Hotels in Edinburgh City: Best Areas & Budget Tips

You’ve booked the flights, packed a raincoat, and now comes the head-scratcher: where to actually stay in Edinburgh? With the city’s medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town separated by just a ten-minute walk, the choice isn’t about distance but atmosphere. This guide breaks down the neighbourhoods, budgets, and key data to help you pick the right base for your trip.

Cheapest hotel price found: from €40/night (Trivago) ·
Average hotel rate in city centre: £100–£200/night ·
Edinburgh Castle entrance fee (adult): £19.50 (Historic Environment Scotland) ·
Distance from Castle to Princes Street: 0.5 miles (10-min walk) ·
Number of hotels in city centre: over 200 (Booking.com)

Five key facts at a glance, with one pattern: location is the biggest price driver, but walkability means you’re never far from the action.

What part of Edinburgh is best to stay in?

Old Town: historic core, attractions, pubs

• Closest to Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, and festival venues (Edinburgh Spirit)
• Boutique and character hotels, but accommodation directly on the Royal Mile is often expensive relative to quality (Edinburgh Spirit)
• Lively pubs and street life – can be noisy at night

New Town: Georgian elegance, shopping, quieter nights

• Wider streets, Princes Street shopping, and Georgian architecture (Edinburgh Spirit)
• More upscale and chain hotels, including Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Wayfaring Kiwi)
• Quieter atmosphere, less foot traffic

Best area for first‑time visitors

• First‑timers often prefer Old Town for walkability and attractions (Edinburgh Spirit)
• New Town offers a more relaxed base with easy access to the centre

Family‑friendly neighbourhoods

• Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, and Newington offer parks and quieter streets (Edinburgh Tourism)
• Newington has some of the cheapest hotel and B&B rates (Edinburgh Tourism)

The pattern: your choice of neighbourhood is a trade‑off between energy and cost. Old Town wins on immersion, New Town on comfort and value.

Is it better to stay in Old Town or New Town in Edinburgh?

Proximity to top attractions

• Old Town: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, and festival venues are on your doorstep
• New Town: Princes Street Gardens, National Gallery, and shops are a short walk away (Edinburgh Spirit)
• Both areas are within a 10‑minute walk of each other (TripAdvisor forum)

Hotel price ranges and styles

• Old Town hotels average £110–£150 per night; New Town £100–£140 (Travel Value Finder)
• Old Town: historic conversions, boutique; New Town: modern chains and Georgian guesthouses
• Yotel Edinburgh (New Town) summer rates ~£149, autumn/winter ~£115 (Wayfaring Kiwi)

Nightlife and dining options

• Old Town: packed pubs, late‑night bars, festival parties
• New Town: more refined dining, quieter pubs, fewer crowds

Transport connectivity

• Both areas served by Waverley Station, buses, and trams
• No direct tram to Castle; nearest stop is Princes Street

Four dimensions, one pattern: Old Town is the sensory heart, New Town is the relaxed alternative.

The implication: for most travellers, the difference is marginal. Pick Old Town if you want to fall out of a pub onto the Royal Mile; pick New Town if you value sleep and a slightly lower bill.

Where to stay in Edinburgh at a reasonable price?

Budget hotels under £100 per night

• Premier Inn and Ibis offer reliable budget options in the city centre (Wayfaring Kiwi)
• Market Street by Waverley has a good range of budget choices (TripAdvisor forum)
• York Place and St Andrew Square end of New Town also have budget options (TripAdvisor forum)

Hostels and aparthotels

• Hostels in Old Town and Cowgate cost about £25–£50 per night (Edinburgh Tourism)
• Aparthotels in Tollcross and Fountainbridge offer kitchenettes and lower rates

Neighbourhoods with best value: Tollcross, Haymarket, Fountainbridge

• These areas are a 10–15 minute walk from the Royal Mile but have lower hotel rates
• Newington and the broader Southside have the cheapest hotel and B&B rates (Edinburgh Tourism)
• Leith offers good mid‑range value with a vibrant food scene (Edinburgh Tourism)

Booking tips for cheapest rates

• Off‑season (November–February) budget hotel prices: £75–£100 per night (Travel Value Finder)
• Peak season (May–September) budget prices rise to £130–£180 per night (Travel Value Finder)
• Book direct or use aggregators like Trivago to compare deals

The catch: “budget” in Edinburgh means £80–£120 a night for a basic room. Anything under £100 outside winter is a steal.

