Skip to content
The Palace of Westminster, Elizabeth Tower and Westminster Bridge seen across the Thames from the east bank, framed by autumn leaves

Where to stay in London

Photo: Julian Herzog, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Places to stay in London

Add your dates above to compare prices for your stay.

About London

London charges no tourist tax in 2026: the government announced a power for an overnight visitor levy in September 2026, but the bill has yet to come. Whole homes let short term are capped at 90 nights a year, and every borough runs its own parking zones.

United Kingdom. Guide last checked .

Facts and rules

Last checked . Each fact links to its source.

Airport
Heathrow (LHR), the largest of London's six international airports, about 29 km by road from Trafalgar Square. Source
Tourist tax
None in 2026. The government will give mayors the power to charge an overnight visitor levy as a percentage of the room price; a bill is still to be introduced. Source
VAT
20%. In a hotel, from the 29th day of a continuous stay VAT falls on the part of the bill that is not for accommodation; holiday lets pay the full rate whatever the length. Source
90-night rule
A whole home in Greater London can be let as temporary sleeping accommodation for at most 90 nights a calendar year without planning permission, by a host liable for its council tax. Source
Registration scheme
A national registration scheme for short-term lets in England is announced but not yet in force. Source
Tenancy
A let for a holiday cannot be an assured tenancy. Since 1 May 2026 ordinary private tenancies in England are assured periodic tenancies. Source
Entry
An ETA, GBP 20, for visitors from Europe and the USA; Europeans since 2 April 2025. Valid two years or until the passport expires, for visits of up to six months. Source
Congestion Charge
GBP 18 a day in the central zone, 7:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 18:00 at weekends and bank holidays. Source
ULEZ
Across all London boroughs, 24 hours a day; a current UK rental fleet car meets the standards (via GetCar). Source
Parking
Each borough runs its own controlled parking zones, hours and prices; the sign at the zone entry gives the controlled hours, and double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time. Source
Currency
Pound sterling (GBP). Source
Emergency numbers
999 or 112. Source

Areas of London

The Covent Garden market building seen across the cobbled piazza, with people sitting and walking in front of it
Photo: Ben Salter, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Covent Garden and Soho

The West End: Covent Garden with its old market square, the Royal Opera House and the theatres, and Soho next door, an entertainment district since the 19th century with restaurants and the gay village on Old Compton Street. It suits theatre, food and a first visit on foot.

Heathrow
about 30 km
Trafalgar Square
about 1 km

Car and parking

Westminster prices its bays by the car's CO2 band, from GBP 2.46 to 7.78 an hour by zone for a typical petrol rental, paid only by app, and the drive in from Heathrow crosses into the Congestion Charge zone (via GetCar).

The Thames seen from Westminster Bridge, with Westminster Pier on the left and the London Eye and County Hall on the South Bank to the right
Photo: Domob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

South Bank

The Lambeth riverside from County Hall to the Oxo Tower, with the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre and BFI Southbank. It suits a river view and evenings at the arts centres.

Heathrow
about 30 km
Trafalgar Square
about 3 km

Car and parking

Lambeth runs 24 controlled parking zones, mainly in the north of the borough; bays are paid with PayByPhone or in cash at a PayPoint shop, at hourly rates set by zone and by the car's CO2 emissions.

White stucco terraced houses on Thurloe Street in South Kensington, with parking signs and a car parked at the kerb
Photo: No Swan So Fine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

South Kensington

The museum quarter of Kensington and Chelsea, with the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Imperial College. It suits families and museum days, in hotels and stucco terraces.

Heathrow
about 25 km
Trafalgar Square
about 5 km

Car and parking

Kensington and Chelsea sets its own tariffs and hours (via GetCar); read the zone sign at the entry and the time plate at the bay, and ask the hotel about its garage.

The ground fountains of Granary Square at King's Cross, with office buildings and people walking behind
Photo: Peter S, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

King's Cross

The district around St Pancras, with the Eurostar, and King's Cross stations, on both sides of Euston Road in Camden and Islington, rebuilt since the 1990s on the old railway lands. It suits rail connections and a trip on by Eurostar or to the north.

Heathrow
about 32 km
Trafalgar Square
about 4 km

Car and parking

On the Camden side every street sits in a controlled parking zone with a code starting CA-, and the entry sign gives the hours; a Camden resident host can buy electronic visitor permits for up to four hours or a full day.

Shoreditch High Street looking north, with Victorian shop buildings, a red route sign and people on the pavement
Photo: beareye2010, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shoreditch

The East End neighbourhood just north-east of the City, mostly in Hackney, with pubs, bars and clubs near the City and along the A10 and residential streets beyond. It suits nightlife and a base near the City.

Heathrow
about 33 km
Trafalgar Square
about 5 km

Car and parking

Most of Hackney is split into parking zones with bays for residents, businesses and visitors; the council's zone page gives hours of Monday to Friday 8:30 to 18:30 and Saturday 8:30 to 13:30, and spaces can be booked through RingGo.

The twin domes of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich either side of the lawn, with the Queen's House in the distance
Photo: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Greenwich

Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 8.9 km east-south-east of Charing Cross, with the Old Royal Naval College, the Cutty Sark and the Greenwich Meridian. It suits a slower stay by the river and the park, and a month.

Heathrow
about 39 km
Trafalgar Square
about 12 km

Car and parking

Royal Greenwich is switching off its pay and display machines through 2026, and street parking is paid with PayByPhone, with a discount by the car's CO2 emissions; many new developments are car-free, and their residents cannot get a permit.

Guides

Questions

Is there a tourist tax in London?

Not in September 2026. The government said on 10 September 2026 that mayors will get the power to charge an overnight visitor levy, as a percentage of the room price, and that a bill will be introduced in due course.

How many nights can a London home be let short term?

At most 90 nights a calendar year for a whole home without planning permission, and only by someone who pays council tax on it. Airbnb blocks entire-home listings in Greater London after 90 booked nights.

Do EU and US visitors need an ETA for London?

Yes. Europeans have needed one since 2 April 2025, and the ETA covers the USA too. It costs GBP 20, lasts two years or until the passport expires, and allows visits of up to six months.

Where can a guest with a car park in London?

In pay bays inside each borough's controlled parking zones, paid by app or phone in the boroughs covered here, or in a hotel garage. The zone sign at the entry gives the controlled hours.