Cheap accommodation Edinburgh visitors can find ranges from £15-a-night dorm beds at long-running backpacker hostels to £60-a-night budget hotels and traditional B&Bs. Edinburgh is not a cheap city — but it has a deep selection of budget accommodation, particularly clustered in the Old Town’s Cowgate and Royal Mile, the Southside university quarter, and along the quieter residential streets of Newington. Picking the right budget option means knowing the trade-offs between price, location, atmosphere, and amenities.

This guide covers the best cheap accommodation Edinburgh offers — hostels, B&Bs, budget chain hotels, and apartment-style options — with current 2026 pricing, location analysis, and practical tips for finding the best value. For broader context, see our pillar guide on where to stay in Edinburgh and our piece on Edinburgh on a budget.

How Cheap Is Cheap? Edinburgh Budget Accommodation Pricing

Edinburgh’s budget accommodation prices for 2026:

Hostel dorm beds: £15-£40 per night. Cheapest in winter (£15-£20), peak in August Festival (£35-£50).
Hostel private rooms: £55-£120 per night.
Traditional B&Bs: £55-£120 per night double room.
Budget chain hotels: £60-£140 per night.
Self-catered apartments: £80-£200 per night.
University accommodation (summer only): £30-£60 per night.

Festival peak (early-late August) doubles or triples these rates. Hogmanay similarly inflates 28 December – 2 January.

The Best Cheap Hostels in Edinburgh Old Town

1. Castle Rock Hostel

Edinburgh’s most beloved hostel. Located on Johnstone Terrace immediately below Edinburgh Castle. Mixed dorms, female-only dorms, and private rooms. Lively but well-run, with 24/7 reception, free wifi, a movie room, a nice patio, and a fire place.

Pricing: £25-£45 per night dorm; £80-£140 per night private room. Festival pricing significantly higher.

2. High Street Hostel

On Blackfriars Street, just off the Royal Mile near St Giles’ Cathedral. Mixed and female-only dorms. Calm atmosphere, decent facilities, central location at fair prices.

Pricing: £20-£35 per night dorm.

3. Edinburgh Backpackers

200 yards from Waverley Rail Station on Cockburn Street. Excellent location for arriving by train. Tourist Board approved 3-star hostel.

Pricing: £15-£35 per night dorm.

4. Royal Mile Backpackers

Smaller hostel directly on the Royal Mile. More intimate atmosphere; good for solo travellers wanting central position.

Pricing: £20-£35 per night dorm.

5. St Christopher’s Inn Edinburgh

A larger party-style hostel near Cowgate, popular with young international backpackers. On-site bar; can be loud.

Pricing: £18-£35 per night dorm.

The Best Cheap Hostels in Edinburgh New Town & West End

6. Belford Hostel

A converted church hostel on Douglas Gardens, in a beautiful and peaceful New Town setting near the Dean Village. Short walk to Princes Street and the bus/train stations. Quirky character thanks to the church architecture.

Pricing: £20-£40 per night dorm.

7. a&o Hostel Edinburgh City

A larger modern hostel chain near Haymarket Station. Reliable mid-budget option. Mixed dorms, private rooms, family rooms.

Pricing: £20-£45 per night dorm; £70-£140 per night private.

8. Code Pod Hostel

A modern “pod” hostel in the New Town. Each bed is a private capsule with curtains, light, charging point. More privacy than traditional dorms.

Pricing: £25-£55 per night.

The Best Budget Hotels in Edinburgh

9. Travelodge Edinburgh Royal Mile

Directly on the Royal Mile. Small rooms, no frills, but unbeatable location at low prices. Ideal for solo travellers or budget couples wanting central Edinburgh without the hostel atmosphere.

Pricing: £55-£140 per night.

10. Premier Inn Edinburgh – Princes Street

The most central Premier Inn. Reliable budget chain. Larger rooms than Travelodge.

Pricing: £70-£160 per night.

11. Travelodge Edinburgh Central Princes Street

The cheapest reliable option directly on Princes Street.

Pricing: £55-£140 per night.

