7 Top Blackburn Hotels Cheap for 2026

You find a Blackburn hotel for a decent price, book it, and feel smug for about ten minutes. Then the doubt kicks in. Is it clean? Is it miles from where you need to be? Did you just book the budget version of a headache?
Here’s the good news. Blackburn has more solid cheap stays than people expect. You’ve got dependable chain hotels, straightforward pub inns, and a few practical independents that keep costs down without making the stay miserable. Cheap in Blackburn can still mean clean room, easy parking, useful location, and a bed you won’t regret.
The mistake is stopping at “that’ll do.” Smart booking starts with picking one of the better-value hotels, then squeezing the rate again after you’ve booked. Rates in Blackburn jump around, especially around weekends, match days, weddings, and local events. So book a flexible rate first, then use a set-and-forget tool like FlipMyStay to track price drops and switch to the lower rate if it falls. If you want the full method, read this guide on the cheapest way to book a hotel.
That’s the angle here. Not just cheap hotels. Cheap hotels, booked properly.
1. Premier Inn Blackburn Town Centre
You get off the train, roll your bag across the road, and you are basically there. That is the big win with Premier Inn Blackburn Town Centre. If you want a cheap Blackburn hotel that keeps the trip easy from the first five minutes, this is the obvious pick.
It suits short city stays better than almost anything else on this list. The station is right there, and you can reach King George’s Hall, the shops, and the Cathedral Quarter without burning money on taxis or wasting time figuring out parking.
Why I’d book it
Book this one for convenience, not personality. Premier Inn does the basics properly. Clean rooms, a solid bed, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, family room options, and a layout that makes sense after a long day.
That matters more than a trendy lobby. Cheap hotels stop being cheap the second they create hassle.
This is the strongest fit for three types of stay:
- Train-based trips: You arrive fast, check in fast, and leave fast.
- Town-centre plans: Gigs, errands, meetings, and one-night stops are all easier here.
- Anyone who values predictability: You know what you are getting, which is half the battle with budget stays.
There is a downside. Rates can jump on busy weekends and event nights, so do not assume this will always beat every other budget option in Blackburn on price alone.
My booking advice
Use this hotel when location saves you money elsewhere. If staying here cuts out taxis, parking fees, or extra travel time, paying a bit more on the room rate can still work out cheaper overall.
Breakfast is the other thing to watch. The base rate often looks good, then the add-ons creep in. Check the full cost before you book, not just the headline number.
Then do the smart bit. Book a flexible rate if you can, and keep an eye on timing. Blackburn prices move around more than people expect, especially around weekends and local events. If you want to tighten that part of your strategy, read this guide on the best time to book a hotel room. After booking, use a set-and-forget tool like FlipMyStay to track price drops and switch if a lower rate shows up. That is how you turn a cheap hotel into a smarter deal.
2. Premier Inn Blackburn South M65 J4
You roll off the M65 late, you want a bed in minutes, and you do not want to wrestle with town-centre traffic. Premier Inn Blackburn South M65 J4 is the sensible pick.
Its sweet spot is simple. Drivers, match-day visitors heading for Ewood Park, and families who care more about parking and an easy morning exit than being near the station or nightlife will do well here. If that is you, this hotel makes more sense than the town-centre branch.
Who should book it
Book this one if your stay starts and ends with the car. That covers:
- Motorway stopovers: Get in, sleep well, get back on the road fast.
- Ewood Park trips: Close enough to keep the day straightforward.
- Family overnights: Familiar rooms and less hassle with bags, kids, and parking.
The appeal is not glamour. It is convenience that actually saves money. Free or straightforward parking, a predictable room, and an on-site restaurant can beat a cheaper-looking central rate once you add taxis, parking charges, or the annoyance factor.
My take
This is the better-value Premier Inn in Blackburn if location by road matters more than location on foot.
That does come with a catch. If you plan to spend the evening in central Blackburn, this can become a false economy once you start paying for extra transport. Book it for logistics. Do not book it for atmosphere.
Simple rule: Driving in and out? Pick Blackburn South. Staying car-free? The Town Centre property is the smarter choice.
One more thing. Chain hotels reward boring booking behaviour. Book a flexible rate, then let software do the tedious bit for you. If the price drops later, a set-and-forget tool like FlipMyStay can spot it after you book and help you switch to the lower rate. That is how you squeeze more value out of an already cheap stay.
If you want a feel for how chain pricing quirks work across budget hotels, this guide to Travelodge stays in Spain and rate-watching tactics is worth a look. Same principle here. Book smart first, then keep the booking working for you.
3. Travelodge Blackburn M65
You roll off the M65 late, you want a cheap room, and you do not want a debate about boutique charm. Travelodge Blackburn M65 is the practical pick.
Travelodge Blackburn M65
Book this one for a simple overnight that keeps costs under control. You get a familiar chain setup, straightforward access by car, and none of the faff that comes with hunting for a bargain in the wrong part of town. For work trips, motorway stopovers, and late check-ins, that formula works.
Why it earns a spot
Travelodge is at its best when you treat it like a tool, not an experience. You need somewhere to sleep, park, and get moving again in the morning.
What it does well:
- Keeps the basics predictable: Standard room layout, familiar bed, easy check-in.
- Works for drivers: The location makes sense if Blackburn is one stop on a longer route.
- Often lands near the low end of local chain pricing: Good for quick stays where extras do not matter much.
The weak point is obvious. Facilities are usually slimmer than at a fuller-service hotel, and the overall feel depends a lot on how recently the property has been refreshed.
Book it smart, not fast
Travelodge can look cheapest at first glance, then claw money back through rigid terms. Check the cancellation policy, parking details, and room type before you pay. A bad cheap rate is still a bad booking.
This is also where the next-level savings play matters. If you book a rate with enough flexibility, you can let a set-it-and-forget-it tool like FlipMyStay keep watch after booking and flag a lower price if it appears later. That is how you turn a budget hotel into an even better deal without babysitting the reservation.
If you want a useful example of how this tactic applies to budget chains, read this guide to Travelodge pricing and rate-watching in Spain.
My take: choose this hotel if your trip is built around the motorway and a low-effort overnight. Skip it if you want character, walkable town-centre time, or an evening that feels like more than a pit stop.
4. The Fernhurst by Greene King Inns
You roll into Blackburn for a night match, the roads are busy, and the last thing you need is a hotel that turns the evening into hard work. The Fernhurst by Greene King Inns fixes that. It is the obvious pick if Ewood Park is the reason you are here.
The Fernhurst by Greene King Inns (Ewood Park)
Location is the whole story with this one, and that is not a criticism. You can stay close to the stadium, keep the car parked, eat on site, and skip the usual pre-match and post-match faff. For football weekends, that convenience often beats a slightly cheaper room elsewhere.
It is a pub with rooms, so judge it properly. You are not booking sleek design or a polished boutique stay. You are booking an easy evening, a short walk to the ground, and a setup that keeps extra spending under control.
Here is who should book it:
- Blackburn Rovers fans: You can get to Ewood Park in minutes.
- Event visitors: Stadium trips are simpler when your room is this close.
- Anyone who wants a low-hassle overnight: Food, drinks, parking, and bed are all sorted in one place.
The trade-off is simple. Match days bring noise and a busier atmosphere. If you want a quiet, early night with zero football energy around you, pick somewhere else.
My take: if Ewood Park is on your plan, stop trying to be clever with location. Book the Fernhurst.
How to save more than the headline rate
The smart move here is not just finding a cheap night. It is protecting yourself from overpaying once fixtures, events, and weekend demand start pushing rates around. Book a rate with decent flexibility, then let a set-it-and-forget-it tool like FlipMyStay keep watch after booking. If the same stay drops in price later, you can act on it without checking rates every day yourself.
That matters more at event-led hotels like this one, where prices can move fast. A room that looks fair today can look overpriced a few days later.
So yes, the Fernhurst is good value for the right trip. Real value comes from booking the right hotel for the job, then keeping your booking flexible enough to grab a better price if one appears.
5. Willows, Blackburn by Marston’s Inns
You roll in after a long drive, you do not want to hunt for parking, and you definitely do not want to spend the evening bouncing between town for dinner and back again for bed. Willows, Blackburn by Marston’s Inns suits that kind of trip perfectly.
Willows, Blackburn by Marston’s Inns
This is the practical pick for drivers, families, hospital-related stays, and work trips where convenience matters more than a trendy postcode. The win here is simple. You keep extra costs under control because the useful stuff is already on site.
Why Willows saves money in real life
Cheap room rates can be fake value if they come with parking fees, taxi costs, or a late scramble for food. Willows avoids that trap. You get free Wi-Fi, free parking, family-friendly room options, accessible rooms, and a pub restaurant downstairs, which is exactly the kind of setup that keeps a one-night stay from getting annoyingly expensive.
