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How to Get to Royal Mile Backpackers from Edinburgh Airport, Waverley Station & Bus Stations

How to Get to Royal Mile Backpackers from Edinburgh Airport, Waverley Station & Bus Stations

  • Writer: Jay
    Jay
  • May 25
  • 5 min read

Located slap-bang in the middle of town, as a backpacker you can't beat the location of Royal Mile Backpackers, a cosy, welcoming hostel located on Edinburgh's most bustling street.


Despite its central location, some backpackers tell us that Royal Mile Backpackers isn't the easiest place to find your first time arriving in the city. That's because it is actually located in a very quiet stairwell that gives you that extra bit of privacy and comfort during your stay.


We've put together this article to tell you all the ways to arrive at Royal Mile Backpackers. Book your stay in Edinburgh through Scotland's Top Hostels for the best price and flexibility:





How Do You Get to Royal Mile Backpackers from Edinburgh Airport?


Arriving into Edinburgh, the easiest way to get to the town centre is to use the Airlink 100 Bus. It's simple to use, runs regularly (around every 10 minutes) 24 hours a day, and you can purchase a single ticket for £6.50 or open return ticket from £8.50. You don't need to book in advance, and you'll find the bus stop (Stop A) right outside of the terminal once you leave baggage return.



Alternatively, you can get the tram to/from Edinburgh Airport into the city centre. The tram runs more frequently at peak hours, but costs more, and often takes longer. It's more affordable and reliable to take the Airlink 100 bus.


Take the bus all the way to the final stop, Waverley Bridge. It's located right next to Edinburgh's central train station, Edinburgh Waverley. As you depart the bus, you'll see Edinburgh's New Town on your right, and Edinburgh's Old Town on your left.


Take the left, and walk all the way to the end of the street also named 'Waverley Bridge'. Cross the road and you'll see the sign for 'Cockburn Street'. Follow Cockburn Street up to the top and you'll find yourself on the Royal Mile at High Street (the Royal Mile is actually a series of streets connecting Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, High Street being the one that Royal Mile Backpackers is located on).

Fun Fact! Cockburn Street (pronounced coh-bern street) was deliberately built cutting through a series of small streets to connect Edinburgh's main train station and the bustling Royal Mile.

At the junction to your left, cross the road, and look for the sign for Royal Mile Backpackers a little in front of John Knox House, the prominent old building that sticks out into the Royal Mile. The building is shared with an Indian Restaurant called Shamoli.


Take the stairs up towards Shamoli, and then take a left into the section of the building painted bright blue with a big map of Scotland on the wall. Walk up the steps and you'll find yourself at the door of Royal Mile Backpackers. The total journey should take around 10 minutes.



If you're arriving before 3pm, you'll find the door locked, but you can drop your luggage for free at High Street Hostel. Head back down the steps, look across the Royal Mile, and you'll see a street called Blackfriars Street. Cross the road, head down Blackfriars Street, and on the right you'll see the sign for High Street Hostel.




Arriving by Train? Here’s How to Reach Royal Mile Backpackers


There are several exits from Edinburgh Waverley station. Avoid taking the exit to Princes Street where possible as this leads the opposite direction. Either head out to Waverley Bridge (just past the food kiosks on the main concourse) or Market Street (from the bridge above the concourse).


From either exit, you'll need to reach Cockburn Street to head towards the Royal Mile. From Market Street, take a right turn and walk along the street until you reach a zebra crossing (with big yellow lights and white markings in the road). Take a left here crossing the road, and you'll see the sign for Cockburn Street.


From the Waverley Bridge exit, take a left as you leave the station and walk all the way to the end of the street. Cross the road and you'll see the sign for 'Cockburn Street'. Follow Cockburn Street up to the top and you'll find yourself on the Royal Mile at High Street (the Royal Mile is actually a series of streets connecting Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, High Street being the one that Royal Mile Backpackers is located on).

Fun Fact! Cockburn Street (pronounced coh-bern street) was deliberately built cutting through a series of small streets to connect Edinburgh's main train station and the bustling Royal Mile.

At the junction to your left, cross the road, and look for the sign for Royal Mile Backpackers a little in front of John Knox House, the prominent old building that sticks out into the Royal Mile. The building is shared with an Indian Restaurant called Shamoli.


Take the stairs up towards Shamoli, and then take a left into the section of the building painted bright blue with a big map of Scotland on the wall. Walk up the steps and you'll find yourself at the door of Royal Mile Backpackers. The total journey should take around 10 minutes.



If you're arriving before 3pm, you'll find the door locked, but you can drop your luggage for free at High Street Hostel. Head back down the steps, look across the Royal Mile, and you'll see a street called Blackfriars Street. Cross the road, head down Blackfriars Street, and on the right you'll see the sign for High Street Hostel.





Arriving in Edinburgh by Bus/Coach? Here’s the Best Way to Reach Royal Mile Backpackers


Edinburgh's main bus station, where operators like Citylink, Flixbus, Megabus and more have their buses arrive, is located in the New Town. It's simple to reach the Royal Mile from there. First, take a right when you leave the bus station up Elder Street. Walk past the St. James Shopping Centre on your left (you'll see a large golden dome, with an unfortunate local nickname).


Continue down to Leith Street, where in front of you you'll see a large clocktower connected to a hotel, this is the world-famous Balmoral Hotel. Cross over the street here and take North Bridge on the left past the hotel. Walk all the way across North Bridge.


You'll know you've arrived at the Royal Mile when you see the Tron Kirk, a large church with a tall spire, in front of you. At the junction to your left, cross the road, and look for the sign for Royal Mile Backpackers a little in front of John Knox House, the prominent old building that sticks out into the Royal Mile. The building is shared with an Indian Restaurant called Shamoli.


Take the stairs up towards Shamoli, and then take a left into the section of the building painted bright blue with a big map of Scotland on the wall. Walk up the steps and you'll find yourself at the door of Royal Mile Backpackers. The total journey should take around 12-15 minutes.



If you're arriving before 3pm, you'll find the door locked, but you can drop your luggage for free at High Street Hostel. Head back down the steps, look across the Royal Mile, and you'll see a street called Blackfriars Street. Cross the road, head down Blackfriars Street, and on the right you'll see the sign for High Street Hostel.




Watch: Step-by-Step Video Directions to Royal Mile Backpackers from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station


If written directions aren't your thing, we've made this quick and easy video to help you arrive at Royal Mile Backpackers easily and conveniently from Waverley Bridge:



Book your stay in Edinburgh through Scotland's Top Hostels for the best price and flexibility:



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