London
Solo travel in London: where to stay and tips for travelling alone
You decide when to get up, where to eat and how long to stay at the museum. London is one of the easiest cities in Europe to visit alone. These are the hotels that suit one, and the tips that make the trip better.
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London has a good Tube, many free museums and a city life that works as well for one as for several. Plenty of people come here alone, both for work and on holiday.
We have picked four hotels that suit solo travellers. They are central or close to the Tube, have rooms made for one or two, and lobbies with life in the evening.
In short: hotels for solo travellers in London
The best hotel for travelling alone to London is citizenM London Victoria Station. It is three minutes from Victoria station and has a lobby that works as a living room around the clock. citizenM London Bankside is by Tate Modern, and Hub By Premier Inn London Covent Garden by Leicester Square. Choose a hotel near the Tube, so you get home safely in the evening.
Our first choice: citizenM London Victoria Station, for the living room in the lobby and the location by Victoria.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at citizenM London Victoria Station
Top picks
Life in the lobby: citizenM London Victoria Station
By Tate Modern: citizenM London Bankside
In the West End: Hub By Premier Inn London Covent Garden
A quieter area with a café and bar: The Hoxton, Shepherd's Bush
The hotels
citizenM London Victoria Station
citizenM is three minutes from Victoria station and a fifteen-minute walk from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. The lobby is laid out like a large living room, with a bar and a canteen serving food all day.
The rooms are small but well planned, with a big bed and a window onto the city. Good if you want company in the lobby and calm in your room.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at citizenM London Victoria Station
citizenM London Bankside
The Bankside hotel is a ten-minute walk from Tate Modern and Borough Market, on the south side of the river. From here you walk along the Thames to London Bridge and across to St Paul's.
A good choice if you want to walk a lot and spend your days on art, food and the river. The beds win a lot of praise.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at citizenM London Bankside
Hub By Premier Inn London Covent Garden
Hub is five minutes from Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, three minutes from two Tube stations. The rooms are small and simple.
Good if you want to stay in theatreland at a lower price, and walk home after the show.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hub By Premier Inn London Covent Garden
The Hoxton, Shepherd's Bush
The Hoxton is in west London, right by Shepherd's Bush Market station and a short way from Westfield London. It has a café and a bar.
A good choice if you want to stay in a more local area and take the Tube into the centre by day.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Hoxton, Shepherd's Bush
Three minutes from Victoria
citizenM London Victoria Station stands close to the station. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
How to get the most out of London alone
Eat at the counter: Many restaurants have seats at the bar or the kitchen counter. They are comfortable for one, and often easier to get.
One ticket for the theatre: Single seats often come free even when the house looks sold out. See a theatre weekend in London.
Free museums: The British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern are free to visit for the permanent collections.
Afternoon tea for one: Many hotels serve afternoon tea to a single guest too. See afternoon tea in London.
Staying safe when you travel alone
London is a safe city for most solo travellers, but watch out for pickpockets in crowds and on the Tube. Keep your phone and wallet in a closed pocket.
Choose a hotel near a Tube station, so you avoid long walks late at night. Several lines run all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Use licensed taxis or book through an app.
Editor's pick
citizenM London Victoria Station
citizenM London Victoria Station is the hotel for solo travellers who want both company and calm. The lobby is laid out like a large living room with a bar and a canteen, so you can eat and work among other guests. The rooms are small but have a big bed and a window onto the city. Victoria station is three minutes away, and Buckingham Palace a fifteen-minute walk.
Check availability and prices at citizenM London Victoria Station
Frequently asked questions about travelling alone to London
Is London safe for solo travellers?
Yes, London is a safe city for most people travelling alone. As in other big cities, look after your valuables in crowds and on the Tube. Stay near a Tube station, and use licensed taxis at night. Several Tube lines run all night on Fridays and Saturdays, so getting home is easy.
Where should I stay in London when travelling alone?
Stay central and close to the Tube. Victoria, Bankside and Covent Garden give you a short walk to the sights and a safe trip home at night. Choose a hotel with a lobby where people gather, so your evenings feel less lonely. citizenM and Hub have rooms that suit one person well.
What can you do alone in London in the evening?
Go to the theatre in the West End, where single seats often come free. Eat at a restaurant counter, catch a concert at the Southbank Centre or have a drink in a hotel bar. Many museums open late one evening a week. It is easy to fill your evenings without feeling alone.
Is it expensive to travel alone to London?
The hotel is the biggest cost, since you do not share the room. Choose a hotel with small rooms made for one or two, such as citizenM and Hub, to keep the price down. Many of the big museums are free, and you pay for the Tube with a contactless card.
How do you meet people when travelling alone in London?
Stay at a hotel with a social lobby and bar, such as citizenM or The Hoxton. Join a guided walk or a food tour at Borough Market. At restaurant counters and in pubs it is also easy to strike up a conversation. Londoners are friendly, but respect that you may want to be left alone.