This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and complete a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Bostonians hate to pay extra.
The whole Boston Tea Party thing was a protest against taxing residents’ beverage of choice.
These days, though, Boston, Massachusetts is an expensive place to live and visit, likely because it’s such a gorgeous city with so much to do. This Northeastern destination is wicked awesome thanks to the clam chowder (or chowdah) to die for, Red Sox games at Fenway Park, and the brick-clad streets saturated with American history.
But you don’t need to dump tea in the Boston Harbor to avoid shelling out the big bucks on a visit to Boston.
We at Wanderu are passionate about saving you money on your travels, which is why we offer the best way to compare cheap bus and train tickets to destinations like Boston (and many more across North America and Europe!). We’ve got the best deals on NYC to Boston trains, Providence to Boston buses, and so much more.
We also want you to find the best deals on hotels for your Boston trip, so we’ve rounded up 11 of the best cheap hotels in Boston. Time to spill the tea.
“Budget-friendly” does not have a universal definition, so we’re splitting our recommendations into four tiers, based on the average price ranges and value for your money of these Boston hotels.
Select a tier:
Higher-End Budget Hotels in Boston
First up, let’s take a look at some of the spendier options that may cost a bit more, but offer excellent value on a budget-conscious trip to Boston.
These hotels are around $300 USD per night, but prices vary greatly depending on the date and season you stay there.
Boston Park Plaza
Boston Park Plaza
A bit on the higher end, the Boston Park Plaza is a refined 1927 hotel perfect for a bit of a splurge without going overboard. This landmark hotel is centrally-located in downtown Boston, just steps from the Boston Public Garden and Newbury Street.
Working on your swing? The Boston Park Plaza offers the first and only TopGolf Swing Suite of its kind in the hotel gym, so you can train with the assistance of a luxurious golf simulator. You’ll love lounging in the luxury-feel guest rooms, and thanks to Park Plaza’s pet-friendly policies, so will your four-legged friend.
Ready to check in? Search prices for your trip below.
Fairmont Copley Plaza
Fairmont Copley Plaza
The Fairmont Copley Plaza dances on the edge of decadence, but there are often deals to be found at this upscale hotel in the heart of Boston. This landmark space, dressed in the history of the city, is a staple of the area as it first opened its doors in 1912.
Does the facade look familiar? Are you searching the windows for blonde twins? Yep, it’s definitely the hotel used to film exterior shots of the Tipton Hotel in the Suite Life of Zach & Cody.
Explore the nearby Back Bay or window shop on Newbury Street in your own suite life, and sample luxury at its finest if your timing is just right. Searching for the budget deal of the century? Check out prices for your Boston trip below.
The Lenox
The Lenox
Though not the cheapest hotel in Boston, the Hotel Lenox definitely gets you a big bang for your buck. Step out the front door to Copley Square, and explore local galleries, restaurants, and the iconic Boston Public Library. That is, if you ever leave the sumptuous hotel.
Amid the elegant decor, one of the most amazing parts of the Lenox is the touches from small businesses woven throughout. From coffee roasters to the sweetest desserts, you can truly gather a taste of what New England has to offer; or just spend every evening at the Irish pub within the hotel. Not-astronomically-priced luxury, we love to see it.
Mid-Range Budget Hotels in Boston
If the words “luxury” and “elegance” are antithetical to your definition of “budget-friendly,” we get it. Luckily, Boston has several unique and charming hotels that deliver excellent service generally within the range of $200-250 per night. This is just an average, though, so depending on your travel dates, you can find an even better deal!
The Revolution Hotel
The Revolution Hotel
A mid-range cheap hotel that carries the spirit of Boston’s revolutionary past, there is really nothing like the Revolution Hotel. With amenities like a bar, fitness center, and free bikes to borrow offered in the middle of Boston’s South End, this hotel has everything you need and still somehow strikes the perfect quirky vibe.
Historical touches meet modern finishes, like the spray painted American Revolution-inspired mural in the lobby, and bathrooms incorporating the style of Boston’s public transit. Plus, you can pick from a variety of room options (and prices!), from a one-bedroom suite with its own bathroom to a quad hostel-style room with a bathroom down the hall.
This artsy yet affordable spot in a perfect location will leave you both inspired and relaxed on your return home. If you’re seeking cheap hotels near the Boston Convention Center, walking from the Revolution Hotel in the South End to the convention center is under 2 miles, through the best of Boston’s Seaport and downtown. Ready to book? Check prices for your trip with the link below.
Studio Allston Hotel
Studio Allston Hotel
Energize yourself in the creative spirit that surrounds Studio Allston Hotel. This mid-range option offers you an affordable way to experience boutique hospitality in one of Boston’s hippest areas. Within walking distance to Harvard University, you can experience young and fresh nightlife, or cross the river to explore more of Cambridge’s squares.
When you are ready to relax, you are staying in a piece of art itself, since the studio is not just a hotel – it is an art gallery, featuring many creatives who have decorated the vibrant space with murals, furniture, and artworks in bold colors and themes.
Studio Allston Hotel even offers free on-site parking, which certainly lands it among the best budget hotels in Boston. Ready to book? Check prices for your trip with the link below.
Beacon Inn
Beacon Inn
If you’re looking for a mid-range option with more of a quiet, personal touch, head just a few miles down Beacon Street to the suburb of Brookline, where you’ll find Beacon Inn tucked in a building just like these.
This charming bed & breakfast combines historical New England with the comforts of home in a 19th-century brownstone. The relaxing atmosphere extends to the wallpapered bedrooms, and friendly staff is excited to share their Boston expertise with everyone who stays.