12. Holiday Inn Edinburgh – City West

A modern Holiday Inn offering reliable mid-range corporate-standard accommodation, walking distance to Edinburgh Castle.

Pricing: £80-£180 per night.

13. Yotel Edinburgh

A modern micro-hotel on Queen Street with compact “cabin” rooms. Excellent budget option in a central location.

Pricing: £70-£180 per night.

14. Stay Central Hotel

A budget hotel on Niddry Street near the South Bridge. Small rooms, no frills, central location.

Pricing: £75-£140 per night.

Edinburgh B&Bs: Traditional Budget Accommodation

Edinburgh has a deep B&B inventory, particularly in Newington and Pilrig. Most are family-run, with 4-12 rooms each, traditional Scottish breakfasts included, and prices that significantly undercut central hotels.

15. Argyle Backpackers Hotel

A small, friendly hostel-with-private-rooms in a Victorian townhouse on Newington Road. About 15 minutes’ walk from the Royal Mile.

Pricing: £25-£45 per night dorm; £60-£100 per night private.

16. Tantallon Place B&B

Small family-run B&B in Newington. Friendly Scottish hospitality at very fair prices.

Pricing: £60-£110 per night.

17. Bruntsfield Lodge

A traditional Scottish B&B in the Bruntsfield neighbourhood, 20 minutes’ walk south of the city centre. Strong reviews.

Pricing: £75-£130 per night.

18. The Witchery (just for context)

Not a budget option but worth mentioning as the comparison point — the Witchery’s £600+ suites are 10x what you can pay for a perfectly comfortable Newington B&B.

University Summer Accommodation

19. Pollock Halls (Edinburgh University)

Pollock Halls is the University of Edinburgh’s main accommodation campus, used by students during term time and by tourists during the summer break (typically June through September). Single rooms in modern blocks at student rates. About 15 minutes’ walk to the Royal Mile.

Pricing: £30-£70 per night for single ensuite rooms.

20. Edinburgh University Self-Catered Apartments

Self-catered student flats become available for tourist booking during summer. Various locations across the city.

Pricing: £40-£90 per night for single rooms in shared flats.

Self-Catered Apartments and Airbnb

Edinburgh has tightened its short-let regulations significantly since 2022. Many former Airbnb properties have closed; remaining options must register with the City of Edinburgh Council. Genuine self-catered apartments include:

Old Town Chambers Apartments: Mid-range to luxury self-catered apartment-style accommodation.

Knight Residence Apartments: Apartment-style on the Grassmarket.

Eden Locke (New Town): Apartment-format hotel.

Various private letting agents: Search for properties on Plum Guide, Sonder, Bright Stays.

Pricing varies enormously: £80-£300 per night.

Cheap Accommodation Tips

Visit off-season. November through March hostel and budget hotel rates are typically half their summer peak. February is the cheapest single month for Edinburgh accommodation.

Avoid August Festival. Festival pricing doubles or triples virtually all accommodation. If you must visit in August, book 6-9 months ahead and accept significant premiums.

Try mid-week. Hostel dorm rates and budget hotels are typically £5-£15 cheaper Monday-Wednesday than Friday-Saturday.

Stay slightly outside the centre. Newington, Bruntsfield, Marchmont, and Leith all offer cheaper accommodation than Old Town/New Town with public transport access of 15-25 minutes.

Consider university summer accommodation. Pollock Halls during the summer break (June-September) is one of Edinburgh’s best-kept budget secrets.

Watch for non-refundable rates. Many budget hotels offer 10-15% discount on non-refundable rates. If your travel is firm, this is real savings.

Book direct. Hostels and small B&Bs often offer discounts on direct bookings vs. third-party platforms.

Cheap Accommodation by Profile

Solo Backpackers

Castle Rock Hostel for the central location and atmosphere. High Street Hostel for a quieter alternative.

Budget Couples

Travelodge Royal Mile (private double, central) or Belford Hostel (private rooms in a converted church).

Budget Families

Self-catered apartments via Old Town Chambers or the Knight Residence. Pollock Halls if visiting in summer (multiple linked rooms available).

