Where to stay in London
London is too big to walk, so the question is which part of it you want outside your door. Stay around Covent Garden or Soho for a first visit, when you want to walk to the theaters, the National Gallery and a late dinner. Choose South Kensington for the museums and quiet streets, the South Bank for the river and Borough Market, and Bloomsbury for the British Museum and a calmer evening. Whatever you pick, check how close the Tube or Elizabeth line is, because that decides how easy the rest of the city is.
The short answer
- First trip
- Around Covent Garden or Soho: the West End, the National Gallery and the Elizabeth line within walking distance.
- Museums and quiet
- South Kensington, where three big museums sit a few minutes apart and the streets empty after dark.
- The river
- The South Bank and Southwark: Tate Modern, the Globe and Borough Market along the water.
- Trains and Eurostar
- King's Cross, next to St Pancras, or Bloomsbury a few minutes south.
- Nightlife
- Shoreditch for bars and clubs, Soho for the West End.
How we judge an area of London: walking time to the sights, noise at night, how quickly the Tube or Elizabeth line gets you out, and price. Nothing on this page is paid for, and the hotels we choose will say who chose them and when they last stayed.
London's neighborhoods, side by side
| Area | Best for | At night | Trafalgar Square | British Museum | Tower of London | Getting around | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covent Garden | A first visit, theater | Lively until late | 10 min | 10 min | 55 min | Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Holborn | €€€€ |
| Soho | Food, nightlife | Loud, especially at weekends | 10 min | 15 min | over an hour | Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road | €€€€ |
| Bloomsbury | The British Museum, value | Quiet on the squares | 25 min | 5 min | 60 min | Russell Square, Goodge Street, Holborn | €€€ |
| South Bank and Southwark | The river, markets | Busy on the riverside | 30 min | 40 min | 30 min | Waterloo, Southwark, London Bridge | €€€ |
| The City | St Paul's, weekend value | Quiet at weekends | 45 min | 45 min | 20 min | Bank, Liverpool Street, Farringdon | €€€ |
| Shoreditch and the East End | Nightlife, street food | Loud Thursday to Saturday | over an hour | 55 min | 30 min | Liverpool Street; Overground | €€ |
| South Kensington | Museums, families | Quiet | 55 min | over an hour | over an hour | South Kensington: Piccadilly, District, Circle | €€€€ |
| Notting Hill | Slower stays, couples | Quiet, except Portobello on Saturdays | over an hour | over an hour | over an hour | Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove | €€€ |
| King's Cross | Eurostar, trains | Quiet outside the stations | 40 min | 20 min | over an hour | King's Cross St Pancras: six lines | €€ |
Walking times run from the middle of each area: the straight line plus a third for real streets, at an easy pace, rounded to five minutes. London is big, so the outer areas (South Kensington, Notting Hill, Shoreditch) are a Tube ride from the sights, not a walk: take the walking figure as the distance, and expect 15 to 30 minutes door to door by Tube. Price is our read of a standard double in the same week, from € (cheapest) to €€€€ (dearest), until booking-site prices replace it.
Where the neighborhoods are
Covent Garden, for a first visit
The theaters, the Piazza and the National Gallery on foot, at the price of the West End.
Covent Garden sits between Trafalgar Square and the British Museum, with the Royal Opera House, the Piazza and most of the West End's theaters around it. Walk to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery in about fifteen minutes, to Somerset House and the river in ten, and to the Elizabeth line at Tottenham Court Road in about fifteen.
It is also one of London's busiest places. The Piazza and the streets around it are crowded from late morning, buskers and bars keep it lively into the evening, and the rooms are among the most expensive in the city. Covent Garden's own Tube station has a famously long queue for the lifts; most people walk to Leicester Square or Holborn instead. Ask for a room on a side street.
Good for
- A first trip of two to four nights
- Theatre, with a walk home afterwards
- Walking to the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square and the river
Think twice if
- You want value: this is one of London's dearest areas
- You sleep lightly and the room faces the Piazza or a main street
- You want to feel you are somewhere local
Staying in Covent Garden: nearby sights, food and getting around
Soho, for food and nights out
The best choice of restaurants in London, and a long way from quiet on a Friday night.
Soho is a few dense blocks between Oxford Street, Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, packed with restaurants, bars, small theaters and late-night places. Trafalgar Square is about fifteen minutes away on foot, and Tottenham Court Road, with the Elizabeth line, Central line and Northern line, is at the north-east corner.
