Scotland’s cosmopolitan capital city, Edinburgh bursts with colorful festivals and a buzzing sense of excitement all year round. Steeped in rich history, this vibrant and bustling city captivates the hearts of its visitors with its cobbled alleyways and magnificent castles. Whether it is sipping on a wee dram at one of its whiskey bars or soaking up breathtaking views of the city’s skyline from the top of an ancient volcano, Edinburgh will keep you busy all through your vacation. Attracting people of diverse backgrounds from all over the world, this charming city has a range of hostels that let travelers experience the real Edinburgh in a great atmosphere. Here is a list of 10 backpacker hostels in Edinburgh, Scotland, that will offer a good bang for your buck.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 30, 2025.
1. Castle Rock Hostel (from USD 30)
Located right beneath a castle in the heart of Old Town and close to all major attractions, this artfully decorated hostel offers clean, spacious, themed rooms that make the best of your stay in Edinburgh. The hostel features comfy sofas, free Wifi, safety lockers, reading lamps, comfortable beddings, clean bathrooms with powerful hot showers, a hairdryer, and a patio to soak up the sun. The lovely hosts here also organize events such as pub crawls, pool competitions, free book exchanges, and ceilidhs to keep you entertained.
Castle Rock Hostel - Adults Only
Address: 15 Johnston Terrace
243 meters (0.2 ft) from Edinburgh Castle
2. Code Pod Hostel - The Loft (from USD 76)
This cozy boutique hostel is located in the heart of Edinburgh’s new town, close to many restaurants, bars, and shops. The hostel offers modern interiors with pod beds, baggage space, free wifi, a shower room, a communal area, and a shared kitchen. The train and bus stations are just a walking distance away from the hostel.
CoDE POD - The LoFT - Edinburgh
Address: 50 Rose Street North Lane
441 meters (0.3 ft) from Edinburgh Castle
3. Haystack Hostels (from USD 59)
Clean kitchen, nearby cafes and restaurants, breakfast preparation area, and friendly staff offering food recommendations
Reasonable pricing compared to hotels and Airbnb in the area
Central location near major attractions, close to Waverley train station, convenient for exploring the city
Spacious rooms, functional kitchen, lockers with ample space, curtains for privacy, clean showers and toilets, 24-hour WhatsApp chat for assistance
Nestled in between the Old town and New town, this hostel is an ideal base for anyone looking to explore the city. With cozy and comfortable interiors, the hostel offers free wifi, free breakfasts, free towels, laundry facilities, free lockers, a comfortable common area, and a fully equipped kitchen. The hostel is set in a renovated 18th-century Georgian building and it is located steps away from the major transport links of the city. You can also choose to avail the tours around Edinburgh and beyond, offered by the friendly hosts here.
Haystack Hostel
Address: 5/3 West Register Street
816 meters (0.6 ft) from Edinburgh Castle
4. Royal Mile Backpackers (from USD 29)
Royal Mile Backpackers Hostel is a friendly and homey hostel located right in the city center and overlooking Scotland’s famous street. the Royal Mile. The hostel features a cozy lounge, an open plan kitchen and dining area, bright dorms, and clean and spacious bathrooms. The staff here are knowledgeable about the Scottish capital and can assist you by recommending walking tours, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and anything else you may need
Royal Mile Backpackers
Address: 105 High Street
874 meters (0.6 ft) from Edinburgh Castle
5. The Hostel (from USD 18)
This modern hostel located 1.6 km ( 1 mile) away from Prince’s street, welcomes guests with private double Rooms, 18-bed mixed dorms, 12-bed dorms, and 14-bed mixed dorms. The rooms are airy and they provide beds with linens, sofa beds, clean bathrooms with dressing gowns and towels, and a fully equipped communal kitchen for self-catering purposes. The hostel is child-friendly and also allows pets.
The Hostel
Address: 3 Clifton Terrace
1.12 km (0.7 mi) from Edinburgh Castle
6. The Baxter Hostel (from USD 64)
The Baxter Hostel offers accommodation with custom built beds that feature superior bedding, shower cubicles, a fully fitted custom built kitchen, a chilled out luxe lounge and dining area with a day bed and a Wifi Sonos sound system. The hostel’s interiors feature traditional Georgian paneling, tartan wallpapers, and ancient herringbone oak floors. The hosts are deeply passionate and knowledgeable about Edinburgh and will make sure you have an enjoyable stay here with no hassles.
The Baxter Hostel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 5/2 West Register Street
826 meters (0.6 ft) from Edinburgh Castle
7. High Street Hostel (from USD 33)
Located in a small street just off the Royal Mile, this comfortable, easy going, historic place to stay in central Edinburgh is ideal for backpackers, budget travelers, and students. The vibes are great here with top-class facilities at great prices. The hostel is filled with cool stuff such as knights’ armors, and feature comfortable lounges with plenty of space to relax and make new friends, free wifi, a self-catered kitchen, comfortable bedrooms with personal safety lockers, clean bathrooms and a lovely patio.
High Street Hostel - Over 18s Only, Backpackers Atmosphere
Address: 8 Blackfriars St
865 meters (0.6 ft) from Edinburgh Castle
8. Safestay Hostels (from USD 28)
Located just off the Royal Mile, in the center of Old Town, this hostel is ideal to visit all the historic attractions and experience the best of Edinburgh’s nightlife. The spacious rooms and dormitories here offer stylish decor, large bunk beds and en suite bathrooms with power showers. The hostel also features a hip Bar, 50 student bar, that serves breakfasts and drinks along with live music and sports.
a&o Edinburgh City This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 50 Blackfriars Street
885 meters (0.6 ft) from Edinburgh Castle
Make unforgettable memories
Staying in hostels is a great way to meet new people, share experiences and make new friends. You also get to explore the city ‘the local way’ with travel tips and insider knowledge from friendly staff at the hostel. The best part of it is that you get to do it all on the cheap. With a sociable atmosphere, it is easy to meet like-minded travelers in backpacker hostels and abandon any worries of loneliness if you are traveling solo. Oftentimes, the memories that you make in your hostel will become your most treasured souvenirs of the trip. From offering boutique accommodations to being a part of a historic castle, each hostel in Edinburgh has its own character with cool facilities. Take your pick from the above list of 10 backpacker hostels in Edinburgh and book now to experience the best of this stunningly beautiful city.
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