Festival Visitors on Budget

Pollock Halls if visiting in early August. Belford Hostel. Book 6-9 months ahead regardless.

Long-Stay Budget

Self-catered apartments via the various agents above. Most apartments offer significant weekly and monthly discounts.

What to Expect from Edinburgh Hostels

Dorm sizes: Typically 4-12 beds per room. Some hostels offer female-only dorms.

Bathroom configuration: Most hostels have shared bathrooms; a few offer ensuite dorms (slightly higher prices).

Common areas: Edinburgh’s best hostels have lounges, kitchens, social spaces, and outdoor patios.

Free wifi: Standard at all but the budget options.

Linen and towels: Linen typically included; towels often £1-£2 extra rental fee.

Lockers: Standard but bring a padlock if you have one.

Curfews: Edinburgh hostels generally have 24-hour reception; few have curfews.

Age restrictions: Some hostels are 18+. Check before booking with younger travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest accommodation in Edinburgh?

Hostel dorm beds at Castle Rock, High Street Hostel, and Edinburgh Backpackers start around £15-£20 per night in winter. Pollock Halls (Edinburgh University summer accommodation) offers single rooms from £30 per night. Travelodge starts around £55 per night.

Is hostel accommodation safe in Edinburgh?

Yes. Edinburgh’s main hostels (Castle Rock, High Street, Edinburgh Backpackers, Belford) all have 24/7 reception, individual lockers, and CCTV. Standard hostel precautions apply — secure your valuables, keep doors locked, etc.

Are there budget hotels on the Royal Mile?

Yes. Travelodge Edinburgh Royal Mile is the cheapest reliable hotel directly on the Royal Mile. Premier Inn Princes Street is just below. Hostels (Castle Rock, High Street, Royal Mile Backpackers) all offer central locations.

How much does a hostel cost in Edinburgh?

Dorm beds typically £15-£40 per night, with significant variation by season and day of week. Private rooms in hostels typically £55-£120 per night. Festival rates are 2-3x normal.

Where is the cheapest area to stay in Edinburgh?

Newington, Bruntsfield, Marchmont, and the Southside (university area) all have cheaper accommodation than central Old/New Town. Walking time to the Royal Mile from Newington is 15-20 minutes. Leith offers good mid-budget value with tram access.

Can you stay in Edinburgh University accommodation?

Yes, during the summer break (typically June-September). Pollock Halls is the main campus open to tourists. Single ensuite rooms £30-£70 per night. Excellent budget option in a quiet residential setting.

Are Edinburgh B&Bs good value?

Yes. Traditional B&Bs in Newington and Pilrig offer £60-£120 per night double rooms with full Scottish breakfasts included. Significantly better value than equivalent central hotels.

Is Airbnb available in Edinburgh?

Yes but reduced. Edinburgh has tightened short-let regulations since 2022; many former Airbnb properties have closed. Remaining options must be registered with the council. Genuine self-catered apartments through Plum Guide, Sonder, and similar platforms are reliable alternatives.

How early should I book budget Edinburgh accommodation?

For August Festival: 6-9 months ahead — Festival period is the most-booked-out time of year for budget accommodation. For peak weekends (May-September): 2-4 months ahead. Off-season: 1-4 weeks ahead.

Do Edinburgh hostels have free breakfast?

Some do (basic continental). Most charge £4-£8 for breakfast, or guests can use the shared kitchen to make their own. Edinburgh hostels with the best free breakfasts: Castle Rock and St Christopher’s Inn.

Final Thoughts

Cheap accommodation Edinburgh visitors can find runs from genuine £15 dorm beds to comfortable £100 B&Bs and budget chain hotels — and the best options are often centrally located, well-reviewed, and easy to book. Castle Rock Hostel for the iconic central backpacker experience, Travelodge Royal Mile for the cheapest reliable private hotel, Belford Hostel for character, Pollock Halls for the summer-only secret. Pick your priority — atmosphere, location, comfort, or pure cost — and Edinburgh has a budget option that fits.

For more, see our Edinburgh on a budget guide for non-accommodation savings, our pillar on where to stay in Edinburgh, and our companion piece on best area to stay in Edinburgh.