The best cheap hotels in Edinburgh – for rooms under £100 a night

Braid Hills Hotel is located in the bougie suburb of Morningside, but don’t expect bougie prices – at an average price of £84 a night, it’s a bargain. Inside you’ll find 71 individually designed bedrooms jam-packed with amenities. The hotel itself is positioned a whopping 540 feet above sea level, meaning that some of the rooms offer the most incredible panoramic views of Edinburgh. Opting for an even cheaper room? You can still soak up the capital’s skyline from the restaurant and bar. Complimentary on-site parking and high-speed 10G Fibre Wi-Fi is all part of the deal.

Time Out tip: The hotel is just across Braidburn Valley Park, with lovely footpaths to stroll through on early mornings. 

Address: 134 Braid Road, EH10 6JD, Edinburgh 

Price: Rooms from £68 per night. 

Closest transport: The Braid Hills Hotel bus stop is just one-minute walk.

Although booking ahead will bag you the best deals at this city centre easyHotel, at short notice £72 should buy you a compact room. Rooms here are decked out in white and the easy brand’s signature orange – they all have en suite shower rooms with towels and toilets, plus free wifi. The hotel has some of the city’s best views of Edinburgh Castle, but not all rooms look out onto it. Our recommendation? Try your luck and put a request in when you book.

Time Out tip: Snag a good coffee and fab bagel at Fortuna Coffee Bar, just a seven minute walk away. 

Address: 125a Princes Street, EH2 4AD, Edinburgh 

Price: Rooms from £72 per night. 

Closest transport: The Princes Street bus stop is right outside the hotel. 

Even locals don't realise that some of Edinburgh's cheapest overnight stays lie behind this unassuming set of gates on Leith Walk. Pass through them, however, and you'll find 3-star accommodation that sits somewhere between a self-service apartment and a budget hotel. With just nine rooms, On The Walk is compact but it doesn't scrimp on amenities – soundproofed walls, TVs with streaming, in-room coffee machines, hair-dryers and free Wifi are all included in the price of a stay. The best bit? You're right in the heart of Edinburgh's coolest neighbourhood of the moment, but should you choose to head to other areas of the city, McDonald Road tram stop is just seconds away.

Time Out tip: MIRIN is a fantastic Asian-inspired restaurant on Albert Place, and it's right next door.

Address: Lothian, 18 Albert Place, EH7 5HN, Edinburgh 

Price: Rooms frm £92 per night. 

Closest transport: Shrubhill bus stop is a one-minute walk. 

Alongside having some of the cheapest dorm prices in Edinburgh (while still managing to somehow feel like a hostel-hotel hybrid), a&o is famed for its on-site pub, Bar 50. Its cheap – but still high quality – food and drink are well taken advantage of by visitors to the city and locals alike (you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't spend their student days making regular trips there for sustenance). Crucially, a&o is family-friendly, a major rarity when it comes to staying in hostels in Edinburgh. Each of the hostel's 131 rooms come with an en-suite, so you won't have to fight to get a turn on the toilet. 

Time Out tip: Start your morning slow and melodical at Slow Progress Records & Coffee, just across the street.

Address: 50 Blackfriars Street, EH1 1NE, Edinburgh 

Price: Beds from £33 per night. 

Closest transport: South Bridge bus stop is a six-minute walk.  

Hostels in the capital don’t get more history-steeped than this one. Located in the Old Town, just off the Royal Mile, in a building that dates back to the mid-sixteenth century, the High Street Hostel is a favourite with visitors to Edinburgh. The dorms sleep six to 16, and have both, bunks and lockers, in which to store your valuables. Private rooms, should you want a bit of peace and quiet, sleep two to four. 

Bathrooms are separate and towels cost extra. There’s a self-catering kitchen and there’s a great value continental breakfast that’ll set you up for the day. Board games, a pool table, film nights and free wifi will keep you occupied and the team at HSH are known for putting on community-building events. However, the venue operates a strict 18+ policy, so best leave the kids at home. Beds start at less than £30 a night, although prices can fluctuate depending on when you visit (here’s looking at you Edinburgh Fringe).

Time Out tip: 3 Blind Mice Pizza is across from the hostel and serves up some mean pies and cocktails. 

Address: 8 Blackfriars Street, EH1 1NE, Edinburgh 

Price: Beds from £44 per night. 

Closest transport: The Museum of Childhood bus stop is a one-minute walk away. 

The Ibis makes for a handy – and thrifty – choice if you need to hole up near the airport, which thanks to the tram is only an eight to 10 minute tram journey away. It’s also very easy to get into the centre of the city from here via the same tram stop (which is just a three minute walk from the hotel) . Parking costs a fee of £5 per day on a first-come, first-served basis and pets are welcome. The 161 rooms are small but bright and come with TVs and complimentary wifi. A continental buffet breakfast is extra, but starts at 5.30am for you early travellers.

Time Out tip: There's not a lot going on in the area, but if you get hungry, reception offers quick solutions 24 hours a day. 

Address: Business Park, 6 Lochside View, EH12 9DH, Edinburgh 

Price: Rooms from £42 per night. 

Closest transport: The Gyle Roundabout bus stop is four-minute walk, and the Gyle Centre tram stop is a seven-minute walk. 

