The 7 Best Hostels in Edinburgh (Updated 2024)

Posted: 6/10/2024 | June tenth, 2024

Edinburgh is a historic metropolis stuffed with centuries-old structure, cozy pubs, and world-class whisky. I’ve been there a bunch and all the time have a blast. It’s one in all my favourite locations in Europe. I’ve been going since I turned 30 (which was a really, very very long time in the past).

Whereas Edinburgh is beautiful, lodging might be pretty costly. Because the second-most visited metropolis within the UK, it could simply break the financial institution (these pints add up!). An,d whereas there are quite a bit of hostels that may assist hold your prices low, I’ve discovered the arduous manner that not all of them are good.

That can assist you decide a hostel from amongst all of the overwhelming choices, right here is my record of one of the best hostels in Edinburgh!

If you happen to don’t need to learn the longer record, the next are one of the best in every class:

Need the specifics? Right here’s my breakdown of one of the best hostels in Edinburgh and why I like them:

Worth legend:

• $ – Below 20 GBP per night time
• $$ – 20-30 GBP per night time
• $$$ – Over 30 GBP per night time

1. Castle Rock

Situated close to the citadel, this hostel is just beautiful. and my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an previous, lovely home with beautiful wooden interiors, stone staircases, and a really historic, royal really feel, such as you’re staying in an ancestral household mansion. There’s an enormous kitchen, and the frequent areas characteristic pool tables, a TV, newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. There’s additionally a patio for when the climate is sweet in addition to a fire and film room for when it’s chilly. The workers additionally set up occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in an ideal location too (proper close to the Royal Mile).

Whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick and there are not any curtains on the beds, there are many shops to cost your units and bedside lockers too. It’s additionally one of many least expensive hostels on the town and excellent for finances vacationers. Simply observe that there’s a ten GBP money deposit (or ID) required in your room key.

Citadel Rock at a look:

• $
• Wonderful location
• Enormous kitchen
• A lot of frequent areas make it simple to satisfy folks

Beds from 18 GBP, personal rooms from 60 GBP.

2. St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town

St Christopher’s hostels are a staple round Europe, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The hostel is inside strolling distance of all the primary sights, and it’s all the time full of life, making it simple to satisfy folks. There’s a cool bar on-site with low cost completely happy hour drinks (a giant plus in dear Edinburgh), and the workers additionally set up common pub crawls if you wish to benefit from the nightlife. In addition they set up free strolling excursions, that are a good way to discover on a finances whereas assembly fellow vacationers.

The dorms are ethereal and vibrant, and whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick, the beds have curtains, USB shops, and small lockers. (Simply observe that almost all dorms have three-tier bunk beds.) Though there’s no visitor kitchen, there’s a filling breakfast every morning for simply 5 GBP. Whereas there aren’t a ton of restrooms (so generally you’ll have to attend), the situation actually can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a look:

• $$
• Cool bar with low cost completely happy hour drinks
• Energetic, social ambiance makes it simple to satisfy folks
• Free strolling excursions

Beds from 25 GBP, personal rooms from 299 GBP.

3. Haystack Hostel

This can be a small, cozy, and quiet hostel that feels such as you’re staying at a buddy’s home. The décor has a really DIY really feel, that includes a lot of handmade furnishings, vibrant colours, and funky artwork. The bigger dorm has pod-style beds, whereas the smaller dorm has common bunk beds. There are not any curtains on the beds, however there are lockers to safe your issues, and every mattress has its personal outlet and studying mild. There’s a small breakfast out there every morning too.

What makes this place distinctive although is that each of its dorms are feminine solely (there are additionally personal rooms, open to all genders). It’s a quiet, calm, and clear selection, excellent for vacationers not trying to social gathering. The workers are additionally very welcoming and all the time keen that will help you discover issues to do on the town and past. If you would like a quiet keep as a solo feminine traveler, keep right here.

Haystack Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Feminine-only dorms
• Quiet ambiance
• Cozy frequent rooms

Beds from 30 GBP, personal rooms from 103 GBP.

