In the heart of Edinburgh, close to Princes Street and the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel offers a lively atmosphere. Unwind with a coffee in the lobby or challenge friends at the arcade/game room while enjoying free in-room WiFi. Past guests have praised this hostel’s convenient location.
Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 12 min walk
Edinburgh Waverley Station - 14 min walk
Balfour Street Tram Stop - 9 min walk
St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 12 min walk
Foot of The Walk Tram Stop - 18 min walk
Restaurants
Santu Coffee Roastery - 5 min walk
The Joker & the Thief - 2 min walk
Kul - 2 min walk
The Walnut - 3 min walk
Down the Hatch - 2 min walk
About this property
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel
When you stay at Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel, you'll be within a 15-minute walk of Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre and Princes Street. For a bite to eat, guests can check out Restaurant and Cafe Bar, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other features include a bar/lounge and a snack bar/deli. The property is just a short walk to public transportation: Balfour Street Tram Stop is 9 minutes and St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 12 minutes.
At a glance
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Hotel size
271 rooms
Arranged over 3 floors
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 16
Check-out time is 10:00 AM
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Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 16
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Children
No cribs (infant beds)
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Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
No onsite parking
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Other information
Designated smoking areas (fines apply)
No stag/bachelor or hen/bachelorette parties
Property amenities
Food and drink
Self-serve breakfast (surcharge) each morning 8:00 AM–11:00 AM
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Coffee shop
Coffee/tea in a common area
Snack bar/deli
Working away
Meeting rooms
Services
24-hour front desk
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Facilities
1 building/tower
Vegetarian dining options
Lockers available
Accessibility
Elevator
Assistive listening devices available
Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Handrails in stairways
Bathroom emergency pull cord
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower only
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Shared kitchen access
Special features
Dining
Restaurant and Cafe Bar - This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and light fare. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Self-serve breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately GBP 5.95 to 10.50 for adults, and GBP 5.95 to 9.50 for children
Policies
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher on site.
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
National rating
This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.
Also known as
Edinburgh Central Hostel
Edinburgh Central Youth
SYHA Edinburgh Central
Hostel Edinburgh Central
Youth Hostel Edinburgh Central
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel Scotland
Edinburgh Central Youth Hotel Edinburgh
Central Youth Hostel
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel Scotland
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel Edinburgh
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Frequently asked questions
Does Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel?
Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Are there restaurants at or near Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant, Restaurant and Cafe Bar.
What's the area around Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel like?
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel is in Edinburgh City Centre, a short 9-minute walk from Balfour Street Tram Stop and 17 minutes' walk from Royal Mile.
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Reviews
Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel Reviews
8.4
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
8.4
Cleanliness
8.6
Location
8.8
Staff & service
8.2
Property conditions & facilities
Popular mentions
Location
Room
Service staff
Luggage
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 22, 2026
Great location, enthusiastic staff, comfortable room.
Elaine
Elaine, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Mar 6, 2026
Great location, friendly people, spacious and ideal for our needs. Will definitely book again
Danyah
Danyah, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 15, 2025
Very helpful staff. Place is clean and good security
Kuah Bee
Kuah Bee, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 2, 2026
The staff were very friendly and helpful. The communal areas were clean and bright. Kitchen well equipped. Location very convenient. Bedrooms are basic as you would expect but had everything we needed. Would definitely go back :)
Jane
Jane, 2-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Aug 31, 2025
Edinburgh hostel central
Very good location, well maintained,
Antonietta
Antonietta, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 1, 2025
Great people and service. Clean and safe.
Steven
Steven, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Nov 11, 2025
Located close to the tram line, which gave direct access to the airport.
Staff were friendly & helpful.
Didn’t use the amenities too much, but the kitchen area looked well stocked with equipment.
Clive
Clive, 5-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 4, 2024
Very well located and friendly staff
Zelita
Zelita, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 2, 2025
Staff were polite and very helpful.
Ross
Ross, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 19, 2024
Good facilities, short walk into Edinburgh old town. Lots of shops surrounding, lovely staff
Emma
Emma, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 7, 2025
Great location. Very clean. Comfy beds, amazing shower. Quiet. Friendly welcome appreciated esp as we ‘older youths’ 😊
Christine
Christine, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jun 22, 2025
It was very easy to arrive, public transport is 2 min walking distance, facilities are good, mattress, linen and towels were clean and staff is friendly (just not the girl that speaks Spanish, she is a little bit rude).
Xochitl
Xochitl, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 17, 2024
Perfect for our one night stay in Edinburgh. Clean, comfortable and convenient.
Kate
Kate, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 14, 2024
It was a great two nights staying in the female dorm. The road is a little noisy but everything else was great! Would stay again.
Jillian
Jillian, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 9, 2024
Had standard ensuite room, nice and spacious
Natasha Meutia
Natasha Meutia, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 23, 2024
Great value
Can't fault it. Staff are so lovely.
P S
P S, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 28, 2024
It was a great place to stay and in a great location being a 10 min walk from old town. I would recommend this place to everyone. The only thing to complain about was the price was a little high for a hostel but everywhere in Edinburgh is expensive to stay.
Erik
Erik, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 27, 2024
Nice Hotel. The Room was big enough. The Hotel Staff helped us. It´s only some meters to the City Center. The scottish breakfast was very nice.
Anja
Anja, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 3, 2023
Comfy and basic
Beds were comfy and rooms were clean, perfect for a one night stay if you're not looking for any too fancy. Communal areas were comfortable too and they have a room with a ping-pong table etc.
Catherine
Catherine, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 11, 2024
I enjoy every time I use youth hostels in Scotland. They are affordable with nice and modern decor. The Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel was just what we needed for a weekend break, just minutes away from the city center, restaurants and shops. Plenty of parking and this is free on weekends. Staff were very nice and excellent customer service. Would definitely come back.
Yan
Yan, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 1, 2024
Just the job
Just needed a clean, safe room for the night - met three other ladies, nice chat. Good sleep. Perfect
Gillian
Gillian, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 7, 2023
Room is clean, window was cracked open (3rd floor). Laundry facilities available & working, location is very good. Intended to drop off luggage & they let us check in an hour early!
Sally
Sally, 1-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
Aug 20, 2023
Staff were very nice and the room was very clean. But the free Wi-Fi connection was terrible, on and off. The speed without Wi-Fi was also slow for some reason, in the lobby and in our room.
Shufen
Shufen, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Nov 20, 2023
Clean enough . Very loud doors when they shut so kept up by loud neighbours at times . Could do with a bit of renovation. Overall was alright place. Bed comfortable.
Verified traveler
1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 22, 2024
better than a hotel I stayed in
I have stayed at this hostel many times but always before with other people-= so it was especially great to have a room to myself - with everything you could need for a comfortable stay. The buffet breakfast was good and coffee was too .The last time i stayed the road outside was being converted for the tram lines-but now that the tram runs almost to the door from Waverley station and the airport it is excellent. The room was clean modern and a lot better than the hotel I stayed in for the rest of my holiday near Loch Lomond. I will be back but for a longer stay next time