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Wondering where to stay in Edinburgh but have a tight budget? There are lots of cheap hotels in all areas of Edinburgh, including the Old Town and West End. This guide will give you an insight into the best-rated and cheapest budget hotels in Edinburgh to ensure your stay in the capital is enjoyable and memorable.
Budget Hotels in Edinburgh’s Old Town
1. Motel One Edinburgh – Royal
Motel One Royal is one of two Motel One hotels in Edinburgh.
This Old Town hotel is located just a 5-minutes walk away from Waverley Train Station, making it a perfect base for visitors looking for a quick overnight stay.
Staying for longer? At Motel One Royal you are directly across from Princes Street Gardens and the shops at Princes Street in the New Town.
Prefer the historic side of the city? Just walk up Cockburn (Coburn) Street and you will come to The Royal Mile within minutes. Here you will find Edinburgh Castle and lots of fun things to do in the Old Town.
No need to spend additional money on transport when you stay at Motel One Royal as everything is in walking distance from the hotel.
You can even hop on the Airlink Airport Bus just outside of the hotel. Here’s more about the best ways to get to the city from Edinburgh Airport.
Motel One rooms feature an en suite bathroom, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi access.
Pets are allowed and there is lift/elevator access available to accommodate wheelchair users.
Motel One is the ideal budget hotel for those who want to be in the Old Town with quick access to the New Town.
This is one of the best accommodations in Edinburgh, with an overall rating of 9.9/10!
2. The Inn Place
The Inn Place is located at Cockburn Street (image) and is 10 minutes away from Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and Waverley Station.
Rooms contain a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, desk space, and a bathroom with free toiletries.
Some rooms offer city views or look onto the historic Cockburn Street.
There are lots of cafés, shops, bars and restaurants in the surrounding streets and the best Old Town attractions are minutes away.
The hotel offers a highly-rated breakfast service at an additional cost.
Alternatively, pop to the hip coffee shop, The Milkman on Cockburn Street for a caffeine injection.
Previous guests have rated it 9.7 for a two-person trip, making it one of the best price hotels in Edinburgh.
Budget Hotels in Edinburgh City Centre
3. Motel One Edinburgh – Princes
Bright, modern rooms with a splash of the Motel One turquoise, this city centre chain hotel is located just off Princes Street (image).
All rooms have free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a modern bathroom as well as hypoallergenic pillows and free iPad rental from reception.
Regardless of being so close to Waverley Station, rooms are soundproofed so you can’t hear it.
There is an accessible parking bay opposite the front entrance for Blue Badge holders.
There are elevators and accessible rooms contributing to a 5/5/ award by Euan’s Guide.
George Street and Rose Street are close by for food and drinks.
North Bridge, which takes you to The Royal Mile, is a couple of minutes away.
Grab a coffee and breakfast at One Lounge to kick off your day.
This is a dog-friendly hotel in Edinburgh.
4. Hotel Indigo Edinburgh
Found close to the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, Hotel Indigo Edinburgh has stylish rooms with desk space suitable for business travellers, and a gym and free WiFi too.
Each room has a flat-screen satellite TV, air conditioning, and a bathroom with free toiletries.
Twenty Princes Street restaurant with Chef Elzane Louwrens is a popular dining spot for locals and visitors.
Juniper Bar is one of the few that has lovely views of Edinburgh Castle.
Parking facilities are nearby and there is lift access to the upper floors.
Just a 5-minute walk from St Andrew’s Square and Edinburgh Bus Station, the central location of this discount hotel in Edinburgh has received a rating of 9.3/10 from previous guests.
5. Cairn Hotel & Apartments
The Cairn Hotel is half a mile away from Waverley Train Station and the shops on Princes Street.
The hotel is in a quiet location close to Calton Hill (image) and the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre with many public transport links close by.
All rooms have showers and TVs with hairdryers and irons available on request.
In addition to free Wi-Fi and a breakfast room, there is also a bar area where you can relax before going out at night.
City parking is available, but the location of the hotel means you are in close proximity to Edinburgh’s main attractions.
6. No. 11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie
Situated just a 10-minute walk away from the city centre, No. 11 Boutique Hotel is a Georgian townhouse with a private garden and an onsite restaurant and bar.
Free Wi-Fi and heated floors are featured in all No. 11 rooms, with some containing a balcony overlooking the private garden.