4. Royal Mile Backpackers

This laid-back hostel is your traditional backpacker joint, with chill frequent areas, a small library, common social occasions (like pub crawls or Scottish dancing classes), and free espresso and tea. There’s a tour desk when you’re trying to do some day journeys, and likewise a easy breakfast every morning for simply 3 GBP. One good perk I recognize is that the place provides free journey adapters throughout your keep (as somebody who has forgotten theirs greater than as soon as, I believe this can be a nice concept!).

Whereas I don’t love that the beds are easy picket bunks, they do have particular person studying lights, shops, and lockers (however no curtains). The loos are a bit cramped, however the showers have good water strain and every part is saved clear (which is what’s most essential). Total, it’s one other snug and homey place that makes you’re feeling such as you’re staying at a buddy’s home.

Royal Mile Backpackers at a look:

• $$
• Free espresso/tea
• A lot of enjoyable social occasions
• Low cost day by day breakfast

Beds from 24 GBP.

5. Kick Ass Grassmarket

This can be a cool, arty hostel within the coronary heart of the Previous City (it’s proper beneath the citadel). It’s brightly embellished and feels very welcoming. There are many frequent areas to hang around in, although I particularly love the bar space, because it’s tremendous social and simple to satisfy folks right here. There’s additionally a beer backyard for when the climate is sweet (and Netflix for when it’s not) and a giant kitchen if you wish to prepare dinner your individual meals.

The usual dorms listed below are all vibrant and ethereal, with comfortable mattresses and particular person lights, shops, and lockers. Some dorm rooms have en suite loos, and there are female-only dorms too. However the spotlight for me is the pod-style beds within the “superior” dorms; they’ve thick curtains and supply a lot of privateness, making it tremendous simple to get an excellent night time’s sleep. Simply observe that it’s a must to be no less than 18 to remain right here.

Kick Ass Grassmarket at a look:

• $
• Enjoyable occasions (pub crawls, quiz nights)
• Tremendous cozy pod beds
• Energetic bar makes assembly folks a breeze

Beds from 20 GBP, personal rooms from 179 GBP.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally positioned hostel is about in a collection of historic buildings proper close to each the Previous City and the practice station. It’s homey and quiet and has a little bit of a no-frills look, with dated décor and previous picket flooring. It’s not a social place, however every part is clear and comfy and feels very lived in (versus being overly sterile, like many hostels nowadays). The one draw back is that, as a result of the hostel is in a historic constructing, there is no such thing as a elevator.

The rooms listed below are a bit easy and small, however the beds are comfortable and have respectable mattresses. There are not any curtains for the beds, however there are lockers in your stuff and the loos are all the time saved clear. There’s a giant kitchen and a wide range of room sorts to select from, together with single personal rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfortable penthouse suite. Total, it’s an affordable and quiet place to remain in an ideal location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a look:

• $$
• Feminine-only dorms
• Nice location
• Massive kitchen

Beds from 26 GBP, personal rooms from 65 GBP.

7. Code Pod – The Court

This boutique hostel is positioned in a former courthouse and jail (it’s within the Previous City so you may stroll in all places). A few of the previous cells have been transformed into small personal rooms, making for a really distinctive keep. There’s an underground bar too (with whisky tastings), which simply provides to the attraction of the place. A scrumptious breakfast is obtainable within the mornings too, that includes waffles, pastries, and oatmeal.

As for the dorms, the pod beds have very nice mattresses, in addition to particular person lights, cabinets, and shops so you may cost your gear (they’ve curtains and earplugs and eye masks are supplied too, so you may sleep effectively). The hostel additionally has female-only dorms.

If you would like a singular, extra upscale hostel, keep right here. It’s a extremely neat place!

Code Pod at a look:

• $$$
• Tremendous comfortable pod beds
• Cool underground bar
• Feminine-only dorm

Beds from 43 GBP, personal rooms from 140 GBP.

With its beautiful structure and unimaginable historical past, I by no means get bored with exploring Edinburgh. It’s such a fantastic metropolis to get misplaced in, bouncing from pub to pub, from café to café. There’s a lot to see and do (including lots of spooky ghost tours), and whereas the climate doesn’t all the time cooperate, that’s simply a part of Edinburgh’s attraction. So long as you keep in one of many hostels above, you’ll have a enjoyable, reasonably priced, and good place to remain.
 

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