8 best hostels in Edinburgh 2024

Edinburgh is the second most populated city in the country and also the Scottish capital. It's a beautiful place and also one of the greenest cities in the British Isles. Edinburgh is home to the Scottish Parliament building, the Edinburgh Castle, plus the Georgian New Town and Edinburgh Old Town which are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This city often hosts many big events like the Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival which is just one of the reasons why many people travel here. On top of that, famous institutions like the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and the National Library of Scotland are found in this city, making it the perfect destination for those who are interested in culture and history.

As you plan your trip to Edinburgh you'll need to choose a place to stay. Most travelers stay in hotels, Airbnbs or vacation rental homes, but hostels are also a great choice, especially for those who are vacationing on a budget. Most hostels are quite social and put on fun events and activities for their guests, giving you the chance to meet other people who are vacationing in Edinburgh. Remember that you can take advantage of Bounce luggage storage services whenever you're traveling abroad; we have plenty of locations all over town and even partner up with some hostels in Edinburgh. Edinburgh luggage storage is just one marvelous thing about the city.

St Christopher's Inn Edinburgh

When looking for a comfortable and affordable place to stay, consider staying at one of St Christopher's Edinburgh hostels. They have two great locations in the city; one in the Old Town and another situated close by in the city centre meaning that you'll have access to all of the tourist attractions like Arthur's Seat or the historic Royal Mile.

Both hostels have accommodations to suit solo travelers, guests traveling in pairs, or even people vacationing as a group. Travelers can choose between private rooms with an ensuite or mixed and gendered dorm rooms with a shared bathroom, both of which are great depending on the kind of experience that you're looking for. They value safety and comfort, and since this hostel is a Bounce luggage storage partner you'll never have to worry about where to keep your suitcases while you're out.

What makes St Christopher's Inn Edinburgh unique

There are some perks of staying at St Christopher's Inn, like the fact that both locations have their own bar, internet lounge and chill-out room where guests can relax or socialize with other travelers. The hostel also hosts regular events like pub crawls or free walking tours of the city.

St Christopher's Inn Edinburgh pricing

St Christopher's hostel prices are affordable, even for those who are visiting Edinburgh on a budget. On average, you can get a bed in their 10-bed dorm for just £41.00 per night and about £402.00 for a private room that can sleep up to 6.

High Street Hostel Edinburgh

This is a popular Royal Mile backpackers hostel since it's in a great location right by the Old Town. History lovers will appreciate the building which is nearly 500 years old. They spoil their guests with a lounge room, free wifi, a fully functional kitchen, clean bathrooms with a hair dryer, and comfy beds with power sockets. Their sleeping accommodations include private twin rooms that are perfect for 2 guests, as well as dormitories that sleep 4, 12, or 18. Their shared rooms are either mixed or female-only.

What makes High Street Hostel Edinburgh unique

The High Street Hostel is known to be a great place to meet new people, mainly because they are always putting on activities for their guests. You'll never get bored with nightly pub crawls, pool table tournaments, movie nights, burger dinners, and more. They also have a nice outdoor terrace where you can, hopefully, enjoy some nice weather.

High Street Hostel Edinburgh pricing

Prices in this hostel vary from about £28.00 per night for a spot in the large dorm rooms to about £80.00 per night to have a private twin room.

Castle Rock Hostel

This just might be one of the best hostels in Edinburgh based on location. It's situated right under one of the top landmarks in the Old Town; the incredible Edinburgh Castle. The building was constructed back in 1846 and it has been used as a backpackers hostel since 1997.

Just a short walk away you'll find lots of restaurants, bars and cafes, and if you'd rather make your own food you can use their self-catering kitchen. Take a break anytime in one of their multiple lounges, each of which has something different to offer whether it be entertainment or relaxation. They have rooms of varying sizes able to accommodate groups of between 2 and 16 guests.

What makes Castle Rock Hostel unique

Other than having a fantastic location, this Edinburgh hostel also has some really nice facilities that all of its guests love. After you come back from a day full of sightseeing you can relax in their movie room, play a couple of games on the pool table, read a book in the library, or play some music on their guitar and piano.

Castle Rock Hostel pricing

For a spot in their biggest room, which holds 16 guests, it will cost you about £22.00 per night. To have a basic quad room to yourself the average price is about £120.00.

The Haystack Hostel

This is the perfect hostel for those looking to explore both Edinburgh's historic Old Town and New Town since it's a central hostel located right in between them. It's definitely not a party hostel and they have only a few rooms including double rooms and several dorms.

