Celtic Hotel), and get ready to start strolling.

British Museum

Spend some time meandering through the leafy streets and squares of Bloomsbury. The area is known historically as the intellectual heart of London – it’s certainly got some good bookshops! Your destination, however, is the British Museum, a treasure trove of artifacts from all over the world, which is completely free to enter. It’s also more enjoyable if you can get around it before the hoards of other tourists descend – we’ve pulled together tips to get the most from your visit to the British Museum.

Refreshments: Depending on the amount of time spent in the museum, you may want to take a small detour back towards Holborn to check out the gorgeous, traditional Victorian interior of the Princess Louise pub. The pub is known for its good value too. And, if it’s not quite time for alcohol yet, you can always have a refreshing lemonade instead!

Related: A guide to visiting traditional pubs in London

King’s Cross

From Bloomsbury, it’s just a short walk up to King’s Cross. There’s more free culture to be found around here too, in the fascinating medical and anthropological exhibits of the Wellcome Collection and the imposing British Library, home to around 14 million books. However, King’s Cross Station has another very important literary claim to fame, as home to Harry Potter’s Platform 9 3/4. You’ll need to queue to get your picture snapped, but it’s free if you take it yourself – and then you’ll be able to show your friends how your trip to London also included a day trip to Hogwart’s, right?

Refreshments: King’s Cross Station has a wide selection of fairly well priced chains, but head out to Granary Square behind the station for more. Kerb Street Food market  is well worth seeking out, for adventurous and quality cheap eats from local traders. You’ll find them here every weekday.

A stroll along Regent’s Canal is a nice break from the city streets. Photo: Craig Nelson

The Regent’s Canal

The area around King’s Cross once had a bit of dodgy reputation, but it’s really cleaned up its act in recent years. Walking along the Regent’s Canal is a great way to experience this changing area and its peace and quiet makes a change from from the busy main streets. Created in the 19th century, the canal once carried heavy goods and food in and out of the city, although it’s a lot quieter today! Keep a look out for the charming Word on the Water, a bookshop barge.

Camden Market

A mile west along the towpath and you’ll find yourself at Camden Lock, right next to the legendary Camden Market. Camden still attracts punks and rockers and there’s plenty to see here, from colorful shops to colorful characters! Bargain hunters are sure to unearth something in the market itself, which sells everything from cheap noodles to vintage clothing. It’s just one of many great markets in London.

Take a well-deserved break on Primrose Hill. Photo: Ellen Munro

Primrose Hill

Depending on your feet, you could walk or get the bus northwards towards Primrose Hill. Once there, you’ll have to gather your energy to climb Primrose Hill itself – it’s worth it, honest, for one of the best free views of London. Energy recovered, and head back down the hill for the evening’s entertainment.

Refreshments: The Parkway road in Camden has a good choice of budget dinner options. Try Hook – fish and chips but not as you know it, served in Panko crusted breadcrumbs – or Masala Zone – a stylish and authentic Indian.

A Camden night out

It’s always worth checking out what gigs are going on in Camden’s bars and pubs  – there are always bands playing, and fun nights out to be had. Our tip is to catch and up and coming comics in the intimate surrounds of the Camden Comedy Club. Lots of shows are free, and you’ll rarely pay more than £5 for entrance, a real bargain for London.

Three Days In London

Still here? Well, you’re lucky as you can spend a day really getting the measure of London, from old to new, from classic to up-to-the-minute fashionable.

Brick Lane

Street art and street style central, a walk down Brick Lane shows contemporary, multi-cultural London at its buzziest. There are tons of independent shops to browse, events and markets to check out, and always people to watch. We love it so much, it’s one of our top 10 free things to see in London. If you happen to visiting on a Sunday, make the short walk to Columbia Road Flower Market. It’s a blooming scene where you can browse colorful flowers and enjoy a tasty bite to eat as hawkers call out as you walk by.

Refreshments: You’ll be spoiled for choice for street food but a local institution and still something of a bargain is the Brick Lane Beigel Bake. Open 24 hours a day, the queue can wind out the door for their salt beef bagels.

The City

From there, it’s hard to believe you’re just a short walk away from “the Square Mile”, more commonly – and slightly confusingly – known as “the City”, which is the financial hub of London, and the UK. On weekdays it’s packed with suited workers; on the weekend it’s almost deserted. An area with centuries of history, older building such as the Bank of England and St. Paul’s Cathedral are now overshadowed by the idiosyncratic new breed of tall buildings that dominate the skyline. Love them or loathe them, there’s no denying these buildings will provide spectacular views. See for yourself at the Sky Garden – a public garden at the very top of 20 Fenchurch Street (otherwise known as the “Walkie Talkie”), it’s free to visit but you’ll need to book in advance.

