While finding a welcoming (and clean!)  hostel can be a time-consuming challenge, you can rest easy, because we’ve gathered some of the top hostels in London in the center of the city. All of our picks are clean and have excellent communal areas for making new friends, cooking dinner and hanging out after a day of sightseeing.

Not interested in the hostel scene? No worries! Check out our full list of budget hotels in London to find an inexpensive hotel that fits your needs.

Related:
• Affordable hotels near London’s most popular attractions
• 5 Central London hotels for under £100 per night
• 10 Ways to save on dining in London

Best London Hostels: Cheap sleeps in Central London

YHA London St Pancras

79-81 Euston Road
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Single bed starting at $19

Simplicity keeps the prices low at YHA London St. Pancras, but the communal areas more than make up for the basic, but clean, rooms. The lounge space and bar both boast floor-to-ceiling windows and comfy red sofas, and you can count on chill music drifting through these spaces. Make friends over breakfast or drinks, or buddy up with your temporary roommates. Read the full review here.

YHA Oxford Street

14 Noel Street
Neighborhood: Soho
Single bed starting at $21

Vibrant public areas, including the hot pink guest kitchen, make the shared spaces fun and inviting for guests at YHA Oxford Street. Crash on the yellow bean bag chairs to watch TV with other guests, or participate in hostel-directed activities like pub crawls and walking city tours.

You can enjoy the friendly atmosphere by staying in a dorm, or you can take advantage of the inviting communal areas while retreating in the available private rooms. Read more about YHA Oxford Street here.

A private room at YMCA Indian Hostel. Photo: EuroCheapo

YMCA Indian Student Hostel

41 Fitzroy Square
Neighborhood: Bloomsbury
Single bed starting at $36

Relive your college days at this hostel, where both dorm beds and private rooms are available, and cafeteria-style breakfasts and dinners are included in the rate. While rooms may be basic and uninspiring, you can be sure of your chances to meet friends in the dining hall, TV lounge, study rooms, library or the recreational room. Start up a game of table tennis or chess with a fellow guest.

Read the full review of the hostel here.

The lobby and check-in desk at Generator Hostel London. Photo: Booking.com

Generator Hostel London

37 Tavistock Place
Neighborhood: Bloomsbury
Single bed starting at $19

While both private and dorm-style rooms are small, the Generator is a great crash pad for those who live for the night. During the day, a bright café and dining area offer food and drink as well as a space to mingle.

At night, the hostel becomes the center of social activity when its nightclub opens and the cheap drinks start flowing. The club is complete with neon lights and a DJ booth. The club has a fun-filled calendar, featuring quiz nights, blind dates, karaoke and themed parties.

If you’re a night owl and a Cheapo, book a bed (or private room) at the Generator.

The communal kitchen at Clink 261. Photo: Booking.com

Clink 261

261-265 Grays Inn Road
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Single bed starting at $19

Red curtains brighten up the shared rooms, which are otherwise pale blue with metal bunk beds. Although basic, rooms are clean and include free bed linens. What really brings appeal to Clink 261, though, is the public spaces, including a stainless steel guest kitchen, a unique basement lounge and an inviting upstairs lounge.

Make friends playing video or board games downstairs in the basement, or admire the murals with other guests upstairs. Read the full review of Clink 261 here.

More ways to save in London

Looking to explore London on a budget? After booking your hostel or budget hotel, read all of our budget tips for visiting London.

The post Best Hostels in London: Beds from $19 per night appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve picked five super cheap hotels in central London from our list. All of them have high ratings, great locations, and most importantly, very low prices.

Interested in seeing more budget hotels in London? Check out our entire list of hotels and hostels in the city.

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• 21 Ways to save on your trip to London
• When should you book a hotel to get the best rates

Top cheap hotels in central London

A triple room at Princess Hotel provides an excellent value for groups or families.

Princess Hotel

35-39 Argyle Street
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Doubles starting at $104

Simple, pretty rooms are the standard at the Princess Hotel, a charming hotel part of the St. Pancras Hotel Group. The Princess Hotel has been providing comfortable rooms for budget travelers since 1976, and guests continue to come for the friendly service and budget-friendly rooms. Those hoping to save even more money can book a room with a shared bathroom.

Read more about the Princess Hotel here.

Hotel Meridiana is situated in an old-fashioned townhouse overlooking a park.

Hotel Meridiana

43-44 Argyle Square
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Doubles starting at $78

Hotel Meridiana is a simple yet charming family-run hotel on a peaceful street near King’s Cross. Rooms are simple but sparkling clean, with coffee and tea facilities and a TV. Like many other budget hotels in London, you can save extra money by opting for a room with a shared bathroom. A full English breakfast is included in the room rate. Don’t forget to take in the park views while you’re here.

Read more about the Hotel Meridiana here.

An outdoor patio at Rushmore Hotel.

Rushmore Hotel

11 Trebovir Road
Neighborhood: Earls Court
Doubles starting at $107

With free breakfast, clean private bathrooms and a kind staff, the Rushmore Hotel offers a comfortable base for budget travelers. Each room in the hotel is unique, with different color and décor schemes (think sunshine or the sea). Repeat visitors are sure to be surprised, in a good way, with each stay at the Rushmore. Book at least two months in advance for the best rates.

Read our full review of this hotel here.

Rooms are basic but very comfortable at Alhambra Hotel.

Alhambra Hotel

17-19 Argyle Street
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Doubles Starting at $108

A convenient location near King’s Cross and spotless rooms make the Alhambra Hotel a bit higher in price than the previously mentioned hotels, but it still remains a steal compared to other accommodations in the area. For Cheapos who really want to spare some extra pounds, guests can book a room with a shared bathroom. Even better? Free breakfast.

Read more about the hotel here.

The lobby at St Athans Hotel is a great place to check your email or read through your guidebook.

St Athans Hotel

20-24 Tavistock Place
Neighborhood: Bloomsbury
Doubles Starting at $96

If the price is more important than the perks, the one-star St Athans Hotel is a great choice for Cheapos. The same family has run the place since 1964, so the service is reliable and friendly. Rooms are very simple but also very clean with shared and private facilities available. Located about 10 minutes from the British Museum, the Russell Square tube stop is also just two blocks away.

Read more about St Athans Hotel here.

More budget hotels in London

Looking for more cheap hotel options in London? Check out our full list of hotels in our London budget hotel guide.

For more budget travel advice, check out our London blog for tips on everything from the best free museums to how to experience high culture on no budget.

The post London: The 5 best cheap hotels in central London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.