Edinburgh is one of the most enchanting cities in the world, and a trip to Scotland’s capital is sure to be an unforgettable experience. From its historical castles to its vibrant nightlife, Edinburgh truly has something for everyone. If you’re looking for an affordable and unique way to experience this city, staying in a hostel could be a perfect choice.
Hostels provide the ideal combination of low cost, social atmosphere, and convenience. By staying in a hostel, you can save money on accommodation costs and use the savings to explore the city.
Many hostels offer amenities such as free WiFi, kitchens, and laundry facilities, so you can keep costs down while still having access to the comforts of home. Plus, you’ll get to meet interesting people from all over the world — a great way to learn about different cultures and make lifelong friends.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to experience Edinburgh, staying in a hostel is a great option. Keep reading to learn about the three best hostels in Edinburgh.
Castle Rock Hostel
Castle Rock Hostel is located in Edinburgh’s city center and is an excellent option for those looking for an affordable and comfortable stay. The hostel offers a variety of accommodation options, from private rooms to dorms.
With hundreds of beds, the hostel is ideal for backpackers and those on a budget. The hostel provides a range of services and facilities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. A large common area has a TV, pool table, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Free WiFi is available throughout the building, and there are also laundry facilities. This hostel also has a bar and restaurant, as well as a convenience store.
This hostel has a great location, just a short walk from the Royal Mile and Princes Street. It is also close to many of Edinburgh’s attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland.
The staff at Castle Rock Hostel are friendly and helpful, and are always willing to help you with any query or request. They also provide a range of activities, such as guided tours around the city and pub crawls.
All in all, Castle Rock Hostel is a great budget accommodation option in Edinburgh. The hostel offers comfortable and affordable rooms, and a range of facilities and services in a great location.
Hostel details
Address:
15 Johnston Terrrace, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Guest rating:
4.7 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $20
High Street Hostel
Nestled in a building dating back to the 1500s, High Street Hostel is situated in a great central location – within just a few minutes’ walk of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and many other local attractions.
This hostel provides a range of amenities, such as a 24-hour reception, internet access, laundry facilities, and a fully-equipped kitchen. There are a variety of room types to choose from, including private rooms, shared rooms, and dorms. All rooms are clean and comfortable, with comfortable beds and plenty of storage space.
High Street Hostel provides a range of activities, such as pub crawls, walking tours, and other events. There are also plenty of pubs, bars, and restaurants nearby for guests to explore. The staff at High Street Hostel are friendly and helpful and always willing to help with any queries or concerns that guests may have.
High Street Hostel is the ideal spot for travelers looking for a comfortable and convenient stay in Edinburgh. The hostel offers superb value for the money and is a great place to meet other travelers and have a great time.
Hostel details
Address:
8 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Guest rating:
4.5 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $18
Royal Mile Backpackers
Royal Mile Backpackers is a hostel situated in the heart of the city, on the Royal Mile, so it is an excellent spot for travelers exploring the city. The hostel is housed in a historic building that dates back to the 18th century and is within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions.
This hostel offers a range of rooms, from private rooms to dorms accommodating up to 10 people. All rooms are equipped with comfortable beds, desks and chairs, and a shared bathroom. The hostel also has a fully equipped kitchen, allowing travelers to save money on food costs. The kitchen has all the necessary appliances, including a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and oven. There is also a communal lounge area, where guests can relax and socialize with other travelers.
The Royal Mile Backpackers offers a variety of activities, such as walking tours, pub crawls, and traditional music sessions. The staff at the hostel can also provide information on a range of attractions and activities in the city, making it an excellent choice for travelers who want to make the most of their stay in Edinburgh. With its convenient location and variety of activities, Royal Mile Backpackers is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a great place to stay in Edinburgh.
Hostel details
Address:
105 High Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Guest rating:
4.5 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $25
About our Edinburgh hostel recommendations
Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for a private room, or a backpacker traveling around in a group wanting to stay in a cheap and cozy dorm, above you will find the best hostels in Edinburgh for all your needs.
Please note that we only list hostels on our website with an aggregated guest review rating of at least 4.0 out of 5. We aggregated all reviews from different booking sites and other unbiased review websites. Hence, you can be certain all hostels listed above offer an excellent value-for-money stay in Edinburgh.
Best price guarantee
For our hostel recommendations, we work together with Hostelworld and Booking. These partnerships don’t have any influence on the recommendations we make or on the order in which our recommended hostels are listed. The reasons why we have chosen to partner with these companies are that they’re trustworthy, offer excellent service and both apply the best price guarantee.
This means you can claim a refund for the difference if you find your reservation cheaper on another website. It has to be for the same property, accommodation type, dates, cancellation policy and conditions, otherwise, you can’t claim a refund for the difference. If you book through Booking.com then all you need to do is contact them at least 24 hours before your check-in date. If you book through Hostelworld you must claim the refund within 24 hours after you made the booking.
Top 3 hostels in Edinburgh
To summarize again, based on thousands of guest reviews, these are the best hostels in Edinburgh:
Why you should be careful when booking the cheapest hostel available
Booking the cheapest hostel available is not recommended for a few reasons:
- The cheapest hostels available are typically not in a great location. If you want to go sightseeing or go for a night out in central Edinburgh, you probably end up having to pay for public transport or a taxi to get there. So your stay could end up being more expensive compared to a stay in a central location. For first-time travelers, we recommend staying central anyway, but also for frequent visitors, it’s probably worth it to pay a bit more to stay in a central location.
- Another reason why you shouldn’t stay at the cheapest hostel is that the people staying at the cheapest hostels are often not the people that can afford to travel like you. Because a very cheap hostel is often cheaper than renting a flat, these places tend to attract migrant workers or local misfits. That’s probably not the crowd you want to hang out with, especially if you’re a solo traveler looking for friends.
- The third reason why you should avoid the cheapest hostels is safety. Some of the cheapest hostels don’t check IDs, don’t ask for signatures, or only accept cash at check-in. The hostel won’t know who is actually staying there.
- Lastly, the service at these hostels isn’t great. For instance, if you choose to store your luggage, your bags will be unattended in a public space. It won’t be recorded anywhere or tagged and stored in a locked room.
So, it’s probably worth it to spend a bit more on your hostel stay in Edinburgh.
And finally, a tip: always read the latest reviews of the hostel! All places have good and bad reviews, but the most recent reviews matter the most.
More Edinburgh tips
Get to know the city even better and check out our other articles about Edinburgh:
