Internet access in London

Yes. They exist even though free WiFi is everywhere. Use Google Maps to pinpoint where they are in relation to your lodging. Prices vary - not usually more than a few GBP. You can also get online at local library if you speak to a librarian, and I've often popped into hostels were I wasn't even a registered guest to ask the front desk if I could use a computer as often the lounge is on the ground floor and the hostel will sell you a code to access one of their computers.

Some of the libraries do charge a modest fee for using their computers. The location of Internet cafes changes. In my experience, you can almost always find some in areas with a strong ethnic population and also in tourist areas. For example, I printed something at one on the street south of Trafalgar Square, and regularly passed several in a neighborhood we stayed in north of Kensington Park that had lots and lots of middle eastern restaurants and stores. Personally, I would be careful using an Internet cafe or any other public computer, though. I always worry about someone loading a program on one of the computers that keeps track of what you've typed. A good way to collect passwords and other sensitive information. I'm not implying that it is the shopkeepers doing this either. Anyone using the machine with a bit of computer knowledge could load something malicious onto it.

Thanks for the information! I realize the danger with using a public computer, and did not intend to access any bank accounts or personal information and will have a new gmail acct. to use only for the trip. I did locate some "internet cafes" using the Rick Steves' Britain 2012 book, so that helped, too! (FYI it is in the "Helpful Hints" section of some areas including London).

Linda,
Internet cafes are like dinosaurs these days, not as many around as there used to be. Here's a list: http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1166.php As you'll see a lot of them are in immigrant neighborhood, way outside of central London.

We used an internet cafe near the Gloucester Road tube station several years ago. I think they're fairly common but locations change. We would use them for e-mail, hometown newspaper, and some trip planning, but not for anything requiring a credit card number or other sensitive info.

The world of internet access is changing rapidly. At first the internet Cafe was the rage - everywhere. Now they are getting harder to find. The free sites are everywhere - Starbucks, McDonalds, etc. and every hotel we have used over the past couple of years always has wifi - generally free - and a couple of computers in the lobby, dinning area, somewhere that you can use for free from printing boarding passes to accessing the internet. So if not carrying a notebook or lap top you will have a number of easy options. Be aware that the European key boards can drive you nuts.

Here is a website that list the internet cafes in London. http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1166.php

Two years ago we used one just down the street from Paddington station (I think that's Praed St.). We had to climb down a tiny circular staircase, but they were very nice, helpful and the rates were reasonable.

Go to the contiki basement in the royal national hotel.. Or national royal (sorry I forget the ordering of the name)... I loathe contiki, but at their basement will probably be the cheapest you'll find.. I don't recall the price, bu I dont remember it being bad... I want to say it was like a pound for an hour or half hour?

Linda, If you're in the Kings Cross/St Pancras area, there is an internet cafe, painted yellow, which I go to for using the phone (phone booth) and the computers (their computers), sign onto the internet, check e-mails, etc. It's located on Grey's Inn Road, across the street from the Travel Lodge, next to Argyle Square. It's a few mins. up from St Pancras station. Re: the cost...can't remember exactly...maybe 2 GBP per hour? Anyway, it did not strike me as being expensive. Also, close to Paddington, where the Easy Hotel is located, there's an internet cafe down the block, part grocery store, part internet cafe.