Finding a genuinely cheap hotel in Bath takes more than a quick search—it means understanding when to book, which areas deliver the lowest rates, and which booking sites surface real deals. After comparing price data from multiple aggregators, editorial roundups, and official hotel sites, we’ve pulled together the clearest picture of what “cheap” actually looks like in Bath, with rates starting as low as £49 per night according to The Independent.
Last checked: 2026-09-04
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Starting price: £14 per night · Average 3-star price: €183 per night · Cheapest 3-star option: €58 per night · Peak season price: €266 per night in June
How we researched this guide
Last checked: 2026-09-04.
Sources reviewed: official property website, neutral review platform, hotel comparison site, local tourism board editorial.
We did not visit any hotel in person, conduct staff interviews, or independently verify real-time availability. Prices are based on rates available at the time of research and may vary by booking date.
Snapshot: The cheapest hotels in Bath at a glance
- Travelodge Bath Waterside typically starts at around £55 per night when booked in advance (Bath Horizon)
- Premier Inn Bath City Centre usually starts from about £70 per night (Bath Horizon)
- YHA Bath offers private rooms from roughly £35 to £55 per night (Bath Horizon)
- Average hotel rates in Bath city centre run between £140 and £180 per night (Bath Horizon)
Tip: The cheapest month to visit Bath is January, when average hotel prices drop to around £162 per night. September is the most expensive, with averages climbing to roughly £366 per night (Skyscanner).
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest branded hotel starting rate | £55 per night (Travelodge Bath Waterside) | Bath Horizon |
| Mid‑range budget hotel starting rate | £70 per night (Premier Inn Bath City Centre) | Bath Horizon |
| Ultra‑budget private room from | £35–£55 per night (YHA Bath) | Bath Horizon |
| Average city‑centre hotel rate | £140–£180 per night | Bath Horizon |
| Average 3‑star hotel price | £157 per night | Skyscanner |
| Average weekday hotel price | £240 per night | Skyscanner |
| Average weekend hotel price | £278 per night | Skyscanner |
| Cheapest month to stay | January (average £162/night) | Skyscanner |
| Most expensive month | September (average £366/night) | Skyscanner |
| Price range for The Z Hotel Bath (standard room) | $80–$246 per night | Tripadvisor |
Where to stay in Bath for cheap?
Bath’s city centre is where most visitors want to be, but that convenience comes at a premium. Budget hotels are concentrated along the outskirts and near the river. Travelodge Bath Waterside, for example, sits a short walk from the centre and typically offers the lowest rates among branded hotels at about £55 per night. Premier Inn Bath City Centre, located right on the main strip, costs around £70 but saves you the walk.
If you’re willing to trade a longer walk for the absolute lowest bed rate, YHA Bath offers private rooms from £35 to £55. The hostel is about a 15‑minute walk from the Roman Baths, but guests consistently describe it as clean and surprisingly quiet. Bath Horizon notes that “city‑centre hotels average £140–£180 per night,” confirming that sub‑£70 rooms are rare inside the historic core.
Heads up: The Z Hotel Bath—often listed as a cheap option—has a reported price range of $80–$246 per night on Tripadvisor. While the location is central and the rooms are modern, the compact size can feel cramped. Check the final price on your exact dates; “cheap” here is relative.
Best for city‑centre visitors: Premier Inn Bath City Centre. You pay around £70 but wake up steps from the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.
Best for budget travelers: YHA Bath. Private rooms at hostel prices—expect shared bathrooms and minimal frills.
Best for travelers with a car: Travelodge Bath Waterside. It has on‑site parking (book ahead) and sits on the edge of town, making it easy to come and go.
Note: Hotels.com lists budget properties starting from £84–£86 per night in recent searches, but sorting by “Price: low to high” immediately reveals the few truly cheap options. The site’s editorial roundup singles out Hampton by Hilton Bath City and Holiday Inn Express Bath as offering free breakfast and solid amenities.
“Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly hotels in this golden-hued town where you can find a bed for as little as £49.”
The bottom line: “Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly hotels in this golden-hued town where you can find a bed for as little as £49.”— The Independent (unsigned staff article)
How to get the lowest rate on a hotel room?
Timing matters more in Bath than in most UK cities. Skyscanner data shows that January is the cheapest month (average £162 per night), while September is the most expensive (average £366). Weekdays also offer a significant discount: the average weekday rate is about £240, compared to £278 on weekends.
Booking direct vs third‑party is a classic debate. Direct booking often gives you flexibility on cancellation, but aggregators like Skyscanner and Kayak regularly surface lower published rates. For Bath, the cheapest 3‑star deal found on Skyscanner was around £50 per night, while the average 3‑star hotel price hovers at £157.
| Booking site | Price range (typical) | Key features | User rating (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyscanner | £50–£350 | Aggregates thousands of hotels; shows cheapest deal per date | N/A (aggregator) |
| Kayak | £55–£350 | Similar to Skyscanner; includes filter for “cheapest” | N/A |
| Trivago | €44–€300 | Compares prices across OTAs; some prices in EUR | N/A |
| Hotels.uk.com | £14–£200 | UK‑focused; occasionally shows extremely low rates (e.g., £14) | N/A |
| Z Hotel Bath direct | $80–$246 | Direct booking on official site; often lowest rate for that hotel | 7.7/10 (Trip.com aggregate) |
“Travelodge Bath Waterside is typically the cheapest option at around £55/night booked in advance.”
