Directions to Caledonian Backpackers

Map & directions

Caledonian Backpackers Hostel is located at the West End of Princes St. If in doubt, ask any local for directions to the Caledonian Hotel. It's kind of got the same name, and is kind of on the same intersection as us, but is much better-known.

From Edinburgh airport:
There is a bus which goes from the terminal directly to our building, which is very kind of the city to organise. It is the double-decker blue Airport 100 bus, and costs £3.50, and runs from 4:30am until midnight. (After that, catch the N22 bus.) It stops on Shandwick Place, which the driver should announce as Shandwick Place/West End. Don't stress - if you go too far, the last stop is the train station, so follow directions from there. Get off the bus, turning right, and follow the street around the corner to your left, where you should see our sign.

From the bus station:
Go right and up the escalator. Then you turn left on St Andrews St, go to the end and turn right, which is Princes St.

From Waverly train station:
Follow the sign to Princes St and turn left onto it. When on Princes St, head past the castle (on your left), and walk until the gardens on the left finish and a church is there. You should see the church, a road heading north, and then the Caledonian Hilton Hotel. You don't want to stay there because they aren't as much fun as us. Assuming you are on the opposite side of Princes St to the church, keep walking a little bit more, until you are forced to turn or cross the road. If you look across, you should see the Santander Bank with its fiery red logo. At the bank, turn right, and our doorway is the third up. Our Internet room is actually directly above the bank.

By car:
The news is bad, unfortunately - cars cannot get near our entrance as too many buses run past. And parking isn't available anywhere near us for any reasonable prices. The best option is to park at one of the city's Park'n'Ride stations and catch the bus back into the centre of town, where we are. The other option is to use the long-term parking at the airport, which is more secure and costs about £8 a day. But you really won't need the car while you are in Edinburgh anyway!