Other amenities include room service, laundry service, and private bathrooms with free toiletries.
The No. 11 Brasserie offers a range of meals, from light lunches, luxury afternoon teas to fine dining evening meals, all of which are prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Their full-cooked breakfast is well-renowned and features haggis and smoked bacon from a local butcher with a range of continental and vegetarian options available too.
As well as the onsite bar and dining room, a variety of other bars, restaurants and delicatessens can be found within a short walk of the hotel.
The famous Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street are about 20 minutes away from the hotel, which is handy for sightseeing and shopping.
The hip area of Leith is a 30-minute stroll down Leith Walk which has lots of bars, restaurants and independent shops.
Leith Shore is a fun area for bar hopping and photography.
There is a lovely walk from The Shore to Stockbridge along the Waters of Leith.
The airport is just 25 minutes away by car and Waverley Station a mere 20-minute walk away.
This is a highly reviewed cheap hotel in Edinburgh with parking, especially for couples where ratings are 9/10 for location.
7. YOTEL Edinburgh
YOTEL is a budget hotel chain located on Queen Street in the city centre.
Close-by attractions include the West End, Scottish Portraits Gallery (image) and George Street.
There is air conditioning in the rooms and a range of additional features to ensure the hotel is accessible including a lift and specially designed toilets.
A continental breakfast is available and the staff speaks a range of languages including Italian, Spanish, and Polish.
YOTEL can arrange a discount for parking at one of the bigger city car parks. You can read more about hotels with parking here.
8. easyHotel Edinburgh
With scenic views of Edinburgh Castle (image) and Princes Street Gardens, easyHotel Edinburgh is found in the New Town district, close to the West End.
The rooms are compact and equipped with a private shower cabin containing all the necessities.
Additional amenities include air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.
For less than £100 per night, this hotel is ideal for couples and business travellers who are looking for somewhere cheap and central to stay.
Budget Hotels at Haymarket
9. Piries Hotel
Situated a few minutes away from Haymarket Station and 10 minutes from Princes Street, this budget Victorian hotel has en suite rooms with Freeview TV, Wi-Fi access, and an outdoor garden area.
Piries Hotel is located in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh’s West End (image), which contains many transportation links such as buses, trains, trams and the shuttle link to Edinburgh Airport.
Murrayfield Stadium and other famous attractions are a 20-minute walk away, which is why previous guests have highly rated this location.
This is one of the best cheap hotels in Edinburgh with an average rating of 8.7/10!
10. Cityroomz Edinburgh
If you’re looking for places to stay in Edinburgh, Cityroomz in Haymarket is perfect for couples, families, and even for dogs!
Just a short distance from Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens, this hotel is very central, with the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle both a 10-minute walk away.
Each room has city views, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries.
Breakfast is available for an additional charge.
Visiting with a furry friend? This Haymarket hotel is dog-friendly.
Looking for more dog-friendly options? Here’s our guide.
A range of rooms (cabin, twin, family) and suites are available to accommodate your party.
Previous guests have commented on the great location of the hotel, rating it 9.4/10 overall.
11. Haymarket Hub Hotel
Found across the road from Haymarket Train Station, Haymarket Hub Hotel is modernly furnished and offers a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi for its guests.
All rooms are compact and have an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a TV.
The hotel offers a breakfast service at an additional charge, and there are a bar and a coffee shop on-site too.
Princes Street is only 15 minutes away by foot and the West End cafes and bars (image) are even closer.
Murrayfield Stadium and the EICC are a short walk away too.
Overall, the Hub Hotel has a rating of 8.8/10 from thousands of reviews.
12. Point A Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket
Point A Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket is situated a few steps from The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC,) which is ideal for those attending an event.
With a bar, the hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom, desk space, and a flat-screen TV.
The accommodation offers a continental and buffet breakfast service in addition to a 24-hour front desk and a shared lounge for guests.
Couples particularly like the location, giving a 9.1/10 rating.
Our Edinburgh Hotels Guides
Final Words
A detailed guide to the best budget hotels in Edinburgh, located in the city’s popular areas so you can get the most out of your stay by being close to the action without breaking the bank!
About the Author: Eilidh has lived in Scotland her entire life and loves visiting Edinburgh with her family, especially during the festive period and when the Fringe is on. As a University student, she is looking to travel more and experience new cultures in the future.