Related: Cheapo neighborhood guide to The City of London

Greenwich

You’ll definitely be getting tired now, after almost three days of full-on sightseeing, so it’s time to head to one of London’s many green spaces to restore your spirits. You’re actually spoilt for choice – Hyde Park, Green Park, Regent’ Park – would all do the job nicely, and that’s just for starters. For greenery coupled with history, we’d recommend taking a journey to Greenwich.

Hop on the Dockland Light Railway (DLR) at Bank station and for £2.30 (off-peak), you’ll be whisked over to Greenwich in around 20 minutes. There are loads of historical attractions to be explored here – it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site after all – and whether the imposing Cutty Sark ship or the grand promenades of the Royal Naval College, it really is stunning. The large park is also the perfect spot for weary travelers to rest awhile. If you can summon the energy to climb to the Royal Observatory, perched on top of the hill in the park, you’ll be rewarded with another amazing view (but, if you can’t, we really won’t mind at this stage!)

Refreshments: What better way to finish off a London trip than in a traditional pub? The Cutty Sark pub is slightly off the main tourist drag, but well worth a visit for its Georgian exterior and riverside views. Although definitely on the treat yourself end of the budget scale, it’s hard to think of a better way to end your visit than feasting on traditional pub food and toasting your London experience with a local ale. Cheers!

And, if you’re in London for even longer, why not use it as a base to explore some more areas of the UK? Read our guides on daytrips to Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford or Brighton for some inspiration.

The post London: Budget itineraries for 1, 2 & 3 days appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While hotels near to some of the city’s biggest landmarks are often more expensive, if you’re short on time, it’s worth weighing up the cost of traveling when you stay further out of town. You may find it’s just as well to stay nearby the places that are top of your to-do list. Here are five hotels that combine comfort with wallet-friendly prices—all within walking distance of London’s most popular sights.

Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace

Guests enjoy cute rooms, a great location and a full English Breakfast included at Luna & Simone. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel: Luna & Simone Hotel
Doubles from £100 per room per night

Accommodation right next to these most iconic of London landmarks does not generally fall into a Cheapo’s budget, but if you’ve got your heart set on living near the Queen for just a few days, check in at the Luna & Simone Hotel in nearby Pimlico and you’ll be just a 15-minute stroll away. The hotel is basic and, while not the world’s cheapest, it’s definitely good value for this part of town. The rooms boast simple décor, en suite bathrooms and flat screen TVs and are all immaculately clean.

Kensington’s Museums

The rooms are simple at easyHotel, but the prices make up for any lack of perks. Photo: givingnot@rocketmail.com

Hotel:  easyHotel South Kensington
Doubles from £30 per room per night

If you’re willing to totally scrimp on luxuries (and a window), grab a room at the easyHotel in South Kensington and you can explore one of London’s most well-heeled areas without splurging. As with the low-cost airline from the same family, easyHotel will charge you extra for just about anything, but its unrivaled location means that savvy travelers can spend their days exploring the city’s best museums (The V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum are just around the corner), while Hyde Park and the Royal Albert Hall are also just a short walk away.

Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge

This location near Borough Market and Tate Modern is hard to beat for the price. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel: Premier Inn London Southwark
Doubles from £100 per room per night

If dipping into beautiful Borough Market for breakfast, lunch and dinner is your idea of London heaven, book in at the brilliantly located Premier Inn London Southwark. Being an affordable hotel chain means that, while you miss out on the quirks of an independent B&B, you will get comfort, cleanliness and a great price in a fabulously iconic location. So drop those bags and get exploring—you’ll have everything from Southwark Cathedral and a lovely stretch of the River Thames, to bustling Borough Market and London’s newest skyscraper, The Shard, all on your doorstep.

Related: A Cheapo’s Guide to Southwark’s restaurants, hotels and bars

British Museum

A hostel for ages 18-35, Astor Museum Inn is just around the corner from the British Museum. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel: Astor Museum Inn
Doubles from £70 per room per night

If getting a firsthand glimpse of the varied artifacts on show at the British Museum is a must, you can’t get much closer to the door than the Astor Museum Inn. This laid back hostel does have a guest age limit; 18-35, but if you pass that initial test you’ll find you can get a really good value bed for the night. Private twin rooms are available, or spend even less and opt for a dorm room bed. The communal kitchen means you can save on food costs too (check out our guide to London supermarkets for inspiration), but do be prepared for noise resonating from the popular TV lounge.

