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).
From 24 July 2026, the Edinburgh City Visitor Levy will apply to all overnight stays. The levy is charged on arrival and applies to stays up to 5 consecutive nights. If you stay longer than 5 days, no levy is applied from the 6th night onwards. The charge is not payable on cancellations or no-shows.
The levy is designed to support Edinburgh’s visitor services and local economy, helping the city to remain a world-class destination for all.
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
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
15/09/2025
The experience l had was very positivePeter Robertson
15/09/2025
excellentKaty
10/09/2025
Great city location; area & place felt safe for me as a solo female traveller. Good facilities available & good food drinking & shops near to hand if needed. Great bus & tram options right outside yhaNewbeeYHA User-Carol
09/09/2025
Great Youth Hostel near Edinburgh city center, warm welcome, clean rooms and good Scottish breakfast!Marie
03/09/2025
A pleasant stay, friendly, very helpful staff, comfortable with all facilities needed.Maggie
27/08/2025
This is the only place I stay in Edinburgh. It is also right on the tram line. Can't get much easier for a visitor.Amanda
27/08/2025
Would definitely stay again.NO
26/08/2025
Great location with good access from airport. Within walking distance of the city centre/ castle. Quiet hostel with very helpful staff. Good breakfast to start the day. Thoroughly recommended.Simon
25/08/2025
Excellent as always. There are cheaper hostels in Edinburgh but I'd rather pay a bit extra to feel comfortable. As a lone female in my late 50s, it's important for me to feel safe. Never had any negative experiences in all the times I've stayed.Debra from Hull
25/08/2025
GreatYes
23/08/2025
Thanks for a great night and a nice room. Good to see some faces I've met before. Overall a great experience. Thanks guys.Martin
23/08/2025
Great value convenient and friendlyJulie Cook
23/08/2025
Very positive. Room comfortable and clean. Good location. Breakfast options varied and good value. Atmosphere pleasant and friendly people in general staying at the hostel. Nice to see variation in age groups staying at the hostel. This helps with the balancing type of accommodation that suits people travelling who prefer a laid back and chilled style of hostelDavid prentice
22/08/2025
Amazing central location. The staff are on hand to help and provide support and are very friendly. Check-in was so efficient and speedy, as was check-out. Rooms are clean and the beds are comfortable. We were a big group of 44 and the service given to us was first class. We would love to stay here again.Elgin Academy
22/08/2025
Great location clean and comfortable.No
20/08/2025
I really appreciated the staff who could find a room for me at the last minute, because I had made a mistake on the date I had booked.cedric
18/08/2025
Thanks all staff for your prompt and warm service.Wai Yee
17/08/2025
Great place to staySJoy
16/08/2025
As a family with children we really enjoyed our stay and staff were all very friendly and helpful. We will be back!Hfamily
13/08/2025
We stayed four nights. The location is central to all the action. We could walk to the Royal Mile. Building is modern and well maintained. Breakfast was the full monty with black puddin and Haggis. Not for the timid. Staff were very helpful and cheerful.Bernard from Texas
11/08/2025
Nice stay in good price. Good staff and clean hostelGurjap singh
09/08/2025
Great location, good kitchen and friendly staff, thank you for a nice stay in Edinburgh!Karsten
05/08/2025
I loved the kitchen - it was as always clean: in the morning, in the afternoon, late evening. I have no idea how the do it. The staff was very helpful. The room (dorm for four) was excellent. Great time!!!Werner Roggenkemper, Switzerland
04/08/2025
dorms are well maintained and clean. the staff are cheerfull and very helpfull. overall a great staychris m
03/08/2025
Loved it will be backAnnmaree
01/08/2025
It was very uncomplicated and friendly.Susanne K.
30/07/2025
We are staying at other Hostelling Scotland spots throughout our trip and have been impressed with the service, cleanliness and comfort each place has provided.Neil
24/07/2025
Luggage storage before and after check in and check out was perfect. Toilets were clean and convenient. Water easily accessible. Very comfortable common areas.Cynthia
22/07/2025
Friendly, comfortable, an overall great stay!Bella
22/07/2025
The room is big and clean, very worthful for moneyMandy921
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).