There are a few main cities in California that grab immediate attention and provide some really cool experiences. One of those major cities is San Francisco. This is a unique location as it is on the coast but in the central part of the state, whereas most of the action is in southern California.
With the Bay Area on one side and a ton of culture packed into its streets, San Francisco has a ton to unpack. Whether you are here on business or for pleasure, there is a ton to experience. However, this area of California is known to be one of the most expensive to visit in the entire country. Although you may want to experience what the city has to offer, sometimes the price tag can be too much.
A way to combat this is by staying in a budget hotel. So, here are the three best cheap hotels in San Francisco!
Inn at Union Square
Union Square is a pretty well-known location in the city, so staying at the Inn at Union Square will keep you in a really cool area of San Francisco. After all, the easier you can access the hotspots, the better. So, the location of this hotel is a big selling point.
Some of the other top attractions in the area include the San Francisco Cable Car, plenty of theaters, Oracle Park, and more.
The hotel itself is very nice and quite modern. Each room is outfitted with everything you need for an enjoyable stay without breaking the bank. There are basic rooms that will save you the most money as well as some upgrade options that bring some more luxury. There is the superior king room, suite, and executive suite that all pack a punch in terms of quality and space.
There are not too many major amenities offered at the Inn, but they have everything you need for a delightful experience. Instead of having too much at the hotel, this offers you a great location to take advantage of.
Hotel details
Address:
440 Post Street, Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.6 out of 5
Price per night:
From $107
Hotel Griffon
The Hotel Griffon is a very pleasant budget hotel that has great decor and a ton of value. Some budget hotels offer the bare minimum when it comes to amenities and room features, but this is not Hotel Griffon. This option has a lot to uncover, which is not common with such a cheap price tag.
There are basic rooms, but even these bring a fantastic value. If you are okay with spending a little more money, there are some upgrade options. One of the coolest is the deluxe king room with the city view. This is a great value that is not the most expensive room on the property. The biggest upgrade you can make is the suite. This will fit many people and it gives you plenty of room for relaxation.
The geographical location is also excellent. San Francisco has a lot to uncover, so staying within walking distance from the top locations is a great way to see it all. Hotel Griffon is within a mile of Oracle Park, Union Square, Aquarium of the Bay, and so much more. So, you can see almost all that the city has to offer with very little effort.
Hotel details
Address:
155 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.3 out of 5
Price per night:
From $98
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Another spot in the Union Square area is the Chancellor Hotel. This is a boutique-style hotel that has plenty of character. From the outside, the hotel is towering and impressive. Since Union Square is a cool area, this hotel fits right in and puts you in a cool spot to enjoy San Fran.
We already talked about what is in the Union Square area, and the Chancellor Hotel is in the heart of that spot. So, if you want to see this unique subculture, you are in a good place to do it.
There are a few types of rooms, but they mainly revolve around the beds offered and not so much about the size. There are no suites, but there are deluxe rooms that can be a nice upgrade if you would like.
Along with having really enjoyable rooms, there are a couple of amenities worth mentioning. In cities like San Francisco, parking can be an issue. Thankfully, this hotel has a parking garage they are partnered with to give you discounted rates on parking. Some of the other amenities include free wifi, a business center, and baggage storage for your convenience to explore San Francisco.
Hotel details
Address:
433 Powell Street, Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States of America.
Guest rating:
4.4 out of 5
Price per night:
From $92
About our budget hotel recommendations in San Francisco
We are a travel research company. Our team helps you discover the best cheap hotels in San Francisco by researching the internet for you. We have also visited some of these places. Hence, it’s not just our opinion, it’s the opinion of thousands of travelers who have been there before you. We make it easy for you to find out about the best budget hotels in the city.
Please note, we only list hotels that have an aggregated guest review rating of at least 4.0 out of 5. We aggregate all reviews from different booking sites and other unbiased review websites. Any hotel listed here should have a price of $100 or less per night. Hence, you can be certain all hotels listed above offer you a great and affordable stay in San Francisco.
Lowest price guarantee
We partner with Hotels.com and Booking.com. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee, so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for the hotels above.
If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website, and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Other smart ways to cut hotel costs
Check out these ideas to help you save money when booking your next hotel stay:
- Pick your spot carefully: staying downtown cuts travel costs, while suburban hotels are often cheaper but require spending on city transport
- Use our hotel rate tracker: we monitor your hotel’s price and alert you to rate drops, potentially saving you big bucks
- Visit in slow seasons: travel outside busy times if possible
- Grab a refundable room early: if you see a good price, book it; best rates often come 3 to 6 weeks ahead
- Look for last-minute bargains
- Review all booking fees: are taxes and extra charges included?
- Sign up for hotel rewards: most big chains now offer loyalty perks and discounts
- Think about which days: Sunday nights tend to be cheapest for hotel rooms
- Look at hostel private rooms: cheaper than hotels with similar comforts
- Break up your stay: book a budget spot first, then end your trip at a fancier place
- Pack your own breakfast
Get more advice in our guide on cutting hotel booking costs. It’s packed with tips on the best booking times, useful tools, and other tricks to find your ideal hotel without breaking the bank.
Top 3 budget hotels in San Francisco
Let’s summarize this affordable travel guide. Based on thousands of guest reviews, these are the best budget hotels in San Francisco:
More San Francisco recommendations
Get to know the city even better by reading our other articles about San Francisco:
Best boutique hotels in San Francisco
Where to stay in San Francisco
