Edinburgh Hostels: 10 Best Reviewed & Compared (2026 Guide)

Edinburgh hostels are some of the best in Britain — concentrated in the Cowgate, Old Town and Royal Mile, with dorm beds from £12 a night off-peak, modern Asian-style pod hostels, party-friendly social spots, quiet boutique-style options for solo travellers and couples, and dedicated female-only dorms. Edinburgh’s compact city centre means almost every hostel is within a 10-minute walk of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Waverley Station, making the city one of the easiest cities to backpack in the UK.

This complete 2026 review of Edinburgh hostels compares the city’s 10 best options across budget, location, atmosphere, dorm options, kitchen and lounge facilities, and security. We rank the most affordable, the most social, the most boutique, the most central, the best for solo travellers, the best for families, and the best for festival season. Every entry includes 2026 prices, dorm-size options, room types and verified amenities. If you’re planning to stay in an Edinburgh hostel, this is the most thorough guide you’ll find.

Edinburgh hostels at a glance: best for every traveller

Category	Best Edinburgh hostel	From £/night
Cheapest dorm	Budget Backpackers	£12
Best social/party	St Christopher’s Inn	£18
Best for solo travellers	Castle Rock Hostel	£18
Best pod-style	CODE – The Court	£22
Best for couples (private room)	Code – The Loft	£60
Best for female-only dorms	CODE – The Court	£24
Best location	High Street Hostel	£18
Best in Cowgate	Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate	£18
Best for festival	Edinburgh Backpackers	£35 (Festival)
Best for quiet stays	Edinburgh Central SYHA	£28

The 10 best Edinburgh hostels reviewed

1. Castle Rock Hostel

Address: 15 Johnston Terrace, EH1 2PW
Dorms from: £18 off-peak
Best for: Solo travellers, atmosphere, location

Castle Rock Hostel sits directly beneath Edinburgh Castle on Johnston Terrace, with a 9.5+/10 rating on Hostelworld — one of the highest-rated hostels in the UK. The building is creaky and characterful, with stone walls, themed rooms (Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter), a brilliant kitchen, a cosy lounge, and a fire-warmed common area. It runs free walking tours and ceilidh nights. Mixed and female-only dorms, sizes from 4 to 16 beds. No bar (deliberately calm); rowdier crowds head to the sister hostel High Street.

2. High Street Hostel

Address: 8 Blackfriars Street, EH1 1NE
Dorms from: £18 off-peak
Best for: Social vibe, Royal Mile location, party crowd

One of Edinburgh’s oldest and most loved backpacker hostels, right off the Royal Mile. Lively common areas, regular events including pub crawls and live music, a famous shared kitchen, and a basement common room with pool table. Dorms from 4 to 18 beds. Rated 9.1/10 by Hostelworld. The Mile location is unbeatable; the social atmosphere is the main draw.

3. Budget Backpackers

Address: 37–39 Cowgate, EH1 1JR
Dorms from: £12 off-peak
Best for: Lowest price, Cowgate location, party scene

Edinburgh’s cheapest reliable hostel. Five floors above the Cowgate bars. Basic, but clean and functional, with dorms from 4 to 28 beds. The Cowgate location means it’s lively (and noisy on weekend nights). Best for travellers prioritising budget over peace.

4. Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

Address: 50 Blackfriars Street, EH1 1NE
Dorms from: £18 off-peak
Best for: Couples sharing dorms, mid-range comfort, Cowgate location

Safestay’s Edinburgh hostel is housed in a beautiful Grade A-listed building on the Cowgate, 2 minutes from the Royal Mile. Modern dorms with sturdy bunks, privacy curtains, individual lockers, and a contemporary feel. Mix of 4-, 6-, 8- and 12-bed dorms plus private double and twin rooms. The location is central but the lounge is small — better for 2 nights than a long stay.

5. CODE – The Court

Address: Cowgate area
Dorms from: £22
Best for: Pod design, modern atmosphere, female-only dorms

A converted Edinburgh courthouse and jail with Asian-style pod beds — each bed has privacy curtains, USB ports, reading lights and a personal locker. Female-only dorms available. Former holding cells are now private en-suite rooms. Cool, modern, design-led atmosphere. Café/bar on site.