From here, you'll be within easy walking distance to the Waverley train station which can bring you to almost anywhere else in the city. On the same floor as your room, there is also a lounge area, bathrooms with showers, and a well-equipped guest kitchen. You can book a private double room or a dorm room with 6 or 12 beds. The Haystack has female-only rooms as well.

What makes The Haystack Hostel unique

The best thing about this hostel is definitely its convenient location. Since you can easily catch a ride to other train stations you'll have practically the entirety of Edinburgh city at your fingertips.

The Haystack Hostel pricing

The least expensive option at this hostel is a bed in their 12 person dorm which costs about £140.00 per night. The average nightly cost for the double private room is £410.00.

The Belford Hostel

This hostel in Edinburgh is located in the West End close to Dean Village and Water of Leith. Guests will be able to reach places like the Edinburgh Waverley station and the Haymarket train station which can also give you access to other parts of the city.

The building used to be a church from the 19th century but has been converted into a backpackers' hostel with dorm rooms that sleep between 4 and 10 people. The hostel has very unique decor with sports memorabilia of different teams from all over the world.

What makes The Belford Hostel unique

At Belford, you'll have access to a residents' bar which is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of exploring Scotland's capital. There is also an outdoor BBQ area that only guests of the hostel are able to use, plus a dartboard, large screen TV for movies, and a pool table.

The Belford Hostel pricing

The price for staying in their 4-person dorm room will be about £25.00 per night, and to have your own private double room with an ensuite bathroom the price will be around £110.00.

CoDE Pod Hostels - The CoURT

CoDE Pod is proud to offer a luxurious hostel location where you can stay in a very comfortable bed and not have to pay as much as you would in a hotel. Its central location is also a plus, and you'll be situated right on the Royal Mile and just a short distance away from Edinburgh Castle.

They have common areas where guests can socialize amongst one another and share stories about their travels and, being located in what used to be a courthouse and jail, you'll never find another hostel quite like it. Their private rooms are made from what used to be jail cells, some of which are ensuites, and the dorm room is made out of the old courthouse. They also have other dorms of varying sizes, some of which are female-only.

What makes CoDE Pod Hostels - The CoURT unique

If you're interested in tasting some of the local Scottish alcohol then you'll absolutely want to join in on their whisky and beer tasting sessions held in their underground bar. You'll never go hungry here since they serve a delicious breakfast of waffles every morning.

CoDE Pod Hostels - The CoURT pricing

The nightly price for a pod in one of their dorm rooms starts at just £24.00, and you can also book your own 10-person dormitory all to yourself for around £248.00.

Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel

Situated near the Edinburgh city centre with plenty of nearby attractions, this is the ultimate place for busy sightseers to stay. From here, you can hop onto any of the major transport links like the Edinburgh rail station, bus station and tram stop, which is your gateway to exploring Edinburgh in whichever way you want.

Their sleeping accommodations include family rooms, shared spaces and private rooms, and each one comes with an ensuite bathroom and storage locker. On site there is also a small kitchen, laundry room and bike storage, plus they offer free wifi.

What makes Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel unique

The Central Youth Hostel has social spaces where you can mingle with other guests, plus a cafe and bar that is open from early in the morning until late in the evening. You can stop by anytime for some delicious food and drinks.

Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel pricing

The price for staying at this hostel can vary depending on when you're there, but on average the cost for bunk beds in the dorm starts at £26.00 and private rooms can cost up to £156.00.

Argyle Backpackers

Argyle Backpackers hostel was established back in 1989 and is located in the Meadows area close to the city centre. It's easy to reach some of the main attractions from here like the Royal Mile, the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Meadows and Edinburgh Castle.

The hostel includes free wifi, a book exchange library, two kitchens with free tea and coffee, as well as laundry facilities. Their rooms include dorms, both mixed and female-only, and private rooms suitable for between 1 and 3 guests.

What makes Argyle Backpackers unique

This hostel features a cozy lounge space with a big TV, computer and fireplace, as well as a spacious conservatory area with a piano and guitar. They also have a lovely garden outside where you can take it easy and enjoy nature.

Argyle Backpackers pricing

This is a fairly cheap hostel and to stay in a 6-person dormitory room it will cost you just £19.00 per night. Guests who want a private triple room will need to pay approximately £110.00 per night.

Finding the best hostel in Edinburgh

There are lots of cheap hostels that can help you save some money as well as many party hostels where you can meet plenty of cool people, and it's definitely a different experience than staying in a hotel.

Whether you're backpacking in Edinburgh or just visiting on a budget, consider staying in one of these places the next time that you're vacationing here. For more information about Edinburgh read these other helpful articles; Best Time to Visit Edinburgh and 3 Days in Edinburgh: Everything You Should Know.