Homestay near UCL
Host families within 45 minutes of UCL in Bloomsbury, with your own room, meals if you want them, and bills included.
UCL’s main campus is in Bloomsbury, in the middle of Zone 1. Very few people can afford to live within walking distance of it, and halls fill up fast. A homestay puts you in a family home in Zones 2 or 3, with your own room, breakfast or dinner included if you want them, and a journey of about 40 minutes door to door.
This page uses our own data: where our host families live and how long their journey to UCL takes on public transport.
Our host families near UCL
40+ homes
Host families who have hosted with us in the last two years and live within 45 minutes of UCL’s Gower Street campus.
About 40 minutes
The typical door-to-door journey from those homes, by Tube, bus or Overground, including the walk at each end.
Zones 2 and 3
Almost all of them. Very few homestays are within 30 minutes of Bloomsbury, so we would rather say so now.
Most of these homes are in five boroughs: Brent, Haringey, Islington, Hackney and Lambeth. They’re north of the campus on the Northern, Victoria and Piccadilly lines, or south of the river on the Northern and Victoria lines. Our London location guides describe what living in each area is like.
Journey times are TfL door-to-door times from the campus to each host’s home on a weekday. We show areas and counts only: we never publish where a host family lives.
Getting to UCL
The stations closest to the main campus are Euston Square (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines), Warren Street (Northern and Victoria), Goodge Street (Northern), Russell Square (Piccadilly) and Euston, which also has London Overground and mainline trains.
Most students from our homes in Brent, Haringey and Islington are on one Tube line to campus, or one change. From Lambeth it’s the Northern or Victoria line straight up through the West End.
If you’re a full-time student aged 18 or over, apply for a 18+ Student Oyster photocard. It takes 30% off Travelcards and bus passes, which adds up over a term.
Homestay or UCL halls: what it costs
Homestay near UCL
- Price: most homes near UCL are Superior (Zones 2/3), from £245 a week. Standard homes (Zone 3+) start at £205.
- Meals: breakfast included. Half board (breakfast and dinner) is £35 a week more, or choose self-catering.
- Bills and Wi-Fi: included.
- Length: the dates you need, whether a term, a year or a few weeks.
- Journey: about 40 minutes, plus a Travelcard.
UCL halls, 2026–27
- Price: UCL says its undergraduate self-catered halls average £320 a week. Catered halls cost about £250 to £456 (UCL’s fees).
- Meals: most rooms are self-catered. About one in five is catered.
- Bills and Wi-Fi: included.
- Length: a fixed contract, usually 39 weeks for undergraduates and 51 for postgraduates.
- Journey: often walking distance.
Halls win on distance. A homestay often wins on price once you count food, and on flexibility if you’re here for a term, arrive outside the main intake or didn’t get a hall place. UCL’s prices change each year, so check their page for the room you’re comparing. Our full prices are on the prices page.
From a student who came to London for university
“Coming to London I was very concerned about finding a place to live as the university did not have room for me in residence. Coming from another country alone, I wanted to find a place where I would feel comfortable and safe but didn’t know much about London. The options they sent me outlined all the important details and transit lines and I was able to find a homestay in an amazing area.”
Mackenzie, USA · Google review
How booking works
Tell us you’re at UCL, your dates and your meal plan, and we match you with a host family that suits you and the journey. You get your host’s details before you arrive. We assess every home before its first placement, and our team is there during your stay, with an out-of-hours number for emergencies. Read more about how we check our host families, or see homestays for university students in London in general.
Questions from UCL students
Can I find a homestay within walking distance of UCL?
Rarely. Bloomsbury is central Zone 1, and very few of our host families live within 30 minutes of the campus. Most are 35 to 45 minutes away by Tube or bus, which is a normal commute for London students.
Can I stay in a homestay for just one term at UCL?
Yes. You book the dates you need, whether that’s a term, a year or a few weeks before you find a flat. There’s no 39- or 51-week contract.
I didn’t get a UCL hall place. Can I still book?
Yes. Many of our university students come to us because halls were full or they applied late. Apply with your dates and we’ll tell you honestly what is available near your campus.
Is London Homestays part of UCL?
No. We are an independent homestay provider, registered with the British Council since 2009, and you book with us directly.
In their words...
“We have been working with London Homestays since 2011. With their support, we have managed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend London Homestays to anyone who’s looking for quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.”
Alex Fernandes, Accommodation & Visa Compliance Manager, Malvern House London
“Having worked with them since 2013, I can state that London Homestays have always taken care to match our students with suitable host families. They have a very friendly yet professional approach to their work. Our students have enjoyed staying at their homestays. Overall, students say that their host families are attentive and welcoming.”
Carl Roberton, Principal, Stafford House School of English
“We at Burlington School have worked with London Homestays since 2014, and I professionally know the team since 2009 when I worked for another company in the education and accommodation industry. Having had the opportunity to work with London Homestays since the company started operations in London, all of the enquiries have been dealt with in a dedicated and timely manner, the team members are customer-oriented and always provide an exceptional accommodation experience to our students. I have no hesitation to recommend London Homestays as excellent accommodation providers and business partners.”
