The Best Cheap Places to Stay in Bristol
Are you looking for cheap places to stay in Bristol?
This blog post details budget hotels in the southwest’s biggest city, so you can see attractions like the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain without breaking the bank!
With centuries of fascinating seafaring history and a quirky modern culture, plus stunning sights like the Clifton Suspension Bridge spanning the Avon Gorge, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city.
Sample global cuisines at Bristol’s excellent restaurants, try local ciders and beers served on tap, and explore the most gorgeous architecture and nature just outside of city parameters. There’s so much to enjoy here!
So whether you’re looking for cheap hotels in Bristol for a leisure or business trip, we’ve selected the best accommodation options around the city centre.
Do you want some more guidance about which Bristol neighbourhood to choose? Check out my guide here.
Best Youth Hostels in Bristol
There are plenty of youth hostels in Bristol, which are scattered all over the city centre.
While Bristol isn’t a hugely popular backpacking destination, these youth hostels tend to attract younger travellers and often have a fun party atmosphere.
If you want the cheapest place to stay in Bristol and would like to make some backpacking friends as well, here are the highest recommended youth hostels!
The Full Moon Backpackers
Located in Stokes Croft, the Full Moon Backpackers is possibly one of the most fun budget places to stay in Bristol.
It is connected to the Full Moon and Attic Bar which is one of the most popular pubs near Bristol City centre, with live music and a fun atmosphere nearly seven nights a week. Locals love this busy pub!
The hostel has a fun, backpacker feel, with cheap but cheerful dorms which are decorated well and plenty of facilities.
Choose from a mixed, male or female dorm room or select a private room. The private rooms are so well-furnished, you won’t believe you’re in a budget accommodation! Take a look at them here!
It’s also in a fabulous location in Stokes Croft, just a few minutes’ walk from some of Bristol’s best bars and not too far from the beautiful harbourside.
There are laundry facilities available at the Full Moon Backpackers too!
If you’re looking for somewhere cheap to stay in Stokes Croft, the Full Moon Backpackers is an ideal base.
YHA Bristol
The YHA Bristol is a clean, spacious hotel in Bristol city centre. It’s one of the best cheap hostels in Bristol, located in a historic grain house on Bristol’s waterfront.
Although it’s a period property, the YHA Bristol has been very well restored with beautiful interiors.
Enjoy the busy bar as you drink a refreshing cider with your travel mates or new friends. The place has a modern feel, yet still holds onto features of its past.
Choose from a modern dorm room, some of which have en-suite bathrooms and single or double rooms with a private bathroom. All beds are comfy, with crisp clean bed linen. Take a look at the rooms here!
The YHA Bristol has fast, free WiFi, a 24 hour reception and it’s in a prime city centre location, easy to access some of the best eateries in the city.
There are also laundry facilities available at YHA Bristol.
Towed Town Camping
Fancy camping… but indoors? Towed Town Camping is an all-season, rustic camping experience located in a suburb called St Phillips.
This campsite is located in one of Bristol’s many repurposed warehouses. It consists of six caravans, each with a different style and character, that are located in a large hall.
Each caravan has its own toilet, although it may not be connected to the caravan. Plus, there are quirky features like an ‘outdoor’ seating area!
All caravans are kitted out with mod-cons, including comfy beds and kitchenettes! Take a look at their listing to see how incredibly unique this accommodation is!
Cheap Hotels in Bristol
Although Bristol isnt’ the cheapest city, you’ll find a few cheap hotels scattered around Bristol Old City and neighbourhoods like Clifton Village and Stokes Croft.
As most of these budget hotels are in the city centre, they don’t tend to offer perks like private parking and complimentary breakfast, but you can still save money with very cheap rates.
OYO Flagship the Regency
Located in a sympathetically restored building in Clifton, OYO Flagship the Regency is a wonderful budget hotel to stay in Bristol.
Run by the reliable OYO budget brand, it has bright and well-kitted out rooms with comfortable beds. There are tea and coffee facilities in each room, and every room has an en-suite bathroom.
For something a bit different, there’s a shisha bar downstairs, which has an outdoor heated terrace.