Marston’s also offers direct-booking food discounts from time to time. That perk is worth checking. If the room rate is close across different sites, a meal deal or discount on dinner can make the direct booking the better buy.
Book this one if you want:
- A straightforward stopover: Park up, eat, sleep, leave.
- A family-friendly base: Easier mealtimes and practical room choices help.
- A low-fuss work trip: No need to waste time sorting dinner and parking separately.
The catch is obvious. You are not staying right in the centre, so if your plan is bars, shopping, or walking everywhere, this is not the smartest pick.
How to book it properly
Do not just glance at the headline room price and call it done. Compare three totals. Room only, room with breakfast, and direct booking with any food offer included. At pub inns, one of those usually comes out clearly ahead.
Blackburn has enough budget competition that rates can shift, especially on quieter dates. That gives you a second chance to save after you book. My advice is simple: book a flexible rate if the price gap is reasonable, then let a set-it-and-forget-it tool like FlipMyStay keep watch for a drop. That is how you turn an already cheap hotel into a smarter booking.
Local move: At Willows, the best value often comes from the total evening cost, not the cheapest headline rate. Parking plus dinner plus bed is the maths that matters.
6. Best Western Hotel 99 City Centre
You book a cheap room in central Blackburn, turn up, and realise the bargain came with a grim location or a tired building. Best Western Hotel 99 is the better version of that deal. You stay right in the centre, you get a hotel with a bit of character, and you avoid the bland chain feel.
Best Western Hotel 99 (City Centre)
It sits in a restored historic building on Mincing Lane, which gives it more personality than the usual budget box. For anyone coming into town for shopping, a show at King George’s Hall, or a simple overnight without needing the car again, that location does the heavy lifting.
Why this one earns a spot
Book Hotel 99 if your priority is central Blackburn on foot.
That is the main reason to pick it. The second is value from the Best Western setup. If you already collect Best Western Rewards, use them. Member pricing and points can beat the lazy option of booking through an online travel agency every single time.
It suits three types of stay especially well:
- Walkable town-centre trips: You want shops, venues, and food nearby.
- Rewards users: Points and member rates can trim the cost.
- Travellers who want more character for the money: Historic exterior, updated interior, less cookie-cutter.
The compromise is simple. Facilities are lighter than at a bigger full-service hotel, so book it for location and price, not for long hangs in the building.
How to get the best price here
City-centre hotels like this can be oddly good value on the right night, then jump fast when demand picks up. As noted earlier in this guide, Blackburn rates can swing a lot by day. If you have any flexibility at all, test nearby dates before you commit.
Then book smart, not just cheap.
If the flexible rate is close to the non-refundable one, pay the small difference and keep your options open. After that, let a set-it-and-forget-it tool like FlipMyStay track the booking for a lower price. That is the next-level saving many overlook. You lock in a decent central hotel, then still give yourself a shot at paying less later.
Local move: Hotel 99 makes the most sense when you plan to use the centre properly. If you are parking up and barely leaving the room, pick a cheaper roadside option instead.
7. The Bluebird Inn Samlesbury
You book a cheap room in Blackburn, then spend the evening dealing with traffic, parking, and town-centre noise. Skip that mistake. If you’re driving and you do not need a central postcode, The Bluebird Inn is one of the smartest low-cost picks just outside town.
The Bluebird Inn (Samlesbury)
This place works because it keeps the basics right. You get a country pub setting, on-site food, free parking, and straightforward road access between Blackburn and Preston. For drivers, families, and anyone who wants a quieter night without paying for a city-centre location they barely use, that is a solid trade.
Why The Bluebird makes sense
The appeal here is practical, not flashy. You stay here because you want an easy base, a simple dinner, and a room that does the job without the usual town-centre hassle.
It suits three types of trip especially well:
- Drivers: Handy for the A59, M6, and M65.
- Quieter overnight stays: Better if you want to switch off, not hear late-night noise outside.
- Low-fuss short breaks: Pub and restaurant on site, so you are not hunting around for food after check-in.
One warning. A car makes this option far more useful. If your plan depends on walking everywhere or getting back late by public transport, pick a central hotel instead.
How to save more here
The Bluebird is often the better-value move when Blackburn prices climb on busy dates, especially if your priority is total trip cost, not bragging rights over a postcode. Free parking alone can swing the maths in its favour.
Book the room you’re happy with, then get a second bite at the saving. If the flexible rate is close to the non-refundable one, take the flexible option and let a set-it-and-forget-it tool like FlipMyStay track the booking after you’ve locked it in. That is the smart play here. You start with an already affordable out-of-town stay, then still give yourself a shot at a lower price later.
