facebook

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh – Student accommodation, hostels and coworking spaces in Edinburgh (Scotland). Maps of Edinburgh, photos and reviews for each place in Edinburgh.

Student accommodation - Hostels - Coworking in Edinburgh (Scotland)

Students, international students, interns, backpackers, roomates and digital nomads can book cheap dorms and safe private rooms in downtown Edinburgh, close to boarding schools, high schools, colleges, halls of residence and universities, close to buses or train stations, airports or major attractions in Edinburgh.

All the best deals in Edinburgh

Group Booking

We are your dedicated Group Booking specialist.
Up to 500 people per reservation!

If you are looking for a student accommodation or a hostel for your group, we are here to help.

Find out more

Reviews for Backpackers

person icon muted
Philip
Good stay and I loved the "code" concept. The day before they send me a code and I could enter the property and the room with no problem, no need to bring keys everywhere you go and it is a cozy and clean place. What else can i ask for?
8.7
Good stay and I loved the "code" concept
person icon muted
Luna
Everything was great, clean room, kind and welcoming staff. The hostel is really ideally placed.
8.7
Great hostel for a stay in Edinburgh!
person icon muted
Camila
I was there and was amazing the bed, the cleaning everything.
9.7
I love it
Districts
Districts

Landlords and property managers

Register now your property at our brand new Extranet

List your place
Edinburgh – Student accommodation, hostels and coworking spaces in Edinburgh (Scotland). Maps of Edinburgh, photos and reviews for each place in Edinburgh.

Welcome to Edinburgh

‘Auld Reekie’ is crammed with a volcanic amount of things to do. Literally. With ancient volcano and modern architecture rubbing along side by side and the iconic Edinburgh Castle watching out across the city, the ‘Athens of the North’ has something for groups and backpackers, culture-vultures and comedy diehards alike. One of the most desirable cities to live in the UK, Edinburgh will tempt you out of your dorm and lead you on a merry dance around a city centre overflowing with things to do.  And with grand-but-cheap and gloriously shabby-chic hostels downtown, you can properly live the Edinburgh experience without breaking the bank. Just a hop, skip and jump from the city centre youth hostels are bars and shops, museums and the great outdoors that will help you work up a non-too-wee appetite.  Time to jump into the Scotland’s beating heart and have a mense time youth hostelling in Scotland’s capital.

Hike up to Arthur’s Seat

Leave the hostel behind and spend a day cavorting in what some think was Camelot. Rising 250m out of the grasslands of Holyrood Park, the extinct volcano will appeal to the rugged adventurer and give you a cracking view across the city. In a May Day tradition, young women wash their faces in the hills morning dew to make themselves beautiful – but it’s pretty refreshing for anyone at any time of year.
Hike up to Arthur’s Seat
Hike up to Arthur’s Seat

The Meadow

Absorb the Edinburgh sun or shelter in the dappled shade of the trees alongside Edinburgh University students taking a break from lectures. A grassy bridge between the Old Town and Southside, it’s a great place to stop on the way for a wander around the calmer suburban village.
The Meadow
The Meadow

Window Shopping on Victoria Street

Even backpackers have an inner fashion freak. Indulge yours on the gloriously curvy Victoria Street. Start at George IV Bridge and pretend-spend all the way to Grassmarket. It’s all there: on-trend fashion in Swish to timeless tweeds in Walker Slater, sniffable tomes in The Old Town Bookshop and stinky cheeses in Ij Mellis.
Window Shopping on Victoria Street
Window Shopping on Victoria Street

Edinburgh Castle

Perched on an extinct volcano, the castle is something every backpacker should visit – not only is it fascinating, it’ll also help you get your bearings in the winding lanes below. Keep an eye open for actor-led tours.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle

The Stand Comedy Club

Edinburgh’s only full-time comedy venue, The Stand is a showcase for local talent. With shows seven nights a week, you’ll be laughing all the way back to the hostel.

Edinburgh Dungeon

This is a scream-filled adventure through 1000 years of Scottish villains, rogues and rascals. Actors, special effects and rides bring to life the torture chamber, serial killers and even local cannibal Sawney Bean.