It is the loudest area in this guide. Streets such as Old Compton Street and Wardour Street stay busy until the early hours at weekends, deliveries start early, and hotels there are small, with a lot of older buildings and stairs. If you want a Soho address and a night's sleep, ask for a room at the back or on a high floor, and look at Fitzrovia, just north, which has the same Tube links with less noise.
Good for
- Dinner somewhere different every night
- Theatre and a late drink within walking distance
- Easy Tube links: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road
Think twice if
- You need quiet: this is the loudest area in the guide
- You are traveling with small children and want early nights
- You'd rather have space: rooms in the area tend to be small
Bloomsbury, for the British Museum
Garden squares, the British Museum and the university, a short walk from Covent Garden.
Bloomsbury is a grid of Georgian squares north of Holborn and east of Tottenham Court Road. The British Museum is in the middle of it, and Covent Garden and Soho are about fifteen to twenty minutes away on foot. Russell Square, Euston Square and Goodge Street stations are all close, and King's Cross and St Pancras are a short walk or one stop away.
Evenings are calmer than in the West End: pubs and cafés, but fewer clubs and less traffic. There are a lot of mid-range hotels, many in terraced houses, so rooms can be small and some have no lift. Streets near Euston Road are busy with traffic, and the stretch near Euston station is not a pleasant walk at night.
Good for
- The British Museum first thing, before the crowds
- Mid-range value close to the West End
- A calmer evening after a day of sights
Think twice if
- You want to walk out into restaurants and bars
- The hotel is on or near Euston Road and you're sensitive to traffic noise
Staying in Bloomsbury: nearby sights, food and getting around
The South Bank and Southwark, for the river
Tate Modern, the Globe and Borough Market along a riverside walk, with the City across the water.
The south side of the Thames, from Waterloo to London Bridge, is the easiest part of London to walk: a riverside path past the National Theatre, Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe to Borough Market and the Tower. St Paul's is across the Millennium Bridge and the Tower of London is about twenty minutes east along the river. Waterloo, Southwark and London Bridge stations are on the Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo lines.
The riverside is crowded at weekends and on fine evenings, and the streets behind it are quieter, with a good choice of modern mid-range hotels. Trafalgar Square and the West End are across Waterloo Bridge, about thirty minutes on foot or a short Tube ride. Borough Market is closed on Mondays.
Good for
- The river, Tate Modern and Borough Market on foot
- Modern hotels with larger rooms at mid-range prices
- Jubilee line links to Westminster and the City
Think twice if
- Your priority is theater and a late dinner in the West End
- You want a quiet street and the room faces the busy riverside path
Staying in South Bank and Southwark: nearby sights, food and getting around
The City, for St Paul's and weekday value
London's financial district: empty and cheaper at weekends, with St Paul's and the Tower both close.
The City is the old square mile around St Paul's and the Bank of England. The Tower of London and the Sky Garden are about fifteen to twenty minutes away on foot, St Paul's is next door, and the Elizabeth line, Central line and several other lines meet at Bank, Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Liverpool Street also has the Stansted Express.
Its character is an office district. Hotels fill on weekdays with business travelers and are often cheaper at weekends, when many streets and most lunch places are shut. It is quiet in the evening, with fewer restaurants open, and the West End is a Tube ride or a long walk away.
Good for
- The Tower of London, St Paul's and the Sky Garden on foot
- Weekend stays, when rates tend to fall
- Stansted and Elizabeth line arrivals
Think twice if
- You want somewhere lively on a Sunday: many places are closed
- You plan to spend most evenings in the West End
Shoreditch and the East End, for nights out
Bars, clubs, Brick Lane and street food, in a part of London that is noisy at night and a ride from most sights.
Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Brick Lane make up the part of the East End most visitors see. Curry houses and bagel shops on Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market and plenty of bars and clubs, with Liverpool Street station, the Elizabeth line and the Stansted Express on the western edge. The Tower of London is about twenty minutes away on foot, and the West End about 25 minutes by Tube.
It is loud on Thursday to Saturday nights, with queues outside clubs and noise from the street long after midnight. Hotels are newer and often good value for the area, but expect to take the Tube or a bus to most of the big sights. Further east, toward Hackney, it gets quieter and more residential.
