From Frommer’s newsletter:

As favorable as air prices between the U.S. and London have been over the past six months or so, that’s just how dire hotel costs have been. It’s no secret that this city, once erely somewhat pricey, has lately become one of the most expensive in the world. And one of the major gobblers of money are London’s lodgings. However, summer visitors can avoid exorbitant hotels by setting up a stay at one of the centrally located student accommodations that otherwise go unused during the summer holidays. All are within walking distance of an Underground station and have rooms available between July and September—sometimes for June as well.

Here are several sources for such lodgings:

—Goldsmid House, 36 North Row, W1, near the Marble Arch Underground station. Between June and September, double rooms can be had for £15 ($25) single, £20 ($33) double per night. Call 011-44-171/493-8911.

—King’s Campus Vacation Bureau, King’s College, 127 Stamford St., SE1, near the Waterloo Underground (and rail) station. With seven halls offering nearly 2,000 beds, this source offers the largest variety. Single rooms start at £15/nightly, twin room at £26.50 (about $44). Call 011-44-171/928-3777.

—Passfield Hall, 1-7 Endsleigh Pl., WC1, near the Euston Underground (and rail) station. Single rooms cost £21/night (about $35), twins £40 (about $66). Call 011-44-171/387-7743.

—Butlers Wharf LSE Residence, 11 Gainsford St., SE1, near the London Bridge Underground station. Self-contained apartments that sleep up to seven are available from £18 (around $30) per person nightly. Children under 12 are half-price. Call 011-44-171/407-7164.