If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, Edinburgh is a must-see city. And guess what? We’ve only gone and found the 3 best Edinburgh hostels to add even more sparkle!
Edinburgh is a truly beautiful city perfect for travellers that seek entertainment, history and seriously awesome Edinburgh hostels.
Planning to travel to other parts of UK? We have a detailed guide here to the best hostels in UK.
Your shortcuts:
- Castle Rock Hostel (top choice for backpackers)
- CODE Hostel (perfect for couples, solo travellers and digital nomads)
- The Baxter Hostel (number one for female solo travellers)
Any questions about hostels in Edinburgh?
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In this edition, we will introduce you to rooms with a castle view and the best party hostel in Edinburgh.
There are friendly staff and cosy rooms that will leave you wanting to stay forever!
Read: 26 FUN things to do in Edinburgh
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
We condensed it all to the 3 coolest hostels in Edinburgh.
- Basic Introduction
- 3 best hostels in Edinburgh
- Fun Party hostels in Edinburgh
- Best hostels for solo-travellers in Edinburgh
- Cheap hostels in Edinburgh, Scotland
- More Edinburgh hostels worth a mention
- 7 Budget Travel Tips for the city
- Discounts
- Map with all hostels + sights
- FAQs
- Flights to Edinburgh
Spending more time in Scotland? You’ll no doubt love our epic guide to 19 best hostels in Scotland.
Looking for even more backpacker options? Check our selection of 5 coolest backpacker hostels in Edinburgh.
We also cover cheap hostels and backpacker hostels in Edinburgh. You won’t be asking where to stay in Edinburgh for much longer.
Quick Introduction to Edinburgh Hostels
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm can be as cheap as 16€ up to 28€ per night.
This is a rough average to give you an idea. As prices always depend on season and holidays. We always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost at the place you are planning to book.
Getting to Edinburgh city center from the airport: The airport is very well connected with Edinburgh city center. The journey time to city centre is approximately 30 minutes by train, by tram or by bus (in light traffic). You will find bus service service into the city centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hostel Location and City Center: The city is relatively small. That includes the Old Town and the castle. All accommodations listed are hostels located near Edinburgh Waverley Station. It will take you maximum 20 min to walk.
No real need to worry about the location too much (unlike Paris or London).
Edinburgh Tourism Tax: Luckily for you there is currently no tourist tax in this city. However, there has been talk lately of creating a £1-2 per night tax in the future, so double check beforehand.
Budget: check out our Edinburgh budget travel guide.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
3 Best Hostels in Edinburgh, Scotland
Come on then, let’s have a gander and find out what all the hype is about. It’s time to check out our selected boutique hostels. The best of Edinburgh awaits you!
The 3 top hostels in Edinburgh, Scotland are…
We added all hostels on our map. It helps you to plan and get a bigger picture of what to expect location-wise.
Quick overview:
- Best Hostel in Edinburgh for Solo-Travellers: Castle Rock Hostel
- Best Hostel in Edinburgh for Female Solo-Travellers: High Street Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Edinburgh, Scotland: Kick Ass Hostels
- Top Edinburgh Hostels with Private Rooms: CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT
- Best Hostel in Edinburgh for Digital Nomads: CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT
- Best Hostel in Edinburgh with Apartments: CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT
- Best Cheap Hostel in Edinburgh: jump to our section cheap hostels in Edinburgh
This should really cover your burning question on where to stay in Edinburgh on a budget.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Castle Rock Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | The Baxter Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Kick Ass Hostels |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Castle Rock Hostel |
1. Castle Rock Hostel (unique building, central location)
Fancy sleeping next door to Edinburgh castle?!
Yep, it’s actually possible at Castle Rock Hostel Edinburgh.
The palatial building is a wonderful blend of bubbly character, grandeur and backpacker vibes.
This is a wonderful backpacker hostel!