Good for
- Nightlife, street food and markets
- Stansted arrivals and the Elizabeth line
- Younger travelers who plan to go out
Think twice if
- You want to walk to the West End's sights
- You need quiet at night, especially from Thursday to Saturday
Staying in Shoreditch and the East End: nearby sights, food and getting around
South Kensington, for museums and quiet streets
Three big museums on one street, Hyde Park to the north, and a Tube ride to everything else.
South Kensington is the museum quarter: the Natural History Museum, the V&A and the Science Museum are a few minutes' walk from each other, and a pedestrian subway links the Tube station to them. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are about fifteen minutes north on foot. The streets are white stucco terraces, cafés and quiet squares, and after dark it empties out.
The sights outside it are further away than the walking times suggest. Trafalgar Square is about a 40 to 55 minute walk, or roughly 15 to 20 minutes by Tube on the Piccadilly line from South Kensington. The Piccadilly line also runs here direct from Heathrow, which makes arrival easy. Rooms are among the most expensive in London, and the area has few late-night restaurants.
Good for
- Museum days, with the Natural History Museum and V&A on your doorstep
- Quiet evenings and safe-feeling streets
- A direct Piccadilly line ride from Heathrow
Think twice if
- You want to walk to the West End or the river
- You want nightlife: the area is quiet after about 10pm
Staying in South Kensington: nearby sights, food and getting around
Notting Hill, for a slower London
Pastel terraces, Portobello Road and Hyde Park nearby, 20 minutes from the West End by Tube.
Notting Hill is a residential area of colored terraces west of Hyde Park, with Portobello Road, its antiques and its Saturday market, plus cafés and bookshops. Notting Hill Gate station is on the Central, District and Circle lines, with Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens a short walk away, and the Elizabeth line at Paddington is a short ride or a 25 minute walk.
It suits a slower stay, or a second visit. Portobello Road is crowded on Saturdays, and the Notting Hill Carnival closes many roads over the August bank holiday weekend, so check the dates if you travel late in August. The sights are a Tube ride away, and there are fewer hotels than apartments and guest houses.
Good for
- A second visit, or a longer stay
- Walks in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
- Portobello Road on a Saturday morning
Think twice if
- You want to walk to the West End's sights
- You are traveling over the August bank holiday weekend and want a quiet street
Staying in Notting Hill: nearby sights, food and getting around
King's Cross, for trains and the Eurostar
St Pancras, King's Cross and six Tube lines, with canal-side bars and a calmer West End ride away.
King's Cross and St Pancras sit side by side. St Pancras is the London end of the Eurostar, and King's Cross has the trains to Cambridge, York and Edinburgh. Six Tube lines call at King's Cross St Pancras, including the Piccadilly line direct from Heathrow, and Camden and Regent's Canal are a short walk north. The British Museum is about twenty minutes on foot.
The redeveloped streets north of the stations have Coal Drops Yard, canal-side restaurants and modern hotels. The streets immediately around the stations and Euston Road are busy and traffic-heavy, and the area is quiet in the evening. The West End is a Tube ride away, and the Elizabeth line does not call here: change at Farringdon, one stop on Thameslink.
Good for
- Eurostar and trains to Cambridge, York and Edinburgh
- A direct Piccadilly line ride from Heathrow
- Modern mid-range hotels and the canal
Think twice if
- Your priority is the West End, which is a Tube ride away
- You plan to walk back late and the hotel is on Euston Road
Staying in King's Cross: nearby sights, food and getting around
Where not to stay in London, and what to do instead
Every booking site lists these places to stay in London. We would skip them, or at least choose with care. Nobody pays a commission on a warning.
- A room facing Leicester Square or Old Compton Street, if you want sleep
Both are loud into the early hours at weekends. Ask for a room at the back or on a high floor, or stay a few streets away in Bloomsbury.
- A 'London' hotel out near Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted
The rate looks low until you add the train in and out each day, and the last trains stop early. Stay in the city, and take a train from the airport.
- A cheap room in Zone 4 or 5 that is described as 'central London'
Zones 1 and 2 hold nearly everything in this guide. Check the Tube zone and the walk to the station before you book: a long commute twice a day costs more than the saving.
- A hotel on Euston Road or beside a main-road junction
The traffic runs all night and the pavements are not pleasant after dark. Choose a street behind the main road, such as one of the Bloomsbury squares.
