Coming up in this guide: surprising hikes and bike rides, a big fat castle, the planet’s biggest arts festival, and the 15 best hostels in Edinburgh.
You’re here because you’re visiting Edinburgh and want to know where to stay in the city.
You’re also here because you don’t want to spend loads of money while doing it.
… so in this bed-stuffed guide, I’ve brought you the city’s best hostels.
Since you probably don’t have time to read this entire guide, my quick recommendations are… Castle Rock Hostel (it’s the best overall hostel in the city), and Haystack Hostel (cute and cozy, it’s one of the city’s most underrated accommodations).
And if you’re a digital nomad looking for a long-term co-living place, get yourself to CoDE Co-Living – The LoFT.
Anyway, enough of all the introductory stuff; here are the 15 best hostels in Edinburgh. On we go!
1. Castle Rock Hostel
The most well-known hostel in Edinburgh, this place has nearly 23,000 reviews on Hostelworld (with a massive 9.5 overall rating).
And if that doesn’t convince you to stay at the place, I don’t know what will.
Sitting right beside Edinburgh Castle, the hostel serves up fancy decor, and lovely views over the city. Other perks include lots of comfy common spaces (both indoors and outdoors), a pool table, a jukebox, board games, comfortable beds, a well-equipped kitchen, and friendly staff.
You’ll make friends, you’ll play games, you’ll find people to eat and drink with, and you’ll have a lovely time—Castle Rock Hostel somehow feels both homely and exciting. Unless you’re looking for a quiet unsociable place, I can’t recommend this hostel enough.
Yep, it’s a bit pricier than most other options, but it’s absolutely worth the money.
Amazing stay, and an unbeatable location with great views of the castle and a very short walk to the Royal Mile. Super friendly staff with activities happening every night. The atmosphere was a great welcome to Scotland and the rooms/beds are themed which I thought was cute. Facilities weren’t amazing but that’s to be expected at a hostel. Would highly recommend!!
— Morgan (Read more reviews)
Castle Rock Hostel
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Last Updated June, 2025
2. Edinburgh Backpackers
This is one of the best-located hostels in Edinburgh.
Here, you’re sitting on Cockburn Street (which is the city’s top ‘this-looks-like-something-from-a-Harry-Potter-movie’ street), you’re beside the Royal Mile and the main train station, and you’re right in the center of the city.
High points of the hostel itself include tidy rooms, a good kitchen, and a pool table. It’s not quite as sociable as some other options, so it’s good if you want to stay central without making endless friends.
The staff can help you to organize tours, and can offer loads of advice about both Edinburgh and Scotland in general.
If you want to tackle some cycling adventures in Edinburgh, this location is perfect—you’re right beside the National Cycle Network route 1. You can follow this route on little rides, you can follow it south all the way to Newcastle (along the Coast and Castles route), or you can ride from the NCN 1 to the NCN 75 and the NCN 754, to ride all the way to Glasgow.
You can find a map of the entire National Cycle Network here… and here’s lots of information about where to hire bikes in Edinburgh.
For more two-wheeled adventures, here are the 13 best cycling routes in Edinburgh.
Loved my stay at Edinburgh Backpackers – by far my fave of the Edinburgh hostels I’ve stayed in so far. It’s super central but somehow also incredibly quiet. I booked a 14 bed room somewhat hesitantly (I like to be in smaller rooms usually), but the beds were in sets of four with solid partitions between, so it felt very private despite being such a big dorm. Bathroom facilities were sufficient for the number of people and clean. They also make up the bed for you, which is an added nice touch.
— Georgina (Read more reviews)
Edinburgh Backpackers
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Last Updated June, 2025
3. Kick Ass Greyfriars
A 3-minute walk from Castle Rock Hostel, the horrendously-named ‘Kick Ass Greyfriars’ is one of the city’s most funky and modern hostels.
It’s a pretty sociable place, the on-site bar serves up around-the-clock meals, and they offer pub crawls, quizzes, lots of other travelers, and loads of opportunities for socializing. If you want to make friends without staying in a dated place, this is one of the best hostels in Edinburgh.
It’s not as clean or tidy as the pictures make it look, and you won’t find a good communal kitchen.
This is also a decent choice for digital nomads. The massive cafe area has lots of chairs and tables, where you can plonk yourself down for a few hours of work.
I enjoyed my stay at Kickass (love the name haha). The staff were helpful, beds were good, facilities were generally clean (some of the men’s showers could’ve used a bit more privacy) and the atmosphere was pretty good, they had nightly events going on which was a good way to meet other travelers! I was glad they had an option for breakfast, but my only complaint was that there wasn’t much variety.
