Royal Mile Backpackers

9.0
Exceptional
(513 reviews)

105 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG, United Kingdom

+44 131 557 6120

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Hotel Description

Located in the heart of Edinburgh, the Royal Mile Backpackers offers a unique and vibrant experience for those visiting Scotland's historic capital. Situated at 105 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG, United Kingdom, the hostel is perfectly positioned along the famous Royal Mile, just a 5-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley railway station and an 8-minute walk from the majestic Edinburgh Castle. The surrounding area is alive with history, offering easy access to top cultural sites like the Scottish Parliament, quirky pubs, and charming shops. The design of the hostel captures the lively and welcoming spirit of the area, with an inviting, relaxed atmosphere that appeals to travelers seeking both comfort and community. The Royal Mile Backpackers provides a friendly, budget-friendly alternative to traditional hotels, making it ideal for backpackers, solo travelers, and groups alike.
Inside the hostel, guests will find a range of straightforward dormitory rooms that can accommodate 6 to 8 people. Each room comes equipped with free Wi-Fi, linens, and shared bathrooms, ensuring comfort during your stay. Towels are available for rent, allowing guests to travel light. The rooms are simple yet cozy, with enough space to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing. The overall ambiance is laid-back, perfect for those who value comfort and community in their accommodations.
In addition to comfortable rooms, the Royal Mile Backpackers offers a variety of amenities designed to enhance the guest experience. A self-service kitchen allows guests to prepare their own meals, while the cozy lounge, complete with an open fireplace, provides a great space to relax or socialize with fellow travelers. For those on the go, a full-service laundry is available, and guests can enjoy complimentary walking tours and pub crawls, giving them the opportunity to explore the city's hidden gems while meeting fellow adventurers.
The hostel's prime location also provides easy access to Edinburgh’s extensive public transportation network. Edinburgh Waverley station is just a short walk away, making it easy to catch trains or buses to other parts of the city and beyond. Edinburgh Airport is approximately a 31-minute taxi ride away, and Glasgow Airport is about 1 hour and 23 minutes by taxi. Public transit options are also convenient, with several bus and tram stops nearby.
Health and safety measures are a priority at the Royal Mile Backpackers, with the hostel adhering to strict cleaning and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of guests. Whether you're enjoying the free Wi-Fi, cooking in the kitchen, or exploring the city on foot, you can rest assured that the hotel takes every measure to ensure a safe, comfortable stay.
Guests will find a variety of activities to enjoy both at the hostel and in the surrounding area. The free walking tours are a great way to learn about the rich history of Edinburgh, while the pub crawls allow visitors to experience the city's famous nightlife. With its prime location on the Royal Mile, the hostel is also within walking distance of some of the city's top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, and Arthur's Seat.
Nearby, guests can enjoy several must-see landmarks and attractions, including Edinburgh Castle (just 11 minutes away), the National Museum of Scotland (6 minutes away), and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (10 minutes away). The Royal Mile, just a 2-minute walk from the hostel, is lined with quaint shops and eateries, and offers a direct route to both Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike up Arthur's Seat for panoramic views of the city and Firth of Forth, just 11 minutes away.
The area surrounding the Royal Mile Backpackers is also home to several excellent dining options. MUMS Great Comfort Food (5 minutes by taxi) serves up hearty Scottish fare, while Whiski Bar & Restaurant (1-minute taxi ride) offers a fantastic selection of local whiskies and traditional dishes. Howies Restaurant (4 minutes by taxi) is known for its Scottish classics, and Makars Mash Bar (5 minutes by taxi) is a great spot for comfort food. For those craving pizza, Civerinos Hunter Square (1-minute taxi ride) offers delicious pies in a lively atmosphere.
The Royal Mile Backpackers is the perfect base for your Edinburgh adventure, offering a comfortable, affordable, and friendly place to stay in the heart of the city. Whether you're here to explore the city's history, enjoy the nightlife, or simply meet new people, the hostel offers everything you need for a memorable stay. We invite you to come and experience all that Edinburgh has to offer while staying at the Royal Mile Backpackers, where history, hospitality, and adventure come together.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Guests liked the kitchenettes for preparing their own meals.

2. The bathrooms received high praise for their cleanliness and functionality.

3. Walking distance to the Royal Mile and the Edinburgh Waverley railway station, making it easy to explore the city.

4. The service at the hostel, including concierge support, was highly praised by guests.

5. The hostel is known for its excellent breakfast and friendly staff.

6. Guests enjoyed the vibrant nightlife surrounding the hostel, with many pubs and bars nearby.

7. The hostel features a welcoming bar where guests can socialize and unwind.


10 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Edinburgh Castle
11 min
National Museum of Scotland
6 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse
10 min
Royal Mile
2 min
Arthur's Seat
11 min

Nearest locations

Whiski Bar & Restaurant
1 min
Civerinos Hunter Square (the original)
1 min
Wedgwood The Restaurant
1 min
No. 1 High Street
1 min
Le Bistrot
3 min
Howies Restaurant
4 min
MUMS Great Comfort Food
5 min
Makars Mash Bar
5 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out10:30
Location rating10
Nearest airportEdinburgh Airport
Travel time to airport31 min

