Where to Live in London on a Working Holiday
28 Oct 2026
Natalie Broomfield

Where to Live in London on a Working Holiday

"Working out where to live in London is the hardest part of planning a UK working holiday from Australia. Rent is the biggest cost of your trip, London rooms go fast, and most landlords won't sign you up until you're in the country. This guide compares the places Jumpstart London participants live, how rent works and when it makes sense to rent privately."

Jumpstart London Accommodation: Rooms, Prices and What's Included

Key takeaways

  • Jumpstart London rooms start at £150 a week, with all bills included.
  • Central London city rooms include 2 meals a day and gym access, from £167 a week in a 4-bed dorm.
  • Upfront costs are low: 1 week's rent as a deposit for city rooms, no bond at the hotel and a 2-week bond for share houses.
  • There are no long leases, so you can move or leave to travel at short notice.

Your Jumpstart London accommodation is booked before you fly, so you land with a bed, an address and people to meet. There are five room options, from central London dorms with meals included to professional share houses for when you're settled in a job. Here's what each one costs, what's included and who it suits.

From £150A week, all bills included
2 meals a dayIn the central London city rooms
No long leasesMove or travel at short notice

Your five accommodation options

  1. A bed in a student-style dorm room in Zone 1
  2. A bed in an ensuite room with shared self-catering facilities in Zone 2
  3. A room in a boutique 3-star hotel in Leytonstone, East London
  4. A room in a share house in Zones 2–3
  5. A room in a share house with working professionals, once you're settled into a job

Prices at a glance (2026)

Every price includes all bills, so there are no surprise gas, electricity or internet costs.

Room Where Rent Upfront
4-bed dorm City rooms, Zones 1–2 £167 a week 1 week's rent deposit
3-bed dorm City rooms, Zones 1–2 £178 a week 1 week's rent deposit
Twin-share room City rooms, Zones 1–2 £208 a week 1 week's rent deposit
Single room City rooms, Zones 1–2 From £284 a week 1 week's rent deposit
Small single room Hotel, Leytonstone £165 a week No bond
Double room for couples Hotel, Leytonstone £195 a week No bond
Your own room with a double bed Share house, Zones 2–3 £150 a week Bond of 2 weeks' rent
Double room for couples Share house, Zones 2–3 £180 a week Bond of 2 weeks' rent
Your own furnished room Professional share house, mostly Zone 2 From £900 a month Deposit-free option

Prices depend on room type and availability, so we confirm them for your arrival week when you enquire.

City hostel-style rooms (Zones 1–2) From £167 a week

The city rooms are sociable, all-inclusive properties in central London, in areas such as Notting Hill and Victoria. You choose a shared dorm of up to 6 beds or an ensuite room with shared self-catering facilities. You'll live with other Aussies and Kiwis on Jumpstart London and travellers from around the world.

Your weekly rent includes:

  • 2 meals a day: breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday, plus a cooked breakfast and lunch at weekends
  • free internet
  • bedding
  • contents insurance for your belongings
  • a cleaner
  • access to the on-site gym
  • a lockable personal space

A 4-bed dorm at £167 a week works out at about £724 a month, with bills and most of your meals covered. Being central also means you can often walk to work and get home easily late at night, without a long commute.

One week's rent as a deposit secures your room before you fly. After that, rent is weekly, with no long-term lease, and you're not responsible for anyone else's rent if a roommate leaves.

Volunteer for a free bed Free bed and meals

Want to cut your rent to nothing? At the city rooms, you can volunteer 20 hours a week at the property in exchange for a free bed and meals. It's a popular way to save while you look for work or between jobs. Ask us about availability when you enquire.

Boutique hotel in Leytonstone From £165 a week

Want your own room and bathroom from day one? Our boutique 3-star hotel in Leytonstone, East London, has small single rooms from £165 a week and double rooms for couples from £195. Every room has an ensuite and tea and coffee facilities.

Rent includes wifi, bedding, towels and a cleaner for your room and the shared areas. There's no bond: you just pay rent week by week. Room types depend on availability.

Share houses in Zones 2–3 From £150 a week

Our share houses are in East and South West London, mostly around Leytonstone in Zone 3, about 25–35 minutes from central London by tube. It's the cheapest option: from £150 a week for your own room with a double bed, or £180 for a double room for a couple.

Rent includes all bills and wifi. The bond is two weeks' rent, there are no long-term leases and you need only two weeks' notice to leave. You're also not liable for other rooms if your housemates move out.

Professional share houses From £900 a month

Once you're settled in a steady job, professional share houses give you a bit more comfort for stays of 2 months or more. You get your own fully furnished room with linen from £900 a month, mostly in Zone 2 areas such as Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Mile End, Poplar and Bow.

Rent includes all bills and wifi and a cleaning service every fortnight, with a shared lounge and dining area. Every property is close to the Tube and buses, there's a deposit-free option and you can move out at any time.

Travelling while you rent

None of the options lock you into a lease. Give notice, and you can head off to Europe without paying for an empty room while you're away. When you're back, we'll find you a room again, depending on availability.

Which option suits you?

  • First time abroad on a budget: a 4-bed dorm in the city rooms, with meals included and other travellers around you
  • Want privacy from day one: a single room at the Leytonstone hotel
  • Travelling as a couple: a double room at the hotel or in a share house
  • Working and staying a while: a share house room, or a professional share house once you're in steady work

For a wider look at living in London, including zones and renting privately, read where to live in London on a working holiday.

FAQ

How much is Jumpstart London accommodation?

Weekly rent starts at £150 for your own room in a share house, £165 at the Leytonstone hotel and £167 for a 4-bed dorm in central London, with all bills included. Professional share houses start at £900 a month.

What's included in the rent?

All bills and wifi in every option. The city rooms also include 2 meals a day, bedding, contents insurance, a cleaner and gym access. The hotel includes bedding, towels and regular cleaning.

Do I have to pay a bond?

It depends on the room. City rooms need one week's rent as a deposit to secure your bed before you fly, the hotel has no bond, share houses take a bond of two weeks' rent, and professional share houses have a deposit-free option.

Ready to book your London room?

Pick your arrival week and we'll hold a room for you before you fly.

Hold a room for your arrival week →

Planning the rest of your trip? Read Plan your first month in London.


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