So next month (specifically November 3rd - 6th) I will be in London on my way to do research in Corsica and am in need of a cheap place to stay. And cheap is the operative word - I am on a quite limited budget. Does anyone have any recommendations from previous travels or any other experience? Thanks!
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
Why not do couch surfing?
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
I found a really cheap B&B right smack in the middle of London. I just have to track down the name of it.
The rooms are tiny and not all that clean (the linens are fine but the carpet needs a shampoo and the walls need paint) but it is in a really great location and really cheap. The people are kind (though their English is sparse). The dining room is clean and the breakfast is great and included. Internet access. If you just need someplace to sleep and store luggage while you sightsee, this would do.
Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
No idea for hostels, but since you're in London on the 5th, you should try to see some Bonfire Night fireworks!
I miss that.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
I stayed at http://www.hollyhousehotel.co.uk/ , which is right around the corner from Victoria Station (one of the biggest and most modern stations in London, in a nice area, with a pretty decent grocery store and other shops in the same building).
Like kate's link, the rooms are tiny, and somewhat dingy , but they are individual rooms. They are also extremely cheap, at 40 GBP (55 if you want to have your own shower), and include a decent if basic breakfast.
Even for such a short visit, I'd get an Oyster card for your transit needs. That pretty much gets rid of all hassle with tickets.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
And don't fret over the deposit for the oyster card- you'll likely save money using it. It automatically converts your usage of transport to the lowest price you would have payed with a ticket. So: it charges you a one way rate, then converts that to a round trip, and if you use it again, to an all day pass, and so on- so you never spend more than tickets would have cost.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Definitely.
Btw, grocery stores are definitely how to eat in London, even for the short term, especially if you're out to save money. Since my room had a minifridge and I was there for a couple weeks, I kept fresh grapes, citrus, chocolate bars, and cheese (red leicester and double gloucester w/stilton go great with the chocolate and grapes and so forth, and are really cheap in england).
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
And if youre savvy enough, you realize that Tesco and Boots also sell toiletries at below cost- so when you travel to England, don't even bother packing soap, razors, shampoo, etc. You can buy a whole bag full of neccessaries for less than a pound.
This amazed me when I lived there, but they do it to get you in the store, I suppose.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
My brother stayed at King George VI Memorial Youth Hostel, Holland Walk, Kensington, London, W8 7QU.
It is in the middle of a park and so not that easy to get to from the underground or even out of a taxi if you have a lot of luggage but when I went to meet him there it looked very nice and quite secure. I'm guessing the less-than-optimal location translates into lower prices.
I'm not so sure about a "whole bag of toiletries for less than a pound" but I'm a girl and we need a lot more stuff.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
My recollection was (from a few years ago mind), that you could get 10 razors for 10p, a bottle of shampoo and conditioner for 5p each, a bottle of toothpaste for 10p and a toothbrush for 5, and a bar of soap for 5p. Perhaps those deals don't exist anymore. It was all "Tesco Values" items- and in this case all the soap products were the same generic color and scent. But yeah, I'm a guy. And at the time I was a guy living on 10 quid a day, staying at the college.
(eta; come to think, those may have been student prices... do they do that? I can't remember).
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
18 quid for a dorm bed, free breakfast (not very substantial though - cereal and toast).
I've also stayed in St Christopher's Village once and it was OK. Prices start at 10 pounds for a 20-something dorm, and then go up. I stayed with friends in a smaller dorm so not sure about the big ones.