18 of the best budget hotels in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of the most-visited cities in the UK, but a trip to the capital can be quite expensive when you add up the cost of travel, accommodation, attractions and food and drink.

To keep your stay more affordable, check in to one of these budget hotels near the city centre.

Haymarket Hub Hotel

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The Haymarket Hub Hotel is Scotland’s first ‘smartphone hotel’, which offers guests perks like free smartphones to use during their stay, free data and calls, and rooms equipped with Sky TV movies and sports channels.

The rooms are compact but innovatively designed, and provide a comfortable base to explore the city from.

Rooms from £44

Visit: 7 Clifton Terrace, EH12 5DR - haymarkethubhotel.com

Cityroomz

(Photo: Cityroomz)

Offering modern and bright accommodation just a few minutes away from Princes Street, Cityroomz provide cosy king size beds in all their double rooms – even the low price ‘compact double'.

With affordable rooms and early check in available at no extra cost, Cityroomz is ideal for those on a tight budget.

Rooms from £45

Visit: 25-33 Shandwick Place, EH2 4RG - cityroomz.com

Grassmarket Hotel

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Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s picturesque Old Town, the Grassmarket Hotel boasts free wifi, iPod docks, rainfall-style showers and complimentary drinks and snacks.

The design here is quirky and contemporary, and booking direct gets guests perks such as a free bottle of prosecco on arrival, and a 15 per cent discount card for dining at restaurants across the city.

Rooms from £59

Visit: 94-96 Grassmarket, EH1 2JR - grassmarkethotel.co.uk

Cairn Hotel

The Cairn Hotel is a boutique hotel without the large price tag.

Each room in the 18th century townhouse has been beautifully decorated, providing modern and spacious accommodation close to the Edinburgh Playhouse, Calton Hill and Princes Street.

Rooms from £45

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Visit: 10/18 Windsor Street, EH7 5JR - thecairncollection.co.uk/hotels/cairn-hotel-edinburgh

Motel One

Low-budget German hotel chain, Motel One, have two locations within Edinburgh city centre, on Market Street and Princes Street.

The hotels are design-led and feature luxurious contemporary furniture and decor, as well as free wifi, in-room tea and coffee stations, iPad rental and a hypoallergenic pillow menu.

Rooms from £59

Visit: 18-21 Market Street, EH1 1BL/10-15 Princes Street, EH2 2AN - motel-one.com/en

B+B Edinburgh

(Photo: B+B Edinburgh)

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Toeing the line between boutique hotel and bed and breakfast, B+B Edinburgh is a 27-room hotel with stylish decor and warm hospitality.

Rooms can be booked on their own, or freshly cooked-to-order Scottish breakfasts can be added for the full experience.

Rooms from £68

Visit: 3 Rothesay Terrace, EH3 7RY - bb-edinburgh.com

Safestay

For those on a really tight budget, hostels can be a great option as a base for exploring the city.

Safestay describe themselves as a ‘luxury hostel’, offering a fun, vibrant and affordable place to stay – a bed in a shared dorm starts from just £12, and a private room (which sleeps up to four people) can be booked from £50.

Beds from £12

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Visit: 50 Blackfriars Street, EH1 1NE - safestay.com/edinburgh

Edinburgh City Hotel

Housed within a charming historic building in the city’s Tollcross district, the Edinburgh City Hotel has 52 modern and comfortable rooms.

Their spacious double rooms also include free wifi, digital TV and tea and coffee facilities.

Rooms from £63

Visit: 79 Lauriston Place, EH3 9HZ - edinburghcityhotel.com

Stay Central

(Photo: Stay Central)

Located among the hustle and bustle of the Cowgate is Stay Central, a low cost hotel which is ideally placed for discovering Edinburgh’s bars, restaurants and attractions.

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The rooms have been designed in a contemporary, urban style and come complete with perks such as free wifi, flat screen TVs, iPod docks, USB charging ports and in-room refreshments.

Rooms from £45

Visit: 139 Cowgate, EH1 1JS - staycentral.co.uk

Murrayfield Hotel & House

Just outside of the city centre is the Murrayfield Hotel & House, a grand building with a luxury feel – yet a very affordable price tag.

The House can be booked exclusively for large parties, but elegant rooms in the main part of the hotel are usually available on an individual basis.

Rooms from £53

Visit: 18 Corstorphine Road, EH12 6HN - themurrayfieldhotel.co.uk

Fountain Court Apartments

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Offering the best of both worlds, Fountain Court Apartments allow guests to enjoy private self-catering accommodation while still benefitting from hotel facilities.

Of their eight locations across the city, the Morrison Apartments are the most affordable – starting at just £54 per night for a one bedroom apartment with free wifi, TV, fresh linen and towels, and a secure entry phone system.

Apartments from £54

Visit: 228 Morrison Street, EH3 8EA - fountaincourtapartments.com

easyHotel

This budget hotel from the minds behind low-cost airline, easyJet, provides cheap accommodation in the heart of Edinburgh city centre.

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The rooms in their Princes Street hotel are basic and compact, but provide all you need for a short stay in the capital.

Rooms from £29

Visit: 125a Princes Street, EH2 4AD - easyhoteledinburgh.com

Parliament House Hotel

Located beneath Calton Hill, Parliament House Hotel aims to provide an affordable ‘home away from home’ in the city centre.

Their tastefully decorated rooms have a traditional Scottish feel, and include comfortable double beds, free wifi, tea and coffee facilities and more.

Rooms from £55

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Visit: 15 Calton Hill, EH1 3BJ - parliamenthouse-hotel.co.uk

Ballantrae Hotel

The Ballantrae Hotel is located inside a Grade 2 listed Georgian townhouse, with beautiful views of the city centre and comfortable, modern rooms.

Every room is unique, and some contain features like ornate windows and original fireplaces, as well as all the usual facilities.

Rooms from £50

Visit: 8-12 York Place, EH1 3EP - ballantraehotel.co.uk

Leonardo Royal Hotel

(Photo: Leonardo Royal Hotel)

Located next to Haymarket Station, the Leonardo Royal Hotel is perfectly placed for getting to and from Edinburgh – as well as exploring the city centre.

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Having recently undergone a refurbishment, the hotel provides bright, modern and spacious rooms for an affordable cost.

Rooms from £53

Visit: 1 Morrison Link, EH3 8DN - leonardo-hotels.com/leonardo-royal-hotel-edinburgh

Staycity Aparthotel

Hotel-apartment hybrid Staycity Aparthotel offers the freedom of self-catered accommodation, as well as benefits like a 24 hour reception, cleaning service and free wifi.

A modern one-bedroom apartment, which sleeps up to three people, can be booked for as little as £65.

Apartments from £65

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Visit: 11 Brandfield Street, EH3 8AS - staycity.com/Edinburgh

Hotel Ceilidh-Donia

Small family-run hotel, the Hotel Ceilidh-Donia, is located just a short walk from Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat, making it perfect for a peaceful city escape.

The hotel has a homely feel and is ideal for travellers on a budget.

Rooms from £59

Visit: 14-16 Marchhall Crescent, EH16 5HL - hotelceilidh-donia.co.uk

CODE Pod Hostel

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Offering a completely unique experience, visitors at CODE sleep in individual pods within a dormitory, providing a comfortable and private place while keeping costs down.

Pods start from £17 and private dorms (which sleep four) begin at £80.

For anyone feeling claustrophobic at the thought, the large ‘penthouse suite’ with double bed, private bathroom, roof terrace and kitchenette costs £99 per night.

Beds from £17

Visit: 50 Rose Street North Lane, EH2 2NP - codehostel.com

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