What are the 15 BEST HOSTELS Near Stanstead Airport?
Connecting London to a whole load of destinations across Europe and Africa by air, London Stansted Airport is a great transit hub to base yourself near. If any of your onward travels take you via Stansted, or even if you’re arriving at this airport, you’re going to want to be located close by – that’s for sure.
Thing is, like most airports, it’s not actually located in London. It’s on the outskirts. So the tricky thing is finding a decent place to stay that isn’t in the sticks, but that isn’t so far away that it takes an age to get to the airport.
Don’t worry though, because help is at hand. The issue of finding hostels in the right places is exactly why we’ve decided to create this handy guide to the best hostels near Stansted Airport.
Easily reached by London’s amazing public transport, we’ve chosen the best places that let you see the city’s sights but also catch your flight with ease.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s see what there is on offer…
At a Glance: The best hostels near Stansted Airport
#1 – Generator London – Overall best hostel near Stansted Airport
#2 – Wombats City Hostel – Best hostel for solo female travellers near Stansted Airport
#3 – St Christopher’s Inn Liverpool Street – Best party hostel near Stansted Airport
#4 – Kip Hotel – Best hostel for business travellers near Stansted Airport
#5 – Park Villa – Best hostel for couples near Stansted Airport
#6 – Clink78 – Coolest hostel near Stansted Airport
#7 – Prime Backpackers Angel – Best hostel with a private room near Stansted Airport
#8 – Clink261 – Best hostel near Stansted Airport for solo travellers
#9 – The Dictionary Shoreditch – Best cheap hostel near Stansted Airport
#10 – Harlow International Hostel – Best hostel near Stansted Airport to catch an early flight
Top hostels near Stansted Airport
#1 - Generator London
Overall Best hostel near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 11 hours 36 minutes (don't even try walking to the airport!)
- By bus: 1 hour 58 minutes (£7.80, about $9.50)
- By train: 1 hour 6 minutes (£5.30, around $6.50)
- By taxi: 1 hour 5 minutes and costs a whopping £100 / $120-ish
Generator London Details
- Cheapest Bed? $21 a night for a bunk in an 8 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? $88 for a basic single private room with a shared bathroom
Generator London is easily the best overall hostel near Stansted Hostel. This great hostel is situated in Russell Square, where you’ll be surrounded by all the fun of London’s West End.
It’s also a decent place to get to know other travellers and socialise in the hostel; there’s a lively bar and chill-out rooms, as well as a cafe.
Should you book Generator London?
You definitely should – if you’re looking for the best hostel experience in London, that is. It’s a social hostel, with walking tours, events, and game nights organised by the staff.
It’s got a great atmosphere, the dorms are nicely done, it’s all very trendy, bright and colourful. One of London’s coolest hostels, we reckon.
#2 - Wombats City Hostel
Best hostel for solo female travellers near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 11 hours 24 minutes (don't do it!)
- By bus: 1 hour 20 minutes (£4.30, about $5.20)
- By train: 1 hour 10 minutes (£4.90, just under $6)
- By taxi: 44 minutes ($100! That's over $120!)
Wombats City Hostel Details
- Cheapest Bed? $25 a night for a bunk in 8 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? $137 for a private room with a double bed and en suite bathroom
This is the kind of hostel that you’re not going to want to leave. Wombats provide a fun, safe environment for you to use as a base as you explore the sights of London.
Once a Seaman’s Hostel, it’s now a hangout for backpackers and travellers and has a lot going on.
Should you book Wombats City Hostel?
Absolutely. It’s probably the best hostel for solo female travellers near Stansted Airport; there are female-only dorms on offer, as well as free walking tours that will take you around the best sights London has to offer.
The big bar and courtyard area is also a great place to meet and mingle with fellow guests.
Best party hostel near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 11 hours (a totally insane idea)
- By bus: 1 hour 27 minutes (£8, just under $10)
- By train: 55 minutes (that's £5.30, about $6.50)
- By taxi: 1 hour 15 minute (£80, About $96)
St Christopher’s Inn Liverpool Street Details
- Cheapest Bed? $33 a night for a bunk in 8 bed mixed dorm (shared bathroom)
- Want some space? $200 for a “superior” private room with double bed and an en suite bathroom
This branch of backpacker favourite St Christopher’s is surrounded by all the alternative fun of Shoreditch – just a 5 minute walk from Liverpool Street train station (which takes you all the way to Stansted Airport).
Whilst you’ll be amazed by all the fun of the area, the hostel’s also situated above a pub!