— Jackson (Read more reviews)
Kick Ass Greyfriars
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Last Updated June, 2025
4. Kick Ass Grassmarket
Another allegedly ‘kick ass’ place (the 80s wants its references back), this is another of the best hostels in Edinburgh for making friends.
… again, they offer pub crawls and quizzes, and (again) they have a nice shared bar area—serving up breakfast, drinks, and lots of other backpackers.
One of the busiest hostels in the city, their biggest dorm has 22 beds(!), and many of the dorms have pod-style sleeping arrangements.
Like many of the places we’ve brought you, it’s in a central location, just south of the castle.
As a nice bonus, the staff here are good at recommending adventures both inside and outside of the city.
(For more outside-of-Edinburgh fun, here are the 15 best day trips from Edinburgh).
Sublime! Walking distance from EVERYTHING AND GREAT STAFF and a great place to relax and play games after a busy day touring or working. Excellent all around
— alexferre81692 (Read more reviews)
Kick Ass Grassmarket
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Last Updated June, 2025
5. High Street Hostel
One of the best hostels in Edinburgh for finding an affordable stay.
It’s central and friendly, there’s a nice sociable atmosphere, and it’s one of the cheapest well-known options.
The hostel breakfast only costs £3, which is a pretty good deal. Other perks include free tea and coffee (and free hot chocolate!), pretty outdoor areas, a good communal kitchen, and a pool table (why do so many Edinburgh hostels have pool tables?).
It’s a little dirty and dingy in parts, but so are most hostels.
If you like outdoor stuff, listen up: this hostel sits relatively close to both Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat, two of the best city-center hikes in Edinburgh*. I recommend hitting them both.
*For more walking and wandering in Scotland’s capital, here are the 19 best hikes in and around Edinburgh.
Really enjoyed the stay here for the price. Stayed in the female dorm which has lockers and the beds are comfortable. Lovely atmosphere in the hostel and friendly staff. Just off the royal mile which was an incredible location.
— orlalblake6708 (Read more reviews)
High Street Hostel
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Last Updated June, 2025
6. Royal Mile Backpackers
Another of the best-known hostels in Edinburgh, and another of the best-located hostels in Edinburgh.
As you probably guessed from its name, Royal Mile Backpackers sits right on the Royal Mile*, the most famous street in the city. This street is home to loads of pubs and restaurants, some famous tourist attractions (like St Giles’ Cathedral and the Museum of Edinburgh), and some cute and kooky stuff (like The Chocolatarium and the Camera Obscura).
*If you want to explore the best of the Royal Mile (and learn some history while you do it), get yourself on a guided tour of the street.
The hostel itself is one of the best in the city. A nice balance between basic and sociable, it’s not too noisy, but it’s not too quiet. It’s clean and cozy, it attracts a mixed age-range of backpackers, they offer free tea and coffee, and the breakfast is only £3.
Because it’s so central, Royal Mile Backpackers can be a bit noisy (with noise leaking in from all the nearby pubs). So carry some earplugs. The bedrooms are also a little cramped and a little hot (but unless you’re traveling in summer, neither of those two things should be a problem).
Location is unbeatable at this hostel! Have seen a few people also say the dorms could benefit from privacy curtains – not the place to stay if you need a good sleep! Be warned: there’s a venue directly underneath the dorms. But in saying that, really good vibes, good facilities, pretty welcoming, and heaps of events to meet fellow travellers! Also, was very secure/safe.
— Luimaria (Read more reviews)
Royal Mile Backpackers
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Last Updated June, 2025
7. The Hostel
I’m not sure how these guys managed to nab their name, but pat on the back for getting in there early (presumably before every other hostel on the planet).
One of the best hostels in Edinburgh for quiet stays, this place is pretty bland and boring… but if you value price over sociability, it’s a reasonable choice.
The shared kitchen is well-equipped, the prices are low, and the big garden is a nice place to chill on a sunny day.
Cons include hard beds, creaky bunks, a lack of good lockers, and an uninspiring vibe.
This hostel sits in Haymarket, a 15-minute walk west of all the places we’ve brought you so far. In and around this area, you’ll find National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One and Modern Two*, Haymarket train station, some cheap places to eat and drink, and the strange village-in-a-city neighborhood of Dean Village.
*For more museums, here are the 11 best free museums in Edinburgh.