It can be hard to find cheap hotels in Boston near Fenway, but Beacon Inn is under a mile from the iconic ballpark, and transit is easy from the subway, or “T,” stop right outside the inn.
Reserve your cozy room below.
Low-Range Budget Hotels in Boston
Okay now we’re getting to the truly cheap hotels in Boston. If you’re looking to spend under $200 per night, most of the available accommodations will be outside of the city center, but with Boston’s public transportation, this is no biggie. Check out the basic, but comfortable, budget hotels in Boston we recommend.
DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside
DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside
Convenience is key at the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside. Only a short stroll to the harbor and Carson Beach, this easy breezy location is also located near the JFK/UMass subway station on the red line for easy transit into town.
Though the DoubleTree is not an airport hotel, it does offer a complimentary shuttle to and from Boston Logan Airport. Most cheap hotels in Boston near the airport are in East Boston, across the harbor from the city’s sights and attractions. Not the Doubletree! Its Dorchester location is just south of downtown, and the airport shuttle combined with a super close subway stop means you can visit Boston without renting a car. And cutting out a rental car is a huge cost-saver.
Ready to book this spot on the Bay? Check out the prices below.
A Cambridge House Inn
A Cambridge House Inn
North of Boston, you’ll find a quieter vibe at another bed & breakfast option, Cambridge House. This Victorian inn is near Porter Square in Cambridge (pictured above), and it’s close to a subway stop and the beautiful Harvard Campus.
You can elect to stay in the more modern space beside the home, or choose an authentic Victorian room in the Main House to get a glimpse of New England life in the 19th century. But don’t worry, even the Victorian rooms are upgraded for the modern day, namely with air conditioning to keep you cool on hot summer days.
Want a taste of the quaint Boston experience? See available rooms at the Cambridge House below.
Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton
Hilton Garden Inn Boston Canton
As you might expect, some of the cheapest hotels in Boston are actually just outside of Boston.
The Hilton Garden Inn in Canton is located about 15 miles outside of the city’s downtown core, but thanks to its location right off of I-93 and I-95, this Canton spot is super convenient if you’re driving yourself.
You definitely won’t be bored outside of the city, though. Just outside the hotel, you’ll find a Trillium Brewing Company location, one of Boston’s favorite local beers. Explore the Bradley Estate, or head into the Blue Hills for hikes along its forested trails.
And even though you can find cheap hotel rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn, you’ll still get to enjoy modern rooms in a quiet environment, an on-site pool, and a terrace with an outdoor fireplace. For the best amenities at prices you won’t find in downtown Boston, book your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn at the link below.
Alternative Accommodations - Cheap Hostels in Boston
To stretch your budget as far as it will go, open yourself up to a different kind of cheap Boston hotel. You can often book stays at these alternative accommodations for under $150 per night, and you’re sure to make new connections along the way.
The Copley House
The Copley Hosue
While the Copley House is not a traditional budget hotel option, this guest house in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay offers an economical option for travelers looking to connect with other explorers in a shared setting. Affordable suites and rooms are ideal for extended stay travel, and you can find even better deals if you choose a room with a shared bathroom down the hall.
Conveniently located under a mile from Fenway Park, the Boston Common, and the Museum of Fine Arts, The Copley House is within walking distance of Boston’s best sights. Living in Back Bay brownstones costs a pretty penny for Boston locals, but you get to experience this million-dollar location in an economical way at this budget hotel. Book ahead of time to find the best deals, click below to reserve your room.
Boston Homestel
Boston Homestel
A second alternative housing option for the budget conscious traveler, the Boston Homestel is the perfect way to stretch your accommodation budget. It’s located in the Dorchester neighborhood, shown in the image above.
This small Euro-centric hostel offers both private rooms for up to 4 travelers, or a more mixed space with family-style dorms. With a personal touch and a low-key (read: party-free) vibe, the Boston Homestel offers basic, clean rooms with a shared kitchen, lounge, and bathrooms.
Relax, unwind, and connect with fellow travelers, then head to the nearby transit stop to head into downtown Boston and see the sights. See how cheap you can stay at the link below.
Didn’t find what you had in mind? Search all budget hotels in Boston here:
How to Get to Boston
Now that you’ve found the perfect combination of location, amenities, and budget, Paul Revere will be letting everyone know that you’re coming to town.
“One if by land, two if by sea” is a little outdated, though, because there are so many ways to get to Boston.
Travel to Boston by Plane
If you’re coming from outside the Northeastern United States, you’re probably going to want to fly—unless you’re in the middle of circling the country by train. Flights to Boston arrive at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), just 3 miles from downtown.
Travel to Boston by Train
Taking the train to Boston is easy, convenient, and much more environmentally friendly than flying. New York to Boston train tickets start at just $31.00, but Amtrak has over 400 train routes to Boston for you to pick from.
Travel to Boston by Bus
While traveling by bus may take a bit longer, this option is the most budget-friendly of the bunch. If one of the higher-end hotels on this list tempted you, you can probably make up for the extra spend by finding a cheap bus ticket to Boston.
Travel to Boston by Car
If you are within driving distance to Boston, you can always drive to the city, but keep in mind that parking fees are very expensive, especially downtown. Having your own vehicle does offer freedom to explore at your own pace, and discover more of New England—weekend on Cape Cod, anyone? If you want to rent a car once you arrive in Boston, you can book online and pick up your car at Boston Logan Airport.
If you relate deeply to the Bostonian desire to save money, don’t be intimidated by the hotels and attractions whose prices rival King George III’s taxes.
Boston can definitely be an accessible, budget-friendly destination with just a bit of research in advance. All you need to do is consult our helpful list above to find the perfect cheap hotel, and then download the Wanderu app so you can find the cheapest deals on buses and trains to Boston.
