With a stay at Argyle Backpackers in Edinburgh, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Royal Mile and University of Edinburgh. .This hostel is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Edinburgh Castle and 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Princes Street.
National Museum of Scotland - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
Grassmarket - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
Edinburgh Castle - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
Getting around
Haymarket Tram Station - 4 min drive
Slateford Station - 8 min drive
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 38 min drive
Restaurants
The Library Cafe - 8 min walk
Victor Hugo Delicatessen - 5 min walk
Uplands Roast
Cult Espresso - 10 min walk
Söderberg The Meadows - 7 min walk
About this property
Argyle Backpackers
Victorian hostel in Edinburgh
Argyle Backpackers offers 18 accommodations with safes and shared/communal kitchens. Rooms open to patios. These individually furnished accommodations have separate dining areas. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Guests have access to shared bathrooms. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers.
This Edinburgh hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Digital television is provided. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 18 individually furnished guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Rooms have private patios. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have bathtubs or showers and hair dryers.
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. Additional features at this Victorian hostel include a fireplace in the lobby, tour/ticket assistance, and a picnic area.
Featured amenities include complimentary wired internet access, a computer station, and express check-in.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet
Parking and transport
Free offsite parking within 1,127 metres
Things to do
Library
TV in common areas
Family friendly
In-room microwave
In-room refrigerator
Laundry facilities
Separate in-room dining area
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Guest services
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Multilingual staff
Tour and ticket assistance
Business services
Computer station
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
2 steps to reach entrance
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Visual alarms in hallways
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
More
3 floors
Communal living room
Designated smoking areas
Fireplace in lobby
Victorian architecture
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
6 shared bathrooms (in-room sinks)
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer (on request)
Toilet paper
Entertainment
14-inch TV with digital channels
Food and drink
Blender
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Freezer
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Separate dining area
Shared kitchen access
Toaster
More
Heating
Individual furnishings
Recycling
Safe
Separate sitting area
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and lockbox information; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 9:30 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
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours), lockbox
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for GBP 30 per night
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
Rollaway bed fee: GBP 30 per night
Towels fee: GBP 2 per person, per stay (or guests may bring their own)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
National rating
This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 89 out of 333 reviews
10 - Excellent
89
Rating 8 - Good. 141 out of 333 reviews
8 - Good
141
Rating 6 - Okay. 63 out of 333 reviews
6 - Okay
63
Rating 4 - Poor. 24 out of 333 reviews
4 - Poor
24
Rating 2 - Terrible. 16 out of 333 reviews
2 - Terrible
16
7.6/10
Cleanliness
8.2/10
Staff & service
6.8/10
Amenities
7.2/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
8/10 Good
Mark
2 Nov 2025
Mark
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Mark
Travelled with family
2 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Efficient and particularly helpful with storage of baggage.
Mark
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
4/10 Poor
Alexander
30 Oct 2025
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
My first time staying a hostel, my experience was expected I paid less I got a bad experience my fault I get it.
When I checked in nothing was explained I was just given a set of keys and that was it.
When I got to my room I didn’t realize I didn’t have a shower towel and when I realized it was after 6 pm and the front desk only operates from 10-6 pm another thing that was explained 😞 so the next morning I had to use my shirt to dry off after my shower. No toiletries or hair dryer available which is ok I understand.
My bed only had a cover no bed sheets, narrow bed I could barely fit in it (me 5’9, 160 Lbs).
There was people cooking in the kitchen that was next door and smelled the whole place smelled like Indian food.
The location is bad it’s just far away from the main places in town.
On the good side, the room was isolated and quiet which I loved, the front desk people were nice and helpful but really that’s all the good 😊
Only issue was one showers hot water didn’t work! But loved the place and the location!
Kate
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
2/10 Terrible
Hennadii
Travelled with family
28 Aug 2025
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Terrible check-in experience
Terrible check-in experience. For two days we tried to get information on how to access our room because we were arriving at night, but we never received any response. We even called, and they promised to send the details, but nothing ever came. An absolute nightmare of a check-in.
Just not very clean, not well kept. Uncomfortable bed. I just think that having a festival on shouldn't mean putting prices up sky high. £87 it shouldn't even be £7.
David John
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Dung
17 Aug 2025
Dung
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
4/10 Poor
PAUL
16 Aug 2025
Not for me.
I reserved what was supposed to be a single room with a private bathroom. No bathroom and the room was so small with a single bed and no furniture except a table with a vase on it. The problem I really had was that the only parking NEAR the place was all permitted. If you wanted to stay there you had to park a few blocks away and walk back. Not good for anyone. I decided to look elsewhere and found a nice place that had parking and a bigger room. This place is OK if you're young and have no issues walking all over the place. The gentleman behind the counter was new but very helpful. His name was Tom. Shout out to him!!
My daughter went to visit the university and arrived at the premises at around 6.45. The hostel had not sent a code to get in. She could not get access to the hostel. No staff were in the building despite her arriving before 9.30 (the time it said you needed to phone ahead). We phoned and sent messages but no response. She gained access because of another guest. Luckily the other guest was able to unlock the keybox, otherwise she would have been completely stuck. A day later we have had no response. The information said the front desk was manned till five and to make contact if arriving after 9.30 but no one was there. Luckily my daughter was not alone and the other guests were able to help her. They described having a similar problem earlier in the day. My daughter was also surprised when she did get in not to have a proper bed as all the photos showed beds. The kitchen was nice, but the service was nonexistent.
Anna E
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Meghan
Business traveller
18 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
I really enjoyed my stay here. I was in room 17 which is on the top floor. One toilet/shower room and one shower room on my landing meant I experienced no queues when needing to use the facilities. Great sized kitchen, lovely seating areas inside and out to enjoy your meals or a wee chat.
I was staying here for work purposes and truly did enjoy my stay. A few reviews online I read before arriving gave me anxiety but these people are so ridiculous and imo over exaggerating.
I feel if you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth, you could find something to complain about. However if you can be a humble human, and appreciate a clean place to stay, in a nice location, with friendly staff and guests and appreciate the price that your paying, I think you will definitely enjoy your stay. The bathrooms were completely spotless each day with there being a little basket of freebies from previous guests which was lovely if you had forgot something and the kitchen was kept clean and tidy and well equipped which meant I didn’t have to spend money ordering take away and could just cook dinner at my leisure. My only issue was the WiFi situation, but it’s not the end of the world for me to be without WiFi. Would stay again if coming through to Edinburgh
Area is absolutely perfect for exploring Edinburgh! Grocery stores are at a walkable distance, the street feels safe and quiet, and all of the major tourist attractions are at a walkable distance. It was nice to be away from the city centre bustle, but close enough to be able to walk there when you wish. Convenient check in and checkout. Kitchens had everything you need and even some free stuff which was nice! Garden/patio area was very pretty and we enjoyed spending time out there :)
Bella
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
Anya
10 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Anya
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
6/10 Okay
Brynn
Travelled with partner
8 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The building had old charm.
The pipes were very noisy in our room every time the water was run.