Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
Edinburgh Central offers 5 star VisitScotland accredited hostel accommodation in the heart of the city, close to major transport links and ideally positioned for exploring Scotland's capital.
Various room types are available from singles and family rooms to shared dorms with individual lockers. All are en-suite and premium rooms come with a TV, USB sockets and coffee making facilities.
Relax in the hostel’s welcoming vibrant spaces - perfect for socialising. Our café bar is open from 7am to 11pm daily offering a selection of assorted teas/coffees cakes and cookies and alcoholic beverages. If you wish to self-cater, there’s the option of a small but well-equipped guest kitchen. Or, if you’re looking for a little more privacy, a small meeting room is available to hire for functions, meetings and special events.
WiFi is free for all guests and other amenities include a laundry, a secure bike store and luggage storage 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 information on hostel accessibility please click here
We’re committed to delivering the highest levels of cleanliness. To find out more about our Cleanliness Commitment please click here.
Book with Confidence. To find out more about our Covid-19 Flexibility Guarantee, please click here.
Please note, there are currently road restrictions in place on Leith Walk due to the ongoing tram works. As a result there is limited access to the hostel by car.
Why stay?
- Great Central Location
- Comfortable Private Rooms
For information on our COVID-19 practices and what to expect when staying with us please visit the FAQ’s section. Please also be aware of Scottish Government guidance when making your booking.
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
Open all year
Reception Hours
Open 24 hours
Check in
16:00 - 21.00
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
Private Rooms
En Suite Rooms
Family Rooms
Suitable for Groups
Catering
Cafe
Alcohol Licence
Lounge/TV Room
Laundry Room
Secure Lockers
Luggage Store
Bike Store
Towel Hire
Shopping Nearby
Conference/Meeting Facilities
Free Tea and Coffee in Guest Kitchen
Suitable for Wheelchair Users
Access with limited mobility
Guest Reviews
8/12/2022 12:00:00 AM
Another fantastic stay at the Edinburgh Central hostel after many August stays with you! The reception staff are always and happy willing to please - whether that's extra pillows, listening to tales of woe about dorm snorers at 3am, making a late night hot chocolate at the bar and just being generally upbeat and cheerful, but in a normal, authentic way. Great little sofa area, where I chilled out and charged my iPad every night - amazing value for money for such a central spot in August!!skaro1
8/3/2022 12:00:00 AM
Our second stay in this hostel. Seems to be coping with climate change so far. We hardly every recommend anything to anyone. (Why would we? Isn't that just something for people who spend lots of time on asocial media?), but we are quite likely to praise this hostel in conversation. Along with other hostels, of course.JLAs
8/2/2022 12:00:00 AM
Great place to explore the citySimon
8/1/2022 12:00:00 AM
Wonderful stay, thank you!Guest Review
7/31/2022 12:00:00 AM
We were all pleasantly surprised and pleased with the stay at the Edinburgh Hostel. The lobby area is generous for socializing, the beds were comfortable and the breakfast was sufficient. The location was good in reference to restaurants and coffee shops.B4marshall
7/24/2022 12:00:00 AM
I wish to thank Janet from NZ who booked me in. also Owen on the desk they were very kind and organised to a 82 year old cyclist.Please send me the hostal e-mail to enable me to send a report of my cycle journey around Scotland.Denis Jordan, Life memberDenis
7/23/2022 12:00:00 AM
Modern design with hotel style feel in the foyer/bar area. Single en suite room is the basic standard for a hostel. Staff were welcoming and accommodating. Location is close enough to the city centre, but without the noise of the city centre. Luggage can be stored before check in time. Kitchen/dining area is clean and adequate, but not open 24/7.Rob
7/22/2022 12:00:00 AM
Incredibly friendly and helpful staff. Very clean and well designed space. Great location along the Leith Walk with very easy walk to Waverly train station and beautiful sites.Erin
7/21/2022 12:00:00 AM
Amazing location, friendly staff and a good base for exploring Edinburgh.Aga
7/19/2022 12:00:00 AM
I've stayed in a few hostels over the years but this was the first time I spoke to a fellow room-mate in the morning, "These mattresses are really comfortable" and so are the pillows! It's surprising how many places put these things down the priority list. Very friendly and helpful place and my scrambled eggs on toast at breakfast was unexpectedly brilliant. I thought it would be a starter for the day, but it seems it was prepared with love!Louise
