advice for upcoming trip to London

No real opinion on the Aldgate location, other than that it is a bit further away from the usual tourist sites.

Eurostar has a very comprehensive website, including check in times: https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en/travel-info/your-trip/check-in

Currently it's 75 min before departure. You would want to allow at least half an hour to get to St Pancras from Aldgate east if taking the Hammersmith line to Kings Cross.

How do you mean “reasonable?” Do you mean is it close to major sights? You indicate you have seen most of what you want to see in that regard, so… not sure how to answer. If by “reasonable” you mean are the prices decent? Yes, they can be.

We stayed across the street from Whitechapel station last summer (one stop further east) when our flat was being refurbed and I loved it… but the neighborhood is quite different from the usual tourist “ye olde” London that you might be expecting.

It is safe and friendly, bustling during the day, with lots of shops and excellent restaurants, and is well connected to the City, Brick Lane, Shoreditch, etc., but it can be a schlep into Central London and okay, I will just say it… it’s borderline gritty in places and very “diverse.” Lots of folks are recent immigrants. Think Edgeware Road, on a larger scale.

For me, this is a plus: it is modern London and it’s great. For others, this could be uncomfortable.

Some people question safety. I would say it is safe. There are plenty of CCTVs around, and as noted, crowds of people, especially during the day, which makes it feel very safe. There are some people living rough (really very few) and we saw the odd drug deal going down near Whitechapel… but honestly that is just big city stuff.

My gut says “go for it!” but YMMV. :-)

OP have you looked at the Eurostar website. Has all the intel you need.

Aldgate East is fine. Close to the Tower of London and a favorite pub, the Princess of Prussia.

I personally quite like that area- close to Shoreditch and Spitalfields, and some of the oldest parts of London. If you get too far into the City it does get a bit dead on the weekends but still lots to do/see. Honestly to me the most important part about location is to be near a tube station.

Oooh - Claudia - yes! Love the Princess of Prussia. :-)

And OP, I forgot to add the Tower, and Liverpool Street Station and environs. There’s a huge Eataly at Liverpool Street Station with amazing groceries, several excellent restaurants, and a seafood counter where you can get a dozen shucked oysters for twenty quid, plus a half bottle of nice white wine or Prosecco for ten, and have a lovely feast!

Aldgate east isn't normally considered a tourist area and whilst I'm sure you'd be safe there, yuo'd have to travel to see almost all of the major sights except the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. That said, it's on two tube lines and the district line goes to many of the main tourist areas. Also, it's on the edge of (but not inside, I think) the City of London (note capitals) which is the business area of London. This can be very quiet at weekends.

It;s easy to get from Aldgate East to Kings Cross/St Pancras for Eurostar - just take the Hammersmith and City Line there. These trains use the same platform, so make sure you don't take a District Line train - there are announcements and indicators boards.

I stayed (June 2025) at the Motel One near Tower Hill. Like you, I had seen many of the major sights and was looking for a change. Motel One is a bit closer to Aldgate, than Aldgate East. It's reasonably priced for London and a predictable chain with some local decor elements that I enjoy.

From there, I took the Brick Lane Food Tour, caught a play at the Globe, went to Spitalfield's several times and ate at the Poppies. I also hopped across town easily for walking tours in Chelsea and Chiswick. You've still got plenty of tube options from Aldgate East to get around.

I was happy with the convenience of the location, outside the usual tourist zone.

The area near Aldgate East is perfectly fine. Busy during the day but it is more quiet in the evenings and on the weekends. If you want an additional recommended pub, give The Hoop and Grapes a try. Before heading through the front door, stand in front from near the street and take a look at the front storefront to take in how much the foundation has dropped over its many centuries of serving ale to locals.

If we are all sharing our favourite pubs in the area- mine is Williams Ale and Cider House on Artillery Lane (particularly if you enjoy cask ales). You're also near Dennis Severs House, which I highly recommend: https://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/

I also like Duck and Waffle, tho I've only eaten there once. It's on the 39th floor with great views which is a bit unusual for London restaurants.

However, my favourite thing about that area is walking thru all the little back streets like Fashion Street and Thrawl Street and feeling like you are back in Victorian London (it wasn't a very nice place then but I enjoy the sense of history).

Premier Inn London City Aldgate is near Aldgate East tube station. Located on a quiet street, it is 1/10 mile from the tube, which makes it convenient to everything. If you take the pedestrian walkway next to the hotel, you'll find a series of walkways leading past apartments and restaurants.