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The 10 Best Hostels in Edinburgh, UK

Some of the best backpacker spots in Edinburgh

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Wonderful: 9+ Very Good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
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In a prime location in the Leith district of Edinburgh, JUST SLEEP Hostel is located 1.7 km from Royal Yacht Britannia, 1.9 km from Edinburgh Playhouse and 2.5 km from Edinburgh Waverley station. The property is set 3 km from Royal Mile, 3.2 km from Camera Obscura and World of Illusions and 3.3 km from The Real Mary King's Close. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and free WiFi.

It does what is says it does, just sleep :). It was all clean, close to tram station which takes you to airport, nice neighborhood. So I had good sleep.

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8.1
Very Good
1,498 reviews
Price from
$79
per night

Princes Street Hostel is well set in the centre of Edinburgh, and provides a shared lounge and free WiFi. The property is close to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, University of Edinburgh and The Real Mary King's Close. The property is non-smoking and is located 300 metres from Edinburgh Waverley station.

Extremely clean and the staff are super friendly.. I highly recommend it!

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8.5
Very Good
1,602 reviews
Price from
$36
per night

Attractively situated in Edinburgh, CoDE Pod Hostels - THE CoURT is 100 metres from The Real Mary King's Close. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Royal Mile, National Museum of Scotland, and Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk.

Friendly staff and atmosphere. We'll organized to meet the needs of the short trip traveler. Location was perfect, especially since the Fringe and the Tattoo were taking place.

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8.7
Excellent
7,751 reviews
Price from
$45
per night

Kick Ass Grassmarket (18+) is conveniently located in Edinburgh, and has a shared lounge, free WiFi and a bar. This 4-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. The accommodation offers evening entertainment and a tour desk.

The room was clean, light and spacious. I didn't expect the capsule bed would be so large and comfortable. It was quiet and I could have a very good sleep after all the excursions. The staff was so friendly and helpful!

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8.2
Very Good
7,440 reviews
Price from
$31
per night

Each pod-style room at Code Hostel Edinburgh has a shower room and you can relax in bright communal areas, too.

The hostel is within 10 minutes' walk of Edinburgh Waverly Railway Station, while Edinburgh Castle and the old town can be reached in around 15 minutes by foot.

Perfect place, in the heart of Edinburgh but quiet

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8.1
Very Good
1,307 reviews
Price from
$64
per night

Situated in central Edinburgh, the High Street Hostel offers free WiFi in all areas. Dating back to 1564, this historic property is on a small side street, just off the Royal Mile.

The hostel offers single beds in shared dormitory rooms. Each bed has a bedside safe and a locker. The rooms have access to shared bathroom facilities.

the location is amazing and is very close to everything. the hostel was clean in any rooms.

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8.2
Very Good
2,545 reviews
Price from
$30
per night

Mixed and female dormitories have bunk beds and lockers, and guests can make use of laundry services, hairdryers and adaptors. Luggage storage is available at the property. Bicycle storage is available at the High Street Hostel just across the road.

Super. The personal is very good.

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8.4
Very Good
1,361 reviews
Price from
$34
per night

The hostel offers accommodation exclusively for guests aged 18 years and older. Dormitories feature bunk beds with bedside lockers and have use of shared bathroom facilities with showers. There is a cosy lounge with a piano and large sofas by the fireplace, a movie room with big screen and an internet lounge with WiFi.

lots of lounges and areas to relax and interact with the other guests.

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8.6
Excellent
3,120 reviews
Price from
$33
per night

Just 50 metres from Edinburgh’s bustling Princes Street, Haystack Hostel is set in a renovated 18th-century Georgian building. It offers (not 24h reception) with free Wi-Fi and a fully equipped shared kitchen.

The place is super clean, the location is amaizing and the staff is super friendly. My friends and I felt always safe and comfortable.

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8.2
Very Good
960 reviews
Price from
$47
per night

Popular points of interest near the hostel include National Museum of Scotland, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions and University of Edinburgh. The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport, 10 km from Edinburgh Backpackers.

The staff was great and super helpful!! We enjoyed the surrounding areas. The location is perfect 👍

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7.4
Good
1,325 reviews
Price from
$37
per night

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travelers know there's no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: Save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a little more.
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  • JUST SLEEP Hostel
    Budget options available
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,498 reviews

    Well set in the Leith district of Edinburgh, JUST SLEEP Hostel is located 1.1 miles from Royal Yacht Britannia, 1.2 miles from Edinburgh Playhouse and 1.6 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.

    Parking close to hostel Hot shower Quiet room Good wifi

  • Princes Street Hostel
    Budget options available
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,602 reviews

    Princes Street Hostel is conveniently set in the center of Edinburgh, and provides a shared lounge and free WiFi.