6. CODE – The Loft

Address: Rose Street, New Town
Dorms from: £22
Best for: New Town location, couples in private pods

CODE’s New Town sister hostel on Rose Street, with the same pod-style design. Quieter than The Court (no surrounding Cowgate clubs), more boutique feel, and on a pedestrianised street with pubs and restaurants. Great for couples or solo travellers wanting a quieter base.

7. St Christopher’s Inn Edinburgh – Old Town

Address: 9 Market Street, EH1 1DE
Dorms from: £18
Best for: Party scene, on-site bar, social travellers

Part of the St Christopher’s chain (UK’s biggest party-hostel brand). Right opposite Waverley Station. On-site bar (Belushi’s) with nightly events, beer pong and pub crawls. Bright airy rooms, contemporary bathrooms. Great for short stays and party-focused trips; less suited to families or quiet travellers.

8. Edinburgh Backpackers

Address: 65 Cockburn Street, EH1 1BU
Dorms from: £20
Best for: Cockburn Street location, festival visits, key card security

Cockburn Street is one of Edinburgh’s prettiest curved streets, leading from the Royal Mile down to Waverley. Key card access, free luggage storage, modern self-catering kitchen, games room, dining/TV room. Reliable and central without the Cowgate noise.

9. Edinburgh Central SYHA (Scottish Youth Hostels Association)

Address: 9 Haddington Place, EH7 4AL
Dorms from: £28
Best for: Quiet stays, families, Hostelling International members

SYHA’s flagship Edinburgh hostel — a converted office building in the East End with modern facilities, a quiet atmosphere, family rooms and private rooms. 5-minute walk to the Royal Mile or Princes Street. Hostelling International discounts available. Better for families or older travellers; less social than central hostels.

10. Code Hostel – The Court (revisited for Cowgate listing)

See entry above — listed twice for Cowgate area emphasis.

Other Edinburgh hostels worth considering

• Smart City Hostels Edinburgh — Cowgate, modern 4-bed-and-up dorms from £20
• Royal Mile Backpackers — small, cosy, dorms from £18
• Cowgate Tourist Hostel — basic, dorms from £15
• Edinburgh Metro Hostel (SYHA) — Eyre Place, dorms from £24
• Globetrotter Inn Edinburgh — Marine Drive, dorms from £20 (further out)

Edinburgh hostels: price comparison 2026

Hostel	Off-peak weekday	Off-peak weekend	Festival (Aug)
Budget Backpackers	£12	£18	£35
Castle Rock Hostel	£18	£22	£45
High Street Hostel	£18	£22	£45
Safestay Cowgate	£18	£25	£40
St Christopher’s Inn	£18	£25	£50
CODE – The Court	£22	£28	£55
CODE – The Loft	£22	£28	£55
Edinburgh Backpackers	£20	£28	£45
Edinburgh Central SYHA	£28	£34	£55

August Festival (Fringe + Tattoo) and Hogmanay see prices double or triple. Off-peak (March, April, May, October) gives best value.

What to expect from an Edinburgh hostel

Dormitory sizes

Edinburgh hostels offer dorms from 4 to 28 beds. Smaller dorms (4–6 beds) cost more but offer quieter nights. Larger dorms (12+ beds) are cheapest but noisier. Many hostels offer female-only dorm options.

Bunk privacy

Modern hostels (CODE Pod, Safestay, Code) include privacy curtains, USB ports and bedside lights per bunk. Older hostels (High Street, Castle Rock, Budget Backpackers) have basic bunk beds without curtains — more communal feel.

Bathroom facilities

Most Edinburgh hostels have shared bathrooms — a mix of dorm-floor showers and toilets. Modern hostels (Safestay, CODE Pod) often have en-suite or pod-specific bathrooms. Cleanliness varies; reviews are reliable indicators.

Kitchen and self-catering

Almost all Edinburgh hostels have shared self-catering kitchens with fridges, freezers, stoves, microwaves, dishes and cutlery. Self-catering can save £10–15 a day on meals.

Lounge and social areas

Common rooms range from cosy (Castle Rock) to lively bar-side (St Christopher’s). Some hostels have games rooms (Edinburgh Backpackers); some have bars (St Christopher’s, Safestay, CODE).

Security

Lockers are standard — bring your own padlock or buy one at reception (£3–5). Key card or biometric entry is common at modern hostels. CCTV in common areas. Edinburgh’s central hostels are safe areas with low crime.

WiFi

Free WiFi is universal. Quality varies; ask for a recent speed test if you’re working remotely.

Best Edinburgh hostels by location

Cowgate

The historic, lively Old Town street that runs below the Royal Mile. Concentration of cheap hostels (Budget Backpackers, Safestay, CODE Pod, St Christopher’s nearby). Best for party-friendly travellers but noisy on weekend nights.

Royal Mile and Old Town

Castle Rock Hostel, High Street Hostel, Edinburgh Backpackers, Royal Mile Backpackers. Central, atmospheric, easy access to all major attractions.

New Town

CODE – The Loft on Rose Street offers a quieter base than the Old Town. Edinburgh Central SYHA at Haddington Place is also New Town adjacent.

Leith and outskirts

Globetrotter Inn at Marine Drive offers cheaper rates but a 25-minute bus from the centre — only useful if you have a specific Leith focus.

Edinburgh hostels for solo female travellers

Edinburgh is safe for solo female travellers and hostels with female-only dorms include:

• CODE – The Court — pod-style female-only dorms
• CODE – The Loft — female-only options on Rose Street
• Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate — female-only dorm
• Castle Rock Hostel — female-only dorm
• St Christopher’s Inn — female-only dorm
• Edinburgh Central SYHA — female-only dorm

Edinburgh hostels for couples

For couples wanting hostel prices without dorm sharing, look for:

• Safestay Cowgate — private double rooms from £45 off-peak
• CODE Pod Hostels — private rooms in former courtroom holding cells, from £60
• St Christopher’s Inn — private rooms from £55
• Edinburgh Central SYHA — family/twin rooms from £55

Private hostel rooms typically cost less than budget hotels (Premier Inn, Travelodge start at £55–80) while offering social hostel facilities.

Edinburgh hostels for families

Most Edinburgh hostels accept children, but family-friendly options include:

• Edinburgh Central SYHA — dedicated family rooms with 4-bed configurations
• Safestay Cowgate — family rooms available
• CODE – The Court — private rooms suit families of 2–3

Many older hostels (Castle Rock, High Street, Budget Backpackers) skew adult-only in atmosphere even if officially family-friendly.

Edinburgh hostels during festival season

August Edinburgh Festival (Fringe + Tattoo + International Festival) sees hostel prices double or triple. Book 4–6 months ahead. Prices stay high through:

• August 1–28 (Fringe Festival)
• December 28–January 2 (Hogmanay)

Off-peak months (March–May, October–November) give the best Edinburgh hostel value. For festival accommodation strategies, see our festival accommodation guide.

How to book Edinburgh hostels

• Hostelworld.com — broadest selection, verified reviews, £2 booking fee
• Booking.com — wider range including private rooms
• Directly with the hostel — sometimes cheaper, no fees, more flexible cancellation
• Hostelling International (SYHA) — members get 10% discount

For off-peak weekday stays, book 2–4 weeks ahead. For Festival or Hogmanay, book 4–6 months ahead.