IBIS Bristol Temple Meads
In a prime position in Bristol city centre, Bristol IBIS Temple Meads is the ideal budget place to stay if you’re taking the train to the city.
It’s a modern hotel with clean, well-furnished rooms with comfy beds and TVs mounted on the wall.
It’s a great place to stay if you’re working in Bristol, as there’s a designated workspace and tea and coffee facilities in each of the en-suite rooms.
Foggs Restaurants is located in the hotel and serves an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. So you can fuel up on food here before tackling the city the next day!
IBIS Bristol Centre
There’s another great IBIS hotel in Bristol city centre; called IBIS Bristol Centre.
Whatever bedroom you select, you’ll have a private bathroom at IBIS Bristol City Centre. The bedrooms are all furnished well, with features like a flat-screen TV and high-speed WiFi.
Again, it’s a great place to stay if you’re away on a work trip!
Like the IBIS by Bristol Temple Meads Rail Sation, this hotel also has a restaurant where you can fill up on an all-you-can-eat breakfast before seeing Bristol’s best attractions!
Bristol Cathedral is just a short stroll away, and you can also easily access the best museums from here.
Mollie’s Motel & Diner
Mollie’s Motel & Diner is a wonderful, highly-rated budget hotel that sits near Cribbs Causeway in the north of Bristol. The hotel features 123 gorgeous, colourful and comfortable rooms. Check out its incredible reviews here!
You can choose from double, twin or bunk rooms, some of which connect together.
The highly reviewed hotel isn’t too far from Bristol centre, although you do need to get a bus to the city centre. It also proudly states that it “has one foot in the countryside”, so you can enjoy rural life here as well!
When you consider its facilities and value for money, it’s one of the best Bristol hotels to visit if you’re on a budget.
Novotel Bristol Centre
The Novotel Bristol, located in the city centre, is a fantastic cheap place to stay in Bristol. It has plenty of facilities, including comfy bedrooms, high-speed WiFi and even a gym!
It’s not the cheapest hotel in Bristol, but it’s run by the reliable Novotel chain and you’ll have a comfortable stay here. Plus, you couldn’t get much closer to Bristol City Centre! Check out its amazing location here!
As you’d guess by the name, Novotel Bristol Centre is close to all of Bristol’s best attractions, including Bristol Temple Meads Rail Station. It’s an ideal base if you need to be close to the city centre’s best attractions!
Raddison Blu Bristol
Radisson Blu Bristol is one of the most popular Bristol hotels, just a few minutes’ walking distance from Bristol’s centre and attractions like Bristol Aquarium.
All rooms have a private bathroom and facilities like a flat-screen TV and en-suite bathrooms with toiletries, plus you can enjoy a continental breakfast at the Collage Restaurant. There’s also the Collage Bar, where you can sample delicious cocktails.
There’s no parking for guests at this Radisson Blu Hotel; you’ll have to use the NCP at Queen Charlotte Square.
Best Guest Houses in Bristol
There are lots of reliable chains in the city, including the Hilton Garden Inn Bristol and two Mercure Hotels.
However, if you want to stay somewhere more local, you’ll find plenty of independent and affordable accommodations around the city.
Here are the ones we recommend!
The Crafty Cow
Located on bustling Gloucester Road, the Crafty Cow is a fun independent pub with en-suite rooms in its upstairs guest house.
They have a range of delicious drinks, including plenty of local ales. There’s also plenty of food on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
The rooms all have a private bathroom and are sizable, with comfortable beds.
The Horfield location is great for accessing the independent shops of Gloucester Road. It’s an hour’s walk to the city centre, but regular buses ply the route.
It’s also one of the cheapest hotels in Bristol, so if you’re on a budget, look at the rates here!
Channings Hotel by Greene King Inns
Located in a historic refurbished property that dates back to 1865, the charming Channings Hotel is in a Clifton location with clean and comfortable rooms.
The guest house prides itself on offering chic rooms with crisp bed linen and tasty food, all on a budget. Take a look at the gorgeous building here.
It’s also in the desirable Clifton area, which is thought of as “the Bath of Bristol”, with gorgeous Georgian architecture and lots of independent restaurants. It’s also close to many of the beautiful buildings of Bristol University.