    It was one the best hostel I've been. Thanks só much!

  • Kick Ass Grassmarket (18+)
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 7,440 reviews

    Kick Ass Grassmarket (18+) is located conveniently in Edinburgh, and has a shared lounge, free WiFi and a bar. This 4-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk.

    Everything... Great staff, comfortable, pool table

  • CoDE Co-Living – The LoFT - Edinburgh
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,306 reviews

    CoDE Co-Living - The LoFT is set on Rose Street North Lane, just a short walk from Princes Street. It offers modern interiors within a red brick-clad period building.

    Perfect place, in the heart of Edinburgh but quiet

  • High Street Hostel
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 2,545 reviews

    Located in central Edinburgh, the High Street Hostel offers free WiFi in all areas. Dating back to 1564, this historic property is on a small side street, just off the Royal Mile.

    Friendly and cozy atmosphere. Located in the centre.

  • Royal Mile Backpackers
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,361 reviews

    Five minutes’ walk from Edinburgh Station and less than 10 minutes from Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile Backpackers enjoys a central location surrounded by bars, cafés and restaurants.

    Everythimg The best place I have ever stayed !!!!

  • 8.6
    Scored 8.6
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 3,120 reviews

    In Edinburgh’s Old Town, Castle Rock Hostel - Adults Only is conveniently located 11 minutes’ walk from Waverley Train Station, and 3 minutes from Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle.

    comfortable, welcoming & excellent facilities.

  • Haystack Hostel
    Budget options available
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 960 reviews

    Just 164 feet from Edinburgh’s bustling Princes Street, Haystack Hostel is set in a renovated 18th-century Georgian building.

    It's like an amazing experience at the property .

Great access to the city center! Check these hostels in Edinburgh

  • CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 7,751 reviews

    Attractively located in Edinburgh, CoDE Pod Hostels - THE CoURT is 328 feet from The Real Mary King's Close.

    Location was perfect and staff where lovely and helpful.

  • Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+)
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 4,503 reviews

    Featuring a shared lounge, a terrace as well as a bar, Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) is located in the center of Edinburgh, a 9-minute walk from Royal Mile.

    Location was perfect! Staff are helpful and friendly.

  • Edinburgh Central Accommodation
    7.8
    Scored 7.8
    Good
    Rated good
     · 3,196 reviews

    The 5-star Edinburgh Central Accommodations is just 0.5 miles from the shops of Princes Street and Edinburgh Rail Station.

    The check in was easy, everything was very simple.

  • St Christopher's Edinburgh Old Town
    7.5
    Scored 7.5
    Good
    Rated good
     · 3,029 reviews

    Conveniently set in Edinburgh, St Christopher's Edinburgh Old Town provides air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi and a bar.

    Location , staff was great . Nice bed . Facilities.

  • Edinburgh Backpackers
    7.4
    Scored 7.4
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,325 reviews

    Well situated in the center of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Backpackers provides free WiFi and a shared lounge.

    Heat in the bedroom quiteness of the place and felt secure

  • The Baxter Hostel
    7.4
    Scored 7.4
    Good
    Rated good
     · 2,761 reviews

    Offering boutique hostel accommodations, The Baxter Hostel is located in the city center of Edinburgh. Free WiFi access is available. The dormitories feature bunk beds and secure lockers.

    Great atmosphere. Great staff. International guests

  • Argyle Backpackers
    7.2
    Scored 7.2
    Good
    Rated good
     · 934 reviews

    Located in Edinburgh and with University of Edinburgh reachable within a 9-minute walk, Argyle Backpackers has express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free WiFi and a shared...

    It's perfectly located near Meadows , clean and quiet.

  • West End Hotel
    Central location
    7.1
    Scored 7.1
    Good
    Rated good
     · 2,682 reviews

    The West End Hotel is located in a B-listed Victorian townhouse only 15-minutes walk from the West End of Princes Street, the perfect base to relax yet within easy reach of all that Edinburgh has to...

    Ver clean staff very helpful a pleasant place to stay

  • St Christopher's Edinburgh Original
    7.0
    Scored 7.0
    Good
    Rated good
     · 2,622 reviews

    Located opposite Waverley railway station, St Christopher's offers budget accommodations in central Edinburgh with free Wi-Fi, electronic card entry system, lockers, and insured luggage storage.

    Ideal location. Had storage for our bags on check out.