Known as one of Edinburgh’s best party hostels (it is located right on the Grassmarket and next to the club-filled Cowgate after all), Kick Ass has dorms with either bunk beds or private rooms with standard doubles too. Our preference? Their amazing Superior Pod Beds which feel more like your very own private cabin thanks to their thick heavy blackout curtains. Bathrooms are shared, but the wifi is free and breakfast is just £6. This is an adults-only property, with a bar that's open daily until midnight. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, University and Waverley station are all less than a mile away, so you’ll save a fortune on cabs.

Time Out tip: You don't have to go far for pints with a view. The Kick Ass beer garden sits directly opposite Edinburgh castle. 

Address: 2 West Port, EH1 2JA, Edinburgh 

Price: Beds from £65 per night. 

Closest transport: West Port bus stop is a one-minute walk away. 

You’ll find this budget chain hotel located on the corner of Market Street and Cockburn Street (pronounced co-burn, you saucy lot). Placed just across the road from Edinburgh Waverley train station, you’re right next to the capital’s main transport hub (and just a stone’s throw from Princes Street). There’s a breakfast buffet, bar and 24-hour reception. Decor is clean and contemporary, with pops of Motel One’s trademark blue everywhere. The 208 rooms all have rain showers, desk space, TVs and free wifi.

Time Out tip: Order one of the margaritas from the lobby bar. They shake up a strong cocktail. 

Address: 18 Market St, EH1 1BL, Edinburgh 

Price: Rooms from £84 per night. 

Closest transport: Edinburgh Waverley train station is a two-minute walk away. 

This top-flight youth hostel boasts a 24-hour reception, a well-equipped communal kitchen, laundry facilities, late-night cafe and free wifi. There are a total of 271 beds, spread across private rooms and dorms, which are all en suite. Dorm beds can be had for as little as £27, and kids are welcome. The best bit? Edinburgh Central is located right on the cusp of the capital’s trendy Leith neighbourhood, which features the best of the city’s food and drink scene.

Time Out tip: Start your foodie journey at Spry Wines, a lovely little wine bar with rich small plates, just a block away from the hotel.

Address: 9 Haddington Place, EH7 4AL, Edinburgh 

Price: Beds from £27 per night. 

Closest transport: Elm Row is a two-minute walk. 

Despite being a modern three-star property, if you’re smart and book ahead, you’ll find rates at this city centre hotel very good indeed. All of their bright 116 rooms have en-suite bathrooms (showers and/or baths), TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities and free wifi. Some bedrooms have views, family rooms sleep four, and twin rooms have bunk beds. Although you can’t grab breakfast here, Four Points Flex is surrounded by brilliant Edinburgh cafes.

Time Out tip: Ignore the Taco Bell chain that's next to hotel and opt for the more local and authentic Taco Libre restaurant right around the corner. 

Address: 25-33 Shandwick Place, EH2 4RG, Edinburgh 

Price: Rooms from £52 per night. 

Closest transport: Edinburgh Shandwick Place bus stop is just outside the hotel. 

If you want a place beside the water, head to this branch of the Holiday Inn in Leith. It’s near the Royal Yacht Britannia and the old port, and next door to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre (and more importantly, its tram stop that will take you straight into the city or to the airport). Wifi is free, and a hot buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. All 169 rooms have just been freshly redecorated as of the start of 2026, with all rooms now featuring TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities and blackout blinds.

Time Out tip: The Port of Leith Distillery is a short walk away, but before you get boozy, stop by the Wee Museum of Memory along the way. It's a free, hands-on museum of nostalgia, filled with everything from old photographs, to vintage magazines, antique knick knacks and more. 

Address: Britannia Way, Ocean Drive, EH6 6JJ, Edinburgh 

Price: Rooms from £100 per night.

Closest transport: Commercial Street bus stop is a three-minute walk. 

Inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, Code Pod does what it says on the tin – you quite literally sleep in pods (private rooms come with normal beds). That's how they can charge small prices (from £22/n in a dorm) in such a sought-after area. Situated in the Old Town (in a former 1690s courthouse no less), there's an onsite bar, 24-hour reception, free wifi and a good value (£6) continental or buffet breakfast. There are plenty of attractions within strolling distance, including the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Scottish National Gallery. Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station is also just a ten-minute walk away.

Time Out tip: Stop at Dumpling Queen for some epic some gochujang rice bowl and haggis fried dumplings. It's off Blackfriars Street, just a six-minute walk from the hotel. 

Address: 1A Parliament Square, EH1 1RF, Edinburgh 

Price: Beds from £58 per night. 

Closest transport: South Bridge bus stop is a four-minute walk. 

Unsurprisingly, this 19th century building that plays home to one of Edinburgh's most popular hostels is located right next to the big ol' rock on which the castle sits. As well as its cheap dorm and private room prices, Castle Rock has three communal lounges, each with a completely different vibe – so you don't get stuck trying to relax while that one guy plays Wonderwall on an acoustic guitar – as well as an outdoor patio. If you're looking to save even more dosh on your Edinburgh trip, make good use of their self-catering kitchen space.

Time Out tip: Trip out at the cool illusions found at Camera Obscura, only a two-minute walk away. 

Address: 15 Johnston Terrace, EH1 2PW, Edinburgh 

Price: Beds from £42 per night. 

Closest transport: Grassmarket bus stop is a three-minute walk.