Looking to make an extensive backpack trip that includes Great Britain? Then there are quite a few astounding locations for you to consider. Today we are suggesting one that will elevate your backpacking experience! A magical city located in the southern part of Scotland, Edinburgh is the capital that will take your breath away!
Good to know: This guide is an extension of our initial guide on the best hostels in Edinburgh.
This capital is home to little over half a million citizens.
It is only logical to give yourself the time to properly explore everything that this city has to offer. Of course, while you are taking your sweet time going through the narrow streets of this city, you need accommodation where you can truly relax and let your hair down. For that reason, we are offering a list of the best backpacker hostels in Edinburgh that will bring you immense pleasure! Keep on reading to find out more!
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Castle Rock Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | The Baxter Hostel |
| 📍Top Location: | Royal Mile Backpackers |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Princes Street Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | High Street Hostel |
Additionally, Edinburgh has a special place in the hearts of Potterheads. The exceptional Harry Potter novels have been a part of our childhood for most of us, and it’s still popular for newer generations as well. It’s the reason why some of us believe in magic. Well, while staying in Edinburgh, you can take the famous Harry Potter tour and visit the real grave of Tom Riddle. The tour takes you through all the places that JK Rowling found inspiring when she was writing the books.
The Georgian House Museum should be one of your stops!
You can see how the wealthy lived in the past centuries, and the extensive furniture collection will make your jaw drop. Furthermore, you must visit the Royal Mile, a street from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is lined with fancy boutiques, intricate architecture and awe-inspiring galleries. In addition, all the best restaurants are scattered in this area, so you could enjoy a fine Scottish meal after a whole day of sightseeing. It’s no surprise that the surrounding region of the Royal Mile is considered the city’s most vibrant and buzzing area.
We have added all our favorite backpacker hostels in Edinburgh on a map:
One of the city’s most popular landmarks is Edinburgh Castle, a historically significant fortress located atop a hill which overlooks the entire city. The castle has been a royal residence for centuries and still holds a regal charm that will certainly entice you. The castle is now a museum that showcases Scotland’s rich historical heritage – visitors can tour the castle and see the remarkable Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
However, you must check out the One O’Clock Gun, fired every day at 1 in the afternoon since 1861!
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. You can even filter specifically for Party hostels on Hostelz.com.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you want …
- to party!
- a social Hostel to actually meet people!
- a cool hostel with drinking games and such!
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Edinburgh
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm can be as cheap as 15€ up to 26€ per night. This is a rough average to give you an idea. As for private rooms, they have an average as 42€ up to 113€. Bear in mind prices might be a bit more expensive on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on special holidays or events.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Backpacking tips for Edinburgh: Before moving on to the best backpacker hostels in Edinburgh, we will give you some of the best backpacking tips to help you move around the city as if you are a local!
- If you want to experience some local lifestyle, make sure you visit Victoria Street and enjoy all the tasty restaurants and local boutiques.
- For mind-blowing sceneries, go up to Calton Hill and take in everything the city offers. This is where you can witness the best sunsets in the city, making it an ideal spot for a romantic date!
- If your trip is happening somewhere around August, be prepared to be a part of one of the biggest art events in the world! The Edinburgh International Festival features performances by musicians, artists and dancers from across the globe. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is also a great option, one where you can see a variety of comedies and theatre performances.
- Stop and see the Greyfriars Bobby Statue. This is a terrier statue that is believed to have guarded its owner’s grave for 14 years.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
After we have provided some of the best backpacking tips, here is the list of backpacker hostels in Edinburgh.
The Coolest Party Hostels in Edinburgh are …
Let’s jump right into the fun hostels in Edinburgh for partying:
- Castle Rock Hostel
- The Baxter Hostel
- Royal Mile Backpackers
- High Street Hostel
- Princes Street Hostel
These are our favorite hostels in Edinburgh to party. We put all these hostels on the map, including our own insider tips for bars, clubs, and popular night life areas in Edinburgh (and more!).
1. Castle Rock Hostel
If you are looking for the ideal hostel that will make you wake up with a smile and a spring in your step, then Castle Rock Hostel is the one for you! The convenience of the location makes it an excellent spot for all who want to walk around and explore the city.