West End

Stay close to all of the theater action at this cozy and friendly hotel. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel: Seven Dials
Doubles from £105 per room per night

If you’ve come to London to explore the West End and plan to catch some shows while you’re there, the Seven Dials Hotel is the perfect place to stay. The hotel squeezes a fair few beds and rooms into its vertical town house layout (there are lots of stairs!), but when you step outside onto lovely Monmouth Street, you’ll soon realize you couldn’t get a much better or more buzzy location in the capital for this price. The shops and restaurants of Covent Garden are all around and you can take your pick of London’s best theaters, all just a few minutes’ walk away.

Related: How to find free and cheap theater tickets in London

For more ideas on where to stay in London, check out our London hotel guide.

The post London: Affordable hotels close to the city’s top attractions appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

A budget guide to the City of London

When it comes to accommodation, the choices are also blossoming and becoming increasingly boutique, but there are still plenty of affordable staples that will place you at the heart of the action and a short stroll home at the end of the night.

Where to stay

The modern lounge area makes the Qbic Hotel an affordable home base to explore The City. Photo: EuroCheapo

Qbic London City
42 Adler Street, London E1 1EE
Tube: Whitechapel or Aldgate East
Read our full review
Website

A new arrival on the London hotel scene, Qbic is a great budget option for business and leisure travelers alike. Located just opposite Aldgate East station at the end of Brick Lane, it’s perfect for exploring East London.

The rooms are all built around the revolutionary Qbic pod formation which comprises a double bed, TV, bathroom, bedside tables and lamps and wardrobe, but you pay more for a window with a view. Rooms are clean, compact and very comfortable, but you’ll probably want to spend most of your time in the uber cool lounge area, which feels like the designer living room you always wished you could afford.

Related: Does Qbic London City manage to be both chic and cheap?

Ibis London City
5 Commercial Street, London E1 6BF
Tube: Aldgate East
Read our full review
Website

The Ibis offers what you would expect from an established hotel chain; comfort and cleanliness in a good location. While the design is nothing to write home about, the prices are always very reasonable and you will be guaranteed a good night’s sleep and attentive staff on hand all the time. Rooms come with phones and flatscreen TVs and all have private bathrooms. The hotel also boasts a modern bar and restaurant with decent value food—great for a snack after a long flight, but there are plenty of more inspiring places to explore nearby if you’re looking for a more memorable dinner (carrying on reading for ideas…).

What to see

Whitechapel Gallery
77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX
Tube: Aldgate East

A great gallery that offers lots of free (and some paid for) modern art exhibitions ranging from sculpture and painting to photography and unique installations. If your visit falls on the first Thursday of the month, be sure to head to the gallery’s First Thursdays, which sees over 150 spaces in the area open their doors until 9pm with free events, exhibitions and talks throughout the night.

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Tube: Barbican

Europe’s largest performing arts center is housed in an iconic building slap bang in the middle of the City of London. Everything from film screenings and theater to concerts and exhibitions take place here and, sadly, it is often missed off the tourist agenda. Some things are free and some are paid for, so check the website in advance and work out what you want to see to make the most of your visit.

Related: Our favorite free art galleries and museums in London

Spitalfields Market
65a Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA
Tube: Liverpool Street

Located just behind Liverpool Street you’ll find a creative and quirky market that contrasts wildly with the suits that inhabit this corner of London during the week. Spitalfields is home to artists, vintage clothes stalls, accessories and unique homeware, as well as plenty of tasty food. Sunday to Friday sees the Traders Market take place, or alternatively time your visit with the Saturday Style Market.

Eating and drinking

Brick Lane Brasserie
67 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
Tube: Aldgate East or Whitechapel

You can’t visit The City without sampling one of Brick Lane’s legendary Indian restaurants. As tower blocks and offices give way to ethnic restaurants and supermarkets, so you’ll find yourself marveling at another of London’s fantastic contrasts. Brick Lane is absolutely jam packed with curry houses, many of which vie for your attention as you walk down the road and, while some of them serve up more questionable food than others, you can’t stay in East London without experiencing it once. My personal favorite is the Brick Lane Brasserie—which serves up familiar curries and some more unusual options if you fancy branching out. Make sure you negotiate before you sit down, because most places throw in a few free beers with your meal.