The name of hostel should be The Best Hostel, instead of The Hostel. I stay[ed] there 2 days and [to] be honest that was my best hostel experience. Staff is very welcome and nice , the kitchen is full of equipment. You can buy food and cook it there. There is always free coffee and tea, and even a corner for Free Food. The location is perfect and the hostel has a super cosy atmosphere.
— Aram (Read more reviews)
8. Edinburgh House Hotel
To the east of central Edinburgh, you’ll find Leith.
My favorite part of the city, it’s a partially-gentrified hipster hangout serving up a combo of old-school retro spots and new-school venues. If you like bohemian neighborhoods, you’ll love the place.
… and as you’ve probably worked out from that intro, Edinburgh House Hotel sits close to the neighborhood. If you want to be near to both Leith and the center of Edinburgh, this is where you want to stay.
Weirdly, this place isn’t really a hostel… so (although it has a page on Hostelworld) it’s not really one of the best hostels in Edinburgh. You get no social atmosphere, and you won’t make any friends.
But it’s tidy, quiet, homely, and the showers are good.
Because they have big multi-bed family rooms, Edinburgh House Hotel is a good budget pick for families. If you’re on the hunt for private rooms, this is one of the most affordable places in the city.
Edinburgh House Hotel
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Last Updated June, 2025
9. CoDE Pod – the CoURT
I’m NoT sURE WhAT All THesE MismATcHed LettErs ARe abOut, but this place is popular for its pod-style beds. A former jail and courthouse, it’s now one of the city’s most luxurious hostels.
You get comfortable pillows, comfortable mattresses, nice showers, a great communal kitchen, spacious private rooms, and a relatively upmarket vibe. If you want a hostel that doesn’t “feel” like a hostel, this is for you.
It’s very clean and comfortable, they offer organized tours and activities, and it attracts quieter sociable folks who want to make friends (but not spend all night partying). The common areas are pretty good for working in; perfect for digital nomads.
Yep, it’s a bit pricier than most other options we’ve brought you, but it’s definitely worth the money.
I love this place. It was super clean and safe. Me and my friends (all girls) were nervous to stay in a hostel, but we felt very safe here. There are three code pads to get through to get into your room, curtains on the beds, and lockers with combination locks. Also, the atmosphere and vibe here are amazing and so nice. The staff and the people that I met are extremely welcoming and nice. I would stay here again and recommend it to anyone who wants to stay in Edinburgh.
— Ellie (Read more reviews)
CoDE Pod – The CoURT
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Last Updated June, 2025
10. CoDE Co-Living – the LoFT
AnoTHer oF ThESe MisMaTCHeD LEtTeR PlACEs, this hostel calls itself “the first co-living and hostel hybrid in Edinburgh.”
It’s a little less sociable than the other CoDE venue, but it’s (of course) better for getting some work done.
It’s pretty quiet, but it’s modern and well-equipped, it’s very clean and tidy, and the beds are comfortable (some beds are pod-style; some are just normal beds).
And get this: they offer discounts for long-term stays, and some people stay here for many months. If you’re looking for a co-living-style space in Edinburgh, this is for you (although, like any other co-living space, this is quite expensive). The workspaces are comfortable, the kitchen is well-equipped, and the internet is fast and reliable.
Overall, of course, one of the best hostels in Edinburgh for digital nomads.
Cleanest hostel I have ever stayed at. Location was amazing. And amenities were fantastic. Bed was comfortable. I loved the privacy provided by the pod. I was honestly super impressed and would definitely stay at again and recommend.
— Leisa (Read more reviews)
CoDE Co-Living – The LoFT
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Last Updated June, 2025
11. Princes Street Hostel
Let’s be clear: this is a basic budget pick. It’s an old-school-style hostel, rather than one of those new funky modern hostels we’re all used to now.
It’s not inspiring or interesting in any way, it’s not particularly modern, and it’s not the most sociable place on the planet.
But it’s clean and tidy, the staff are friendly, the location is good, and the mattresses are very comfortable.
If you just want a simple place to get some sleep, you’ll think this is one of the best hostels in Edinburgh. If you want more than that, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Great location. Super super clean premises; which is always an issue for me but this hostel is CLEAN! Love how friendly and considerate the staff is. Everyone respects the common area decorum and lot of respect for other people’s space. Thank you so much for a wonderful stay!
— Sarjana (Read more reviews)
Princes Street Hostel
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Last Updated June, 2025
12. St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town
One of the best hostels in Edinburgh for making friends.
Along with a couple of smaller social spaces, St Christopher’s has an on-site bar (serving both food and drinks) which sometimes hosts events, live music, DJ nights, and free-pizza evenings. Other perks of the hostel include good proximity to the main train station, a central location, and modern decor.