Edinburgh hostel tips

• Book Castle Rock or High Street first — they fill earliest because of high ratings
• Bring earplugs and an eye mask — dorm life is light-noise-disturbed
• Use the kitchen — saves £10–15/day on meals
• Pack a small padlock — many hostels charge £3–5 for one at reception
• Bring a quick-dry towel — most hostels charge £3 for towel hire
• Read recent reviews — hostel quality changes faster than hotel quality
• Off-peak weekdays are quietest — Sun–Wed
• Avoid Cowgate for sleep-priority stays — weekend nights are loud
• Pod-style hostels (CODE) offer best privacy if dorm anxiety is a concern
• Female-only dorms exist at most major Edinburgh hostels
• Most hostels offer secure luggage storage for £2–3 if you arrive early or leave late
• Check the city tax — Edinburgh’s proposed visitor levy may add £1–2/night from 2026

Hostel alternatives: budget B&Bs and budget hotels

If hostels aren’t right, Edinburgh has budget hotels and B&Bs from £45 off-peak:

• EasyHotel Edinburgh — basic rooms from £40 off-peak
• Premier Inn Edinburgh Central — chain hotel from £55
• Travelodge Edinburgh Central — basic rooms from £45
• Pollok Halls / Edinburgh First university residences — student residences open to tourists in summer holidays, twin rooms from £55

See our budget accommodation Edinburgh guide.

Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh hostels

What’s the cheapest hostel in Edinburgh?

Budget Backpackers in Cowgate offers dorm beds from £12 off-peak. Other cheap Cowgate hostels include Safestay (£18) and St Christopher’s (£18). All are central and walkable to major attractions.

Which Edinburgh hostel is best for solo travellers?

Castle Rock Hostel — the highest-rated Edinburgh hostel, with strong solo-traveller community, free walking tours and ceilidh nights. High Street Hostel is the social/party alternative.

Which Edinburgh hostel is best for couples?

Safestay Cowgate offers private double rooms from £45 off-peak. CODE Pod Hostels offer unique former-holding-cell private rooms. Both are good middle-ground options between dorm and hotel.

Are Edinburgh hostels safe?

Yes — Edinburgh has low crime in its central tourist areas. Hostels use locker security, key card access, and CCTV. Solo female travellers report Edinburgh as comfortable and safe.

How much does an Edinburgh hostel cost?

Off-peak dorm beds from £12–£28. Off-peak private rooms from £45–£80. Festival (August) and Hogmanay see prices double or triple.

Where are the best Edinburgh hostels located?

Cowgate (Budget Backpackers, Safestay, CODE), Royal Mile/Old Town (Castle Rock, High Street, Edinburgh Backpackers), and the New Town (CODE Loft, SYHA Central). All are within a 10-minute walk of Edinburgh Castle.

Do Edinburgh hostels have private rooms?

Yes — most major Edinburgh hostels offer private double, twin and family rooms in addition to dorms. Safestay, CODE Pod, St Christopher’s and Edinburgh Central SYHA all offer private rooms.

Which Edinburgh hostel is best for families?

Edinburgh Central SYHA offers dedicated 4-bed family rooms. Safestay Cowgate and CODE Pod Hostels also offer family-friendly private rooms.

Are Edinburgh hostels open during festival season?

Yes — all Edinburgh hostels operate during August Festival, but prices double or triple. Book 4–6 months ahead for festival stays.

Do Edinburgh hostels have curfews?

No — Edinburgh hostels have 24-hour access via key cards. Common areas may close at midnight to limit noise.

Do Edinburgh hostels include breakfast?

Most don’t include breakfast in dorm rates, but several offer add-on breakfast packages (£4–6). Most have self-catering kitchens where you can prepare your own breakfast cheaply.

What should I pack for an Edinburgh hostel?

Padlock, quick-dry towel, earplugs, eye mask, flip-flops for showers, water bottle, charging cable, slippers or socks for the kitchen. Most hostels supply bedding.

Plan your Edinburgh hostel stay

Edinburgh hostels are some of Britain’s best — concentrated in the Cowgate and Old Town, with options from £12 cheap-and-cheerful to £28 modern pod hostels and £60 private rooms. Castle Rock and High Street are the top all-rounders for atmosphere; CODE Pod gives modern privacy; Safestay and Budget Backpackers anchor the cheaper end; Edinburgh Central SYHA suits families and quieter stays. Book 4–6 months ahead for August Festival or Hogmanay; off-peak (March–May, October) gives best value.

For more budget planning, see our Edinburgh on a budget pillar guide, our £50/day Edinburgh budget guide, and our budget accommodation in Edinburgh guide.