Where is the best affordable area to stay in London?
If you’re wondering where is the best location to stay in London for a choice of accommodation, then you’ll be pleased to discover that the Bankside, Waterloo and Southwark region has some affordable and impressive options to offer. Including rentals with outdoor space! Whilst London doesn’t officially have a City Centre, an area called The West End is the center of tourist attractions in London. It is made up of several smaller areas, each with its own character and price. The main areas are Marylebone, Oxford Street, Mayfair, Soho, and we’ll look at each area individually.West London is cleaner and more cultured, while many Londoners tend to regard east London as ‘rough’ and ‘dirty’. But it’s a matter of individual taste, and more importantly it’s about your budget. Beauty comes with a premium in every capital city, and London is no different.Paddington is a great area for budget travelers, offering a range of affordable accommodation and excellent transport links, including the Heathrow Express. The area is lively yet convenient, with easy access to many parts of London. Nearby attractions include Hyde Park, Oxford Street and the Sherlock Holmes Museum.West is best, so look at Kensington, Chelsea or Notting Hill. For shopping, restaurants, theatre and nightlife, Soho and Covent Garden are great spots in the centre, while King’s Cross and Camden are lively options, too. And if the river is calling, the South Bank and Westminster are your best bet.
Where is the safest place to stay when visiting London?
Covent Garden is considered one of the safest neighbourhoods in London due to its notable police presence. This area is ideal for those who enjoy a touch of luxury, with close proximity to world-famous attractions like the Royal Opera House and Covent Garden Market. Neighborhoods to avoid in London include Peckham, Elephant & Castle, Brixton, Tottenham as well as certain neighborhoods in East London, such as parts of Tower Hamlets and Newham. These areas have historically experienced higher crime rates, so it’s advisable to exercise caution when navigating them.Covent Garden is considered one of the safest neighbourhoods in London due to its notable police presence. This area is ideal for those who enjoy a touch of luxury, with close proximity to world-famous attractions like the Royal Opera House and Covent Garden Market.Richmond upon Thames (including areas like Teddington) consistently ranks as the safest borough in London, thanks to its low crime rates (about 72 crimes per 1000 people as of 2024), riverside parks, strong community vibe, and excellent schools.Most of London is perfectly safe for you to travel through. However for those eager to avoid crime, there are a few boroughs which have been flagged as particular ‘danger hotspots’. These include Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Haringey and Lambeth.
What area of London is best for tourists to stay?
West is best, so look at Kensington, Chelsea or Notting Hill. For shopping, restaurants, theatre and nightlife, Soho and Covent Garden are great spots in the centre, while King’s Cross and Camden are lively options, too. And if the river is calling, the South Bank and Westminster are your best bet. For the full experience, we suggest sticking to Holland Park and Notting Hill Gate areas. You can also venture further into swanky Kensington and Chelsea if you prefer designer boutiques to independent shops.West is best, so look at Kensington, Chelsea or Notting Hill. For shopping, restaurants, theatre and nightlife, Soho and Covent Garden are great spots in the centre, while King’s Cross and Camden are lively options, too. And if the river is calling, the South Bank and Westminster are your best bet.St James’s borders some of the city’s most popular attractions and is within easy walking distance to London’s West End, making it a great choice for a family-friendly London break. Stay at one of the area’s hotels, and you’ll have the spectacular Buckingham Palace State Rooms & Royal Mews on your doorstep.West is best, so look at Kensington, Chelsea or Notting Hill. For shopping, restaurants, theatre and nightlife, Soho and Covent Garden are great spots in the centre, while King’s Cross and Camden are lively options, too. And if the river is calling, the South Bank and Westminster are your best bet.
Where to stay in London for first time visitors?
Top Pick for First-Timers: Covent Garden, Westminster, or Soho. If you want to be in the center of all things London, being within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions is essential. If you’re wondering where is best to stay in London for sightseeing, then the Tower Bridge and City area has to be an option. For a start you’re right by the famous river, and that in itself makes it feel like you’re right at the heart of things.If you’re planning a stay in London, there’s no better area to stay than around Tower Bridge, no matter on which side of the Thames you find yourself. Get a taste of the culture and entertainment in the surrounding area and have a quintessentially London experience!For most people travelling around London, the cheapest way to get around is by using an Oyster or contactless payment card. An Oyster card is a smart card you can use instead of paper tickets, available on buses, Tubes, trams, rail, DLR and some river services.The best way to get around London is the rapid-transit London Underground, or what locals call the Tube. You can even take the Tube from Heathrow Airport (LHR) – one of the world’s busiest airports – into the city center.London is generally a safe city – even at night. Almost all of central London is well-lit and I very rarely find myself alone as it’s a 24-hour city. Public transport runs 24 hours a day, too, so it’s easy to get around even after dark.
Where to stay and not to stay in London?
Generally speaking, most areas of London are safe and suitable to stay in but, for peace of mind, we would recommend avoiding areas such as Canning Town, Tower Hamlets, and Hackney where crime rates are notably higher. Finding the safest areas in London doesn’t just mean peace of mind—it’s about choosing a lifestyle that fits your family, career, and budget. Richmond, Kingston, Sutton, Bromley, and Hampstead stand out as the top choices for 2024, offering a mix of safety, community, and charm.While most parts of London are safe, it’s wise to be aware of specific areas where crime rates might be higher. Neighborhoods to avoid in London include Peckham, Elephant & Castle, Brixton, Tottenham as well as certain neighborhoods in East London, such as parts of Tower Hamlets and Newham.
How much to stay in London for 5 days?
To be safe, at least £500 for five days – and that’s if you’re reasonably restrained. If you want to have a fun time without worrying about your money, I would bring around £800. You’ll probably take some of that back, but you won’t have to choose between a meal in a nice restaurant and a sandwich. You could easily spend all 7 days in London or choose to hit up the major cities. We recommend the following budget per person for 7 days in the UK: Budget trip: £400. Mid-range trip: £1000.London has an almost endless list of things to keep you entertained. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is, there’s always something going on, somewhere to explore, or a fun adventure to be had. If you want to make the most of a day in the city, £50 is more than enough to have an amazing time.For first time visitors, we recommend spending at least four or five days in London, which will give you enough time to get a feel for the city and see many of its main sites. With so much to do and see check out this article on how you can make the most of your time in London!If you wondering how many days in London with kids, you could definitely spend a week in London or more and still barely scratch the surface of this incredible city. Still, three days is often the amount of time people have if they’re traveling through Europe, or want to venture out to other parts of the UK.We recommend budgeting around £105 plus (about $130 in US dollars) per day, per person, after paying to get there. You can of course spend a lot more, or a little less, but our recent trip revealed this figure to be a good starting point.