It was built back in 1846 so it’s no wonder the place is packed full of awesome detail and character. Some say it’s like staying at a museum (the fun kind)!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Some very important points about Castle Rock:
- Strictly 18+ only
- No hen or stag parties
- 7-night maximum stay
This stuff may be a little dry, but it’s important. And by no means does it make the hostel boring!
Actually, you’re about to be blown away by how cool Castle Rock Hostel really is…
- There’s a 24-hour reception
- The FREE walking tour picks up here
- Find art EVERYWHERE
- Posh lounge w/ fireplace + piano
- Linen included
- WiFi throughout the huge building
Forget moody Scottish weather and head out to the patio area. Surely you packed the sun in your backpack, right?
We think you’ll love the spacious, sunny rooms that come with modern, simplistic design.
This is a great choice if you love attending events. There’s usually pub crawls, pool competitions and ceilidhs being organised here.
This sounds like one of those super fun hostels to us. And it is exactly that!
The Posh Lounge is a perfect place for digital nomads with a deadline. Or grab yourself a novel from the book exchange and settle down with a cup of tea.
Love music and that quiet hostel vibe? Chill out in the groove lounge where you’ll find comfy sofas and instruments for all.
And finally… cook up a storm in the fully equipped kitchen and enjoy a £1.50 continental breakfast. Phew!
Although this hostel is on a quiet street, the nightlife is literally around the corner. Where was the castle again? Oh yeah, just look out your window and you’ll see!
Castle Rock Hostel is the top hostel in Edinburgh for:
- Backpackers
- Solo-Traveller
This hostel is also near to piano dealers Edinburgh has to offer like Rimmers Music Edinburgh and Makin Pianos.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT (high tech modern design)
Is this the absolute coolest hostel in Edinburgh? We certainly think so!
CoDE Pod Hostels – THE LoFT is a modern design hostel in the New Town of Edinburgh. It is modern in the sense of design and technology as well.
A fresh young design hostel meets tech-nerds, creating a geeky hostel in Scotland’s capital!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
There are no bunk beds at CODE Hostel but fancy, modern pods which give you the privacy you’ve been hoping for in your search for a nice hostel.
Each pod has its own socket-outlet and lighting, so you can simply close your curtains and switch off.
Great design, comfy and filled with the basic facilities every traveller wants!
Read: 13 Creative Hostel Design Ideas to Steal
The room types include:
- Female-Only dorm
- Mixed 4-bed dorm
- CODE penthouse (best apartment near Princess street!)
- Family room
As for security? The entire place works on a code system so there are no worries about losing that darn key. Safe lodging without key hassles is just the perfect combo, don’t you think?
Those that have already stayed here rave about the staff – they’re simply amazing!
Please note: this hostel does not accept stag or hen parties.
The kitchen and communal area are strategically laid out for maximum comfort. Relax or mingle with new people here – the choice is yours! As for meeting people, it is not the best place to meet other travelers. For meeting and mingling, we recommend Castle Rock Hostel.
No need to get up early and search for food; CODE Hostel offers a free healthy breakfast each morning. It’s also really delicious. All the more reason to
“wake up and be awesome!”
Events are aplenty here and it’s possible to enjoy themed nights, whiskey tasting and much more.
To top it off, if you stay here you’ll be in a fabulous location. It is nearby Princes Street, where the main rail and bus stations are located.
So if you are looking for central hostel in Edinburgh, you just found your best best. Again, the city is relatively small anyways. You can easily walk to all major sights.
The bus and train are a few minutes walk, and the main sights are all close-by.
CODE Hostel is the best hostel in Edinburgh for:
- Digital Nomads
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. The Baxter Hostel (custom built + quirky)
The Baxter Hostel, with its tartan wallpaper, ancient oak floors and traditional Georgian panelling is the perfect place to stay if you wish to dive into the Scottish spirit.
The Baxter Hostel is the first boutique hostel Edinburgh experience. This custom built hostel wants you to laugh loudly, sleep deeply and quickly fall in love with Edinburgh.