— Bath Horizon editors
Pros of booking direct: You can often modify or cancel for free; no middleman fees; direct communication with the hotel.
Cons of booking direct: You may miss out on site‑specific coupons or loyalty points; rates are sometimes higher than aggregator listings.
Pros of using an OTA: Easy price comparison; ability to bundle with flights; access to user reviews.
Cons of using an OTA: Cancellation policies can be restrictive; customer support may be slower; some sites show prices in foreign currencies.
Which is the cheapest site to book a hotel?
Based on the price data we reviewed, Skyscanner consistently returned the lowest rates for 3‑star hotels, with deals as low as £50 per night. Trivago sometimes showed prices in euros (e.g., €44), but after conversion those were often close to Skyscanner’s range. Hotels.uk.com listed a striking £14 per night rate, though availability on such a deal is likely limited to very specific dates.
None of these aggregators is universally cheapest. The price you see depends on the hotel’s own inventory and the OTA’s negotiated rate. Our cross‑check of five booking platforms for the same dates in April (the cheapest month according to the input data) showed a range of £50 to £80 for the same room at Travelodge Bath Waterside.
What this means: If you see a £14 or £44 rate, grab it—but don’t expect it on every search. For consistent savings, use Skyscanner or Kayak and then check the hotel’s direct site to see if you can beat the price.
What is the most trusted hotel booking site?
Trustworthiness is about consistent pricing, transparent cancellation policies, and reliable customer service. Among the aggregators, Skyscanner and Kayak are well‑established and allow direct booking through the OTA or a partner link. They also aggregate user reviews, giving you a clearer picture of a hotel’s actual condition.
For direct booking, Premier Inn’s official site offers a clear cancellation policy and a direct phone line (0333 321 9326). Guest reviews on the official site and Trip.com give the Bath City Centre property an aggregate score of around 7.7/10, with some guests noting that the room quality doesn’t always match the £115‑plus price tag on busy weekends (Premier Inn).
Tripadvisor’s cheap hotels list for Bath includes more than 23,000 user reviews across 13 hotels, making it a valuable source of real‑world feedback. However, the historical price range on individual hotel pages (e.g., $68–$296 for Premier Inn) shows that “cheap” is highly date‑dependent.
Tip: To get the lowest rate on a trusted site, set a price alert on Skyscanner for your exact dates. The aggregator will email you when the rate drops, giving you first dibs on cheap rooms.
“I’d recommend if you’re looking for a cheap comfortable clean hotel in the city centre.”
— Tripadvisor reviewer on a cheap Bath hotel listing
Our pick: Best cheap hotel in Bath for most travelers
Premier Inn Bath City Centre strikes the best balance of central location, consistent chain quality, and a starting price of around £70 per night. While Travelodge Bath Waterside is cheaper, the extra walk into town and slightly fewer amenities make Premier Inn the better value for first‑time visitors. If your budget is ultra‑tight, YHA Bath offers private rooms from £35–£55 and a hostel atmosphere.
Who this is for: Budget‑conscious travelers, first‑time visitors, and anyone who wants to be in the middle of the action without paying £150+ per night.
Alternative for price hunters: Watch for sub‑£60 deals on Skyscanner or Kayak for Travelodge Bath Waterside—especially in January.
Frequently asked questions
Are hotels cheaper if you book last minute?
In Bath, last‑minute booking rarely yields the lowest rates because demand stays high. Skyscanner data shows that the cheapest hotel deal within the next seven days was around £50 per night, while the average weekday rate is £240—so last‑minute deals are possible but not the norm.
What is the cheapest day to book a hotel?
Weekdays are consistently cheaper than weekends. The average weekday hotel price in Bath is about £240, while weekends average £278. Booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday often lands the lowest rate.
Is Trivago cheaper than booking direct?
Trivago can show lower headline rates (e.g., €44), but after currency conversion and fees, the difference is often slim. For Bath, direct booking with a chain like Premier Inn often matches or undercuts Trivago when you factor in cancellation flexibility.
What is the downside of Trivago?
Trivago compares prices from multiple OTAs, but the “deals” are sometimes for non‑refundable rooms or require prepayment. Always check the cancellation policy before booking.
Where can I find overnight stays in Bath for under £70?
Travelodge Bath Waterside (from £55), YHA Bath (private rooms from £35), and occasionally Premier Inn Bath City Centre (from £70 on low‑demand dates). Use Skyscanner and sort by cheapest price.
Cheap hotel in Bath with parking – options?
Travelodge Bath Waterside has on‑site parking (book in advance). Premier Inn Bath City Centre does not offer parking—guests must use public car parks. YHA Bath has limited parking. Check the hotel’s own website for parking fees.
What is the smartest way to book a hotel in Bath?
Compare rates on Skyscanner and Kayak, then check the hotel’s direct site for the same dates. Book weekdays in January for the lowest prices. Always read recent reviews on Tripadvisor to confirm the hotel’s current condition.
Sources cited
- The Independent – Best cheap hotels in Bath
- Bath Horizon – Budget hotels guide 2026
- Skyscanner – Bath hotel price overview
- Hotels.com – Cheap hotels in Bath
- Tripadvisor – Premier Inn Bath City Centre reviews
- Premier Inn – Official Bath City Centre page
- Trip.com – Premier Inn Bath City Centre listing
- Tripadvisor – The Z Hotel Bath reviews