Before you start planning a travel budget based on budget prices, remember, though, that the average budget hotel cost is just that, an average, probably reduced by quite a few doss houses and Fawlty Towers type establishments. .
All rooms on this list are doubles with ensuite facilities for less than £ 100 per night. Keep a few things in mind when choosing a cheap room:
- Breakfast may not be included.
- There may be a fee or slow connection for Wi-Fi
- Factor in travel costs to attractions
- Beware of super cheap deals that can be almost impossible to pin down.
- Forget getting these great prices in August when the Edinburgh festivals kick off. During festival season, prices in Edinburgh skyrocket.
01
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Edinburgh First to College – Holland House, Pollack Halls
Housed in dorm or dorm rooms, 2,000 rooms are available during spring break and summer break. The accommodations are close to Arthur’s Seat and approximately one mile from the city center and Waverley Station.
These rooms are excellent value for money (sometimes for well under £ 50). Guests receive courtesy:
- access to a nearby gym
- full scottish breakfast
- tea and coffee in the room
- Digital TV with free channels
Internet access is available for a fee and there is a bar and cafe available
02
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The Grassmarket Hotel
Edinburgh’s Grassmarket area is central and popular with students, visitors, and locals, so don’t expect a quiet evening. This hotel has 45 rooms with private bathroom, television, tea and coffee, hairdryer and telephone. Breakfast is not included but is available in the adjoining pub. If you join their mailing list, you are eligible to try the ‘Roommate Rates’, the ten rooms per month that sell for £ 1. They advertise the £ 1 rooms via emails and then if you are very quick , you could get one.
The hotel is about 5 minutes from Waverley station. There is no parking, but a discounted rate is available at a nearby parking lot.
03
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El Ben Doran B&B Guest House
You’ll love or hate the cheap rooms at the Ben Doran Guest House. Housed in a Georgian house listed with period features, it’s close to downtown and promises Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, oversized towels, and robes (on request). There’s free street parking, Wi-Fi for a small fee, and a full Scottish breakfast included in the price.
Some guests have complained that it is cold, but most Georgian houses in Edinburgh have. It is an old Scottish tradition to snuggle under a down comforter with a hot water bottle to warm the bed. Ben Doran’s hosts will provide both.
04
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The Ballantrae Hotel
Just a two minute walk from Princes Street and five minutes from Waverley Station in central Edinburgh. The Ballantrae is a late Georgian house, built in the 1830s with many original features. Keep extremely low prices in mind when considering this hotel’s claim to “luxury” accommodations and self-catering suites.
The hotel has been updated and a renovation in 2014 brought this Grade 2 hotel to 3-star standards. The location is excellent – the new Edinburgh tram direct to the airport stops right outside. You can’t beat the price and convenient location.
05
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Smart City Hostel
This purpose-built hostel in Edinburgh’s Old Town has more possibilities than many of the so-called three-star guesthouses. Dorm-style rooms for between 10 and 12 people cost £ 9 a night, but you can also book a private room with two single beds for less than £ 40, or a family room for four for £ 60.
All rooms have a bathroom with a shower and toilet, towels and bedding, lockers, and many security features, from secure mobile phone charging to saving cycle and luggage locking.
There are also special girls-only rooms, with added features like hypoallergenic duvets and pillows, luxury towels, hair shampoo and conditioner, full blow-dryers, and full-length mirrors.
Overall, a good deal for students, backpackers, families, and independent travelers.
06
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The Royal British Hotel
Right on Princes Street and close to Waverley Station, the Royal British Hotel is in the heart of the action – and the noise – for Hogmanay and the Edinburgh festivals. At this traditional, dated hotel, expect large, clean rooms with slightly dated decor but reasonable bathroom / shower rooms. It offers high-speed Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.
07
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Premier Inn – Edinburgh Leith Waterfront
Premier Inns is a national chain of budget hotels with a reasonably good reputation for cleanliness and comfort. The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and simply furnished with a desk, telephone, television, tea and coffee making facilities, private bathroom and hydromassage shower. Family rooms are available and breakfast is not included. Edinburgh’s Leith Waterfront area is getting very modern, with some of the best restaurants in the city located there.
This group often advertises ridiculously low lead prices – £ 29 – £ 49 – on their website. Don’t be seduced by them because you could spend a lifetime changing dates on your booking widget looking for the limited number of rooms offered at that price. Still, their normal prices are a pretty good value for a stopover during a tour.
Even closer to the heart of things, the Premier Inn’s Edinburgh Haymarket is a very good deal.
08
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Elder York Guesthouse
Don’t be put off by the location next to Edinburgh Bus Station and five minutes from Waverly Train Station. The Elder York B&B is housed in a well-located Grade A building and, while basic, offers reasonable value for money.
Remember to ask for a private or ensuite bathroom because most, but not all rooms have them. And one more condition: the B&B occupies the third and fourth floors of the building, without a lift. So if you are not willing to carry your luggage up all those stairs, this is not for you.
09
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El Ibis Budget Edinburgh Park
The budget French Ibis chain can be considered reliable and clean, if a bit boring. This is a good example. It is well located, not far from the airport, close to public transport and next to a lake. There is free Wi-Fi and snacks and drinks 24/7. Breakfast is not included but on-site parking is free.
