Edinburgh has a reputation for pricey hotels, but you can still find a comfortable, central room for under £200 a night if you know where to look. This guide rounds up twelve of the best budget hotels across the city, grouped by the three areas most visitors want to stay in: the Old Town, the wider City Centre, and the well-connected Haymarket district in the West End.
Each hotel below has its own full review with location details, room and price notes, and practical tips. As a rule of thumb, the Old Town keeps you closest to the Castle and the Royal Mile, the City Centre puts Princes Street shopping and the New Town on your doorstep, and Haymarket offers the best transport links, including the tram straight to Edinburgh Airport. Prices climb sharply during August for the Fringe, so book early if you are visiting in peak season.
Updated September 2026. Prices checked and verified.
| Hotel | Area | Price | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motel One Edinburgh – Royal | Old Town | ££ | — |
| The Inn Place | Old Town | ££ | — |
| Motel One Edinburgh – Princes | City Centre | ££ | — |
| Hotel Indigo Edinburgh | City Centre | ££ | — |
| Cairn Hotel & Apartments | New Town edge | ££ | — |
| No. 11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie | Brunswick St | ££ | — |
| YOTEL Edinburgh | City Centre | ££ | — |
| easyHotel Edinburgh | New Town | £ | — |
| Piries Hotel | Haymarket | ££ | — |
| Cityroomz Edinburgh | Haymarket | ££ | — |
| Haymarket Hub Hotel | Haymarket | ££ | — |
| Point A Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket | Haymarket | ££ | — |
| Travelodge Edinburgh Central | City Centre | from £59 | EH1 3BG |
| Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre | City Centre | from £80 | EH2 4AD |
| Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge | Old Town | from £100 | EH1 1HN |
Jump to an Area
Budget Hotels in Edinburgh’s Old Town
Motel One Edinburgh – Royal
Central
Turquoise-accented chain rooms metres from the Royal Mile. Reliable, central and easy on the wallet.
The Inn Place
Central
On cobbled Cockburn Street, minutes from the Castle and Waverley. Clean rooms and a highly rated breakfast for the price.
Motel One Edinburgh – Princes
Central
Soundproofed modern rooms just off Princes Street, next to Waverley. Blue Badge parking and step-free access.
Hotel Indigo Edinburgh
Top Pick
Stylish boutique rooms by the Playhouse with a gym and castle-view bar. Business-friendly desks and a central location.
Cairn Hotel & Apartments
Budget
Quiet spot below Calton Hill, half a mile from Waverley. Rooms and self-catering apartments with a relaxed bar.
No. 11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie
Boutique
Georgian townhouse with a private garden and an acclaimed brasserie. Haggis breakfasts and fine dining a short walk from the centre.
YOTEL Edinburgh
Budget
Smart, air-conditioned cabins on Queen Street near George Street. Continental breakfast and multilingual staff.
easyHotel Edinburgh
Budget
The cheapest compact rooms in the New Town, with castle and gardens views. Ideal for couples who plan to be out all day.
Piries Hotel
Family
Victorian hotel by Haymarket with en-suite rooms and a garden. Trams, trains and the airport link on the doorstep.
Cityroomz Edinburgh
Family
Family- and dog-friendly rooms in Haymarket with city views. Cabin, twin and family layouts a short walk from the Castle.
Haymarket Hub Hotel
Budget
Compact, modern rooms opposite Haymarket Station. On-site bar and coffee shop, ten minutes from Princes Street.
Budget rooms steps from the EICC, made for conference-goers. Air-con, buffet breakfast and a well-rated couples location.
Travelodge Edinburgh Central
Central
17 Waterloo Place, EH1 3BG. Basic but bargain rooms at the east end of Princes Street. Note: undergoing renovation until December 2026 (work 7:30am–8pm), but still open for bookings.
Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street)
Central
121–123 Princes Street, EH2 4AD. Reliable chain with consistent room quality, some rooms offering castle views. Family-friendly with kids-stay-free policy.
Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge
Central
77 South Bridge, EH1 1HN. 259 rooms just off the Royal Mile. 24-hour bar and snack service. Solid choice for Old Town proximity on a budget.
Budget Hotels in the City Centre
Budget Hotels at Haymarket
How to Choose
If your priority is the lowest possible price and you plan to be out all day, easyHotel Edinburgh is hard to beat for a compact, central room. Travelling for a rugby international or an early flight? A Haymarket base like Piries Hotel gives you trams, trains and the airport link on the doorstep. And if you want a little more character and a standout breakfast without a luxury bill, the Georgian No. 11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie is the pick of the list. Everything else comes down to which neighbourhood suits your plans and how much room you need.
More Budget Hotels in Edinburgh
Beyond the three main areas covered above, these chain hotels offer reliable budget accommodation across the city centre:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest hotel in Edinburgh city centre?
easyHotel Edinburgh is consistently among the cheapest central options, with compact New Town rooms and optional add-on extras that keep the base rate very low. It suits travellers who mainly need a clean, central place to sleep.
Which area is best for a budget stay in Edinburgh?
The Old Town keeps you closest to the Castle and Royal Mile, the City Centre is best for Princes Street shopping, and Haymarket offers the strongest transport links, including the tram to the airport. Choose the area that matches your plans.
Can I find a budget hotel in Edinburgh under £200 a night?
Yes. Every hotel in this guide can be booked for under £200 a night outside peak dates, and several are well below that. Rates rise sharply during August for the Fringe, so book early if you are visiting then.
Are there dog-friendly budget hotels in Edinburgh?
Yes. Motel One Princes Street and Cityroomz in Haymarket both welcome dogs, so they are good starting points if you are travelling with a pet. Always confirm the pet policy when you book.
Is Travelodge Edinburgh Central still open in 2026?
Yes, Travelodge Edinburgh Central (Waterloo Place) remains open, but the hotel is undergoing renovation work estimated to last until December 2026, with noise expected from 7:30am to 8pm daily. Rooms are still bookable at discounted rates.
What is the cheapest hotel in Edinburgh city centre?
Travelodge Edinburgh Central offers rooms from around £59 per night, making it the cheapest central option. Motel One Edinburgh – Royal (from £79) and easyHotel Edinburgh (from £69) are also among the most affordable. Prices rise sharply during August (Fringe) and December (Hogmanay).