  • a&o Edinburgh City
    7.0
    Scored 7.0
    Good
    Rated good
     · 4,897 reviews

    A lively/quirky and beautiful accommodations in the center of the Scottish capital.

    staff were very friendly and helpful. food was amazing

  • The Hostel
    Central location
    7.0
    Scored 7.0
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,981 reviews

    Set in an original Victorian building, this funky hostel offers dorm rooms with large windows and high ceilings.

    good location, well equipped guest pantry, helpful staff

  • Belford Hostel
    Central location
    6.9
    Scored 6.9
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 374 reviews

    Featuring a garden, a shared lounge as well as a bar, Belford Hostel is located in the center of Edinburgh, a 12-minute walk from EICC.

    I liked the room, hot shower and bathroom utensils

  • Edinburgh West Side Hostel
    6.9
    Scored 6.9
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 371 reviews

    Located within 1.2 miles of Murrayfield Stadium and 1.5 miles of Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh West Side Hostel has rooms in Edinburgh.

    Food was not supplied made own arrangements shops were close by

  • Edinburgh College Residence
    6.6
    Scored 6.6
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 513 reviews

    Edinburgh College Residence is located in Edinburgh, within 2.9 miles of Royal Yacht Britannia and 3 miles of EICC.

    Easy parking, nice staff and clean basic en-suite room

  • THE EDINBURGH TOWNHOUSE - Boutique Hostel
    6.3
    Scored 6.3
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 57 reviews

    Located in Edinburgh and within a 10-minute walk of EICC, THE EDINBURGH TOWNHOUSE - Boutique Hostel features a garden, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property.

    They don't bother about anything. Go and enjoy at your own.

FAQ about hostels in Edinburgh







Hostels that guests love in Edinburgh

  • 8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,361 reviews
    Great location in Edinburgh, Friendly staff and clean hostel.
    Patricio
    Solo traveler
  • 7.4
    Scored 7.4
    Good
    Rated good
     · 56 reviews
    A really friendly welcome, quiet room, bed very comfortable. Great location and felt safe staying there.
    Kathryn
    Solo traveler
  • 8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 7,751 reviews
    Absolutely EVERYTHING! Best hostel I've ever stayed at hands down, would revisit again for sure! Great location, the hostel itself is clean, beautiful pods and nice bathrooms, the staff are awesome, and the general facilities were superb (I didn't realise that many hostels didn't have their own laundry facilities and/or were super pricy, this was like £6.50 for both washing and drying including detergent!). Can't recommend enough, thanks for the great stay! :-)
    Dunja
    Solo traveler
  • 7.2
    Scored 7.2
    Good
    Rated good
     · 934 reviews
    A budget backpackers on the edge of the city, it meets all expectations. The building is old and seen many travellers, but I wasn't expecting much more from the backpackers. The kitchen was spacious and had all that was needed. Bathrooms were as clean as would be expected for communal bathrooms. Area was safe and about a 20-30 minute walk from the Edinburgh sites.
    Alexandra
    Young couple
  • 7.1
    Scored 7.1
    Good
    Rated good
     · 2,682 reviews
    I stayed in woman dormitory. It was clean and nice. Stuff was very friendly. It has a bar downstair which js really nice. Location is great. Safe and clean hostel. Highly recommend.
    Nazire
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $295.02
    7.0
    Scored 7.0
    Good
    Rated good
     · 4,897 reviews
    Nothing, it was a cheap backpacker hostel rinsing us a family £330 and not even making two bunks beds up- I had to go back down at 11.45pm after arriving with my wife and kids. I liked nothing it was rubbish l, Hugely expensive, Noisy and not nfelt thoroughly Ripped off.
    Charles
    Family with young children
  • 8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 7,440 reviews
    Great location, cheap enough and as clean as you can expect for a hostel. Also apart from the door slamming as people go in and out... It was quiet for a hostel!
    Chris
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $197.40
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 960 reviews
    I’ve solo traveled a lot and can safely say this is the cleanest hostel I’ve ever stayed in. It was my 8th visit to Edinburgh and I always choose Haystack. In my recent trip I noticed there were a lot of changes, this isn’t a party hostel and people pretty much turn in by 11 pm. Also great location on princess street.
    Shivali
    Solo traveler
  • 8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 2,545 reviews
    great location, and good kitchen and common spaces. the hostel runs events every night which is appealing to young travellers and backpackers
    Ryan
    Travelers with friends
  • 7.4
    Scored 7.4
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,325 reviews
    I stayed at this hostel for about two weeks, whilst I was getting a rental situation sorted for accommodation elsewhere in Edinburgh. The staff were fantastic and really went the extra mile to support me. I felt able to come and go whilst I was working at my job, and the access to the shared kitchen space really made things easier for cooking my own food on a limited budget! Would thoroughly recommend that backpackers stay here, good value and easy connection to Edinburgh Waverly Station :)
    Ursula
    Solo traveler

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