About

Smack bang in the middle of town, you can’t get closer to the action than Royal Mile Backpackers. Our comfortable accommodation looks over Edinburgh’s most iconic street – with attractions, bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs on your doorstep.

Join us for backpackers’ events throughout the week, from lively Pub Crawls to traditional Scottish dancing. We accept travellers aged 18+ to book with us for an exciting, energetic stay.

The hostel also offers Wifi, free tea and coffee. Our friendly receptionists can offer you some great advice on what to see and do and where to eat and drink during your stay in Edinburgh. They can arrange for you to make the most of your time while you are in Scotland and book you on a MacBackpackers Tour to the Highlands. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible - here is a wee list of what else we have to offer:

Clean bed linen
Breakfast available at our sister hostel for £3 from 8am until 10:30am
Cash and credit card payment
Receptionist available to help you during opening hours (8am - 11am and 3pm - 10pm)
Easy access to the bus and train station
Tour booking service and advice
Kitchen/Dining area open 24 hours
Towel Hire for Free
Secure lockers in rooms
Free Wi-Fi
Free tea and coffee
Free hairdryers and straighteners for use
Local Food & Drinks discounts
24hour access after check-in
Book exchange

Step outside and be at the centre of it all.

-- Edinburgh Visitor Levy (Tourist Tax) --
From 24/07/26, Edinburgh will introduce a Visitor Levy (similar to a Tourist Tax). Any bookings checking in from this date onwards will be subject to an additional 5% charge on the accommodation cost, payable at check-in.

If your reservation requires payment of the levy, you will receive an email with further details.

-- Group Bookings --
For group bookings of more than 4 guests, you must contact the hostel directly.

-- Age Restrictions --
Minimum age: 18 years.
(Sorry, no children are permitted)

-- Maximum Stay --
Maximum stay: 7 nights.
(Sorry, no long-term accommodation is available)

-- Check-In Requirements --
Please bring a valid government-issued photo ID for check-in.

-- Cancellation Policy --
Cancellation terms are subject to the rate type selected at the time of booking.

For refundable bookings, this property operates a 2-day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this period may result in a cancellation charge of up to the first two nights of your stay. Non-refundable bookings are not eligible for refunds if cancelled.

Please note that different conditions apply during August and Hogmanay.

-- August Bookings --

For any bookings during August, the full balance will be charged 14 days before arrival. If you book less than 14 days before arrival, the full amount will be charged within 24 hours of booking.

Once payment has been taken, no refunds will be given.

-- Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) Bookings --

For any bookings over Hogmanay (New Year's Eve), the full balance will be charged on 1st December. If you book after 1st December, the full amount will be charged within 24 hours of booking.

Once payment has been taken, no refunds will be issued.

-- No-Shows --

If you do not arrive on your booked arrival date, you will be charged according to our cancellation policy.

Your reservation will then be cancelled unless you have notified us directly of your late arrival.

House Rules

Check In

15:00 - 22:00

Check Out

until 10:00

  • Age Restriction
  • Non Smoking
  • Taxes Not Included
View House Rules

Facilities

  • Free WiFi
  • Free Internet Access
  • Free Security Lockers
  • Free Luggage Storage
  • Luggage Storage
  • Fax Service
  • 24 Hour Reception
  • Housekeeping
View all facilities

Reviews

9.2Superb(3574)
  • Value for Money
    8.9
  • Security
    9.5
  • Atmosphere
    8.6
  • Cleanliness
    9.1
  • Staff
    9.5
  • Location
    9.8
  • Facilities
    8.8
Summary of traveller reviews

Royal Mile Backpackers in Edinburgh is praised for its incredibly central location, making it easy to explore the city. Guests frequently highlight the friendly and helpful staff, contributing to a warm and cozy atmosphere. While generally clean, some recent reviews mention rooms can be small and occasionally stuffy.

Was this helpful?
Stayed in Sept 2026
7.4
A
Archi
Female, 31-40, India
The staff& management have done a great job to ensure a good hostel vibe and facilities. However, my experience was destroyed by my fellow roommates. They stayed up late past 11 PM with lights on, chatting and making noise. On both nights, my sleep was ruined at 1 AM, when girls decided it was a good time to watch reels loudly or chat. Only 2 showers for 12-odd girls, so there was always a queue. The linen was clean & there was free hot towel.
Stayed in Sept 2026
10
Y
Yan
Female, 41+, England
I stayed in the Royal Mile Backpackers last Friday 11 Sept 2026, because I joined a hiking event in Edinburgh and the event was started at Saughton Park next day 12 Sept 2026, because the hostel was near all the transportation point, such as the train station, tram station and bus stop, it was very convenience , I could easily took the tram to arrive my hiking started point. I reversed a female room with ten beds, but the room has enough space, and all the girls were nice and kept silent.
Stayed in Sept 2026
7.1
D
Duncan
Male, 41+, England
you get what you pay for
View all reviews

Location

105 High Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
0.9km from city centre
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Hostelworld says

Hostelworld travellers rate Royal Mile Backpackers very highly for its location and it?s little wonder why - it's located in the very centre of Edinburgh on the pedestrian section of the Royal Mile, close to the Castle and Waverly Train Station. Guests have told us it's "nice and cosy and full of character...this hostel really makes you feel at home". We like that the laid-back, friendly and helpful staff provide a number of thoughtful extras like shelves in the showers, hooks to hang clothes on and power sockets by each bed.