What Are the Best Budget Hostels in Edinburgh? A Backpacker’s Guide With Prices for 2026
- Jay
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Looking for an affordable place to stay in Edinburgh without ending up somewhere dull, cramped, or far from the action? The good news is in Scotland's capital, you don’t have to choose between price and experience.
Edinburgh is one of the best cities in the UK for social, reasonably-priced hostel stays, and if you pick the right one, you’ll get a central location, top notch atmosphere and a genuinely memorable stay, all without setting your wallet alight.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best affordable hostels in the city, and help you figure out which one suits your travel style best. Make sure to book your stay with Scotland's Top Hostels for the best price and flexibility!
Contents
Where Should You Stay in Edinburgh on a Budget? (Best Areas for Hostels)
Best Affordable Hostels in Edinburgh: Which One Is Right for You?
Quick Comparison: Castle Rock Hostel vs High Street Hostel vs Royal Mile Backpackers
Continue Your Trip - Where is Affordable to Visit After Edinburgh?
What Are the Best Affordable Hostels in Edinburgh?
If you want a social, central affordable stay in Edinburgh, most backpackers end up booking either High Street Hostel, Castle Rock Hostel or Royal Mile Backpackers. These hostels are all rated highly under 'value for money' in reviews from Hostelworld and are very centrally located to save you money on any public transport costs.
All 3 of these hostels offer continental breakfast each morning from just £4 per person - meaning you can fuel up for the day without breaking the bank at a cafe or restaurant. You can rent a towel at each of these hostels for just £2 for the entire duration of your stay, and take part in free social events every day and night.
Guests staying at Castle Rock, High Street, and Royal Mile Backpackers also get exclusive discounts at places to eat, drink, party and sightsee during their stay - including popular pubs, bars, restaurants, and with walking tour operators around the city.
Beds at these hostels are all reasonably priced throughout the year, though expect to pay significantly more during the month of August because of the festivals running across that time, and also during the festive season, particularly New Year's Eve.
Booking through Scotland's Top Hostels offers you the best price and flexibility for your stay.
Bed Prices (from) at Edinburgh's Most Affordable Hostels in 2026:
Hostel | Largest Dormitory (all also have smaller) | Bed Prices (from) as of April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Castle Rock Hostel | 16 Bed Dorm | £17 |
Royal Mile Backpackers | 10 Bed Dorm | £21 |
High Street Hostel | 18 Bed Dorm | £19 |
Are Hostels in Edinburgh Good for Budget Travellers?
Yes, absolutely, they are probably the best option for backpackers visiting the city. Hotels in and around the Old Town are infamously expensive and will not offer a social atmosphere or group activities to help you meet other travellers. Hostel staff at hostels such as Castle Rock Hostel have been trained to help you make the most out of your time in the city and provide affordable recommendations.
You can even take a free walking tour from High Street Hostel alongside only fellow backpacking travellers, and enjoy free tea and coffee in the lounge at Royal Mile Backpackers. Hostels are the best way to enjoy the city at a reasonable cost while staying social, and conveniently in the middle of town.
Where Should You Stay in Edinburgh on a Budget? (Best Areas for Hostels)
The city centre offers a plentiful number of benefits as a base for backpackers – alongside being home to most attractions and amenities, Edinburgh’s railway station nestled in between the Old and New Towns has connections to many other Scottish and UK destinations, and proximity to Edinburgh’s Central Bus Station is also a huge advantage for onward travel.
Connections to attractions closer to other neighbourhoods are also made easy with Lothian Buses, the local bus network which has a solid claim to be one of the best in the UK, if not Europe. Buses are affordable, take contactless payment and Google/Apple Pay, and run throughout the day and night, including a 24/7 connection to Edinburgh Airport.
Generally speaking, there is very little if no price difference between hostels located more centrally and those located in other parts of the city as of 2026. While the city centre hostels book up more quickly during the high seasons of Summer and over the Christmas/New Year periods, you’re unlikely to end up paying more to stay in Edinburgh’s city centre.
It is more practical for onward travel connections to stay centrally where possible, as all of Edinburgh’s transport hubs are located close to the Old and New Towns, including the Waverley Bridge bus stop for the 24/7 Airlink 100 service to Edinburgh Airport.
Edinburgh is a particularly walkable city, so wherever you end up you are unlikely to find yourself stuck on long public transit journeys, which is a handy thing to know for backpackers.
Best Affordable Hostels in Edinburgh: Which One Is Right for You?
High Street Hostel - The Perfect Balance on Price, Comfort and Social
Located just steps from the central Royal Mile, and a short walk to both Edinburgh's main bus and train stations, you'll find warm welcomes at High Street Hostel in a building dating back to the 1500s. With a medieval theme, free daily social events, walking tours, group hikes and more, there's always something to do without breaking the bank.
