Deciding where to stay in Edinburgh can feel like choosing between two different cities. The Old Town wraps you in medieval closes and castle views, while the New Town offers Georgian boulevards and calmer streets. Here’s how to pick based on your walking tolerance and what you want from a short break.
Average hotel price per night: £120-£150 (mid‑range) ·
Distance between Old Town & New Town: 10‑minute walk ·
Cheapest hotels (low season): from £99/night ·
5‑star hotels in city centre: 10+ properties ·
Best area for first‑time visitors: Old Town
Quick snapshot
- 10‑min walk to Edinburgh Castle (KAYAK location analysis)
- Royal Mile: historic street lined with pubs and shops (KAYAK location analysis)
- Average hotel price: $170/night in March (KAYAK) (KAYAK location analysis)
- Georgian architecture, Princes Street Gardens (Fora Travel)
- Upscale shopping and quieter streets (Fora Travel)
- Average hotel price: often 5–10% higher than Old Town (Fora Travel)
- August Festival will push rates above £200/night (Expedia seasonal data)
- Low season (Jan–Feb) offers the best deals (KAYAK) (Expedia seasonal data)
- Book mid‑week for the lowest rates (KAYAK) (Expedia seasonal data)
What part of Edinburgh is best to stay in?
Old Town: historic core, castle views, nightlife
- Old Town sits within a 15‑minute walk of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Grassmarket (Fora Travel).
- Hotels here range from budget Ibis Edinburgh Centre South (Destination Wellknown, a travel guide) to luxury properties like The Scotsman Hotel.
- Nightlife is concentrated around Grassmarket and Cowgate.
New Town: Georgian elegance, shopping, quieter streets
- New Town offers wider streets, Princes Street Gardens, and boutique shopping along George Street.
- Fora Travel describes the New Town aesthetic as “a chic urban retreat that blends classic Georgian architecture with contemporary style” (Fora Travel).
- Hotels in New Town are generally 5–10% more expensive than comparable Old Town properties.
City Centre vs neighbourhoods: Grassmarket, Stockbridge, Leith
- Grassmarket (Old Town edge) has cheaper pubs and a lively atmosphere.
- Stockbridge (north of New Town) is residential and quieter, with a farmers market.
- Leith (north‑east) offers waterfront dining and lower hotel rates but requires a bus or tram into the centre.
The implication: first‑time visitors who prioritise sightseeing convenience will favour Old Town. Travelers seeking calm and upscale dining should lean New Town. The trade‑off is price: Old Town can be £10–20 cheaper per night outside peak season.
Is it better to stay in Old Town or New Town in Edinburgh?
Proximity to main attractions
- Old Town places you steps away from Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Greyfriars Kirkyard.
- New Town is still walkable: 10–15 minutes to the Castle via the Mound.
- Both areas are safe for tourists at all hours, according to local transport and crime data.
Price differences
- Expedia data shows Old Town base rates averaging $187 in January to $587 in August (Expedia).
- A travel guide from Destination Wellknown notes that “it is often cheaper to stay in New Town than in Old Town” (Destination Wellknown).
- KAYAK found Old Town cheapest in February at $170/night (KAYAK).
Atmosphere and noise levels
- Old Town is louder, with more pubs and festival crowds.
- New Town is quieter, especially west of George Street.
- Fora Travel calls the two districts “distinct and define Edinburgh’s character” (Fora Travel).
Why this matters: if you’re a light sleeper or travel with young children, New Town’s quieter streets are a tangible advantage. If you want to stumble out of a pub and be at your hotel in five minutes, Old Town wins.
What is the best hotel to stay in Edinburgh?
Luxury hotels in Edinburgh city centre
- The Balmoral (5‑star on Princes Street) – a landmark with a clock tower and Michelin‑star dining.
- The Scotsman Hotel (converted from The Scotsman newspaper offices, Old Town).
- Hotel du Vin (Georgian townhouse in New Town) – known for its wine cellar.
Boutique and character hotels
- 28 York Place Hotel, described by Booking.com editorial as “in the heart of Edinburgh, a 5‑minute walk from Waverley Rail Station”.
- The Witchery by the Castle – a 16th‑century building attached to Edinburgh Castle.
Budget‑friendly options for £99/night
- Ibis Edinburgh Centre South (Old Town) – “typically the cheapest option” per Destination Wellknown.
- Premier Inn Princes Street – reliable chain with central location.
- Hostels and budget chains from £99/night via Skyscanner (data from Q1 2026).
Luxury hotels in Edinburgh’s city centre often exceed £250/night in high season. For first‑time visitors, a mid‑range property in Old Town (£120–£150/night) delivers the best balance of location and value.