Should you book St Christopher’s Inn Liverpool Street?
Absolutely. Especially if you like the sound of a good place to drink, not just with other fellow travellers but with locals too. It’s easily the best party hostel near Stansted Airport.
There’s drinks deals for guests, as well as tasty food on offer, and when you’ve had enough, the comfy bunks come with privacy curtains to get a good night’s sleep.
#4 - Kip Hotel
Best hostel for business travellers near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 10 hours 27 minutes (don't even bother, seriously!)
- By bus: 1 hour 16 minutes (£8.80 / $10.60)
- By train: 1 hour 3 minutes (it'll cost £5.30 - around $6.50)
- By taxi: 40 minutes (£120!, that's about $145)
Kip Hotel Details
- Cheapest Bed? $50 a night for a private pod-like room with a shared bathroom
- Want some space? $110 for a 4 bed private room and an en suite bathroom
This cool budget accommodation is basically the best hostel near Stanstead Airport for business travellers.
It’s affordable, it’s no-frills, but it’s got great service and stylish monochrome decor, making it pretty much ideal for a couple of nights staying in London for work.
We also like that their slogan is “#GetSomeKip”.
Should you book Kip Hotel?
You should be thinking about booking this cool London hostel if you want somewhere budget and well located to stay (it’s set in buzzing Hackney Central), that isn’t a party hostel in London full of backpackers on a bender and too much alcohol.
The bonus? Free all-day coffee down in the lobby. Perfect.
#5 - Park Villa
Best hostel for couples near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 11 hours (you'd be crazy to even try)
- By bus: 1 hour 6 minutes (that'll cost £7.60 - about $9.20)
- By train: 1 hour 9 minutes (£4.90 / just under $6)
- By taxi: 38 minutes (pretty quick) at £90, which is about $108
Park Villa Details
- Cheapest Bed? $25 a night for a bunk in an 8 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? No option for private rooms, but you could opt for a “superior dorm” with en suite bathroom for $26
A very well run hostel that’s close to Victoria Park, Park Villa is located inside a beautiful old Georgian Regency villa (complete with coach house) – the perfect setting for the best hostel for couples near Stansted Airport, we’d say.
It’s located in a quiet neighbourhood, making for a nice, relaxing place to have a good night’s sleep.
Should you book Park Villa?
Totally. It’s actually perfect if you want to stay close to nature: both Victoria and Mile End Park are literally on the doorstep (the latter is super close).
It’s also easy to get into the centre of London from here, with some great transport links nearby. What’s not to like about this top hostel for couples in London?
#6 - Clink78
Coolest hostel near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 11 hours 24 minutes (totally not a good idea, guys)
- By bus: 1 hour 42 minutes (£8.20 - just under $10)
- By train: 1 hour 20 minutes (£4.30 / $5.20)
- By taxi: 59 minutes (costing you a grand total of £100, about $120)
Clink78 Details
- Cheapest Bed? $22 a night for a bunk in 6 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? $66 for a basic twin private room with a shared bathroom
Clink78 is one unique place to stay. The history of this place, which was a former courthouse where The Clash were put on trial and where Charles Dickens used to work as a scribe, is enough to make it the coolest hostel near Stansted Airport.
That’s without even considering how fun this place is!
Should you book Clink78?
Yes. It’s cool. It’s fun. It’s got to be one of the best hostels in London for solo travellers.
The basement bar here features live music and DJ sets going on until 2am, making it a very good place to go if you feel like getting social into the wee hours of the morning. It’s a cool place to be.
Best hostel with a private room near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 11 hours 8 minutes (wow - did we ever mention this would be too long?)
- By bus: 1 hour 43 minutes (£7.20 / $8.70-ish)
- By train: 1 hour 5 minutes (£4.90, just under $6)
- By taxi: 55 minutes (that will cost £100, around $120)
Prime Backpackers Angel Details
- Cheapest Bed? $30 a night for a bunk in a 9 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? $82 for a basic private room with a double bed and a shared bathroom
Housed inside a historic building in leafy Islington, this top London hostel is a great place to stay for a touch of class. Set close to a tube station, Prime Backpackers Angel is a friendly place to stay.
Not only do the staff make an effort to get everybody involved, but the rooms are clean and have a heritage feel.
Should you book Prime Backpackers Angel?
If you want to stay somewhere with a little bit of character that’s not just in the centre of London with all the other tourists, and that’s in a building about 200 years old, this is the place for you.
The best hostel with a private room near Stansted Airport – that’s what this is. They’re lovely! No end of local pubs on the doorstep, too.