The continental breakfast is £5, but it’s not great value. Other cons include small showers and small rooms—and it’s not the cleanest place on the planet.
This was a great place to stay when visiting Edinburgh. It was clean and welcoming, even to this 56 yr old man The other guests were nice and the facility was very clean. It is the first week of October on a weekday, so the facility was not crowded. I stayed in a six bedroom dorm. The breakfast was filling. The staff was very inviting and helpful. I feel the place is safe due to the fact that each room has its own electronic key. Bring/buy a lock to lock your bags below the bed, just in case.
— Per Sven (Read more reviews)
St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town
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Last Updated June, 2025
13. Haystack Hostel
Cute, kooky and cozy, this minimalistic place is great.
The sparse decor is largely wooden, the on-site kitchen is one of the best in the city, and they offer books, board games, and playing cards. Other high points include lots of storage space, lots of charging points, and privacy curtains on most of the beds.
It attracts a slightly-older crowd of people (aged between around 30 and 50), and there are some places to sit and work (perfect if that’s part of your traveling plan).
Cons include cramped toilets and showers—and noise from the outside sometimes leaks into the hostel.
If you want a compromise between making friends and not constantly partying, this is one of the best hostels in Edinburgh. If I was gonna stay in the city, I’d probably choose this place.
Lovely quiet hostel in the very centre of Edinburgh. Showers were clean and always available when I wanted one. Kitchen was tidy and full of cooking items so great if you are wanting to cook here. Mostly women stay at this hostel (pretty sure I didn’t see a single man) so great for solo female travelling.
— Jessica (Read more reviews)
Haystack Hostel
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Last Updated June, 2025
14. Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel
Less central than its name wants you to believe, Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel sits just north of Calton Hill (and is around a 10-minute walk from the center of the city).
If you’ll be wandering into both Leith and central Edinburgh, this is a good location.
The hostel itself is big but basic (it’s an official Hostelling Scotland option, so it’s a retro-style hostel, rather than a new-school one). So you can expect big shared spaces, big bedrooms, and excellent kitchen equipment. But you can also expect low levels of sociability, an office-like vibe, and poor WiFi.
The on-site cafe bar serves snacks and small meals, and it’s relatively affordable.
Overall, one of the best hostels in Edinburgh for families and big groups.
Lovely hostel — did not realise my room was an en-suite dormitory so that was a pleasant surprise! Bed and linen clean and comfy, large kitchen, fairly well-equipped. Welcoming of families with children and older folks as well, which some hostels do not permit. Offer other facilities like breakfast, bar, games room etc that I did not utilise but looked good. Very helpful staff. Location, Edinburgh new town — 10 min *uphill* walk to Edinburgh Waverley station. Overall, good, will return.
— Teesta (Read more reviews)
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel
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Last Updated June, 2025
15. Argyle Backpackers
Cozy, homely and retro, this option is pretty different to most other places we’ve brought you—while it is a hostel (they have dorm rooms, private rooms, and shared areas), it feels a bit more like a guesthouse.
If you prefer comfy vibes over social ones, you’ll think this is one of the best hostels in Edinburgh. It’s nice for couples, and people who don’t feel the need to be in a social space.
Perks include free tea and coffee, a super-pretty garden area, and a great laundry service.
Cons include squeaky bed frames, and a less-than-ideal location. Argyle Backpackers sits on the southern outskirts of the city (so you get more green spaces, and less bustle—it’s around a 15-minute walk to the center of the city).
All in all, a nice homely place to stay. But, be warned: it’s a bit more expensive than it should be.
great hostel for the fringe. quiet at night, comfy bed. good shower. good kitchen. nothing to complain about!
— Dr_mullaman9636 (Read more reviews)
Argyle Backpackers
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Last Updated June, 2025
Pro Tips for Staying at Hostels in Edinburgh
Before You Go
Yep, you’ve reached the end of this guide—they’re the 15 best hostels in Edinburgh!
To sum things up, the very best hostel in Edinburgh is Castle Rock Hostel. It’s popular, busy, and well-known, and it’s somehow both cozy and sociable.
Other top options include Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel (great for families), and Haystack Hostel (ideal for under-the-radar fun).
And if you’re a remote worker, CoDE Co-Living – The LoFT is your best option. It’s halfway between a hostel and a co-living space, and they offer big discounts for long stays.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and thanks for being you. See you again soon!
For more guidance on where to stay in Scotland’s capital, here’s everything you need to know about the best areas in Edinburgh. And to plan your entire trip, here’s our 2-day Edinburgh itinerary.