Box Park is a rotating selection of shops and eateries housed in shipping containers. Photo: Matty Ring

Box Park
2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY
Tube: Shoreditch High Street

This self proclaimed “pop up shopping mall” made out of shipping containers has become less pop up and more of a permanent structure next to Shoreditch High Street train station over the last couple of years. However, the shops that reside within it do change regularly and upstairs there are lots of fun eateries and bars. Cottons Rum Shack is a particular favorite for a Caribbean cocktail in the summer months.

All Star Lanes
95 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
Tube: Shoreditch High Street

For burgers, shakes and some good old bowling and karaoke, All Star Lanes is the ideal place to let off steam after a grueling day in the office or a long day sightseeing. A filling meal in the form of a generously sized burger starts form £9.50, while bowling costs between £6.95 and £8.95 per person per game, depending on the day and time.

Nightlife

For late night drinks try Vibe Bar on a nice evening as the huge outdoor terrace is a great place to soak up the last of the sunshine, or head to Brick Lane staple, 93 Feet East, for DJs and live music Wednesday through to Sunday. Wednesday nights also play host to “Mundo Lingo” an intercambio style multilingual event for foreigners and locals to meet new people and practice language skills.

Special treat

Heron Tower
110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
Tube: Liverpool Street

If you do feel like splurging, save your pennies for an unforgettable trip up the 40-storey Heron Tower. Here you’ll find the British-inspired Duck and Waffle, and the internationally renowned Sushi Samba, both of which will set you back a good £13 for a cocktail, but if you really want to get a bird’s eye view of The City from the heart of it, this is most certainly the place to do it.

The post A Budget Guide to the City of London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But don’t fret! There are still some great hidden gems in the city center where it’s possible to bag a bed (and a window) in a private room for £100 or less per night. Even better, many of these spots offer the personal experience of a unique B&B that the big chains can’t provide. Peak times like school summer holidays, Easter and Christmas may see prices fluctuate above this, but in general, rates at these great little guest houses will come in under budget.

Stay in a smashing location for only £55 at the Latvian Guest House. Photo: Courtesy of hotel

Latvian Guest House (aka. 72 QT)

Doubles from £85 per night
Read the full review

This cute Bayswater guest house is well located for exploring London’s museums and Hyde Park. It’s housed in a traditional Georgian building, and the spotless rooms are decorated simply with hardwood floors and neutral décor. 15 rooms have shared bathrooms, and there is one ensuite family room, but when you’re staying in a location like this from £55 per night for a single room and £85 for a double, sharing a shower is honestly a small price to pay in London terms. The hotel is very calm and quiet—perfect if  you’re really looking to relax after a day exploring the city. Added extras include free Wi-Fi and a tasty cooked breakfast, all of which make this a top budget choice.

The back gardens at Crestfield Hotel are a fantastic perk for a low price. Photo: EuroCheaop

The Crestfield Hotel

Doubles from £50 per night
Read the full review

London’s Kings Cross is awash with fancy hotels, small B&B’s and youth hostels, all of which offer travelers a convenient location from which to explore central London and also further afield, by using the extensive rail connections at both Kings Cross and Euston stations. The Crestfield Hotel is ideally located just over the road from the station, which has changed enormously in the last few years as part of a big project to redevelop the area with bars, restaurants, offices and luxury flats. The hotel boasts 52 rooms and shared bathroom singles start from £50 per night, while ensuite doubles start from £65. All guests have access to Wi-Fi, a continental breakfast, the hotel’s pretty back garden and bar. Rooms have had a bit of lift in décor in recent years and now feature warm yellow walls, blue duvets and homely floral curtains.

With a welcoming staff, comfy rooms, free Wi-Fi and breakfast, the Princess Hotel’s value is hard to beat Photo: EuroCheapo

Princess Hotel

Doubles from £55 per per night
Read the full review

Just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Crestfield, you’ll find the Sicilian-run Princess Hotel. It’s a friendly, comfortable place to stay and, with rates from £55 for a shared-bathroom double and £75 for an ensuite double, you can’t really go wrong. Rooms are fairly simple, with peach and cream colored walls and floral bedding, but guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and a choice of cooked or continental breakfast in the morning.

