BUG - Backpackers Guide to London, England

The northern end of Hyde Park has a number of hostels and budget hotels, particularly in the Bayswater area and around Paddington Station. This area is close to Notting Hill, which is famous for its annual carnival.

Astor Hyde Park Hostel

2-6 Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Queensway Bus 12, 94, 148

Tel (020) 7229 5101

Astor Leinster Inn

7-12 Leinster Square, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Royal Oak, Queensway Bus 7, 23, 27, 70

Tel (020) 7229 9641

Astor Quest Hotel

45 Queensborough Terrace, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Queensway Bus 12, 94, 148

Tel (020) 7229 7782

Bayswater Hotel

60 Princes Square, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Royal Oak, Queensway Bus 7, 23, 27, 70

Tel (020) 7229 6436

Central Hostel (formerly Millennium Lodge Central)

26 Princes Square, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Royal Oak, Queensway Bus 7, 23, 27, 70

Tel (020) 7727 5807

Granada Europe Hotel

56 Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Queensway, Royal Oak

Tel (020) 7221 3287

Leinster Hostel

18 Leinster Gardens, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Queensway Bus 12, 94, 148

Tel (020) 7262 3507

Leinster House

46 Leinster Gardens, London W2 3AT

Tube Bayswater, Queensway Bus 12, 94, 148

Tel (020) 7723 7803

London House Hotel

81 Kensington Gardens Square, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Queensway, Royal Oak

Monocrown Court

30-34 Monocrown Court, Bayswater, London

Tube Bayswater, Queensway, Royal Oak

New Mansion House

38 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3ND

Tube Lancaster Gate

Tel (020) 7723 4421

Palace Hotel

48-49 Princes Square, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Royal Oak, Queensway Bus 7, 23, 27, 70

Tel (020) 7229 1729

Princes Hotel

63 Princes Square, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Royal Oak, Queensway Bus 7, 23, 27, 70

Tel (020) 7229 4944

Queen's Hotel

86-92 Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Queensway

Tel (020) 7229 8981

Railton House

10 Craven Hill, London W2 3DT

Tube Bayswater, Lancaster Gate

Tel (020) 7723 5643

Royal Bayswater Hotel

121 Bayswater Road, Bayswater, London

Tube Bayswater, Queensway

Tel (020) 7229 8888

Sandeman-Allen House

40 Inverness Terrace, London W2 3JB

Tube Bayswater

Tel (020) 7727 2719

Smart Hyde Park Inn

48-50 Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Queensway Bus 12, 94, 148

Tel (020) 7229 0000

Smart Hyde Park View

16 Leinster Terrace, Bayswater, London W2 3EU

Tube Bayswater, Lancaster Gate, Queensway

Tel (020) 7262 3167

The Lodge

44 Norfolk Square, London W2 1RT

Tube/train Paddington

Tel (020) 72624406

Torquay House

1 Torquay Street, London W2 5EJ

Tube Royal Oak Bus 18, 36

Tel (020) 7289 5788

Wake Up!

1 Queens Gardens, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Lancaster Gate, Paddington, Queensway Bus 12, 94, 148

Tel (020) 7262 4471

West Two Hotel

22-23 Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, London W2

Tube Bayswater, Royal Oak, Queensway Bus 7, 23, 27, 70

Tel (020) 7221 9171

BLOOMSBURY & KINGS CROSS

Although a bit grotty, Kings Cross has excellent transport connections. Bloomsbury is just to the south of Kings Cross, but and is much nicer, more central and has top attractions like the British Museum.

Ashlee House

261-265 Grays Inn Road, London WC1

Tube Kings Cross St Pancras Train Kings Cross, St Pancras Bus 17, 45, 46

Tel (020) 7833 9400

Astor Museum Inn

27 Montague Street, London WC1

Tube Russell Square, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road Bus 7

Tel (020) 7580 5360

Generator London

Compton Place, off 37 Tavistock Place, London WC1

Tube Russell Square, Kings Cross St Pancras Train Kings Cross, St Pancras, Euston

Tel (020) 7388 7666

Journeys Kings Cross

54-58 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, London N1

Bus 17, 91, 259 Tube Kings Cross St Pancras Train Kings Cross, Kings Cross Thameslink, St Pancras

Tel (020) 7833 3893

Pickwick Hall

7 Bedford Place, London WC1B 5JE

Tube Russell Square, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road

Tel (020) 7323 4958

St Pancras YHA

79-81 Euston Road, London NW1

Tube Kings Cross St Pancras Train Kings Cross, St Pancras Bus 10, 30, 73, 91, 205, 390

Tel (020) 7388 9998

THE CITY

London's financial district is the oldest part of the city and home to many major attractions such as St Paul's Cathedral, however it can feel a bit deserted during weekends.

