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Hostel · Edinburgh · Edinburgh

Princes Street Hostel

A social, well-run hostel in the heart of Edinburgh, steps from Waverley Station.

  • 600 metres from The Real Mary King's Close
  • Shared lounge and kitchen for guests
  • 24-hour security and key card access
8.5 Great 2163 reviews Booking.com 8.5 · 2163 reviews

About

Princes Street Hostel

Princes Street Hostel sits on West Register Street, a 600-metre walk from The Real Mary King's Close. It is a short distance from Waverley Station, making it a practical base for arriving or departing by train. The hostel runs a shared lounge and a kitchen, and offers luggage storage for guests.

The property is adults only and provides a range of rooms, from mixed and female-only dormitories to private doubles and quadruples. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Guests rate the staff highly, and the hostel holds an overall score of 8.5 from more than 2,100 reviews.

  • No smoking on site
  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

3 reasons to book
  • Central location — Guests consistently highlight the proximity to Waverley Station and the ease of walking to attractions.
  • Friendly and attentive staff — Reviewers frequently note that staff are welcoming, helpful, and make an effort to personalise the stay.
  • Clean shared facilities — The bathrooms, showers, and kitchen are repeatedly praised for their cleanliness and modern condition.

Worth weighing

2 to weigh
  • No pets allowed — The hostel is strictly adults only and does not permit pets on site.
  • No on-site parking — There is no parking listed, so guests arriving by car will need to plan for nearby public options.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Elegant Room

  • 4 Single beds

10 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Heating

6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Heating

6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Female only

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Heating

4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Heating

Dormitory Room Female only

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Heating

Quadruple Room

  • Sleeping arrangements for 4 persons
  • Shower
  • Heating

Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Non-smoking
  • Heating

Standard Shared Bathroom Twin Room

  • 1 Bunk bed,2 Single beds

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

General

  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas
  • Heating
  • No smoking on site
  • Adults only
  • 24-hour security

Services

  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • Luggage storage
  • Locker room

Common Areas

  • Shared kitchen
  • Leisure/ TV room
  • Board games
  • Game room
  • Carpeted floor

Safety

  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

8.5
Great 2163 reviews

Guest-rated 8.5/10 from 2,163 reviews

Booking.com · 8.5 · 2163 reviews
8.5Verified guest

“The central spot was perfect, just five minutes from the train station. The staff were welcoming, the rooms and bathrooms were clean, and the kitchen was well stocked. It was great chatting with my roommates — it felt like a home away from home. The breakfast at Cactus Cafe was excellent. I would definitely stay here again on my next trip to Edinburgh.”

8.5Verified guest

“Travelling as two women on our own, we appreciated the friendly staff who took the time to remember our names. The modern, clean bathrooms were a standout, and being in the city centre made exploring incredibly easy.”

8.5Verified guest

“The team here were incredibly helpful and friendly, making us feel at ease as soon as we walked in. The location was fantastic, right in the middle of the city with easy access to both the old and new towns. The shared toilets and bathrooms were in excellent condition, which made the stay all the more comfortable.”

8.5Verified guest

“The location right on Princes Street was hard to beat, with quick access to Waverley Train Station and the bus station. The staff were friendly and accommodating, even letting us check in early. The hostel was clean and comfortable, the kitchen was great for cooking, and the lounge was a pleasant spot to unwind.”

8.5Verified guest

“I stayed for six days and the location was perfect — literally a minute's walk from Waverley station and close to all the main sights. The staff were friendly and helpful, and both the rooms and facilities were clean. The air conditioning and Wi-Fi worked well, and the Scottish breakfast was tasty. Highly recommended.”

8.5Verified guest

“Well placed near transport links. Clean facilities and a fully equipped kitchen. The staff were friendly and quick to help. A great stay overall.”

04 — Location

Getting around Edinburgh

The property sits in Edinburgh.

Getting here: The hostel is about a 5-minute walk from Waverley Station, making it a straightforward arrival point for rail travellers.

Walking around: The Royal Mile and the Old Town are within easy reach, and guests praise being able to cover the main sights on foot.

5 West Register Street, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA, United Kingdom

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 15:00-23:00
Check-out
By 10:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
55 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 15:00 to 23:00, and check-out is by 10:00.

Is there parking at the hostel?

No on-site parking is listed. You may need to use nearby public parking options.

Are pets allowed at Princes Street Hostel?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Is there Wi-Fi available?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas of the hostel.

Can I store my luggage before check-in or after check-out?

Yes, the hostel offers luggage storage, and reviews mention that bags can be stored before and after the stay.

Does the hostel have a kitchen?

Yes, there is a shared kitchen available for guests to use for self-catering.

The bottom line

A highly rated, central hostel that wins on location and staff warmth, ideal for solo travellers and friends exploring Edinburgh on foot.

8.5What we think after reading every review

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