The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) is the benchmark for quality, value youth hosteling in Britain. Long-established with locations all over the UK, it has a reputation for quality and service – you’re unlikely to find many bedbugs here, but you will find good facilities and a bar in each hostel - many of which have 24-hour licences. You won’t necessarily find many backpacker parties at every venue – but then again, quiet and cleanliness in a great location might be exactly what you’re looking for. YHAs tend to attract a wide age range – they’re not just for the youth of today.

Price examples (January 2008)

There are slight variations in price for each location and depending on your package. Generally, you’ll pay between £16 and £25 (some including breakfast) for a dorm room, and around £45 for a twin room. If you’re careful with your dates, you can get a cheaper dorm bed – we found a couple at YHA St Paul’s for £12.50 per night. If you’re a YHA member (recommended if you’re planning on travelling around the UK, as there are over 200 YHA hostels), you’ll pay £3 less for every night you stay (non-members have to pay this as a supplement). As a member, you also get discounts on a range of other products and services:

http://www.yha.org.uk/yha-membership/benefits-of-membership/index.aspx

Why is it a good choice for a budget traveller? The YHA stable covers most major locations in London – depending on your interests, you should be able to find one nearest the places you want to see. Whether you want to explore the square mile in the business district surrounding St Paul’s, stay in the heart of theatreland in the West End or just stopover on route in St Pancras, you should find a suitable option.

Where is the hostel?

There are several YHAs in London: -

YHA London Central (West End) - 104 - 108 Bolsover Street, W1W 5LP – nearest tube Oxford Circus
YHA London Earls Court - 38 Bolton Gardens, SW5 0AQ – nearest tube Earl’s Court
YHA London Holland Park - Holland Walk, Kensington, W8 7QU – nearest tube Holland Park
YHA London Oxford Street - 14 Noel Street, W1F 8GJ – nearest tube Oxford Circus
YHA London, St Pancras - 79-81 Euston Road, NW1 2QE – nearest tube King’s Cross, nearest Station St Pancras
YHA London St Pauls - 36 Carter Lane, EC4V 5AB – nearest tube St Pauls YHA London Thameside - 20 Salter Road, SE16 5PR – nearest tube Rotherhithe

Homepage address

http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/london/index.aspx