Our Dynamic Earth

Probably best avoided during school holidays, but when the kids are tied to the desks, launch yourself into a world of interactive exhibits that journey through the story of Earth.
 Our Dynamic Earth
Our Dynamic Earth

Southside

Uni central, Southside is filled with studenty places to eat at, drink at and generally kick back a bit. With students at its focus, this is a particularly backpacker-friendly place to visit.
Southside
Southside

Princes Street

Pretty impossible to avoid, Princes Street is the main shopping street and is closed for anyone but trams, buses and taxis. All the buildings are on the north side of the street, leaving amazing views of the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle.
Princes Street
Princes Street

Old Town

The heart of Edinburgh, the Old Town is loaded with elegant stone buildings, museums and famous sights, including the castle, St Giles’ Cathedral and the Scottish National Gallery.
Old Town
Old Town

Edinburgh International Festival (August)

Running for four weeks in August, this is a global pinnacle of performing arts, flooded with world-class theatre, dance and music. It is the world's largest arts festival. Not one to miss.
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival

Edinburgh Fringe Festival (August)

Hugely popular with the hostel and backpacker crowd, the Fringe runs alongside the International Festival. It’s a showcase for experimental work and emerging talent, with loads of free shows.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Hogmanay (December)

Edinburgh IS New Year for many – December 31 sees the city turn into a giant street party. Everyone has to do New Year in Edinburgh at least once in their life. It’s the law.
Hogmanay
Hogmanay

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (July)

Music fills the streets for ten days in July, with 400 virtuoso performers from around the world dropping in to astound jazz fans.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

Edinburgh Mela (August)

A celebration of world music and dance held on Leith Links, a former golf course. It’s also great opportunity for globetrotting backpackers to enjoy some international grub.

Meadows Festival (June)

A free, volunteer-run music and community festival in June – there are three music stages, plus a dog show, art competitions and more. Get out of the hostel and enjoy a taste of local life.

Union of Genius

The show-stoppers here are the homemade soups that will take you on a world trip, from Lebanese lemon, lentil and spinach soup to Moroccan Harira, all served with a good hunk of bread. Each day has six soups to choose from.
Union of Genius
Union of Genius

Hemma

Head to Hemma for hungry backpacker’s breakfast: think haggis, bacon, poached eggs, sautéed potatoes, mushrooms and a hunk of toast from the local Manna House bakery. The Bloody Marys are legendary.
Hemma
Hemma

Lovecrumbs

Get your gnashers round some ‘snasters’ (trans: guilty pleasures) at Lovecrumbs in West Port. It does cakes and… nothing else. If our cakes were this good, we’d never do anything else either.
Lovecrumbs
Lovecrumbs

Bramble

Want to escape the dorm and grab a cocktail? This cosy bar turns out amazing ones. It’s quiet after work, but visit on Friday or Saturday evening for a more frenetic experience surrounded by beautiful people.
Bramble
Bramble

The West Room

This is a cracking spot for an after-shop cocktail. Get super relaxed beneath the biggest lampshades on Edinburgh or shake up a cocktail all of your own with a cocktail masterclass.

The Liquid Room

Opened in May 1997, The Liquid Room has an obscene list of artists from every genre. From Snow Patrol to De La Soul, Kaiser Chiefs to Black Eyed Peas.
The Liquid Room
The Liquid Room

Romanes & Paterson

Princes Street is stuffed with the major chain and department stores and Scottish souvenir shops. See what your tartan is at Romanes & Paterson – they’ve sold kilts and other tartan items since 1878.
Romanes & Paterson
Romanes & Paterson

Edinburgh Farmers’ Market

It’s tough dragging yourself out of the hostel after a Friday night out - but this award-winning Saturday morning market features over 50 producers selling meat, fish, cheese, chutneys, bread and organic beer. We reckon it’s worth it…
Edinburgh Farmers’ Market
Edinburgh Farmers’ Market

Out of the Blue Flea Market

On the last Saturday of every month, bric-a-brac your way through all sorts of vintage goodies that you’ll suddenly find yourself needing.

Hit the Museums and the Meadows:

When you’re backpacking, you need to count the pennies. Most of the galleries and museums are free, and there’s plenty of outside stuff to do too – so learn to love Edinburgh’s parks.