London St Pauls YHA

36 Carter Lane, London EC4

Tube Blackfriars, Mansion House, St Pauls Train Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Cannon Street Bus 4, 11, 15, 17, 23, 26, 76, 100, 172

Tel (020) 7236 4965

EARLS COURT & WEST KENSINGTON

Earls Court is close to the ritzy neighbourhoods of Kensington, South Kensington and Chelsea so it is surprising that it is also home to many of London's hostels and budget hotels. Many backpackers living in London rent flats and houses in Earls Court and the area has a bit of a reputation as an Australian ghetto.

Ace Hotel

16-22 Gunterstone Road, West Kensington

Bus 9, 10, 11, 12, 22, 28, 53, 94, 159 Tube West Kensington

Tel (020) 7602 6600

Adamotel

25 Collingham Road, London

Tube Goucester Road

Albany Hostel

4-12 Barkston Gardens, Earl's Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court

Tel (020) 7370 6116

Barmy Badger Backpackers

17 Longridge Road, Earls Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court Bus C1, C3, 74, 328

Tel (020) 7370 5213

Boka Hotel

33 Eardley Crescent, Earls Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court, West Brompton Train West Brompton Bus 74, 190, 430

Tel (020) 7370 1388

Curzon House Hostel

58 Courtfield Gardens, London SW5

Tube Earls Court

Tel (020) 7581 2116

Earls Court Studio Hostel

71 Earldley Crescent, Earls Court, London SW5

Tel (020) 7373 0532

Earls Court YHA

38 Bolton Gardens, Earls Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court Bus C1, C3, 74, 328

Tel (020) 7373 7083

Nevern Hotel

29-31 Nevern Place, Earls Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court Bus C1, C3, 74, 328

Tel (020) 7244 8366

O'Callaghans Hostel

205 Earls Court Road, Earls Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court Bus C1, C3, 74, 328

Tel (020) 7370 3000

Olave House

43-45 Longridge Road, London SW5

Tube Earls Court

Tel (020) 7373 2415

Silver Fern Hostel

29 Collingham Place, Earls Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court, Gloucester Road Bus 74

Tel (020) 7370 0943

The Court Hotel

194-196 Earls Court Road, London SW5 9QF

Tube Earls Court

Tel (020) 7373 0027

Windsor House Hotel

12 Penywern Road, Earls Court, London SW5

Tube Earls Court

Tel (020) 7373 9087

HAMMERSMITH

This busy suburban area in West London has good transport connections to Central London.

Abercorn House

28-30 Bute Gardens, Hammersmith, London W6

Tube Hammersmith Bus 9, 10, 27, 72, 220, 283, 295, 391

Tel (020) 8563 8692

AccomLondon

62 Clovelly Road, Chiswick, London

Globetrotter Inn

Ashlar Court, Ravenscourt Gardens, Hammersmith, London W6 0TU

Bus 27, 190, 237, 267, 391, H91 Tube Stamford Brook

Tel (020) 7833 3893

KENSINGTON & SOUTH KENSINGTON

Kensington is one of London's most exclusive areas and South Kensington is home to many of its top museums.

Acacia Hostel

14 Queensberry Place, London SW7

Tel (020)7823 7103

Albert Hotel

191 Queens Gate, London SW7

Tube Gloucester Road, South Kensington

Baden Powell House (South Kensington YHA)

65-67 Queens Gate Road, London SW7

Tube Gloucester Road, South Kensington Bus 70, 74

Tel (020) 7584 7031

Belvedere House

6 Grenville Place, London SW7 4RT

Tube Gloucester Road

Tel (020) 7373 5701

Dumil Hostel

59 Holland Road, London

Bus 49 Train/tube Kensington Olympia

Tel (020) 7602 4481

Halpin House

97 Queens Gate, London SW7 5AB

Tube South Kensington

Tel (020) 7373 4180

Holland House YHA

Holland Walk, Kensington, London W8

Tube Holland Park, High Street Kensington, Kensington Olympia Train Kensington Olympia Bus 9, 10, 27, 28, 49

Tel (020) 7937 0748

Regina House

110 Gloucester Road, London SW7 4RJ

Tube Gloucester Road

Tel (020) 7373 5151

MARYLEBONE & REGENTS PARK

This area, just north of the West End, is handy to Regents Park and London Zoo as well as Euston and Marylebone train stations.

International Student House

229 Great Portland Street, London W1

Tube Great Portland Street Bus C2, 88, 453

Tel (020) 7631 8300

NORTH LONDON

Most people visit North London to hang out at Camden Town market. North London also includes many great live music venues and some great pubs although much of this part of London is bland suburbia.

