Top 7 Hostels in Edinburgh for 2024

Posted: 6/10/2024 | June 10th, 2024

Edinburgh is a historic city full of centuries-old architecture, cozy pubs, and world-class whisky. I’ve been there a bunch and always have a blast. It’s one of my favorite destinations in Europe. I’ve been going since I turned 30 (which was a very, very long time ago).

While Edinburgh is gorgeous, accommodation can be fairly expensive. As the second-most visited city in the UK, it can easily break the bank (those pints add up!). And, while there are a lot of hostels that can help keep your costs low, I’ve learned the hard way that not all of them are good.

To help you pick a hostel from among all the overwhelming options, here is my list of the best hostels in Edinburgh!

If you don’t want to read the longer list, the following are the best in each category:

Want the specifics? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels in Edinburgh and why I love them:

Price legend:

• $ – Under 20 GBP per night
• $$ – 20-30 GBP per night
• $$$ – Over 30 GBP per night

1. Castle Rock

Located near the castle, this hostel is simply gorgeous. and my favorite hostel in the city. It’s an old, beautiful house with lovely wood interiors, stone staircases, and a very historic, royal feel, like you’re staying in an ancestral family mansion. There’s a huge kitchen, and the common areas feature pool tables, a TV, newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. There’s also a patio for when the weather is nice as well as a fireplace and movie room for when it’s chilly. The staff also organize events to keep things social. It’s in a great location too (right near the Royal Mile).

While the mattresses aren’t super thick and there are no curtains on the beds, there are plenty of outlets to charge your devices and bedside lockers too. It’s also one of the cheapest hostels in town and perfect for budget travelers. Just note that there’s a 10 GBP cash deposit (or ID) required for your room key.

Castle Rock at a glance:

• $
• Amazing location
• Huge kitchen
• Lots of common areas make it easy to meet people

Beds from 18 GBP, private rooms from 60 GBP.

2. St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town

St Christopher’s hostels are a staple around Europe, and this one does not disappoint. The hostel is within walking distance of all the main sights, and it’s always lively, making it easy to meet people. There’s a cool bar on-site with cheap happy hour drinks (a big plus in pricey Edinburgh), and the staff also organize regular pub crawls if you want to enjoy the nightlife. They also organize free walking tours, which are a great way to explore on a budget while meeting fellow travelers.

The dorms are airy and bright, and while the mattresses aren’t super thick, the beds have curtains, USB outlets, and small lockers. (Just note that most dorms have three-tier bunk beds.) Although there’s no guest kitchen, there’s a filling breakfast each morning for just 5 GBP. While there aren’t a ton of restrooms (so sometimes you’ll have to wait), the location really can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a glance:

• $$
• Cool bar with cheap happy hour drinks
• Lively, social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
• Free walking tours

Beds from 25 GBP, private rooms from 299 GBP.

3. Haystack Hostel

This is a small, cozy, and quiet hostel that feels like you’re staying at a friend’s house. The décor has a very DIY feel, featuring lots of handmade furniture, bright colors, and cool art. The larger dorm has pod-style beds, while the smaller dorm has regular bunk beds. There are no curtains on the beds, but there are lockers to secure your things, and each bed has its own outlet and reading light. There’s a small breakfast available each morning too.

What makes this place unique though is that both of its dorms are female only (there are also private rooms, open to all genders). It’s a quiet, calm, and clean choice, perfect for travelers not looking to party. The staff are also very welcoming and always eager to help you find things to do in town and beyond. If you want a quiet stay as a solo female traveler, stay here.

Haystack Hostel at a glance:

• $$
• Female-only dorms
• Quiet atmosphere
• Cozy common rooms

Beds from 30 GBP, private rooms from 103 GBP.