The furnishings in the hostel make up for a unique, warm, and welcoming place where you can hang out and use one of the many amenities. There are several common areas as well as a large kitchen, so while you are staying there, you are bound to come across friendly fellow backpackers! In contrast, if you feel like you want to take some mindful moments for yourself, you can easily find a quiet corner too.
Once you find yourself there, talk to the staff and let them help you on your journey. They can give you some pointers on what to see and where to go. Many walking tours and pub crawls are involved, so make sure you’re not missing out!
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. The Baxter Hostel
Feeling at home is one of the best feelings in the world, and The Baxter Hostel strives to achieve just that! Located in the city’s heart, the hostel offers an incredibly welcoming atmosphere – one of the many reasons why so many guests recommend it.
The unique style and the attention to detail separate this hostel from all the others. The Baxter is specifically designed as a conversation starter, so for all those who want to make the most out of their stay and meet many new people, this is the perfect place to choose.
The dorms are either same gender or mixed, making this an excellent spot for female solo travellers. Additionally, all of them are equipped with useful amenities, like personal storage spaces and outlets. However, one minor issue is the showers, which are quite tiny, so they might be unpleasant for taller people.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Royal Mile Backpackers
Remember that wherever you travel, you can always find a hostel that can meet all of your needs without you having to pay extra for it. Such a hostel is the Royal Mile Backpackers. The hostel’s location is incredible – it is in the centre of the city, close to Edinburgh Castle.
This is a welcoming hostel that aims to make you feel good and happy while you are staying there. There are many amenities for you to enjoy in, including an open kitchen and a common dining area, where you can make new friends in an instant! The bathrooms are quite large, and the dorm rooms provide enough space to get comfortable there.
To make you feel comfortable, there is free WiFi all over the property and free tea and coffee at any time. The reception desk can assist you in organising a tour for a small fee, and you can get some clean linens and breakfast for only 2 GBP.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
4. High Street Hostel
The high standard is noticeable immediately after you set foot in High Street Hostel – the name is definitely not a mistake! The name seems to also stand for all the wonderful amenities that you can enjoy once you settle there. The excellent location is right off the Royal Mile, and the hostel features comfortable beds, hot showers, and a staff willing to go above and beyond to make your stay more enjoyable. There is a shared kitchen where you can prepare dishes and snacks for your upcoming adventures.
The laid-back feeling will put a spring in your step each time you walk through the halls of this amazing hostel. Moreover, the quiet lounge will make you long for a good book and a seat to curl up in. High Standard simply excels in every way!
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
5. Princes Street Hostel
Staying at the Princes Street Hostel is a superb way to begin your journey in Edinburgh! Once you get settled here, you will notice that everything you want to see and visit is only a walking distance away. The fun in the experience is elevated even more once you see that the hostel is recently refurbished.
You can choose from either dorms or private rooms, all of which are styled with sleek and modern details. The beds and the pillows are incredibly comfortable since all beds have been updated with superior-quality mattresses.
Although this is an excellent place to stay while in Edinburgh, you should know that the Princess Street Hostel has lots and lots of steps. Though this may not be such a bad thing – consider the stairs a leg warm-up for all the exploring you’re about to do!
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
We consider it important for you to have a comfortable stay while you are visiting this city, and it is why we have provided the best backpacker hostels in Edinburgh for you! Now, you need to note all the things you want to see and be on your merry way!
What about the cheapest hostels in Edinburgh?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Edinburgh.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Edinburgh
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Edinburgh best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
My Best Hostels in Edinburgh for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
Let us have a look at the handmade map we have created for you. As promised, below we list all backpacker hostels and best hostels in Edinburgh, as well as sights and our own travel tips.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map. It’s just easier. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Edinburgh in style and on a budget. And hey, we’ve even collected the ultimate 19 greatest hostels in Scotland for you to visit!
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Glasgow, Scotland
- Best hostels in London and backpacker hostels in London
- Best hostels in Manchester
- Best hostels in Liverpool
- Best hostels in Dublin and the 24 best hostels in Ireland
- Party Hostels in Dublin
- Best hostels in Galway
- Best hostels in Brighton
- best hostels in Inverness
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.
