Short Stays & Budget Accommodation in London
Our homestays suit students settling into London for the longer term. If you only need a bed for a few nights, or you are watching every pound, here is an honest pointer in the right direction.
When this page is for you
A London Homestays placement is not the right fit for every trip, and that is fine. This page is here for four situations:
Your stay is too short
Homestays are built for settling in with a host family over time. For a night or a long weekend, a hostel is simpler and costs less.
Your budget is tight
A hostel dorm bed costs a fraction of a private homestay room, which helps when you are keeping spending to a minimum.
You are heading somewhere we do not cover
We place students with host families in London. If you are travelling elsewhere, hostels are easy to find almost anywhere.
We had no availability for your dates
If we could not match you with a host this time, you still need a roof over your head while you are here.
Where we send you: Hostelworld
Hostelworld is one of the best-known booking sites for hostels and budget stays. It lists over 17,000 properties across more than 180 countries, so wherever you land you can compare beds, prices and verified guest reviews in one place.
A quick note: London Homestays may earn a small commission when you book through the Hostelworld links on this page, including bookings made within 30 days of following the link. It costs you nothing extra and never changes the price you pay.
Common questions
How short is too short for a homestay?
There is no fixed cut-off, but a homestay works best when you are staying long enough to settle in with a host family. For a handful of nights, a hostel is the easier and cheaper choice.
Is booking through Hostelworld safe?
Yes. Hostelworld is a long-established booking platform with verified guest reviews on every property. Your booking is made directly with them, not with London Homestays.
Can I still book a homestay with you later?
Of course. If your plans change to a longer stay, a different budget, or dates that now work, come back to us any time. Booking a hostel for now does not close the door on a homestay later.
Why are you pointing me to another website?
Because a homestay is not the right fit for every trip, and we would rather send you somewhere useful than leave you stuck. We may earn a small commission if you book, which is explained in the note above.
Looking for a longer stay?
If you are coming to London to study and want to live with a welcoming host family, with home-cooked meals and a real neighbourhood around you, that is what we do best.