That might be easier than you think! The Baxter is the new kid in town, a luxury boutique hostel. There is not a lot of boutique hostels in Edinburgh, Scotland so consider this one a big score.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
The dorm rooms range from 4-12 beds and it’s possible to choose a mixed or single-sex room. There is no private rooms at The Bexter Hostel.
Read: Why Female Dorms? 7 Pros and 3 Cons
Whatever your choice, you’ll have a locker, free WiFi and a ready-made bed. Wahoo!
The staff come from all corners of Europe and speak many languages. The certainly love Edinburgh so be sure to quiz them on their knowledge,
What else?
- The hostel is staffed 24/7
- Free scrambled eggs w/ breakfast
- Access rooms with a keycard
Want to hear something super cool? The Baxter Hostel has its very own app!
Written by the staff, it includes original itineraries and brilliant places to eat and drink. Not only that, but it has a very handy offline map of the city. This is super useful to have!
Baxter is a mere 5 min walk from the train station. Its central location means all of the main sights are close-by.
The Baxter Hostel is the greatest hostel in Edinburgh for:
- Female solo-travellers
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about the Best Party Hostels in Edinburgh?
Looking for a good time with new found friends at a great party hostel in Edinburgh? You’re in for a treat!
The motto at Kick Ass Hostels is ‘LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL’, and they certainly support this.
The facilities are modern with an added privacy element thanks to the sleeping pods. A cosy, quiet place to retreat at the end of the night.
This hostel is very near Princess Street and the Edinburgh Castle. The Waverley station is 1km away from it, so a 10-15 minute walk.
There’s a Kick Ass bar and cafe on-site – find
- meals under a fiver,
- cocktails,
- daily bar events
- beer pints for just £2 and
- entertainment.
Pretty cool: stay at one Kick Ass Hostel and get free access to all the facilities at the other one, just minutes away!
Thanks Scotland for providing kick ass travellers with a super cool hostel in Edinburgh, we salute you!
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostel in Edinburgh for Solo Travellers?
Safe hostels in Edinburgh are the first choice for solo travellers as they make socialising easy and fun.
As previously mentioned, we think the Castle Rock Hostel is a great solo traveller choice.
For the female solo travellers out there, let us introduce to another great option, the High Street Hostel.
There are female dorms ranging between 4 and 10-beds – how sociable are you feeling?
The lounge area has a pool table, games and plenty of space for mingling. As for the location, High Street is one of the many hostels in Edinburgh old town.
So remember, the best hostels in Edinburgh for solo travellers are CODE Hostel and High Street Hostel Edinburgh.
Good to know: Almost all properties you can stay in are hostels near Edinburgh waverley station. This is the main train station.
Discounts are offered to guests for the surrounding restaurants, pubs and local entertainment. Yippee!
This suddenly becomes an easy answer for where to stay in Edinburgh on a budget.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Cheap Hostels in Edinburgh
Of course, there are always cheap hostels in Edinburgh and really anywhere. However, and please stay with us here: We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel in Edinburgh.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen. Although, keep in mind a bad location far away from the city center costs you more in transport.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Edinburgh.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of accommodations in Edinburgh
- Order the listing by price
Remember to read the reviews carefully.
You should keep a close eye on the “extreme” comments, meaning the best and worst reviews. These usually give you a pretty good insight what is awesome and what’s d’oh!
See here how to book hostels the smart way.
More Edinburgh hostels worth a mention
Well, if what we have up there is still not enough, we went extra mile to give you more options.
Here are more Edinburgh hostels that you might want to have a look at.
- Royal Mile Backpackers Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel
- Belford Hostel Edinburgh
Royal Mile Backpackers Edinburgh
Great value for money? That’s Royal Mile Backpackers Edinburgh!
It has mixed and female dormitories. They have bunk beds and lockers, and guests can make use of laundry services, hairdryers and adapters. They do not have private rooms.
Hostel Highlights:
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Laundry
- Heating
- Tours & Travel Desk
Location: Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is one of the most central locations in the city. Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, is a 10-minute walk away, while the 11th-century Edinburgh Castle is also a 10-minute stroll.