Local move: Choose The Bluebird when you want to drive in, eat on site, and sleep somewhere calmer than the centre. It is a better deal than a town hotel you only use for a bed.
Cheap Blackburn Hotels, 7-Property Comparison
| Property (🔄 Location & Access) | Cost & Value (⚡) | Guest Experience (⭐) | Best For (📊) | Notes & Tips (💡) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Inn Blackburn Town Centre, Modern budget hotel opposite rail station | Mid-budget; dynamic pricing; advance-saver deals; breakfast extra | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reliable cleanliness, consistent bedding and facilities | Walkable stay for rail travellers, event-goers, city visitors | Book advance-saver rates; expect higher prices on match/event nights |
| Premier Inn Blackburn South (M65, J4), Out‑of‑town near M65/J4 and Ewood Park | Often cheaper mid-week; chain value; breakfast extra | ⭐⭐⭐ Quiet, functional rooms; good for restful stays | Drivers, match attendees, motorway access users | Good motorway access; not walkable to town nightlife |
| Travelodge Blackburn M65, No‑frills just off the M65 | Lowest headline rates locally; very budget | ⭐⭐ Basic amenities; room quality varies by refurbishment | Short stopovers, motorway stays, tight budgets | Check refurbishment status; expect simple facilities |
| The Fernhurst by Greene King Inns (Ewood Park), Pub‑with‑rooms beside stadium | Value pub‑inn pricing; on‑site dining; breakfast served | ⭐⭐⭐ Traditional pub rooms; lively/noisy on match days | Match‑day fans, on‑site dining seekers | Book early for games; expect noise during events |
| Willows, Blackburn by Marston’s Inns, Pub‑hotel near Royal Blackburn Hospital | Affordable; frequent direct‑book offers (20% food discount) | ⭐⭐⭐ Family‑friendly rooms; traditional inn styling | Families, business visitors, drivers near hospital | Use direct booking for food discount; transport needed for centre |
| Best Western Hotel 99 (City Centre), Character property on Mincing Lane | Competitive rates; Best Western Rewards points available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Characterful, modernised interiors; reliable central stay | Guests wanting character and loyalty benefits | Newer addition, fewer reviews; good for rewards members |
| The Bluebird Inn (Samlesbury), Country pub‑hotel between Blackburn & Preston | Often lower rates than city centre on peak weekends | ⭐⭐⭐ Comfortable, quieter pub‑inn rooms | Drivers, families seeking quieter/value stays | Car recommended; limited late‑night options nearby |
Don't Just Book Cheap. Book Smart.
You find a Blackburn room at a decent price, book it, and move on. Then the same stay drops later and someone else gets your room for less. Annoying, and completely avoidable.
Pick the right hotel first. Town Centre Premier Inn and Hotel 99 make sense if you want to walk, take the train, or keep taxis to a minimum. Travelodge Blackburn M65, Premier Inn South, Willows, and The Bluebird are better value for drivers. Fernhurst is the obvious call for Ewood Park. Book for the trip you’re taking, not for a headline rate that creates extra cost and hassle later.
Then give yourself room to save again.
Blackburn prices can shift with football dates, local events, and simple demand changes across the week. This should signal that the first booked price isn't final. If the flexible rate is only a little more, take it. Cheap and cancellable beats cheap and stuck.
After that, use a simple routine:
- Check like for like only: Same hotel, same dates, same room type, same booking terms.
- Prioritise flexible bookings: You need the option to cancel and rebook if the price drops.
- Count the full cost: A cheaper room outside town stops being cheap once you add parking, fuel, or taxis.
- Use direct perks properly: If Willows gives you a real food discount or another useful extra, include that in the total.
- Watch match days closely: Rates near Ewood Park can jump fast, and last-minute “bargains” often are not bargains at all.
You can do the checking yourself, but plenty of travellers will not keep reopening tabs to compare rates every few days. That’s why a post-booking tracker is useful. FlipMyStay lets you forward your confirmation email to save@flipmystay.com, then monitors like-for-like prices after booking so you can rebook lower if the rate falls.
That is the smarter play here. Book one of the cheap Blackburn options that fits your trip, keep your cancellation terms open, and set up a post-booking check. That’s how you squeeze more value out of an already budget-friendly stay.
If you’ve already booked a Blackburn stay, send your confirmation to FlipMyStay and let it monitor like-for-like prices after booking, so you can rebook lower if a better rate appears.