Eliane Tomasi, Accommodation & Welfare Officer, Burlington School
“We have placed students with London Homestays for over ten years. The host families suit what our students actually need, and when something comes up during the stay, it gets sorted quickly rather than passed between people. They make everything very easy, with detailed host profiles showing transport links to our school, and a thorough matching process. Our office always knows where a student is and who to call. Happy to recommend.”
Ewa Pietreniuk, Head of Partnerships, Speak Up London
“We partnered with London Homestays to help us verify and assess homestay hosts we were recruiting for our international students in Glasgow. Their expertise in vetting hosts to British Council standards gave us real confidence in the quality and safety of the accommodation we were able to offer. The team were professional, responsive and a pleasure to work with throughout. We would highly recommend London Homestays to other colleges and universities looking for a knowledgeable and reliable accommodation partner.”
Lucia Murray-Rapuano, Global Skills Development Manager, City of Glasgow College
“Cooperation with London Homestays is always great! We highly appreciate proactive approach and effort to ensure the best possible services for our groups. We always had a great clean accommodation, friendly family and smart local organisers. Students of our groups were satisfied and they enjoyed staying in London very much. We would like to recommend this agency. The whole team is very kind.”
Miroslava Foltýnová, Owner, CK Bus Tours.
“We offer internships in London to European students and looked for a reliable partner to provide accommodation to our candidates. We have been very happy with the services provided by London Homestays, as have our candidates, as they have always received quickly information on families, the possibility to book a room in a short delay and also a good quality of families. I would recommend without any doubt this agency. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly :). We hope to send new trainees soon!”
Stéphanie Frassanito, Program Manager, Work Overseas
“Our school from the Czech Republic has had great experiences with London Homestays. The host families were generally welcoming, kind, and accommodating. The service provided by the coordinator Kate O’Connor and other admin staff is second to none.”
Kate Powers, Vice Principal for English Studies, Sunny Canadian International School
It was an amazing experience, I’ve found a new home where I feel as comfortable as I do in my own home!
Laura, student from France: Homestay booking in Zone 2
“When my children went off to university and got married, my husband and I were empty nesters rattling around. We have an empty bedroom and I quite enjoy keeping it fresh for new students who come to stay with us both short and long term. Invariably, they show us a lot of respect. Coming to London to study or to work as interns is a big adventure for them and I enjoy settling them in and seeing them flourish. Some return or recommend to their friends to come and stay with us. London Homestays are a great organisation to deal with – good at communicating and highly ethical.”
Cathy, Homestay host in Colindale, London
“My first student has just left to return home and I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It has been a lovely experience for me to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture.
I was nervous and apprehensive at first but it was so worthwhile and I look forward to continue hosting in the future. It has given me a boost knowing that I can give someone an opportunity that they may not have been able to afford without using London Homestays”
Audrey, Homestay host in Tooting, London
My homestay host Debra transformed my stay into the most amazing experience of my whole life!
Florian, student from Belgium: Homestay booking in Zone 3“London Homestays has been an excellent accommodation partner for our students. The team is always helpful, responsive and highly professional. They consistently match students with the right hosts based on individual requirements, ensuring a positive and comfortable homestay experience.”
Ellie Fordham, Student Services Manager, Stafford House
My homestay host is a lovely lady, she was very helpful and genuine. London Homestays offer an excellent, fast service and quality accommodation. I would definitely recommend to my friends!
Shelaine, student from Canada: Homestay booking in Zone 2
Daphne was a really nice and welcoming host, I really enjoyed my stay with her and her family. Thank you London Homestays for connecting me with her!
Ben, researcher from USA: Superior homestay booking
My stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
Bao, student from China: Homestay booking in Zone 4+
“Really, we are very happy with our room at the residence. James in the residences team has helped us with all aspects of our booking and we would like to say, big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Dmitriy and Maria, two students from Russia: Residence booking
“I felt completely at ease and very comfortable with my host! She was really kind…many thanks!”
Doris, student from Italy: Superior homestay in Zone 2
“Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting (SCIC) has worked with Home from Home many times and they have provided a very professional service.”
Chan Sen, Director at Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting
“I highly recommend London Homestays! We have been working with them for a while now, and their professionalism and the quality of their homestays have always been exceptional. One of the homestays we collaborated with was so impressive that we even shared it on our YouTube channel to give our students a glimpse of the warm and welcoming environment they can expect. Thank you, London Homestays, for providing such amazing services. We look forward to continuing our partnership!”
Tuba Akca, Owner at Tubik Academy
The London Homestays portal is amazing. You can manage availability, update photos, and see when you’ve been paid — something I’m always chasing the other agencies. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
Sharon, host in Finchley“I have been a host for London Homestays for over 8 years. The team is professional, friendly and always quick to respond. They do a great job matching students with hosts and making the whole process smooth and straightforward. The students I’ve hosted have been respectful and lovely to have in my home. I would happily recommend London Homestays to anyone considering becoming a host.”
Sarah-Jayne, Walthamstow — host since 2018
“London Homestays are very pleasant and put you at ease.”
Pat & Clyde, hosts in Tooting, London“The team — especially James and Ellie — were incredibly responsive, patient and kind. They answered all my questions and checked with hosts about everything from commute times to where I’d store my bicycle. They even sent a Chinese translation of their first email. I felt truly welcomed.”
Ruoxi, student from China