There you’ll be able to see the Stone of Destiny, used for the coronation of ancient Scottish kings. To get here from the airport, hop on the 100 bus for about 30 minutes and get off at Waverley Bridge.
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel
Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel has two common rooms for friendly gatherings – TV lounge and playroom.
They have private rooms and dorm rooms. So if you want privacy, you can go for the private rooms. The room itself was small, yet comfortable.
It is a great value for its price.
You will love the kitchen facilities of the hostel which is pretty large scale with free coffee and tea round the clock and you can cook your own stuff as well. It also has a big common area that is perfect for meeting new friends.
Hostel Highlights:
- 24 Hour Reception
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Internet Access
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
Location: Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel is just a few steps from Waverley Train Station, where the Airlink 100 bus will drop you off if you’re coming from the airport (it takes about 30 minutes)
Compare prices at: Hostelworld
Belford Hostel Edinburgh
Wanted quirky accommodation Edinburgh has to offer? Well, this one is for you.
Belford Hostel Edinburgh is such a cool hostel because it was a former church. They have kept the gorgeous stained-glass windows which makes it extra special.
You’ll find Scottish and sporty memorabilia all over the common areas, from a caricature of Braveheart to artwork showing the National Anthem’s opening verse.
Hostel Highlights:
- Luggage Storage
- Tours/Travel Desk
- Towels for hire
- Book Exchange
- Security Lockers
They have both private rooms and some with en-suites. They also have mixed and female only dorm rooms.
Location: Located in the center of Edinburgh’s West End, close to old Dean Village and the Water of Leith. You can get to the hostel easily from Edinburgh Haymarket station – it’s about a 15-minute walk away. If you’re heading to the hostel from Edinburgh Airport, jump on express bus 100 to Haymarket Station. It’s around a 30-minute journey.
Compare prices at: Hostelworld
7 Tips for exploring Edinburgh on a budget
We know, we know, you are worried about your expenses as Edinburgh is not precisely the cheapest destination in Europe.
Nevertheless, there are some trick to explore Edinburgh for the budget backpackers:
1. Free Things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has plenty to offer in terms of free attractions; take advantage of them. A few popular free things to do in Edinburgh are:
- National Museum of Scotland
- Writers’ Museum
- Royal Botanic Garden
- Scottish National Gallery
- St. Giles Cathedral
- Arthur0s Seat
- Scottish Parliament
Make sure you also check with your hostel. Many places offer free walking tours, pub crawls (for an additional fee) etc.
2. Avoid visiting Edinburgh in August
During the month of August, one of the largest arts festival in the world – The Fringe Festival – takes place in the city.
This festival lasts three weeks every year in August.
Unless, you are planning to visit the Festival (which is amazing), avoid this month for visiting Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh accommodation prices skyrocket as the city receives massive amount of visitors.
And of course: If you plan to visit The Fringe Festival, then book as early as you can. The good accommodations are sold out quickly, and you may end up in not that pleasant hostels.
So, book ahead and grab a bed in one of the most fun hostels in the city.
3. Walk to explore the city
Edinburgh is an incredibly compact and walk-able city. Take advantage of that and explore it by foot ( it is always the cheapest way to get around, perfect for budget travellers).
Most attractions are located within Old Town and New Town.
Even Arthur’s seat (which offers a nice panoramic view over Edinburgh) is on a walk-able distance.
4. Public transport hack
If you want to save energy and use public transportation, bear in mind the day tickets.
A single ticket costs around £1.50, while a day ticket (which includes unlimited rides on buses and tram) is £4.00.
Make sure you calculate the rides you want to use to buy the best option.
5. Cheap food in Edinburgh
A lunch in a restaurant in Edinburgh cost at least £12-15. Prices for dinner are even higher, expect £15-30. So well, food prices in Edinburgh can be considered quite high.
How can you eat cheaply in Edinburgh?
5.1 Head to the Edinburgh University zone
There you can find a burger for £4-5. Score!
5.2 Grab a go-style meal
During the day, grab a go-style meal. There are several options in the Old town for less than £ 5.