Belsize House

40 Belsize Park Gardens, London NW3 4NA

Tube Belsize Park

Tel (020) 7722 8131

Hampstead Heath YHA

4 Wellgarth Road, Golders Green, London NW11

Tube Golders Green Bus 210, 268

Tel (020) 8458 9054

Hostel 639 (formerly Millennium Lodge)

639 Harrow Road, Kensal Green, London NW10

Tube/Train Kensal Green Bus 18, 52

Tel (020) 8964 4411

Hostel Rio

218 Seven Sisters Rd, Finsbury Park

Tube/train Finsbury Park

Kumala Hostel

149-151 High Road, Willesden Green, London

London Backpackers (North London Backpackers)

12 Queens Parade, Queens Road, Hendon, London NW4

Tube Hendon Central Bus 83

Tel (020) 8203 1319

Ned Kelly's Backpackers Hostel

305 High Road, Willesden Green, London NW10

Tube Dollis Hill Bus 6, 52, 98, 260, 266, 460

Tel (020) 8459 3020

Out of Africa Backpackers

149-151 High Road, Willesden Green, London

Tube Willesden Green Bus 6, 52, 98, 260, 266

Palmers Lodge

40 College Crescent, Swiss Cottage, London

Tube Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage

Sharing Home London Accommodation

188 & 190 Purves Road, Kensal Rise, London NW10

Bus 6, 18, 52, 187 Train Kensal Green

Smart Camden Hostel

55-57 Bayham Street, London NW1

Tube Camden Town, Mornington Crescent Train Camden Road Bus 24, 27, 29, 88, 134, 168, 214, 253

Tel (020) 7229 0000

St Christopher's Inn - Camden

48-50 Camden High Street, Camden Town, London NW1

Tube Camden Town, Mornington Crescent Train Camden Road Bus 24, 27, 29, 88, 134, 168, 214, 253

Tel (020) 7407 1856

NOTTING HILL

This interesting neighbourhood, west of Bayswater, is a mix of exclusive and ethnic residential areas and there are some interesting shops. It is home to the annual Notting Hill Carnival and a brilliant street market on Portobello Road.

Bowden Court

24 Ladbroke Road, London W11 3NN

Tube Notting Hill

Tel (020) 7727 5665

SHEPHERDS BUSH

Shepherds Bush is a busy suburban area between Hammersmith and Notting Hill.

St Christopher's Shepherds Bush

13-15 Shepherds Bush Green, Shepherds Bush, London W12

Tube Shepherd's Bush Bus 49, 94, 148, 295

Tel (020) 7407 1856

SOUTH LONDON

South London covers a vast area but most of the hostels here aren't too far south of the river. The three St Christopher's hostels and the Dover Castle are all within a five-minute walk to the City.

Bar Lorca Hostel

261 Brixton Road, Brixton, London

Tube Brixton

Dover Castle - New Cross Inn Hostel

323 New Cross Road, New Cross, London

Train/tube New Cross, New Cross Gate Bus 21

Dover Castle Hostel

6A Great Dover Street, London SE1

Tube Borough Bus 21, 35, 40, 133, 343

Tel (020) 7403 7773

Eurotower

Courland Grove, Larkhall Lane, Clapham, London SW8 2PX

Tube Stockwell

Tel (020) 7720 5191

Friendship House

3 Belvedere Place (off Borough Road, London SE1 0AD

Tube Southwark

Tel (020) 7803 0950

Journey's Waterloo

73 Lambeth Walk, Lambeth, London SE1

Tube Lambeth North Bus 360

Tel (020) 7582 3088

King William IV Hotel

155-157 Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9TX

Bus 188 Tube Cutty Sark DLR

Tel (020) 8802 6646

London Thameside YHA

20 Salter Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16

Tube Canada Water, Rotherhithe Bus 381

Tel (020) 7232 2114

Orient Espresso

59 Borough High Street, London SE1

Tube Borough, London Bridge Train London Bridge Bus 21, 35, 40, 133, 343

Tel (020) 7407 1856

St Christopher's Inn (Greenwich)

189 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich, London SW10

Tube Greenwich DLR/Train Greenwich Bus 177, 180, 199

Tel (020) 8858 3591

St Christopher's Inn (Southwark)

121 Borough High Street, London SE1

Tube Borough, London Bridge Train London Bridge Bus 21, 35, 40, 133, 343

Tel (020) 7407 1856

St Christopher's Village

161-165 Borough High Street, London SE1

Tube Borough, London Bridge Train London Bridge Bus 21, 35, 40, 133, 343

Tel (020) 7407 1856

VICTORIA

As well as being the Queen's home turf – Buckingham Palace is just up the road – the Victoria area is a convenient spot for travellers as Victoria Coach Station and Victoria train station are both located here.