Get off the beaten track:

Hostel life and student life have a lot in common. So head to Southside, where there are loads of mid-week treats aimed at the local university population. It’s a great window on young Edinburgh too.

Forget August:

With so many festivals in summer, Edinburgh costs a fortune at that time of year, so visit at another time of year. Or book really early!

Read The List:

Check out The List to see what’s free in pubs and places around the city https://www.list.co.uk/events/where:edinburgh/

Airport Edinburgh Airport is 8 miles (12km) west of the city. There are several ways into the city. The Airlink 100service is a 24-hour shuttle bus between Edinburgh Airport and Waverley Bridge (near Princes Street and the main rail and bus stations). It leaves from Stop D and runs every 10 minutes at peak times, taking about 30 minutes to reach Waverley Bridge. A single costs £4.50. Tickets are available from the driver, the bus stop, the airport information desk or online at www.flybybus.com. If you get in out of hours (between 00:47 and 04:17, 7 nights a week), the N22 night bus heads into the city and Ocean Terminal in Leith via South Gyle. It runs every 30 minutes and takes 28 minutes to get to Waverley Steps, with a £3 flat fare that gives you unlimited travel for one night. For a more round-the-houses drive in, going by RBS World Headquarters, the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, take the number 35 bus. It leaves from Stop F and runs every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 30 minutes evenings and Sundays. The journey takes about an hour, and a single is just £1.50. Tram The tram is a quick way in from the airport to the city centre and the hostels. Pick up a ticket from a vending machine at the airport tram stop. A single ticket to the city costs £5, but that rises to £10 if you buy on board. Trams take about 20 mins to reach the city centre. Rail Edinburgh Waverley Station is getting a face-lift, but it still has all the usual cafes and services and car hire places you expect from a large rail hub. There are some lovely train journeys along the west coast and to St Andrews, which takes you over the Forth Bridge. Or for a quick jaunt, hop on a train out to Berwick-upon-Tweed for a bit of coastal action. Getting around Tram The tram, with its 15 stops, is a quick way to get around town – and you can now take a bike on the tram too. Single tickets within the City Zone (excluding the Airport Zone) cost £1.50, and 24-hour DAYticket passes covering tram and bus cost £4 (or £9 including the Airport Zone). Bus Download the Transport for Edinburgh appfrom theApple App Storeor Google Play to make paying bus fares super easy. Load your phone with m-tickets and the app will let you know when the next bus or tram will be with you. Buses (except Airlink) are exact-fare only, so you must have the exact change or use an m-ticket. Drivers have no change, so the m-ticket is the way to go if you don’t think you’ll be able to keep the correct change. Bike A great way to get around, especially when the weather is good. Bike rental can cost between £15 and £20 a day or £70 and £90 a week. The Cycle Scotland shop is just a 7-minute walk from the station, in the heart of the Old Town. They can also recommend some cycle paths or hook you up with a guide. Taxis You can flag down a taxi if it has its light on. At night, going to a taxi rank is the best option (if you call a cab, you’re likely charged about 80p extra). Marshalls at taxi ranks will help you out. Be aware, though, that if you’ve had one too many and the driver doesn’t fancy having you in the car, he or she can refuse to drive you. Language: English Currency: Pound sterling Voltage:230 V,50 Hz Dialing code: +44 for Scotland (United Kingdom), 0131 for Edinburgh Emergency numbers: Call 999 or 112 for ambulance, police and fire, 808 for a 24-hour medical helpline and 111 for NHS 24 services. For non-emergency police services call 101. Opening hours:In general, shops are open 09:00-17:30, with late-night shopping on Thursday until 19:30 or 20:00. Many larger stores open all day on Sundays, and pubs, bars and restaurants open much later. Hospitals Accident and Emergency Departments (A&Es): 24-hour A&E Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA0131 536 1000 24-hour A&E Department, St John’s Hospital Livingston Howden Road West, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6PP 01506 523000 Post Office This is the main Post Office and is in the West End of Edinburgh, just a short walk from Haymarket station. 4a West Maitland Street, EH12 5DS West End 0131 229 5906 Tourist office 3 Princes Street, EH2 2QP, Tel 0131 473 3868 There is also a Visitor Information Centre at Edinburgh Airport.