Getting Around London: Insider Tips for Attendees of Hostaway's User Conference London 2026

London, we’re coming in loud! 

One of the world's most iconic cities, where centuries of history meet a buzzing, ever-evolving energy, is about to become the backdrop for Hostaway's biggest move yet. As our User Conference in London approaches, we're beyond excited to bring our annual conference to Europe for the very first time. 

Whether you're commuting to Tobacco Dock, ducking out to explore the city between sessions, or making your way to the Welcome Party, a little planning goes a long way. Here's everything you need to know to get around London like a pro.

Travel Advisory:

A quick heads-up for anyone travelling across London Tuesday 21 April - Friday 24 April. There will be major disruptions to the London Underground due to planned strike action during the conference dates.

The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground and trams are expected to run normally and most bus services will also be running, although services are likely to be busier than usual (according to the TFL website).

For Tobacco Dock, we recommend travelling via Wapping Overground or Shadwell Overground/DLR where possible. Please allow extra time and check the latest updates before setting off on the TfL strikes page.

Conference venue: Tobacco Dock

Hostaway's User Conference London 2026 will be held at Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, London E1W 2SF, on the 23rd to 24th of April 2026. Tucked into the heart of East London, this iconic venue brings serious atmosphere, think waterside views, stunning historic architecture, and a neighbourhood that's as full of character as the people in it. 

Over two days, you'll dive into expert STR industry insights, compliance guidance, smarter booking strategies, and hands-on support from the Hostaway team. Oh, and multilingual support will be on-site in French, Spanish, and Italian, so no one gets left behind.

First things first: Badge pick-up kicks off at 9:00 AM on Thursday, 23 April. Make it your very first stop when you arrive. Once that badge is on, you're fully in. Sessions, meals, networking, the Welcome Party, it's all yours.

Welcome party venue: Dickens Inn

The official Welcome Party is going down at Dickens Inn, Marble Quay, St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1UH, on Thursday, 23 April 2026, from 18:30 to 23:00. 

This historic waterside gem sits just a short ten-minute walk from Tobacco Dock, so the transition from conference mode to celebration mode couldn't be easier, no Tube, no taxi, just a pleasant stroll through one of East London's most charming corners. Trust us, you don't want to miss this one.

Getting around London

London moves fast, but don't let that intimidate you. The city is surprisingly easy to navigate once you know your options. Here's a breakdown of the best ways to get around:

Rideshare and taxis

Want the easiest, most hassle-free option? Book an Uber, Bolt, or local taxi and let someone else handle the navigation. This is especially handy if you're arriving with luggage, travelling in a group, or heading back after a brilliant night at the Welcome Party. Low effort, high convenience.

The Underground (The Tube)

The Tube is your best friend in London. It's fast, frequent, and incredibly easy to use, and you don't even need to sort an Oyster card in advance. Just tap on and off with your contactless credit card or phone and you're good to go. It's the simplest way to zip between your hotel, Tobacco Dock, and wherever else the city tempts you.

⚠️ Please note that planned strike action is expected to cause major disruption to the Tube during the conference dates, so we recommend allowing extra time and using the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, trams, or bus routes where possible, with Wapping and Shadwell being the best stations for getting to Tobacco Dock, and checking the latest updates on the TfL strikes page before you travel.

Walking

Here's a little secret: the area around Tobacco Dock and Dickens Inn is genuinely beautiful to explore on foot. Both venues sit in East London's Wapping and St Katharine Docks neighbourhoods, all cobbled streets, waterside paths, and centuries of stories underfoot. If you're staying nearby and the weather behaves (fingers crossed), lace up and take it all in.

Parking

Driving into London? It's doable, but worth planning ahead. The city centre has congestion charges and parking restrictions in many areas, so check availability near the venue before you set off. A little research now saves a lot of headaches on the day.

Safety tips

London is a fantastic city to explore, and a few simple habits will keep your experience smooth and stress-free:

• Stay aware: Keep your belongings close and stay aware, especially in busy areas and on public transport.

• Travel in groups: Buddy up with fellow attendees when you can, especially heading back after the Welcome Party.

• Use well-lit routes: Stick to main, well-lit streets when walking after dark. East London has plenty of them.

• Sort your route in advance: Save the venue addresses and your accommodation address in your phone before you leave. A plan in your pocket means more headspace for the good stuff.

• Pack for the weather: This is London. Bring an umbrella. You'll thank yourself later.

Why this one hits different

Hostaway’s London conference will center around connection, collaboration, practical insights, and celebrating how far STR operators have come. It also highlights topics like AI, direct bookings, market trends, and hands-on product support from the Hostaway team.

But also come ready to meet your people, learn something real, and leave with fresh ideas to grow your vacation rental business.

Exploring London

Once you're done soaking up everything the conference has to offer, step outside, because London is waiting. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are practically on your doorstep from Tobacco Dock. 

World-class restaurants, buzzing street markets, and cultural landmarks are scattered across the city in every direction. Whether you're an early riser or have a full evening to spare, there's always something worth discovering.

See you in London

Hostaway’s User Conference London 2026 is nearly here, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Tobacco Dock for two days of bold ideas, strong community, and a proper London kickoff.

Get your travel sorted, download the packing checklist (check your inbox if you're already registered, or email us at events@hostaway.com to get it re-sent), and get ready for the User Conference taking over London.

Don’t have your tickets to our User Conference yet? Get them while they last at conference.hostaway.com/london-2026.