- The City, if you are traveling on a Sunday
Many restaurants and shops are shut and the streets are empty. Stay there for weekend rates if you are happy with quiet, or choose the South Bank.
Which neighborhood suits you
First time in London
Around Covent Garden, or Bloomsbury for the same walks at a lower price.
Couples
The South Bank for the river, or Notting Hill for a slower stay.
Families with children
South Kensington, with three free museums on one street and Hyde Park nearby.
A tight budget
King's Cross, Shoreditch or Bloomsbury, and the Tube for the rest.
Food
Soho for choice, Southwark for Borough Market, Shoreditch for curry and street food.
Nightlife
Shoreditch for bars and clubs, Soho for the West End.
Peace and quiet
South Kensington, Notting Hill or the Bloomsbury squares.
Trains and the Eurostar
King's Cross, or Bloomsbury a few minutes south.
A weekend break
The City for lower weekend rates, or Covent Garden for the West End.
Before you book a room in London
The practical things that decide whether a good hotel in London makes a good stay.
- The tourist taxLondon has no tourist tax or overnight levy today. The government has said it will give the mayors of England's 13 combined authorities, London included, the power to add one, expected to be no more than about 5% of the bill, but the bill had not yet passed when we checked and the first levies are not expected before the end of 2029.
- From HeathrowThe Elizabeth line takes under 40 minutes to Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street. The Heathrow Express runs non-stop to Paddington in 15 minutes, every 15 minutes. The Piccadilly line takes under an hour and runs direct to Leicester Square, King's Cross St Pancras and South Kensington, and is the cheapest.
- From Gatwick and StanstedThe Gatwick Express reaches Victoria in 30 minutes, twice an hour, and Thameslink trains run to Farringdon, St Pancras and London Bridge. The Stansted Express reaches Liverpool Street in 48 minutes, every 15 minutes through the day.
- Paying for the TubeTap a contactless card or phone at the start and end of each Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line journey, and once on boarding a bus. Fares are capped each day and each week if you use the same card or device every time.
- Late nightsThe Night Tube runs on Fridays and Saturdays on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. On other nights, use the night buses. Check that your hotel is near one of those lines if you plan to be out late.
- Lifts and stairsMany London hotels are in Georgian terraces with small lifts or none, and some Tube stations have long staircases. If stairs are hard for you, check the floor and step-free access at the nearest station before you book.
Where to stay in London: questions people ask
What's the best area to stay in London for a first visit?
Covent Garden or Soho, in the West End: the theaters, the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square are within about fifteen minutes' walk, and the Elizabeth line runs from Tottenham Court Road. Bloomsbury is the cheaper, calmer alternative for the same walks.
Is it better to stay north or south of the Thames?
North for a first visit, because the West End, the British Museum and most hotels are there. South, on the South Bank or in Southwark, is the better choice if you want the river, Tate Modern and Borough Market on foot, and it is a short Tube ride from the West End.
Is South Kensington a good area to stay?
For museums, quiet streets and families, yes. The Natural History Museum, the V&A and the Science Museum are close together and Hyde Park is a short walk. The West End is about 15 to 20 minutes away by Tube, and the area is quiet after dark.
Is Soho safe to stay in at night?
Soho is busy, well lit and full of people until late, but it is loud at weekends and pickpockets work the crowds. Keep your phone and wallet out of back pockets, and ask for a room away from the street if you want to sleep.
Where should I stay in London for the Eurostar?
King's Cross, next to St Pancras station, or Bloomsbury, a few minutes south. Both have Tube links to Heathrow and the West End, and you can walk to St Pancras with a suitcase.
Can you walk everywhere in London?
Not everywhere. Covent Garden, Soho, Bloomsbury and the South Bank are within about 30 minutes of each other on foot, but South Kensington, Notting Hill and Shoreditch are a Tube ride from the West End. Plan your days by area, and use the Tube for the long hops.
Which area is the cheapest to stay in?
King's Cross, Shoreditch and Bloomsbury are usually the best value in or near Zone 1, and the City is cheaper at weekends. Covent Garden, Soho and South Kensington are the dearest. Check the Tube zone and the walk to the station before you book.
Is there a tourist tax in London?
Not at the moment. The government has said it will let London's mayor introduce an overnight visitor levy, expected to be no more than about 5% of the bill, but the law had not passed when we, and the first levies are not expected before the end of 2029.