A place in Old town with budget options is The Baked Potato Shop.
5.3 Consider eating at pubs!
Yes, pubs have cheaper meals ’cause they expect to make money on extra drinks. If you do not order any drink, you will just take advantage of cheaper meals.
Head to the Weatherspoon pubs. There you can get you can get a cheap and cheerful meal plus a beer for less than £7.
Among our favorites: The Standing Order and The Caley Picture House.
5.4 Cook your meals
We say it many times, the best tip to save money while traveling around Europe on a budget is cooking yourself. That is why hostels are a great idea.
Make sure you book a place with a fully-equipped kitchen.
All the hostels mentioned on this article offers a kitchen for the guests. Yet our favourite kitchen has to be at The Baxter Hostel because it is so homely.
6. Join a free walking tour
Sandeman’s Free Walking Tour covers Edinburgh’s main sights in Old Town, and delves into the city’s fascinating history.
Plenty of interesting tales, legends, and ghost stories are explained during the walking tour.
Make sure you join them!
Note: It is a tip-based tour, so it’s not really free, but still a great value.
7. Cheap(er) Drinks
Edinburgh is known also for its historic pubs and visiting them is a must do when visiting the city.
Nevertheless, pints and cocktails can add a considerable sum to your trip travel costs.
Plan well your visit to the pubs and go when they offer live music events.
Some places where you can sample slightly cheaper pints with live music are:
- Sandy Bell’s: music sessions every night of the week
- The Black Cat: live music every Monday and Wednesday
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Edinburgh best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Edinburgh?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile stores. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in Edinburgh put on a map + sights
Now it’s time to pinpoint your chosen great hostel on our handy map.
Not only that, but you’ll see all of the top sights Edinburgh has to offer including:
-
- Edinburgh Castle
- Edinburgh Old Town
- Princes Street
- Palace of Holyrood
- Calton Hill
- St Giles’ Cathedral
- National Museum of Scotland
- Scott Monument
- Princes Street Gardens
What about things to do? Well we doubt you’ll get bored here.
Yet before you do anything else, check out our 5 Secret Tips for Edinburgh, Scotland. Then crack on and…
- Take a tour to Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands
- Check out the Ghostly Underground Vaults
- Join a Harry Potter Walking Tour
Why not make life easier and pre-book your Airport City Bus Transfer.
The most important thing: Do what you love and have fun!
(scroll the map for details, open here in new tab. You can also open the sidebar to activate and deactivate pins)
Any questions about hostels in Edinburgh? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
Flights to Edinburgh?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More guides for Scotland, UK, and Europe
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Edinburgh in style and on a budget. And hey, we’ve even collected the ultimate 19 greatest hostels in Scotland for you to visit!
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Glasgow, Scotland
- Best hostels in London and backpacker hostels in London
- Best hostels in Manchester
- Best hostels in Liverpool
- Best hostels in Dublin and the 24 best hostels in Ireland
- Party Hostels in Dublin
- Best hostels in Galway
- Best hostels in Brighton
- best hostels in Inverness
- best hostels in Cardiff
- best hostels in the Isle of Skye
- best hostels in Cork
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Edinburgh guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
– – –
pin it for later
Light House Hostel Edinburgh
Update: This hostel has permanently closed. We’ve kept this content here for your information.
This hostel for believers and for those people who wants to experience something extraordinary because they follow Jesus’ teachings of compassion by offering friendship and a safe resting place for travellers.
Situated in the artistic area of the city centre, Light House Hostel Edinburgh offers a variety of bright and spacious rooms ranging from a 2-bed private room to a 10-bed dorm.
Hostel Highlights:
- 24 Hour Security
- Fax Service
- Housekeeping
- Internet Access
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
- Tours/Travel Desk
It is also good to know that they donate substantial portion of their profits to a housing charity so staying there is like charity and helping to provide homes for people in need.
Location: Light House Hostel Edinburgh is a 15 minutes walk to Edinburgh Castle.