7/18/2022 12:00:00 AM
Great modern hostel!Thomas
7/7/2022 12:00:00 AM
Everything worked out well, I actually wanted to extend my booking, but it was full. Clean, great location, well kitted kitchen, and a big lobby/ common area where I could finish some work. I'm happy to have found this hostel, I would definitely stay here again. I will also browse the other HS locations, hope they're on a par.lua
7/7/2022 12:00:00 AM
Outstanding hostel. Clean, comfortable and felt safe. The staff were friendly and helpful.Jane
7/6/2022 12:00:00 AM
Excellent, helpful amd friendly staff. Very impressed by experience.Ruth
7/4/2022 12:00:00 AM
A group of friends and I studying abroad in London decided to take a weekend trip to Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel surpassed all our expectations. Upon check-in, they rearranged our living assignments so we could all stay together. The room was clean, comfortable, and was in a great location. I would absolutely recommend this hostel to travelers and we had a wonderful time!Kate
6/29/2022 12:00:00 AM
The hostel is ideally situated part way down Leith Walk / Elm Row, a short stroll from Princes Street. The foyer resembles a hotel and the rooms are clean and tidy, the linen is beautifully white. The staff are polite and helpful and there are quiet hours, which seem to be observed. The only downside, and not only for this hostel, is that you can't get a tea / coffee inhouse or anywhere near before 8.30am unless you bring your own. Otherwise a great stay.Andrew Muirhead
6/27/2022 12:00:00 AM
good and central location, friendly staff. Great lobby with hotel charakterRuediger
6/25/2022 12:00:00 AM
Great place to stay, friendly & helpful people on the desk. Loved staying at Edinburgh Central.MrsP
6/21/2022 12:00:00 AM
Friendly welcome, even at 2 am in the morning. Beds nice and comfortable, our room was sparkling clean, quiet and even had a lovely view which we discovered in the morning.Antje
6/20/2022 12:00:00 AM
Nice and really helpful staff, great sized rooms! :) Only 15 minutes away from the old city, it's a nice walk, and perfect for spending the evening at the Calton Hill!me.in.UK :D
6/8/2022 12:00:00 AM
Excellent on all accounts of cleanliness, helpful staff, easy check in and out. Location was great and transport from door to door was very pleasant and easy. I have no hesitation in recommending this 5 star hostel to anyone visiting Edinburgh. Grace Shirreffs AberdeenGrace Shirreffs
6/5/2022 12:00:00 AM
Excellent all round and superb staffMaisy
5/30/2022 12:00:00 AM
Well-position and equipped hostel, with good rooms. The only two things I would suggest are, firstly, to offer breakfast a bit earlier and secondly (more difficult) to have a different location for bike storage (the current location is difficult to access). However, overall this is a great hostel.Sam
5/28/2022 12:00:00 AM
The hostel was perfect for our school group. I've been running trips for almost 20 years, and this hostel is the best one I've been in. Great facilities - modern and clean. Breakfast arrangements are perfect for the kids. Staff were helpful and cheery. Highly recommended!Guest Review
5/23/2022 12:00:00 AM
Excellent all round - helpful staff, comfortable room, great location. Thanks!John
5/20/2022 12:00:00 AM
Great place to stay in the Scottish capitalPHIL LONG
5/17/2022 12:00:00 AM
We spend a few nights in this hostel in a private room. We slept absolutely very well and didn't hear any noice from other rooms. It is located not too far from the city center, so we walked everywhere. In the evenings we spent some time in the cosy lobby.Ingrid, Belgium
5/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
After a three-year break on account of Covid we were very happy to return to Edinburgh Central and find that this venue was still the welcoming and relaxed base we remembered of old. Many thanks to Janet and her team, especially the hard-working kitchen staff.Lawrence Sutherland
5/15/2022 12:00:00 AM
Modern and up to date hostel, with places to sit and have a coffee etc. It felt a very relaxed place. Secure access to corridors and rooms: lovely room (for 4) with facilites en-suite. Members kitchen with everything you might need, and dining area with TV. Continental breakfast in the dining room was just right, and included everything you might expect. Staff were friendly and helpful. It was a comfortable, relaxed, no-pressure place to stay. I will come back.....Janice A
5/12/2022 12:00:00 AM
It wouldn't b a COMPLETE wonderful experience traveling in Scotland if I haven't had an accommodation at Youth hostel with such an amicable, cooperative and amazing staff. From the time we checked in until checked out, I must admit it was a HOME from home. Not only the room facilities but also the Kitchen services were superb. If anyone seeing my review I would recommend this place.ThanksPukhraj
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).