Location

105 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG, United Kingdom

Airports:

Edinburgh Airport

Taxi: 31 min

Transit: 36 min

Glasgow Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 23 min

Transit: 1 hr 26 min

Transit:

South Bridge

Walking: 3 min

Haymarket

Taxi: 14 min

Walking: 30 min

Edinburgh Waverley

Walking: 4 min

St Andrew Square

Walking: 12 min

New Street

Walking: 3 min


Nearby locations

10

Exceptional Location

Edinburgh Old Town

Lively area with Edinburgh Castle & Scottish Parliament, plus pubs & shops along the Royal Mile.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

No pets

Services

Front desk

Baggage storage

Concierge

Full-service laundry

Parking & transportation

No parking

Languages spoken

English

French

Portuguese

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Credit cards

Debit cards

NFC mobile payments

Cash

Food & drink

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

9.2

10 reviews

Wonderful
9
Excellent
0
Good
0
Below Average
0
Not Good
1
Cover Image for Agata

Agata

5/5
I spent a week in this hostel and I really enjoyed it. I will start by saying that after my experiences in other hostels my expectations are simple - I give 5 stars as long as there are no bedbugs. And fortunately there are none here. In addition, the location is the best possible. It's clean. The beds are comfortable, there are sockets nearby. You can leave your luggage before check-in and after - in the sister hostel, which is very close. The staff are very nice. The hostel is cozy and there are interesting ideas for spending time - restaurant and place recommendations and events. I recommend it and I hope to come back there someday.

Cover Image for Ethan

Ethan

5/5
Stayed here for my five day trip to Edinburgh and had a wonderful time! I stayed in both a four person room and an eight person room. Both were clean and well maintained and so was the bathroom. I loved the common spaces they had and I loved that they are located right on the Royal Mile. They also have free luggage storage with their sister hostel around the corner. Will definitely consider staying here again!

Cover Image for Sabina Godalyova

Sabina Godalyova

5/5
I stayed here for one night only, in an 8-person dorm (female only). Location is great. They have a good system in place re: coming in/out. They also have a good system in place with their sister hotel, where you can leave your luggage for free if needed. Good vibe. Pretty clean. Standard hostel equipment.

Room 4

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for Emiel Van Herck

Emiel Van Herck

5/5
This is one of the best, if not the best hostel I stayed at this summer. I met a lot of amazing people, some of which, months later, I am still in touch with. The staff was great and always helpfull. I certainly intend to return to this lovely place one day!

Room 5

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for Hortense2412

Hortense2412

5/5
The Hostel was a really nice place and perfect for a short stay in Edinburgh !The fact that it was possible to choose a woman-only room was great and made us feel very safe! There is a really friendly vibe in the hostel ! The towels are very nice and the beds are comfortable! The hostel is a bit old but that also gives it a comfy vibe ! Strongly recommend :)

Cover Image for Arunava Chatterjee

Arunava Chatterjee

5/5
The location deserves a 10-star rating. It is literally one flight of stairs up off the Royal Mile. I stayed the one night, and loved it. Rooms great, facilities great, washrooms clean and the people warm and welcoming. The whole place gives off a positive vibe. For travellers arriving early or late, there is a luggage storage facility just a few steps down on the road opposite.

Cover Image for Bren

Bren

5/5
This was the my second time staying at the Royal Mile Backpackers and again it didn't disappoint. It is such a welcoming place with a wide variety of guests, plenty of activities are available for guests every day and night of the week. The staff are superb and will always go out of their way to offer advice on the best places to go and things to do. Dani who was on reception when I arrived was first class and nothing appears to be too much trouble for her. I hope that you enjoy Trainspotting!!! Maybe next time I will be able to use the hairdryer and straighteners 😂. I will always check the availability of Royal Mail Backpackers before looking anywhere else. Location is central so most places easily accessible and the vibe is superb. Free Refreshments and Towels too! Thank you again for another wonderful stay.

Cover Image for Douglas Terry

Douglas Terry

5/5
Look, this is not the Waldorf. You want the Waldorf, pay for it.This is a hostel centered in the tourist target of town and there is going to be outside noise until wee hours of morning. They have earplugs.The place has character. It's cozy. Hostels are cozy.The staff is helpful.I've lived aboard a nuclear submarine for 17 years and this is several levels better and comes without radiation. :-)

Cover Image for Arran Armstrong

Arran Armstrong

1/5
I arrived to discover my bank had declined the purchase I had made and they were now fully booked with no room for me. It was for the best though, as I did not like the vibes of the place and having to squeeze up the stairs to find it was not good either. It seemed really cramped and run down without me even getting so far as a room. Seemed kind of dodgy, and maybe there's a good reason my bank declined to make the purchase. It was also way over priced for what it provided in location, vibes and what I could see of the facilities. I had a lovely stay at the A&O hostel nearby instead.

Cover Image for Laxman Rajwar

Laxman Rajwar

5/5
Stayed here last week just for one night. I have really enjoyed my stay. Team was very helpful with all my queries. Location of the royal mile is also great, not even 100 meters from the heart of the city. Will recommend everyone

Room 5

Service 5

Location5