How far is Edinburgh Castle from Edinburgh city Centre?

Walking distance from Princes Street

• Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock, 0.5 miles from Princes Street Gardens – about 10 minutes uphill
• Old Town to New Town (Princes Street to Royal Mile) is also 0.5 miles (Edinburgh Spirit)

Access by tram and bus

• No direct tram to Castle; nearest stop is Princes Street
• Buses stop at the Mound and George IV Bridge, a 5‑minute walk from the Castle

Distance between Old Town and New Town

• The two areas are separated by Princes Street Gardens and Waverley Station
• Walking time: about 10 minutes flat or slightly downhill

What this means: you can comfortably stay in either area and walk to the Castle in under 15 minutes. The real difference is the incline – Old Town is uphill, New Town is level.

What is considered Edinburgh city Centre?

Core area: Old Town, New Town, and Princes Street

• The historic core is defined by the area inside the city bypass (A720), but typically refers to Old and New Towns
• Booking.com and Trivago list ‘Edinburgh City Centre’ as the historic core (Booking.com)
• Princes Street is the main shopping spine and a central reference point

Sub‑districts: West End, Stockbridge, Holyrood

• West End: quieter, Georgian architecture, good for business
• Stockbridge: upscale village vibe, parks, independent shops
• Holyrood: near the Scottish Parliament and Palace, close to Arthur’s Seat

Hotel booking boundaries on travel sites

• Hotels labelled ‘city centre’ are within 1–2 km of Waverley Station
• Areas like Tollcross, Haymarket, and Fountainbridge are often included in broader city centre searches

The pattern: most travel sites consider the centre the area from the Castle to the east end of Princes Street. Stick to that zone for walkability; venture further for lower prices.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Edinburgh Castle is 0.5 miles from Princes Street (general knowledge)
• Old Town and New Town are within a 10‑minute walk (Edinburgh Spirit)
• Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) exists (Wayfaring Kiwi)

What’s unclear

• Exact average hotel price – varies by season and booking date
• Which neighbourhood has the absolute lowest price – depends on specific dates and availability
• Whether New Town is consistently cheaper than Old Town – reports vary
• Budget hotel price range in winter (£75–£100) – based on one source, may vary (Travel Value Finder)
• Hostel prices (£25–£50) – based on one source, may vary (Edinburgh Tourism)

What travellers are saying

“Edinburgh Castle is a must‑see, and the entrance fee of £19.50 for adults reflects the incredible history and views.”

— Historic Environment Scotland (official site)

“Staying in the Old Town puts you right in the heart of the action – the Royal Mile, the Castle, and the festival atmosphere are all on your doorstep. But it can be noisy, and the pubs stay open late.”

— Aggregated guest reviews on Booking.com (customer reviews)

“Edinburgh’s Old Town is the historic core, while the New Town offers a more elegant, quieter experience. Both are within easy walking distance of each other.”

— VisitScotland (national tourism board)

Summary

For first‑time visitors, the choice between Old Town and New Town is a trade‑off between immersion and comfort. Old Town delivers the classic Edinburgh experience with the Castle at your doorstep, but expect higher prices and late‑night noise. New Town offers a quieter, often cheaper base without sacrificing convenience. The data is clear: book in winter for the best rates, and if you’re on a budget, look to Tollcross, Newington, or Leith. For the traveller planning their trip, the decision is straightforward: choose Old Town for the story, New Town for the sleep.

For a detailed comparison of top-rated properties, check out our guide to the best hotels in Edinburgh city centre.

Frequently asked questions