With a range of dorm sizes from 4 beds up to 18 beds, the prices are always reasonable especially given the hostel's unbeatable location. You can hang out in the lounge and make use of the free pool table, well-equipped kitchen for cooking your own meals, and plenty more.
Best for: Solo Travellers looking for a balance of cosy and vibrant atmosphere, and Small Groups of Backpackers.
"This hostel is a unique vibe! Staff is lovely, very nice people The atmosphere is magical and the space is super cool! Rooms and bathrooms are very clean, position in the city is optimal... I loved this hostel so much, if you are travelling to Edinburgh you MUST book this place." - A guest who stayed at High Street Hostel and left a review on Hostelworld in April 2026
Castle Rock Hostel - Lively Social Hub with Multiple Lounges, Cinema Room and Daily Events
The value for money at Castle Rock is unmatched - you get access to some of the most unique, welcoming and vibrant common spaces you'll find anywhere without spending more than at other hostels in the city. The Main Lounge is always full of travellers looking to make friends, play a game around the pool table and join on the free evening bar crawl.
Next door, the Posh Lounge is a relaxed space with a large co-working table, and free Wi-Fi all throughout the building keeps things easy and free. You can make use of the Communal Kitchen (where big group meals are a common sight), or unwind in the Cinema Room, with nightly free film screenings.
Best for: Solo Travellers looking for vibrant social life and parties, as well as Larger Groups of Backpackers.
"This was our first time staying in this hostel and we had an amazing time! Everything was clean, the atmosphere was very warm and welcoming and staff members were very nice and approachable. The common lounges of the hostel were the highlight of our stay in Edinburgh! We liked the variety of common spaces offered, there were places to work silently and rooms where it was easy to connect with other travellers. There were many social activities planned for people to join, it would be easy for solo travellers." - A guest who stayed at Castle Rock Hostel and left a review on Hostelworld in April 2026
Royal Mile Backpackers - Chill Vibes and an Unbeatable Location
Known for its inclusive atmosphere, a stay at Royal Mile Backpackers is more like being a part of a flat-share than a big hostel. With only 38 beds, you get to know everyone's names quickly, and socialising in their relaxed lounge spaces is easy. It's affordable too, with reasonably priced beds, free earplugs for guests, and free tea & coffee available 24/7.
There's a small but well-equipped kitchenette, and if it gets busy you're welcome to head across the road to neighbouring High Street Hostel to take advantage of their facilities too. Located slap-bang in the middle of the Old Town on Scotland's most famous street, the Royal Mile, you're in easy walking distance of all those pubs, restaurants and cafes you get a discount at as a guest.
Best for: Couples, LGBTQIA+ Travellers, and Solo Travellers Looking for an Oasis of Calm
"soooo cute and cozy. the beds were comfortable, and the rooms were so cute - ours had a big window looking out on one of the main streets of edinburgh, which was lovely. I felt completely safe the whole time and the atmosphere was so nice. next time I Edinburgh, I will be booking here again :)" - A guest who stayed at Royal Mile Backpackers and left a review on Hostelworld in August 2025
Quick Comparison: Castle Rock Hostel vs High Street Hostel vs Royal Mile Backpackers
Hostel | Vibe | Location |
Castle Rock Hostel | Social, Lively, Fun & Vibrant | Right next to Edinburgh Castle |
Royal Mile Backpackers | Relaxed, Easy-Going, Cosy & Charming | Slap-bang in the middle of the Old Town |
High Street Hostel | Joyful, Laid-Back, Community Vibe | Seconds from the Royal Mile |
Continue Your Trip - Where is Affordable to Visit After Edinburgh?
If you’ve started your trip in Edinburgh, the next move is simple: head north into the Highlands. Scotland really opens up here, with bigger landscapes, a slower pace, and some of the most memorable hostel locations in the country. A lot of travellers you meet in Edinburgh end up following the same route, so it’s not uncommon to bump into familiar faces again a few days later. And as of 2026, single bus fares in the Scottish Highlands have been reduced to just £2!
One of the best next stops is Lochside Hostel, a social, lakefront hostel where days are spent kayaking on the loch, swimming from the beach, or heading out on group hikes, and evenings are filled with shared dinners, games, and campfires by the water.
From there, many backpackers continue west to Oban Backpackers for island hopping, or head further north to Skye Backpackers, a favourite for road trippers exploring the Isle of Skye. If you’re travelling on a budget, this kind of route lets you keep costs down while getting the full Scotland experience, and makes it easy to turn a short city break into a proper backpacking trip.
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