Cheap hotels in the UK: where and when to look

Why UK hotel prices vary so much

The same hotel can cost very different amounts on different nights. Prices move with the day of the week, school holidays, local events and how full the hotel is. A cheap city break often comes down to choosing the right dates and the right part of town.

City by city

• Manchester. Central hotels near Piccadilly and Deansgate are handy for the train. Football matches and big concerts can raise prices.
• Birmingham. Hotels near New Street and the Bullring are central. Large exhibitions at the NEC can fill hotels across the region.
• Edinburgh. The Old Town and New Town are the main areas. August, when the festivals run, is far busier and dearer than most of the year.
• Glasgow. The city centre and the West End are popular. Check what is on at the big venues on your dates.
• Liverpool. City-centre and Albert Dock hotels are close to the main sights. Match days and concerts can push prices up.
• Bristol. The harbourside and city centre are the main choices. Summer, including the balloon fiesta in August, is busy.
• Brighton. Seafront and Lanes hotels are in demand on summer weekends.
• Leeds. Hotels near the station are convenient for rail, and often quieter at weekends than on weekdays.

Ways to save

• Compare midweek and weekend nights. Business cities are often cheaper at weekends, seaside towns cheaper midweek.
• Check what is on. Events can double demand for a few nights.
• Look slightly outside the centre, near a tram or train stop.
• Ask about parking. City-centre parking can cost as much as a meal.
• Compare breakfast and no-breakfast rates.
• Book early for summer weekends and school holidays.

Train or car

If you are travelling by train, a hotel close to the station saves time and taxi fares. If you are driving, ask whether the hotel has parking, whether it is free, and how far it is from the room. In city centres, a slightly cheaper hotel with expensive parking may cost more overall.

Change and cancellation terms

UK hotels often offer a cheaper rate that cannot be changed or refunded, and a dearer flexible rate. If your plans might change, ask for both and compare. We will tell you which terms apply to each quote.

Hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts

Larger hotels offer the most facilities, such as a restaurant, a gym and a reception that is staffed around the clock. Guest houses and bed and breakfasts are often cheaper and include a cooked breakfast, but they can be smaller, with fewer facilities and limited reception hours. Tell us what you need, such as an en-suite bathroom, a lift or a late arrival, and we will check the options against it.

Get a quote

Tell us the city, your dates and how many people are staying. We can quote several cities for one trip. Call Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm or use the form on this page. No payment is taken on the form.