Edinburgh Accommodation

Tips on choosing accommodation in Edinburgh

Geography is not a crucial issue when picking accommodation in Edinburgh. The city is very small compared to other European capitals and everything in the City Centre -- from shopping, attractions, restaurants and pubs -- is literally within reach.

Edinburgh's very compact City Centre allows for easy access by public transport from most areas of the city. This gives you greater flexibility when choosing hotels and other types of accomodation because you can focus on finding a cheap deal and not worry too much about the location.

Edinburgh is an expensive city, so prices are quite high. The cheapest accommodation in Edinburgh City Centre is probably too expensive for students and budget travellers. The city has, however, a great variety of accommodation ranging from luxury hotels and guest houses to apartments, inns and hostels close to in the City Centre.

What to expect from accommodation in different parts of Edinburgh

Staying in Edinburgh City Centre

The centre of Edinburgh is Princes Street and its surrounding area to the North -- the New Town -- and the South -- Old Town. There are many hotels right on Princes Street and accommodation can be found as close as a stone's throw from Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile. As you would expect, these are the most expensive hotels in Edinburgh.

Away from Princes Street and the heart of the City Centre lies the Old Town with its wide variety of guest house, hotel and hostel accommodation. Self catering apartments in this area of Edinburgh are also popular with tourists on longer holidays because they can mingle with the locals.

The Old Town is the most beautiful area to stay in Edinburgh and you will fall in love with it. There are places of interest at every step and the Old Town is famous for its intimate pubs and bars and specialty family-owned stores.

Another central area to stay in is the fashionable New Town. Just north of Princes Street are George Street and Queen Street, some of the finest streets in Edinburgh. Accommodation in this area ranges from hotels and apartments to guest houses and hostels.

Most accommodations are located in impressive Georgian mansions and apartments. The New Town has a character of its own and there will be many modern clubs and restaurants around your hotel.

The New Town is also home to some of the most unusual accommodation in Edinburgh. The Belford Hotel, for example, was previously a church and has been reconverted to what is now a very popular budget accomodation in Edinburgh -- not necessarily because of its unusual character.

Whether you stay in Edinburgh's Old Town or New Town you are still very close to Princes Street and in walking distance from the city's main tourist attractions. Taking cabs for such short distances won't be necessary which partly compensates for the high cost of Edinburgh accommodation and make your holiday cheaper on the whole.

Compromising on accomodation - Stay in other parts of Edinburgh

For very cheap Edinburgh accommodation and good value for money you must compromise on location. Some of the areas outside the City Centre such as Newington, Morningside, Tolcross, Stockbridge or Haymarket are a tourist's dream in terms of choice.

Most accommodation in this are Victorian style guest houses and bed and breakfast. The prices are lower than those in the City Centre but the frequent buses more than make up for it.

It takes 10 minutes by bus to reach Edinburgh's centre. With excellent public transport links throughout the City, compromising on the location of your accommodation can prove to be a money saver indeed, especially if you're on a budget.