Budget Hotels near St Pancras Station, London
St Pancras International is where the Eurostar arrives from Paris and Brussels, right next to King's Cross, and the streets around both stations hold some of central London's most affordable beds. The six budget hotels in this selection range from lively hostels with private rooms, such as the Generator London and Clink261, to small, simple hotels like the Crestfield, the Alhambra and the Princess Hotel, two of which include breakfast in the stay. The Premier Inn London Kings Cross, a five-minute walk from St Pancras, is the most reliable choice for families.
King's Cross and St Pancras have changed more than almost any other part of central London in recent decades. The Victorian Gothic front of St Pancras faces the plainer brick arches of King's Cross, and behind them the old goods yards have become Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, with shops, restaurants and the banks of Regent's Canal. The British Library stands next to St Pancras, and King's Cross St Pancras Underground station serves six lines, putting most of London within easy reach.
Where to stay
Hostels, small hotels and a family favourite
Central London is expensive, and the area around King's Cross and St Pancras is one of the few places in zone 1 where simple hotels and hostels cluster together. Staying here keeps the Eurostar, Thameslink trains to Gatwick and Luton, and six Underground lines within a few minutes on foot, so you save on transport as well as on the room.
The two hostels suit travellers who want a social atmosphere as well as a low budget. The Generator London is a stylish, colourful address with dorms and private rooms, a hip bar, a cafe and a restaurant, within walking distance of the British Library, and it is by far the most reviewed property here. Clink261 offers bright private rooms and dormitories, including women-only options, a communal kitchen and free Wi-Fi in a smoke-free, kid-friendly setting. Cooking your own meals in the shared kitchen at Clink261 is one of the simplest ways to keep a London stay affordable.
Two of the small hotels include breakfast, a real saving in this part of London. The Crestfield Hotel, a short walk from King's Cross St Pancras, has simple rooms, a bar, a restaurant and a complimentary continental breakfast buffet, with a rating of 8.0. The Alhambra Hotel offers casual rooms, some with shared bathrooms, and a choice of continental or full English breakfast included, plus a restaurant. The Princess Hotel occupies a redbrick townhouse a short walk from the stations and the British Library, with straightforward rooms, free Wi-Fi, family-friendly amenities and parking, and it scores 8.2.
For families, the Premier Inn London Kings Cross is the most practical option in this selection. It offers en-suite rooms including family rooms, a restaurant with a children's menu, a bar and parking, and it sits about five minutes on foot from St Pancras International. Its rating of 8.4 is the highest of the six, and the predictable standard of the chain takes some of the guesswork out of booking a room in central London. I would choose it for a first trip with children, or whenever an early Eurostar departure makes a short and easy walk to the station a priority.
A few practical points help to choose between them. Some rooms at the Alhambra have shared bathrooms, so I would check the room type carefully when booking. The hostels have dorms as well as private rooms, so make sure you select the option you want. Parking is listed only at the Premier Inn and the Princess Hotel, which matters if you arrive by car, although central London driving is rarely the easiest choice. Finally, the Generator and Clink261 suit solo travellers and groups, while the Crestfield, Alhambra and Princess feel more like classic small British hotels.
A traveler's perspectiveMy shortlist depends on who is travelling. With children, I would book the Premier Inn London Kings Cross for its family rooms and children's menu, five minutes from the Eurostar. Travelling alone on a tight budget, I recommend Clink261 and its communal kitchen. If breakfast included matters most, the Crestfield or the Alhambra would be my choice, and for a quiet townhouse feel, the Princess Hotel.
4.2Guest scoreBudgetPremier Inn London Kings Cross hotel
Family-friendly rooms and dining, steps from St Pancras International
View hotel →Why guests love itPremier Inn London King's Cross is a straightforward budget hotel five minutes on foot from St Pancras International. Family rooms are available, the restaurant has a children's menu, and there is a bar for parents once the children are settled. On-site parking is a plus for drivers. With an 8.4 rating from almost 3,000 reviews, I would book it for a family night before or after a Eurostar without spending on extras.
4.1Guest scoreBudgetPrincess Hotel
Unpretentious redbrick townhouse with free Wi-Fi near King's Cross
View hotel →Why guests love itPrincess Hotel is a budget hotel in a redbrick townhouse, a short walk from King's Cross St. Pancras and the British Library. Rooms are straightforward, with free Wi-Fi, and the hotel is listed as family-friendly. Parking is available, which is unusual this close to the stations and handy for families arriving by car. There is no restaurant on site. Rated 8.2 by more than 500 guests, it is a good-value base I would choose for a short family trip.
4.0Guest scoreBudgetCrestfield Hotel
Simple, budget-friendly rooms with breakfast near King's Cross St. Pancras
View hotel →Why guests love itCrestfield Hotel is a budget hotel a short walk from King's Cross St. Pancras, with simple rooms, a bar and a restaurant. A continental breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi are included, which keeps a family trip affordable. It is smoke-free and kid-friendly. Rooms are basic, so I would book it for a night or two before a train rather than a long holiday. Guests rate it 8/10 across more than 900 reviews.
3.9Guest scoreBudgetClink261
Private rooms and dorms with a communal kitchen near St Pancras
View hotel →Why guests love itClink261 is a budget hostel near St Pancras with bright private rooms and dormitories, including women-only dorms. The communal kitchen lets you prepare your own meals, which keeps costs down for a family, and Wi-Fi is free. It is smoke-free and listed as kid-friendly, though the atmosphere is that of a hostel, so a private room is the sensible choice with children. Rated 7.8 by more than 2,700 guests, it suits a cheap night before a train.
3.8Guest scoreBudgetAlhambra Hotel
Budget-friendly stay with breakfast near King's Cross St. Pancras
View hotel →Why guests love itAlhambra Hotel is a budget hotel near King's Cross St. Pancras with casual rooms, some sharing bathrooms. Breakfast is included, continental or full English, and Wi-Fi is free, with a restaurant on site. It is kid-friendly, though families should book a room with a private bathroom. Rated 7.6 by more than 750 guests, I would choose it for a cheap night close to the station where a hearty breakfast matters.
3.7Guest scoreBudgetGenerator London
Colourful dorms and private rooms with a hip bar and cafe
View hotel →Why guests love itGenerator London is a colourful, social hostel with dorms and private rooms, a short walk from the British Library and the St Pancras and King's Cross stations. There is a bar, a cafe and a restaurant on site, and private rooms make it workable for a family on a tight budget. Expect a lively, young crowd in the evening. Rated 7.4 from almost 6,000 reviews, I would book a private room here for a cheap night near the Eurostar.
Local tips
- 1Book the Premier Inn London Kings Cross if you take an early Eurostar, about five minutes away on foot.
- 2Choose a hotel with breakfast included, such as the Crestfield or the Alhambra, to keep daily costs down.
- 3Use the communal kitchen at Clink261 to prepare your own meals and save on eating out.
- 4Check whether your room at the Alhambra has a private or a shared bathroom before you confirm.
- 5Take Thameslink trains from St Pancras to reach Gatwick or Luton airport without changing.
- 6Walk to Granary Square and Regent's Canal behind King's Cross for a free evening stroll.