Enjoy an upscale location for a tiny price at Notting Hill Gate Hotel. Photo: Courtesy of hotel

Notting Hill Gate Hotel

Doubles from £69 per night
Read the full review

If you dream of reenacting your favorite scenes from Notting Hill, then this basic B&B is the very best value you’ll find in such a luxurious corner of the capital. All the rooms in the hotel have ensuite bathrooms, which gains it a big tick from travelers in search of a bit more privacy without breaking the bank. Rooms are clean and quite modern and neutral in décor, with wooden floors and the occasional pop of color on the wall or in the bedding. A big bonus is that Wi-Fi and continental breakfast are included in the room rate for all guests.

Bloomsbury beckons just outside your door at St Athans Hotel with super cheap rooms. Photo: Courtesy of hotel

St Athans Hotel

Doubles from £61 per night
Read the full review

It’s not the most beautiful hotel in the world, but St Athans is slap bang in the middle of Bloomsbury—London’s literary district—and offers some of the lowest prices we’ve seen. The British Museum is on the doorstep and the shops of Oxford Street and buzzy bars and restaurants of Charlotte Street are also nearby. The hotel is family run, personal and friendly and, while room décor is pretty basic, you can be guaranteed it will be clean. Double rooms with shared bathrooms start from £61, and if you’re after an ensuite, this will set you back £76 per night. The rates don’t include breakfast, but Wi-Fi is included.

More London Hotels

Find more affordable hotel options throughout London on our website and check out our General FAQ for more information on London hotels.

The post 5 hotels in central London for under £100 per night appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. East Street
3-5 Rathbone Place
W1T 1HJ
Metro: Oxford Circus / Tottenham Court Road
Website

This funky pan-Asian restaurant is the perfect stop off point when you tire of shopping along Oxford Street. The menu fuses together classic East Asian recipes, from Japan and Korea, through Thailand, Vietnam and The Philippines, right down to the traditional tastes of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Mains cost between £7-£12, or opt for the Express Menu from 12-6 pm daily, where you’ll get a main and a side dish for £8.95.

Get skewered at Pix. Photo: benandclare

2. Pix
Bars in Soho, Covent Garden and Angel
Website

This Basque-style pintxo bar is equally suitable for grabbing a tasty bite on the go or enjoying a long, relaxed lunch or dinner. Pintxos are delicious morsels normally presented on a piece of bread or a skewer. The selection at Pix keeps changing throughout the day so there are always new things to try, but expect to find the likes of calamares with alioli, spinach and sweet potato tortilla or salt cod croquetas to name but a few.

As in the tapas bars of San Sebastian and Bilbao, you’re free to go up to the bar as many times as you like to select pintxos and you’ll be billed for however many skewers you have at the end of your meal. Small sticks cost £1.95 each and large ones are £2.95.

3. Pizzeria Malletti
26 Noel Street
W1F 8GY
Tube: Oxford Circus / Tottenham Court Road
Website

Strictly a lunchtime option, the queues at this traditional Italian pizza bar are proof enough that it’s worth trying. A generous portion of beautifully crispy, thin-crust pizza or fresh focaccia and a generous filling will set you back between £3.95 and £4.50. Alternatively, opt for the equally scrumptious pasta or risotto of the day for £5.45 a portion.

Lunch at Rasa Sayang. Photo: su-lin

4. Rasa Sayang
5 Macclesfield Street
W1D 6AY
Tube: Leicester Square / Piccadilly Circus
Website

This no-frills Malaysian restaurant comes as a welcome break from the hoards of Chinese eateries lining the streets of China Town. The menu is fresh and unique, boasting a fantastic range of dishes from both Malaysia and Singapore. If you’re starving hungry then you won’t get a much better value deal than the three-course set menu for £13.30, or you can keep the price down by going straight for a hearty main.

I’d recommend the curry laksa with prawns (£6.90) or nasi lemak (coconut rice and curried chicken) for just £7.50.

5. Koya
49 Frith Street
W1D 4SG
Tube: Tottenham Court Road / Leicester Square
Website

Tables are coveted at this Soho favorite so don’t be put off if you can’t get a table immediately, the perfectly prepared Japanese Udon noodles are more than worth the wait. While Koya became famous for its budget-friendly offering of hot and cold udon noodles with delicious broth or dipping sauces from just £6.90 each, the non-noodle related dishes are also worth a taste, with filling bowls of Donburi and miso soup from £11 each.

Related: Looking for more inspiration? Check out these recommended lunch stops in Soho and our neighourhood hotel and bar guide.

The post 5 cheap and delicious eats in central London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.