FAQs

Whether you’re planning a visit to Piccadilly Backpackers or you’re already staying with us, we’re ready to answer any questions about hostel life or making the most of your stay in London. Here are a few of the most often asked questions about the most central budget hostel in London.

 

About the hostel

 

What’s a hostel?

In its traditional form a hostel is a simple hotel offering basic, good value accommodation for travellers (anyone from school groups to retired people who are travelling the world on a budget). A hostel may be in a rural area or, as in the case of Piccadilly Backpackers Hostel, a few minutes from the heart of London, one of the world’s busiest cities.

Over time, hostels have evolved into more sophisticated accommodations offering varying ranges of accommodation and associated facilities. Whereas the term hostel once implied shared dormitory accommodation, ours offers everything from dormitories to comfortable single, twin and family rooms. And of course, hostels are less formal than many hotels – with the emphasis on the independent travel lifestyle, having good times and meeting interesting fellow travellers from different cultures and backgrounds. If you haven’t tried one, come and visit us in the centre of London.

 

Where is Piccadilly Backpackers based?

One of our favourite questions! As London’s most central hostel, we’re about as close to the heart of London as you can get (just off Piccadilly Circus, on Sherwood Street). To see how central we are, just Google Piccadilly Circus or visit our Location page.

 

How do I get to you?

We’re very easy to reach from all London’s main airports, train and bus stations. There’s even a convenient NCP car park close by too. The easiest way to get to us is by London Underground (the Tube) or one of London’s famous bright red buses to Piccadilly Circus. Then it’s just a short (one minute) walk to our front door on Sherwood Street. For full directions, please visit our Location page.

 

What sort of rooms have you got?

What do you need? In total, we currently have 700 beds available. You can choose from a variety of single, twin and double private rooms and shared dormitories; our dormitory rooms and beds are a mixture of  4 bed, 6 bed, 8 bed, 10 bed, 6 bed “Pod” or premium dorm, 4 bed en-suite and 4 bed female only.

 

What’s a “Pod” or Premium dormitory?

Our “Pod” rooms are inspired by the budget micro hotels you may have seen or heard about in Japan. They may be small but like Dr Who’s Tardis they’re also very spacious once you’re inside. What’s more, they offer greater privacy than other dormitory types and all these rooms (30–40% of our accommodation) have been stylishly decorated by artists as part of our ongoing Hostel Art project. Please see our gallery section for pictures.

 

Do I have to share my room?

If you book a private room (such as a twin or single), no one else will have access to your room. If you book a dormitory bed, you’ll share the dorm with anyone else who has booked. You can have a whole dormitory room to yourself but you’ll need to book and pay for all the beds in it!

Are you rooms single or mixed sex?

Though we try to keep the rooms single sex, our size means we can’t always guarantee this. However, if you don’t feel comfortable sharing a mixed dormitory please ask for a bed in a female-only dormitory when you make your reservation.

 

What’s hostel art?

Since 2005, Piccadilly Backpackers has been running a unique arts project at our site just off Piccadilly Circus. Called Hostel Art, the project involves getting artists to paint and decorate our hostel rooms. Take a look at our Gallery page to see pictures of these wonderful rooms. Even better, book a couple of nights with us and stay in one for a firsthand experience. And if you’d like to create a unique room for us, please get in touch for a chat…

 

Will there be facilities in my room?

All our rooms (apart from en-suite rooms) have shared facilities. Each floor has at least two male and two female toilets, and shower rooms. Some floors also have unisex toilets.

 

How can I book a stay with you?

It’s easy to book via telephone, email or online. We recommend secure online booking as it’s the fastest and easiest way to book.

 

What’s the difference between your twin and a double rooms?

It’s very simple. Each twin room has a single bunk bed. Our double rooms also have a bunk bed but the lower bunk is a comfortable double bed. Which will you book? Why not reserve yours now?

 

Can school parties or other groups stay with you?

We define a party of 14 or more people as a group. For more information, please visit our Group Booking page.Rules & Payment Questions.

 

Rules & Payment Questions

 

What are your check in and check out times?

You can check in from 13.00. The Piccadilly Backpackers Reception is open 24 hours a day, which is very convenient if you won’t be reaching us until late at night. Checkout is at 10.00, with luggage storage available during the day (free if you're arriving before check-in time and for a small fee if you are checking out).

 

Do you have smoking rooms?

We have always operated a full no smoking policy. Since July 2007, it's been illegal to smoke in any public building within the United Kingdom. If you need to smoke, you'll have to do it outside the hostel.

 

What security do you have?

Good security is important for the peace of mind of our guests and staff alike. That’s why we have 24-hour security at our entrance. A member of the Piccadilly Backpackers team is always on duty to make sure that only guests or people with reservations are allowed into the hostel. We also have 24-hour internal and external CCTV coverage. Naturally, Reception is open 24/7 to help if you should have any problems or queries. No matter how trivial it may seem, please ask us for help or advice – it’s what we’re here for.

 

Can my friends or family come into the hostel?

Only guests staying at Piccadilly Backpackers can come into the building. If you've arranged to meet someone at the hostel, they're welcome to wait in the lobby.

 

What age restrictions apply at the hostel?

People of all ages are welcome at Piccadilly Backpackers. Guests between the ages of 16 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult or have a letter from their legal guardian giving them permission to travel. If you are travelling with anyone under 16, they must be accompanied by an adult. Because UK law doesn’t permit anyone under the age of 16 to use a shared dormitory, they will have to be booked into a private room (or all the beds must be booked in the dormitory). Please call us to ensure that all your beds are allocated into the same room. And of course, if you have any questions before or during your visit, please contact us.

 

Must I be a student or a member of Hostelling International to stay?

