Where Should Backpackers Stay in Edinburgh? A Local’s Honest Guide
- Jay
- Feb 26
- 6 min read
I’ve been living in Edinburgh on-and-off for four years – and in that time have worked across three different backpackers hostels on reception, changing beds, leading pub crawls, walking tours, and frankly doing (just about!) anything to make backpackers’ stays in our city unforgettable experiences.
In my spare time I like nothing more than to keep delving into new corners of this historic, compact, visually stunning place I’ve come to call home. Edinburgh is a city that constantly surprises both locals and visitors alike – so I’ve put together this guide to help you locate the best place to stay to make the most of your time in the city, and keep your stay affordable.
The Quick Answer…
Backpackers should stay in either Edinburgh’s Old or New Towns for walkability, transport links, nightlife and value. Prices are similar across the city, so central hostels offer the best convenience without extra cost.
Where is Edinburgh’s city centre, and should backpackers stay there?
It’s a complicated question – most locals would consider the boundaries of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns to roughly size up to the ‘city centre’, but you won’t find tall skyscrapers or a metro system to guide you there.
In fact, if you take a turn off of the Royal Mile (the central set of streets in the Old Town), or Princes Street (the main drag of the New Town), you’ll quickly find yourself in a series of scenic alleyways, quaint ‘closes’ and ‘wynds’, the narrow streets which Edinburgh’s residents call home.
It’s often said that Edinburgh is somewhere between a city, a town, and a village, and many backpackers visiting constantly tell me how refreshing and interesting that makes Auld Reekie – a nickname given to the city for its many chimneys that smoked in the Victorian era – a place to discover.
If you choose to stay in Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, you’ll find access to attractions, amenities, cafes, restaurants and nightlife a breeze. Almost everything you’ll want to visit in your first few days in town will be within a 15–20 minute walk, and there are plenty of affordable hostels in both locations, with prices for beds starting from £14 in Winter 2026.
What are the best hostels can I find in Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns?
For hostels right in the middle of the Old Town, take a look at High Street Hostel and Royal Mile Backpackers, both located just steps away from the buzzing Royal Mile (as the names might suggest!), and both offering a cozy, inclusive and welcoming environment as well as daily social events and regular walking tours around the city.
As for something a little different, Castle Rock Hostel is a well-known backpackers spot located right under Edinburgh Castle in a historic building that was once a school, and is quite rightly often compared to Hogwarts. With three lounges, a well-equipped kitchen, and a sociable vibe with nightly events similar to the other two I’ve mentioned, you’ll be sure to meet new people to explore the city with.
All three of these hostels offer a continental breakfast for just £4, towel rental for just £2, and a laundry service for just £5, to help with your budgeting.
There are also hostels across the bridge in Edinburgh’s New Town, including Haymarket Hostel and Princes Street Hostel, both with easy access to Edinburgh’s public transport system and to the bus and railway stations.
If not the city centre, where else can backpackers consider staying?
Although as I’ve mentioned the Old and New Towns are both city centre locations and home for many locals, there are of course plenty of suburbs and neighbourhoods that surround each, including some that also offer affordable hostel and budget accommodation.
If you run to Google, one of the first areas that will likely pop up will be trendy Leith, a neighbourhood that was in itself once an independent ‘burgh’ or town until it was connected to Edinburgh’s New Town via Leith Walk.
There are limited options for backpackers to stay in Leith, including Just Sleep Hostel and Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel (which, despite its name, is located on Leith Walk). Leith is well connected to major attractions in the Old and New Towns, and is also home to the Royal Yacht Britannia, and an array of nice independent cafes, restaurants, and pubs.
Heading the other direction, towards the airport, you’ll find the areas of Haymarket and Stockbridge. Both are connected by a picturesque pedestrian path along the Water of Leith that allows great views of Dean Village, another place on many a backpacker’s radar.
There are a handful of hostels located in this area of the city – namely Haymarket Hostel and Belford Hostel. There are regular bus connections into the Old and New Towns from this area, as well as a direct 24/7 connection to Edinburgh Airport on the Airlink 100 bus route.
Is it worth staying outside of the city centre as a backpacker?
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 notably 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.
So, ultimately, where should backpackers stay while in Edinburgh?
Given that you’re unlikely to find much of a budgeting difference between staying further afield or more central when searching for hostels, I’d recommend staying central if you can find availability at hostels in Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns.
For the best balance of central location, budget, facilities and social activities, we recommend booking with Scotland’s Top Hostels. See below for our latest offers on Edinburgh city centre hostels.
Frequently Asked Questions by Backpackers about staying in Edinburgh
Is it better to stay in Edinburgh Old Town or New Town?
For backpackers, the Old Town is usually the best choice due to proximity to major attractions, nightlife, and walking tours. The New Town offers a slightly quieter atmosphere but is still centrally located.
Are hostels in Edinburgh city centre more expensive?
Generally, no. As of 2026, there is little price difference between central and non-central hostels, though central properties book out faster in summer and during festivals.
Is Edinburgh safe for backpackers?
Yes. Edinburgh is one of the safest cities in both Scotland and the UK. The city centre is well-lit and busy at night, particularly around the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and there are often crowds of people.
Is Edinburgh safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, Edinburgh is regularly ranked as one of the safest destinations for solo female travellers, and almost all hostels will offer female-only dorms. Read our article on advice for solo female travellers in Scotland here.
How far is Edinburgh Airport from the city centre?
The airport is around 30 minutes away by the Airlink 100 bus, which runs 24/7 and stops at Waverley Bridge, a short walk from most city centre hostels.
Photo by Peter Cordes on Unsplash
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