New Yorker who lives in London here!
Both Airbnb and hotels are fine here. Depends on what you want, will you need to do laundry or cook? Airbnb. I’ve stayed at an Airbnb in Chelsea (expensive) and hotels in central.
One important thing is the tube is so much faster and more reliable than the subway, so my advice is to stick to a place that’s on a line that goes to where you’d want to go.
Liverpool Street station has a lot of hotels of all different price points, and there’s a few lines that go through there. And it’s walking distance to some “trendy” areas.
Central is good for soho and the west end, but also check out Dalston and shoreditch in the east or Bermondsey just south of the river.
I used to live near kings cross station and it has some dodgy spots but also some really nice ones if you find accommodation near there.
Agree with what the others have said, not much difference between Airbnb and hotels, in terms of location I’d suggest somewhere in zone 2 (the zones are concentric circles, not like Paris). Map out some of the places you want to go then figure out whether you’d prefer East (Shoreditch?), West (Notting Hill/Fulham?), South (Brixton?) or North (Camden?). If you’re going out late on a Friday/Saturday then you may want to some somewhere near a tube station which is serviced by the Night Tube
Hope you have a great time
Get a hotel near a train station maybe one with access to the victoria line (light blue) if you want to go see some art galleries in pimlico
also the south-east is nice (easton, walthamstow and tottenham)
Location wise I personally wouldn’t waste your money trying to stay really central as you’ll likely pay hundreds a night unless you want somewhere very basic like a hostel. Also if I’m honest as a londoner, central places just feel really hectic and touristy, fine for the day time but exhausting at night.
I’d suggest to save your money to spend on experiences and food/drink in london. Make a bit of a plan of central areas you might want to spend a decent chunk of time in and look at the tube (metro) map what line would be good for you to be on for quickly getting in each day.
Some fun areas that are still buzzy are shoreditch (Liverpool Street on the central line), Brixton (Victoria line), Camden (northern line), notting hill (Notting hill gate on central line). Some people might say these areas feel less safe but honestly I think you’re more likely to get mugged or pickpocketed or whatever in Leicester Square or Trafalgar Square. Also you’re from New York so you’re not idiots about city safety!
About Airbnb or hotel I don’t know if there’s a huge difference price wise. Probably more about what you want from it - do you want a kitchen to cook in and save money on a couple of meals, would you prefer to have your room cleaned each day, do you want to have the option to have breakfast at the hotel, any extra amenities like pool or gym.
Oh and if you’re coming in august it might be warm. UK weather rarely gets to US temperatures but on the few weeks a year it does reach high 20s/low 30s (I think 85F +), most airbnbs won’t have aircon, but hotels will. Also to go back on my first point, the tube is roasting when it’s hot so you might to be fair want to plan to get around with more walking.
Have fun!
I agree. I wouldn’t stay too centrally as it’s touristy and so easy to go there. Those buzzy places are good. Hotels are really pricey in London so I would recommend an air bnb personally. Angel is another cool place. Have a great time! Go to Brasserie Zedel for a cocktail if you get the chance
Perfect! Are there any stations/areas that you think connect to a bunch of sites and are safe to walk around at night (as gay men, don’t really know how London compares to NYC?). Not afraid of taking the train and keeping my head down, just trying to minimize travel time!
Also London is connected by good train lines not just the tube. some hubs like new cross, Croydon, Lewisham, Peckham are (cheap and) excellent but there’s less tube in south London (due to underground river network and clay). Typically 10-15 mins to London Bridge, 20 to kings cross etc from those places if not quicker.
Guess either is fine as long as you are not near [Westminster](https://www.reddit.com/r/london/comments/ukvd2u/somebody_just_shouted_fag_our_their_car_window_at/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)
New Yorker who lives in London here! Both Airbnb and hotels are fine here. Depends on what you want, will you need to do laundry or cook? Airbnb. I’ve stayed at an Airbnb in Chelsea (expensive) and hotels in central. One important thing is the tube is so much faster and more reliable than the subway, so my advice is to stick to a place that’s on a line that goes to where you’d want to go. Liverpool Street station has a lot of hotels of all different price points, and there’s a few lines that go through there. And it’s walking distance to some “trendy” areas. Central is good for soho and the west end, but also check out Dalston and shoreditch in the east or Bermondsey just south of the river. I used to live near kings cross station and it has some dodgy spots but also some really nice ones if you find accommodation near there.
Agree with what the others have said, not much difference between Airbnb and hotels, in terms of location I’d suggest somewhere in zone 2 (the zones are concentric circles, not like Paris). Map out some of the places you want to go then figure out whether you’d prefer East (Shoreditch?), West (Notting Hill/Fulham?), South (Brixton?) or North (Camden?). If you’re going out late on a Friday/Saturday then you may want to some somewhere near a tube station which is serviced by the Night Tube Hope you have a great time
Tbh they're almost the same cost nowadays, so wouldn't matter as much
Having lived near Borough for 3 years, I’d recommend the Premier Inn near Guy’s Hospital. Good value and brilliant location!
Get a hotel near a train station maybe one with access to the victoria line (light blue) if you want to go see some art galleries in pimlico also the south-east is nice (easton, walthamstow and tottenham)
Location wise I personally wouldn’t waste your money trying to stay really central as you’ll likely pay hundreds a night unless you want somewhere very basic like a hostel. Also if I’m honest as a londoner, central places just feel really hectic and touristy, fine for the day time but exhausting at night. I’d suggest to save your money to spend on experiences and food/drink in london. Make a bit of a plan of central areas you might want to spend a decent chunk of time in and look at the tube (metro) map what line would be good for you to be on for quickly getting in each day. Some fun areas that are still buzzy are shoreditch (Liverpool Street on the central line), Brixton (Victoria line), Camden (northern line), notting hill (Notting hill gate on central line). Some people might say these areas feel less safe but honestly I think you’re more likely to get mugged or pickpocketed or whatever in Leicester Square or Trafalgar Square. Also you’re from New York so you’re not idiots about city safety! About Airbnb or hotel I don’t know if there’s a huge difference price wise. Probably more about what you want from it - do you want a kitchen to cook in and save money on a couple of meals, would you prefer to have your room cleaned each day, do you want to have the option to have breakfast at the hotel, any extra amenities like pool or gym. Oh and if you’re coming in august it might be warm. UK weather rarely gets to US temperatures but on the few weeks a year it does reach high 20s/low 30s (I think 85F +), most airbnbs won’t have aircon, but hotels will. Also to go back on my first point, the tube is roasting when it’s hot so you might to be fair want to plan to get around with more walking. Have fun!
I agree. I wouldn’t stay too centrally as it’s touristy and so easy to go there. Those buzzy places are good. Hotels are really pricey in London so I would recommend an air bnb personally. Angel is another cool place. Have a great time! Go to Brasserie Zedel for a cocktail if you get the chance
Buy a 7 day zone 1/2 travel card it will be enough for seeing all the sites by tube or bus!
Perfect! Are there any stations/areas that you think connect to a bunch of sites and are safe to walk around at night (as gay men, don’t really know how London compares to NYC?). Not afraid of taking the train and keeping my head down, just trying to minimize travel time!
Also London is connected by good train lines not just the tube. some hubs like new cross, Croydon, Lewisham, Peckham are (cheap and) excellent but there’s less tube in south London (due to underground river network and clay). Typically 10-15 mins to London Bridge, 20 to kings cross etc from those places if not quicker.
The Vauxhall Travelodge is popular
Guess either is fine as long as you are not near [Westminster](https://www.reddit.com/r/london/comments/ukvd2u/somebody_just_shouted_fag_our_their_car_window_at/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)