As an independent hostel organisation, we welcome anyone as a guest. You do not need to be a member of any organisation or a student to be able to enjoy the facilities at London’s most centrally located hostel.

 

Why do you need my credit card details when I make my booking?

We need your card details to secure your reservation. If you don’t show up or you fail to cancel your booking, the card may be charged for the first night of your reservation. When you arrive at Piccadilly Backpackers, you may pay by a method of your choice. We don’t charge a deposit fee to guests’ cards..

 

When do I need to pay?

We take full payment on arrival as we do not charge a deposit if you book directly with us.

 

What’s the latest arrival time?

Reception is open 24 hours a day so you can arrive whenever you like. If you’re planning to arrive after 03.00 (3am), please tell us. If you arrive late at night you may find it useful to know that night buses run from London’s major railway stations to Piccadilly Circus and other parts of central London (also useful if you are planning to enjoy London’s vibrant nightlife during your stay).

 

Is there a curfew? How late can I stay out?

There is no curfew and no lockout. You are welcome to come and go whenever you wish. If you are returning late at night or early in the morning, please respect the fact that other guests will be sleeping.

 

Why can’t I check in before 13.00?

The rooms are cleaned between 10.00 and 13.00, which is why you cannot gain entry to your room between these times.

 

Do I need a booking to stay at Piccadilly Backpackers?

It’s not necessary to book in advance if you want to stay with us. However, because we’re located so close to the centre of London we’re a very popular hostel all year round. To avoid disappointment we always recommend that guests reserve their place by calling, e-mailing us or booking online before making their journey to London.

 

How can I pay for my stay?

We accept all major credit and debit cards including American Express. We also accept cash and travellers cheques in GBP.

 

What if I need to cancel?

If you need to cancel your booking, you must contact us either by phone or email before 14.00 on the day before your arrival date. IMPORTANT: If you don’t contact us, you will be charged for the first full night as a no-show.

 

What if I’m travelling with my family?

When travelling with your family please be aware that unless you book a private room or all the beds in a dormitory room you will be sharing with other people. If you have children under the age of 16, you must book an entire room or a private room as the children cannot be accommodated in shared accommodation.

 

Hostel Facilities Questions

 

Is breakfast included in your charges?

Breakfast is not included but is available from 07.30 in our breakfast room. We sell a wide range of food, including fruit, tea, coffee and a traditional English breakfast. By popular demand, we’ve recently refurbished and expanded the breakfast room to provide more seats and tables, and provide guests with a wide selection of vending snacks and drinks.

 

Do I need to bring my sleeping bag?

All our beds have pillows and woollen blankets. Bed linen is provided free of charge from reception, but feel free to bring your own sleeping bags or pillows if you want to.

 

Is bed linen provided?

Bed linen is provided free of charge when you check in and can be collected from reception.

 

Do you have cooking facilities?

We have microwaves that are available to guests 24 hours a day, and snack and soft drink vending machines. We also have a breakfast room where guests can purchase food from a wide selection of meals and snacks.  We can also tell you where the nearest and cheapest supermarket is – just ask a team member for more details.

 

Can I wash my clothes there?

Five washers and dryers are located on the third floor. Washing powder can be bought from the travel shop.

 

Do you give student discounts?

We only offer discounts to students who hold a current International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Please ensure that you show us your card before starting to check in.

 

Where can I leave my things?

Guests can use the luggage room located on the fourth floor of Piccadilly Backpackers Hostel. Use of this facility is free if you’re arriving before check-in time; if you are checking out we make a small charge to leave your bags in the luggage room – it’s a great way to lighten the load if you want to take a last look around central London before leaving town. Every room also has lockers where you can store your possessions. You can use your own padlock or buy one from our travel shop.

 

Do you provide transport to the hostel?

We don’t currently provide any transport to or from the hostel, but we’re very easy to get to from all the main London train stations, bus stations and airports due to our central location. You can book places on shuttle buses from the hostel to London’s airports at our travel desk.

 

Do you have payphones or internet access?

When you stay at Piccadilly Backpackers you’ll find payphones and credit card phones on every floor. Guests are also free to use our large fourth floor internet café operated by Global Gossip. There’s also Wi-Fi access on selected floors.

 

Do you provide car parking?

Parking space is always at a premium in central London. Unfortunately, we can’t offer any parking facilities, but there are several National Car Parking (NCP) centres very close to us. Be warned that it is very expensive to leave cars there overnight. If you are travelling by road, we recommend that you park just outside central London and use public transport to get to us. Please see our Location page for directions.

 

What can I do at Piccadilly Backpackers?

How long have you got? London’s on your doorstep – literally, with its amazing sightseeing, museums, galleries, nightlife, pubs and restaurants. And in case you need help deciding what to do, we run nightly party events to local pubs and clubs. And of course, if you just want a quiet night in or a chat with new friends from around the world, there’s our common room with a TV lounge, table football and games area, our internet café, in-room Wi-Fi on selected floors, a travel shop to plan your activities in London and much more... Please visit our Facilities page for more information.

 

How can I contact someone staying at the hostel?

There are no room phones, but we do have a notice board where we put up any messages for guests. We may also be able to amend a message to someone’s reservation details.

Guests can use the payphones and credit card phones on every floor, and high-speed internet access. Payphones accept cash only.
.

 

Do you sell tickets to any tours or attractions?

Guests can join the daily walking tours of London that leave from Piccadilly Backpackers every day. Run for us by New Europe Tours, these FREE tours are a great way to get your bearings in central London before you start exploring on your own. You can also buy discounted tickets for many top London attractions and West End shows in our travel shop. Please drop in and ask what’s going on – London always has something to offer every taste and interest.

If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please contact us.