Sitting only a half-hour walk from Bristol centre, a less than 5-minute walk from the Clifton Suspension Bridge and in striking distance of Ashton Court, it’s a wonderful place to stay!
There’s no parking on premises, but various streets in the Clifton area have free and paid-for parking.
The Dark Horse
Located in East Bristol, in the neighbourhood of Redfield, The Dark Horse is an incredibly friendly pub, claiming its “a city pub with a country feel”.
The rooms in the guest house are well-furnished with bright bedlinen and friendly decor, featuring hanging space for clothes, bedside lights, wall paintings and en-suite bathrooms.
The staff are very friendly and happy to help with any queries that you may have about the accommodation or Bristol in general.
Of course, as it’s above a pub, it can be a little bit noisy. However, the rooms have their own entrance and they are such a good price that if a little noise doesn’t bother you, they are worth snapping up!
There are only three rooms available, so book early if you want to stay here!
Best Budget Apartments in Bristol
If you’d like to stay somewhere that offers self-catering, there are plenty of apartments that are in striking distance to Bristol’s most famous landmarks.
The Alma Taverns Boutique Suites
It’s in prime position to enjoy Clifton Village and other prime attractions.
These beautiful suites have fresh bed linen, tea and coffee making facilities, a dedicated workspace and a gorgeous bathroom with a power shower.
I couldn’t believe how affordable these suites were when I first saw them. They’re an incredible deal – check them out here!
Old Market Apartments
You won’t believe how gorgeous these apartments are, considering their very low price point and city centre location!
Enjoy a kitchen, bedroom with a comfy bed and modern shower at these deluxe apartments.
Old Market Apartments are a fantastic budget option with at incredibly affordable rates.
It’s in a convenient location, also close to attractions like Queen Square. If you’re spending a little longer in Bristol, it’s the ideal base!
Free things to do in Bristol
- Bristol Museum
- Strolling around Clifton Village, admiring the gorgeous Georgian architecture
- Bristol Cathedral
- Strolling around Ashton Court
- Walking around the Medieval city centre, including places like Queen square, which is a Georgian square that wouldn’t look out of place in Bath.
- Visit the Bristol Harbour Festival in July!
- See Bristol’s free museums: M Shed and the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
- See the outdoor art galleries at Stokes Croft and Southville. Stokes Croft is a little more famous, but Southville is more off the beaten track.
- Take in the impressive views over Avon Gorge by the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
- There are loads of excellent walks in and around Bristol to enjoy while you’re here!
Cheap places to eat in Bristol
I’m a big fan of Eat a Pitta. For about 6, you can get a huge pitta stuffed with falafel, hummus and salad. It’s delicious!
You can also try St Nicholas’ Market (where Eat a Pitta actually has a stall). There are lots of other budget places to eat here, depending on what cuisine you fancy!
Wetherspoons has lots of branches in Bristol – it’s the ultimate place for cheap eats.
Money-saving tips for Bristol and South West England
If you want to see a show at the Bristol Hippodrome Theatre or the Bristol Beacon (previously called Colston Hall), check out Groupon for excellent deals and special offers.
The cheapest way to explore South West England is by National Express or Megabus coach. If you want to take a train, try to book early. For Bristol centre, book a ticket to Temple Meads Station.
What is the nearest airport to Bristol?
Bristol international airport sits just under 9 miles from the city centre.
However, Bristol Airport doesn’t fly to any long-haul destinations. If you’re visiting from further afield, you’ll need to travel to Heathrow or Gatwick. International flights are generally cheaper from London airports too!
Budget Bristol hotels!
From cheap hostels to budget hotels in striking distance of excellent restaurants, I hope that this guide to cheap places to stay in Bristol has inspired and informed you!
While not all of the hotels on this list have complimentary breakfast options or private parking, your bank will thank you for budget rates at these hotels. Take advantage of special offers on Booking.com and rserve your stay!
Bristol is a hidden gem – I’m a bit biased, but in my opinion, it’s the best city in the UK, and there’s so much to do here. But if you want to save some pennies on accommodation (so you can enjoy all of the best things to do in Bristol!) be sure to save this list of accommodation options for your next visit!