The pattern: your budget dictates your district. £99 gets you a clean bed near Waverley; £250 buys a turret view of the Castle.
Where to stay in Edinburgh for the first time?
Old Town: walking distance to main sights
- Old Town puts you within 10 minutes of Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, and Grassmarket.
- Most hotels here offer free WiFi and views of the Castle or Calton Hill.
- Book via Expedia for flexible cancellation policies.
City Centre: central transport links
- Waverley Station sits between Old and New Towns, less than 10 minutes from most city‑centre hotels.
- The tram from the airport stops at Princes Street (20 minutes).
- Lothian Buses run a Day Saver ticket for £1.10 (rising to £1.20 from 18 January) (Tripadvisor forum discussion).
Safety and walkability
- Both Old and New Town are safe for tourists at all hours.
- The Royal Mile is pedestrian‑friendly; New Town’s grid layout is easy to navigate.
First‑time visitors who stay in New Town may underestimate walking distance: the Castle is a 15‑minute uphill walk from Princes Street. If mobility is a concern, Old Town is the easier choice.
The catch: proximity trades off against quiet. Old Town puts you in the action; New Town gives you breathing room.
What is the average price of a hotel in Edinburgh?
The table below captures how seasonal demand drives pricing across budget, mid-range, and luxury tiers.
| Category | Low season (Jan–Feb) | High season (Aug) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (2‑star, hostel) | from £99/night (Skyscanner) | from £150/night |
| Mid‑range (3‑star, 4‑star) | £120–£150/night (KAYAK) | £200–£300/night |
| Luxury (5‑star) | £150–£250/night (Expedia) | £350+/night |
The catch: these averages hide extreme spikes. During the August Festival, a basic double that costs £120 in February can hit £300. Monday stays are cheapest, Friday dearest (KAYAK).
Pros & Cons: Old Town vs New Town
Upsides
- Old Town: closer to all major attractions
- Old Town: livelier nightlife and festival atmosphere
- New Town: quieter, more upscale shopping
- New Town: wider streets, easier with luggage
Downsides
- Old Town: can be noisy, especially in summer
- Old Town: narrow, uneven cobbles – tricky for wheelchairs
- New Town: slightly higher hotel prices
- New Town: longer walk to the Castle (uphill)
The verdict: choose Old Town for immersion, New Town for calm. Neither is wrong.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Old Town is a 10‑minute walk from New Town (Fora Travel).
- Typical high‑season peak: above £200/night in August (Expedia).
What’s unclear
- Exact 2026 rates before booking – subject to demand.
- Whether New Town is always cheaper than Old Town; pattern varies by season.
- Cheapest verified hotel price from £99/night depends on specific booking conditions and availability (Skyscanner data).
“In the heart of Edinburgh, a 5‑minute walk from Waverley Rail Station, 28 York Place Hotel offers a lounge bar, free WiFi and bedrooms with views.”
— Booking.com editorial description
“Old Town and New Town are two distinct districts that define Edinburgh’s character.”
— Fora Travel
For a first‑time visitor, the choice is not about which district is “better” but about trade‑offs. Old Town immerses you in history and nightlife; New Town offers calm and elegance. The data shows that low‑season Monday stays in Old Town can cost as little as $170 (KAYAK), while August rates triple. For travellers on a mid‑range budget, the smartest play is to book Old Town in February and splurge on a walking tour. For those who value quiet and can walk the extra 10 minutes, New Town delivers better value per pound. The decision for any visitor to Edinburgh is clear: pick your district based on your walking tolerance and noise preference, and compare rates across booking platforms before finalising.
Frequently asked questions
Do hotels in Edinburgh city centre offer parking?
Most city‑centre hotels do not have on‑site parking; many offer discounted parking at nearby NCP car parks. Budget chains like Premier Inn Princes Street sometimes have limited spaces.
Are there family‑friendly hotels in Edinburgh Old Town?
Yes. The Apex Grassmarket Hotel and the Marriott Edinburgh are both family‑oriented with spacious rooms and central locations.
What is the cheapest month to book a hotel in Edinburgh?
January is the cheapest month according to Expedia data, with base rates averaging $187/night.
Can I walk from Waverley Station to Old Town hotels?
Yes. Most Old Town hotels are within 5–10 minutes on foot from Waverley Rail Station (via Market Street or the Mound).
Are there all‑inclusive hotels in Edinburgh city centre?
All‑inclusive is rare in city‑centre Edinburgh. Most hotels offer breakfast only. For full‑board, consider properties in the suburbs or book a serviced apartment.









