7 Beautiful, Budget-Friendly London Airbnbs

When it comes time to book a place in London, the options can be completely overwhelming. Even as many times as I’ve visited London, I still get lost down the rabbit holes. Do I want to splurge on a hotel and eat out for every meal? Or stay in a vacation rental and enjoy some Tesco ready-made food to save a bit? If you’re leaning toward the latter, this list of the best budget London Airbnbs will help.

It’s important to understand why these are the ones I chose for this list; you might see other lists online with cute places, but they didn’t make sense to me, based on my knowledge of London and its Airbnb scene. The reality is that there are definitely some dodgy people listing fake Airbnbs at great prices – which then leave you high and dry or don’t match the listing at all. My goal is to help that not happen to you!

Here are the criteria I used to select these Airbnbs:

• You’ll have the entire place to yourself (no private rooms in a shared flat!).
• The nightly price is <50% of the average nightly price ($187) for Airbnb flats in London, so ~$95 or less.
• They’re all within Zones 1-2, making it easy to get around London.
• Each flat has some real personality (art on the walls!).
• Each has reviews from within the last year, and those reviews don’t point out any major issues.

That sounds like a lot of criteria, and it is – but that’s how I know I found the best budget Airbnbs in London. Here’s a map so you can see them all in one place:

Now read on for the full list of the best budget London Airbnbs. All photos are provided from Airbnb!

Charming Flat in Central London (Farringdon)

This Farringdon flat is a contemporary flat in Central London with grand, neo-Gothic windows. Only 30 seconds away from Farringdon Tube Station, this quiet, airy flat provides a serene and safe haven from the bustling city noise.

Its large windows allow for an abundance of natural light that gives it a cheery, homey ambiance. This cozy flat has one bedroom and can sleep three guests.

Fitted with a work table, high-speed WiFi, and an espresso machine, this charming flat is perfect for guests who plan to work from home. There’s a kitchenette available and fully fitted with modern appliances and basic condiments for guests to make their meals. This one is high on my list for my next trip to London!

Details:

• 3 guests, 1 bed/1 sofa, 1 bath
• From $94/night

The Chamberlin (Farringdon)

This beautiful, mid-century studio flat was designed by architects Chamberlin, Powell, and Bon. It is located at the heart of Farringdon, London’s design district, and is only a few minutes away from Barbican Station. With a bright, artsy, and cozy décor, this studio flat is powered by renewable energy. I love this area of London!

The Chamberlin is spacious, and its single bedroom can sleep three guests. The living room has a sofa bed and features unique artwork that will appeal to art lovers. With a private elevator and alarm security system, you’ll find the flat is super secure.

A fully fitted kitchen is also available for those who like to cook, and the beautiful, warmly lit bathroom creates a perfect ambiance for freshening up after a long day.

Details:

• 3 guests, 2 beds, 1 bath
• From $96/night

Comfy Studio near London Bridge (Borough)

Located on the High Street beside Borough Station, this studio flat is only a few minutes away from Borough Market, The Shard, London Bridge, and the Tower of London.

It offers easy access to transport systems all over the city and is perfect for travelers who enjoy the sights and sounds of city life. It is set on the 4th floor with no elevator, so get ready for some regular exercise going up and down the stairs.

The single bedroom studio flat sleeps two guests and has a fully fitted kitchen for meals. The entire flat is well furnished and beautifully decorated with modern fittings.

Details:

• 2 guests, 1 bed, 1 bath
• From $68/night

Cavendish Flat+2 (Fitzrovia)

Note: As of August 2022, this Airbnb is no longer available. I’ll be updating this post soon!

Located in Central London, this stylish one-bedroom flat is only 5 minutes away from Oxford Circus and Soho. With its contemporary, vibrant décor, this modern flat is spacious and can sleep up to 3 guests.

Strategically placed so that you can explore Central London on foot, it offers one of the best Central London experiences on this list. It is a perfect place for those who are looking to move around London a lot.

The only natural light source is a window in the living room for this lower ground flat. It has a fully fitted kitchen where you can cook your meals and is equipped with a work desk and other modern amenities.

Details:

• 3 guests, 2 beds, 1 bath
• From $48/night

Newly Refurbished 3rd Floor Flat (Soho)

A newly furnished, single bedroom flat in Soho, Central London, this budget-friendly London Airbnb is very close to Piccadilly Circus Station and Oxford Circus Station. This cozy flat can sleep up to 4 guests and is perfect for couples, solo travelers, or a small group of friends. It has easy access to transport links within Central London. You can also enjoy access to famous sites such as Covent Garden, Chinatown, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square.

Set on the 3rd floor, it features fresh, modern decor that creates a refreshing ambiance that puts guests’ minds at ease. Modern amenities and a fully fitted kitchen ensure your comfort.

Details:

• 4 guests, 2 beds, 1.5 baths
• From $56/night

Golden Square Classic Studio (Carnaby Street)

This Golden Square studio flat is set in the heart of Central London. It’s just a few minutes away from Piccadilly Circus Station and Oxford Circus Station. With easy access to Chinatown, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and the West End, this flat is the best landing pad for first-time tourists in London.

With a single bedroom that sleeps two guests, this cozy studio flat is fully fitted to keep you comfortable. It is perfect for couples and solo tourists and has a well-equipped kitchen area for you to cook meals.

Details:

• 2 guests, 1 bed, 1 bath
• From $78/night

2-Bed Flat 15 Minutes from the Eye (Lambeth)

Found very close to several tourist attractions in London, this two-bedroom Airbnb flat is fully fitted with modern appliances. It has easy access to the Vauxhall tube station, and other bus routes so you can quickly get direct trains to Windsor Castle.

The two-bedroom flat sleeps four guests and has a fully equipped kitchen where you can cook their meals. You’ll find the kitchen stocked with coffee, tea, and other basic cooking condiments. If you instead want to eat out, you can easily walk to nearby restaurants.

This flat is spotless and cozy, and you’ll enjoy views of the city from the living room and bedroom windows.

Details:

• 4 guests, 2 beds, 1 bath
• From $84/night

And there you are – you now have seven beautiful budget London Airbnbs to choose from. The only question is: which one will be your base for your London trip? If you have any questions about these properties or the links aren’t working, let me know in the comments!