#8 - Clink261
Best hostel near Stansted Airport for solo travellers
- Walking: 11 hours 27 minutes (nope)
- By bus: 1 hour 35 minutes (£8.20 - just under $10)
- By train: 1 hour (£4.30 / $5.20)
- By taxi: 1 hour ride for a steep £120 (around $145)
Clink261 Details
- Cheapest Bed? $17 a night for a bunk in an 18 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? $64 for a basic twin private room with a shared bathroom
A perfect social hostel for solo travellers in London – and very good value, as well – Clink261 is housed inside an old student union.
There’s a friendly community feel at this top London hostel, and it’s easy to get to know everybody; the big lounge, free walking tours, music nights and very friendly staff help out with this vibe.
Should you book Clink261?
Yes. You should book this place if you’re looking for the best hostel for solo travellers near Stansted Airport.
Somewhere you can get to know other travellers whilst on your London trip, but that’s also well located to Stansted Airport for onward (or inbound) travel. At Clink261, you get the best of both.
Best cheap hostel near Stansted Airport
- Walking: 11 hours (massively too long to walk, wouldn't you say?)
- By bus: 1 hour 19 minutes (£8, which is around just under $10)
- By train: 1 hour 11 minutes (£4.90 / just under $6)
- By taxi: 1 hour 10 minutes (about £80; around $96)
The Dictionary Shoreditch Details
- Cheapest Bed? $25 a night for a bunk in 8 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? $97 for a standard twin private room with your very own bathroom
The Dictionary Shoreditch has got to be one of London’s coolest hostels, if not just for location alone.
Staying here you’ll have Shoreditch, Old Street and Colombia Road right on your doorstep, which means being able to explore all the trendy bars and hip boutiques you could ask for.
Should you book The Dictionary Shoreditch?
Yes – because it’s the best cheap hostel near Stansted Airport. For one thing, there’s an actual swing in the dorm room! But everywhere else it’s also pretty cool and very fun, with foosball table, exposed brick decor, and a lot of funky artwork going on.
There’s a decently sized lounge/chill area where you can get chatting to other travellers staying in this cool lodging.
Best hostel near Stansted Airport to catch an early flight
- Walking: 4 hours 8 minutes (not what we'd recommend)
- By bus: 1 hour 9 minutes (£4.60, which is around $5.60)
- By train: Half an hour! (just £3.80, or about $4.60)
- By taxi: 25 minutes, (£30, around $36)
Harlow International Hostel Details
- Cheapest Bed? $23 a bunk for a night in 8 bed (female or male) dorm
- Want some space? $51 for a basic twin private room with a shared bathroom
Run by a friendly family, this hostel is located in the countryside surroundings of Harlow.
Set just outside central London in an old house, it’s a great place to base yourself both close to the sights of London and close to the airport.
It’s definitely a win-win situation, we’d say.
Should you book Harlow International Hostel?
You should definitely be looking to book this place if you want to be close to the airport: it’s the best hostel near Stansted Airport to catch an early flight, for sure.
But on top of that, if you want to experience a bit of English countryside and suburban life, then you should book this place.
More best hostels near Stansted airport
#11 - YHA London St Pauls
- Walking: 11 hours 40 minutes (do not)
- By bus: 1 hour 32 minutes ($8.70, which is about $10.50)
- By train: 1 hour 4 minutes (£5.30 / $6.40)
- By taxi: 55 minutes (£99, about $120)
YHA London St Pauls Details
- Cheapest Bed? $24 a night for a bunk in 10 bed male or female-only dorm
- Want some space? $54 for a single private room with a shared bathroom
Located quite literally opposite St Pauls Cathedral, staying at this budget hostel in London is perfect for getting up close and personal to one of the British capital’s most famous landmarks.
The hostel itself is pretty cool as well, being a historic building that was once home to a school for the cathedral’s choirboys.
Should you book YHA London St Pauls?
If you want to stay somewhere that’s central, with a lot of history, that has a lot of connections around the city by tube and bus, but that’s also got its own bar and restaurant on site (great for mingling with other travellers), then we say you should simply book away. This top London hostel is amazing.
- Walking: 11 hours 35 minutes (by now, you should know you won't be doing this)
- By bus: 1 hour 51 minutes (costing £8, just under $10)
- By train: 1 hour 9 minutes (£4.90 / just under $6)
- By taxi: 1 hour 5 minutes (this costs £100, which is about $120)
Smart Russell Square Hostel Details
- Cheapest Bed? $20 a night for a bunk in 18 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? Well, you can’t have it (dorms only)
Smart Russell Square Hostel is a top London hostel. This place combines some great value for money dorm prices (especially for the location) with friendly, helpful staff and a continuous international plethora of international backpackers coming through its doors – all making for one of the best hostels near Stansted Airport.
