Edinburgh Central
About About this youth hostel
Edinburgh Central offers contemporary hostel accommodation in the heart of the city, close to major transport links and ideally positioned for exploring Scotland's capital. The hostel offers a wide variety of private rooms and shared dorm accommodation making it a perfect base for couples, families and solo travellers looking to explore and enjoy Scotland’s capital city on a budget. All rooms have en-suite facilities and individual lockers.
The hostel’s welcoming and vibrant communal spaces are perfect for relaxing and socialising. Our Café Bar is open from 7am to 11pm daily offering a wide selection of delicious food and drink. WiFi is free for all guests and other facilities include: a small but well-equipped guest kitchen, meeting rooms, laundry, secure bike storage and a luggage store for anyone arriving early and eager to head off right away to explore the city!
The hostel is just ten minutes on foot from Waverley railway station, the bus station and close to York Place tram stop. Parking near Edinburgh Central is possible, with on-street Pay & Display spaces in the surrounding area and at nearby Greenside Car Park (contact the hostel directly for more information).
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
Open all year
Reception Hours
Open 24 hours
Check in
16:00 - 23.00
Check out
07.00 - 10:00
Access Hours
We are happy to welcome you. Subject to availability: early check-in and late check out may be available for an extra £10 per room
Amenities
Free Wifi
Secure Lockers
Towel Hire
Catering
Games Room
Pool Table
Lounge/TV Room
En Suite Rooms
Family Rooms
Guest Kitchen
Laundry Room
Alcohol Licence
Bike Store
Cafe
Suitable for Groups
Private Rooms
Shopping Nearby
Parking - Charges Apply (nearby or onsite)
Free Tea and Coffee in Guest Kitchen
Guest Reviews
10/06/2025
Very good. We would stay again and recommend to anyone.Mike and Kenneith from Devon.
09/06/2025
Edinburgh Central Hostel is a wonderful place to stay. It's conveniently located, with large rooms and comfortable beds. The security is excellent, with key codes or cards required to get into any private area. Everything was clean, convenient, and up to date. The staff were friendly and very helpful!Tricia A
07/06/2025
A good night's sleep close to the city centre for a very reasonable price.Debra
04/06/2025
Great central location and good value for moneyAri
02/06/2025
Excellent hostel for groups and individuals travelling to the capital on a budget. Good location and amenities. Always a very pleasant stay.Lisa Bowles
01/06/2025
Wonderful location, quiet and clean . Wonderful range of items on offer for wee breakfast.Yes
01/06/2025
Very welcoming and helpful staff. Nice atmosphere. I stayed in a room which was immaculate. Good value for money.Mel603
30/05/2025
Hostel is prima uitvalbasis de stad te verkennen.Nee
30/05/2025
Congratulations to the cooking team. Great evening meals.V. Parra
29/05/2025
Everything was ok. Just one thing to complain - the restaurant was booked with a group and I couldn't have dinner there - that was dissapointing.Junifee
27/05/2025
Everything went great! Just one negative aspect was that the booking was for 3 nights, but we had to change room everyday, because the hostel was really busy in this period. That was not such a big issue but maybe the booking service could try to make some arrangements in order to avoid the check in/check out everyday.Marine
27/05/2025
Clean and central and cheaper than most other options .Marathon Queen
27/05/2025
It's a very well located welcoming hostel. Can accommodate large groups.I hope to use again!Sam
27/05/2025
Very goodAn
26/05/2025
It's only a couple of stops from Edinburgh Wavaley on the tram.Walking in the main door, it seems to upmarket to be a hostel.Apart from emergency vehicles the street noise was very low key.Breakfast was delicious and just the right size.Mark
26/05/2025
It was quick and efficient stay before the marathon festival.Yes
26/05/2025
Thank you - it was exactly what we had hoped for. We'll be back and we'll tell/bring our friends!Yes
25/05/2025
Nice hostel with Nice staff, good breakfast.M lahaye
24/05/2025
Very good stay and friebdly expérience Showers should be accessible thoughmuriel
22/05/2025
Rent och fint , fräsja romBörje.
21/05/2025
It's a hostel so you have to expect it to be noisy but it's clean and comfortable.Debbo
21/05/2025
4.5/5 excellent welcome and a nice place close to the centertraveling wilbury
21/05/2025
A great location, friendly staff, clean and comfortableHelen
19/05/2025
Staff very friendly and helpful good central locationRichard
18/05/2025
Really good, so quiet not something easy to find in Edinburgh you'd usually hear some sort of noise. Was great to have a 24hr shop across the road, restaurants, the omni centre, the playhouse, pubs and the St James centre all within a 10/15minute walk! Tram stop and bus stops basically just outside too.Ak
18/05/2025
Very goodBirgit
17/05/2025
Room was excellent, breakfast was a bit busy but it was good. Good shower and separate toilet was a plus.Gerard
17/05/2025
My stay was really good, even better than expected! But some things that would've made it better: privacy curtains round the bed, a bathmat was desperately needed, as was a hand towel after washing hands. The toilet in my room also had trouble flushing. I appreciated the fridges and the kitchen, but was a bit confused as to what was available for public use; and as someone who doesn't eat meat or fish, the smell of people cooking this was repulsive. Better ventilation would help!CM
15/05/2025
Great place, very easy to access!Enora
15/05/2025
I can't believe how well-situated this hostel is! We took the tram from the airport and discovered the nearest stop was only a three-minute walk to the hostel. We found plenty of good food options nearby and we could get to the city centre with no more than 15 minutes of walking. The beds were comfortable and the room was bright due to nice large windows. I would happily stay here again.Amusingmom
Reasons to visit
More than just Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to one of the world's most famous summer festivals. One of the UK's most popular tourist destinations, Edinburgh boasts a plethora of world-class visitor attractions including a number which are free: the National Museum of Scotland, Royal Botanic Gardens, Scottish National Gallery, St Giles Cathedral, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre. Many attractions also offer regular free guided tours.
From film locations to museums and galleries, fantastic shopping, a vibrant nightlife and fine or relaxed dining - you can even climb Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano! Add to this the spectacular surroundings of the majestic Lothians, or the opportunity to take a rail trip to the Scottish Borders, and you've got a recipe for an unforgettable break.
Whatever you're looking for Edinburgh has it in bundles and will have you coming back for more!
Some experiences not to be missed:
- Sunrise from Arthur's Seat
- The Forth Bridges and the new Queensferry Crossing
- Underground streets of Mary King's Close
- The Old Town and Royal Mile
- Lunch in the Grassmarket
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Palace of Holyrood
- The Elephant House Café (famous from the Harry Potter films)
- Take in a free performance at the 'Fringe Festival'
- Whisky tastings!
Look out for free walking tours including: 'Old Town Tour ' and the 'Potter Trail' (muggles welcome).