Best time to book hotels in London

November 2026

November is a peak travel month in London, with median rates averaging about 14% above the yearly average. World Travel Market London drives a 19% premium around November 3–4, while other notable spikes of up to 19% appear around November 17–18 and November 27–28. For stays this month, the best rates so far appeared about 35 weeks before check-in, which was about 87% lower than current rates. Book immediately if your travel dates are locked in, as the booking window is closing and rates are near their highest.

December 2026

December is a high-season month with median rates about 11% above the yearly average. A significant price spike of 21% occurs around December 29–31, coinciding with New Year's Eve, while early December dates also see premiums of up to 22%. For stays this month, the best rates so far appeared about 35 weeks before check-in, which was about 47% lower than current rates. Lock in your room now to secure remaining inventory before late-booking premiums climb further.

January 2027

January brings low-season pricing to London, with median rates dropping about 24% below the yearly average. However, a significant price spike of 28% occurs on January 1–2, coinciding with the tail end of New Year's Eve celebrations. For stays this month, the best rates so far appeared about 42 weeks before check-in, saving about 12% compared to current rates. Book now if you are targeting New Year's Day, or secure a flexible rate for later in the month.

February 2027

February is a highly affordable low-season month in London, with median rates sitting about 25% below the yearly average. The month is remarkably stable, with only minor price fluctuations of 9% around February 23–24. For stays this month, the best rates so far appeared about 45 weeks before check-in, saving about 10% compared to current rates. Reserve your room now to lock in these low-season rates before the late-booking window begins to close.

March 2027

March remains firmly in London's low season, with median rates listed about 21% below the yearly average. Slight price increases of up to 12% are visible around March 23–24. Because hotels have only recently begun listing rates for these spring dates, early prices should be treated as preliminary. Monitor rates for now and wait to book, as there is no rush for these low-season spring dates.

April 2027

Currently listed about 13% below the yearly median, April features a notable price spike of 39% from April 20 to April 28, coinciding with the TCS London Marathon. Assuming last year's pattern repeats, today's rate reads as a ceiling rather than a bargain, as about 7 in 10 stays ended up cheaper later, with a typical saving of about 20% off that early quote. Consider securing a refundable rate about two months out, around February, to set a price ceiling. Re-shop across the cheapest window about one week before check-in, as there was little penalty for waiting last year.

Last year's outcome (2026): cheaper later for 7 in 10 stays · typically 20% below the quote about 2 months out · cheapest window about 1 week out · little penalty for waiting

May 2027

Currently listed about 1% below the yearly median, May sees price spikes of up to 25% around May 18–19. If last year's trend repeats, today's listed rate looks like the high-water mark rather than a bargain, given that about 8 in 10 stays eventually dropped in price, yielding a typical saving of about 26% compared to the early quote. You might lock in a cancellable rate about three months out, around February, to protect your plans. Check prices again across the cheapest window about one to three weeks before check-in, as waiting past it carried little penalty last year.

Last year's outcome (2026): cheaper later for 8 in 10 stays · typically 26% below the quote about 3 months out · cheapest window about 1 to 3 weeks out · little penalty for waiting

June 2027

Currently listed about 11% above the yearly median, June experiences significant price spikes of up to 17% late in the month on June 29–30. Under the condition that last year's pattern repeats, today's rate sits at the top of last year's range, as about 8 in 10 stays ended up cheaper later, with a typical saving of about 25% off that early quote. Secure a refundable rate about four months out, around February, to establish a baseline. Re-shop for better deals as your travel dates approach, since about 8 in 10 stays ended up cheaper last year.

Last year's outcome (2026): cheaper later for 8 in 10 stays · typically 25% below the quote about 4 months out

July 2027

Currently listed about 8% above the yearly median, July features moderate price spikes of up to 18% early in the month around July 5–8. Assuming last year's pattern repeats, today's rate is the number to beat rather than the number to accept, as about 8 in 10 stays ended up cheaper later, with a typical saving of about 21% off that early quote. Lock in a cancellable rate about five months out, around February, to protect against high summer demand. Re-shop closer to your stay to see if rates drop, keeping in mind that this is last year's pattern and not a guarantee.

Last year's outcome (2026): cheaper later for 8 in 10 stays · typically 21% below the quote about 5 months out

August 2027

Currently listed about 2% below the yearly median, August has minor price spikes of up to 12% early in the month around August 3–4. If last year's pattern repeats, today's rate is where last year's quotes started, not where they ended, since about 7 in 10 stays ended up cheaper later, with a typical saving of about 21% off that early quote. Secure a flexible booking about six months out, around February, to establish a safety net. Re-shop as your summer trip approaches to take advantage of potential price drops.

Last year's outcome (2026): cheaper later for 7 in 10 stays · typically 21% below the quote about 6 months out

September 2027

September is a high-season month in London, with median rates sitting about 11% above the yearly average. Moderate price spikes of up to 16% are visible early in the month around September 7–9. Since these late-summer dates are nearly a year away, current hotel listings represent only a fraction of the eventual inventory and prices are still preliminary. Hold off on booking for now and monitor rates as more hotel inventory becomes available.

October 2027

October is a high-season month in London, with median rates listed about 12% above the yearly average. Price spikes of up to 13% are visible early in the month around October 6. Because hotels have only recently started listing rates for next autumn, early prices are preliminary. Wait to book and monitor prices, as there is no need to rush for these far-future dates.