Should you book Smart Russell Square Hostel?
Yes, you really should. And this goes for you especially if you’re on a shoestring budget or you want to save some serious dollar; Smart Russell Square Hostel very easy on the wallet.
There’s a large communal area for socialising, but the free breakfast is what wins the day for us – helping with that budget feel even more!
#13 - No. 8 Seven Sisters
- Walking: 10 hours 7 minutes (it's not 11 hours, but still...)
- By bus: 1 hour 56 minutes (£7.90 / about $9.50)
- By train: 1 hour (£5.30 / $6.40)
- By taxi: 45 (costing a relatively reasonable £70, around $84)
No. 8 Seven Sisters Details
- Cheapest Bed? $8 a night for a bunk in 22 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? No private rooms on offer (however, you can have a 4 bed mixed dorm for $10 a night)
Wow. When it comes to cheap, No. 8 Seven Sisters is probably the cheapest hostel in London. A very budget-friendly place to stay, it’s also very no-frills, but still is clean and is well located above a pub.
This is good because it means this place gets pretty busy and pretty social on the weekends. Not a bad thing at all.
Should you book No. 8 Seven Sisters?
Yes. It’s well located, for one thing – just 5 minutes away from the nearest tube stop (making it one of the top hostels near Stansted Airport). It’s lively, thanks to being above a pub and all.
It’s cheap. If you’re really trying to stick as much as possible to a very strict and very meagre budget, then you might want to consider booking this place!
#14 - Hostel One Camden
- Walking: 11 hours 28 minutes (it's not impossible, but it is crazy)
- By bus: 2 hours (£8.20 - that's just under $10)
- By train: 1 hour 21 minutes (£5.30 / $6.40)
- By taxi: 1 hour 30 minutes (this will cost about £80 - that's $96-ish)
Hostel One Camden Details
- Cheapest Bed? $22 a night for a bunk in 12 bed mixed dorm
- Want some space? $113 for a private room with a double bed and a shared bathroom
A great place to stay in Camden, it’s a backpacker-friendly place with an alternative, social vibe. The staff here put on events to help you explore London with music nights and walking tours.
There’s also a free dinner for guests every single night (perfect) and the hostel itself is located in a pub, so you can expect nightly happy hours too.
Should you book Hostel One Camden?
You’re going to want to stay here if you want to actually have fun whilst you’re staying in London. You won’t feel isolated at this top hostel near Stansted Airport.
It’s just the right size to get to know other people and well located enough to enjoy your time in London – and for onward travel, too.
#15 - YHA London Central
- Walking: 11 hours 55 minutes (that's almost half a day; you won't be doing that)
- By bus: 1 hour 56 minutes (£9, which is just under $11)
- By train: 1 hour (£5.30 / about $6.40)
- By taxi: 1 hour 13 minutes, setting you back $100 (around $120)
YHA London Central Details
- Cheapest Bed? $34 a night for a bunk in 6 bed male only or female-only dorm
- Want some space? $143 for a 4 bed private room with an en suite bathroom
A good option for backpackers in London, if you don’t mind paying a little more, it’s RIGHT in the middle of all the action of the city at Oxford Circus.
You won’t have to go far to experience the sights and sounds of London and with multiple tube lines nearby, you’ll be able to get around everywhere.
Should you book YHA London Central?
Yes. It’s one of the best hostels near Stansted Airport and boasts stylish spaces to chill out in, as well as its own cafe slash bar area. The staff are amazing: they’re on hand 24/7 to help you out if needs be.
And then there’s the location again – being this close to everything from Leicester Square to Soho and Oxford Street, it’s a no-brainer.
Conclusion
London didn’t used to have a big reputation for its hostel scene, but now the British capital boasts a ton of very cool hostels. This is great because you are now virtually spoilt for choice at the amazing lodgings you could stay in!
Hostels are a perfect way to save a little bit of money – especially in what can be quite an expensive city, like this one. Luckily for you we’ve thrown in some of our favourite budget hostels in London to help keep your trip easy on the wallet!
If you’re still unsure of which hostel you should go for, there’s an easy solution to that. Go for Generator London – our top pick for the best overall hostel near Stansted Airport. This place has it all: including a very convenient location.
All you’ve got to do now is get yourself over to dear old Blighty!
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