Blackfriars Street Hostel

a&o Edinburgh City

7.5/10 from 3,069 reviews

Hostel in Old Town, kitchen available

from £17.52 per night, dorm bed

Opens live rates and availability for your dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation on selected rates.

Edinburgh's visitor levy is 5% and applies to the first five nights of a stay.

Stay type: Hostel
Area: Old Town
Walk to Waverley: about 6 min on foot (straight-line estimate)
Breakfast: Not included
Kitchen: Yes

Hostel at 50 Blackfriars Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, with dorm beds from £17.52 a night.

Overview

a&o Edinburgh City is a hostel on Blackfriars Street in the Old Town, described by the property as minutes from the Royal Mile. Waverley station is roughly a six minute walk on a straight-line estimate, so arrivals with luggage have a short hop from the platforms. The building keeps a 24 hour reception with no curfew, which suits late trains and late nights alike.

Guests get dorm beds, free WiFi throughout, linen included, lockers and a shared kitchen. Bar 50 serves guests and locals, with a livelier atmosphere in the evenings and weekly events, and there is a restaurant on site as well. Extras cost money: towels are not included but can be hired, hairdryers too, and breakfast is not part of the bed rate. Laundry facilities, bicycle parking, a pool table and an outdoor terrace round out the list, with keycard access and 24 hour security in place.

Key Facts

Stay Type	Hostel
Area	Old Town
Address	50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh EH1 1NE
Price	from £17.52 per night, dorm bed
Guest Rating	7.5/10 from 3,069 reviews
Check-In	15:00 to 23:00
Check-Out	until 10:00
Walk To Waverley Station	about 6 min on foot (straight-line estimate)
Breakfast	Not included
Kitchen	Yes
Free Wi-Fi	Yes
Lift	Yes
Luggage Storage	Yes
24-Hour Reception	Yes
Age Restriction	18+
Cancellation	Free cancellation on selected rates

Facilities

Free city maps
Free WiFi
Bicycle parking
Luggage storage
24 hour reception
Tours and travel desk
Pool table
WiFi
Restaurant
Bar
Vendingmachines
Kitchen
Wheelchairaccessible
Elevator
Laundryfacilities
Outdoorterrace
Lockers
Keycardaccess
24Hoursecurity
Linenincluded
Readinglight
Towelsnotincluded
Towelsforhire
Breakfastnotincluded
Hairdryersforhire
Latecheckout

Who It Suits

Dorm beds and a shared kitchen make this a fit for solo travellers and small groups on a tight budget who want to be in the Old Town and cook some of their own meals. The 24 hour reception and no curfew suit people arriving late or heading out for the evening. The bar and weekly events will appeal to travellers who want a social scene under the same roof. It may not suit anyone under 18, since the hostel is adults only, and the lively evening atmosphere means light sleepers should weigh that before booking.

House Rules

Check in is from 3 pm and Check out until 10 am (11 am on weekends).

Location

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh EH1 1NE.

See this stay on the map

Waverley Station is about 6 min on foot (straight-line estimate).

What To Know Before Booking

Age Limit. Stays are restricted to guests aged 18 and over. Anyone booking for a younger traveller will not be accepted.
Check-In Times. Check in runs from 3 pm to 11 pm, and check out is until 10 am, or 11 am on weekends. Reception itself is staffed around the clock.
Cancellation. Only selected rates come with free cancellation. Check the rate terms on the live booking page before paying.
Extras To Budget. Breakfast and towels are not included. Towels and hairdryers can be hired, and late checkout is listed as available.
Visitor Levy. Edinburgh's visitor levy adds 5% of the room or bed price before VAT, charged on the first five nights of stays from 24 July 2026. Factor it into the total.
Shared Living. Dorm beds mean shared rooms and a shared kitchen. Travellers wanting private space should check what room options the listing currently shows.

About This Edinburgh Stay

How far is a&o Edinburgh City from the city centre?

The hostel sits at 50 Blackfriars Street in the Old Town, and the property describes itself as minutes from the Royal Mile. Waverley station is about a six minute walk on a straight-line estimate. In practical terms, expect the walk to be a little longer with bags or crowds.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check in runs from 3 pm to 11 pm, and check out is until 10 am, or 11 am on weekends. Reception is open 24 hours, so late arrivals are covered. Luggage storage is available if you need to stash bags before or after your room.

What facilities does the hostel have?

The listing includes free WiFi, a shared kitchen, a restaurant, Bar 50, a pool table, laundry facilities, an outdoor terrace and bicycle parking. Lockers, keycard access, 24 hour security and a tours and travel desk are also listed. Towels and hairdryers can be hired.

Is breakfast included at a&o Edinburgh City?

No, breakfast is not included in the bed rate. The property does have a restaurant and vending machines on site. You can also use the shared kitchen to prepare your own food.

Can I cancel my booking for free?

Free cancellation applies only to selected rates, not all of them. The rate rules on the booking page will show which options qualify. Read them before confirming, as stricter terms may apply to cheaper rates.

Who is this hostel suitable for?

It suits adults on a budget who want a dorm bed in the Old Town, with a shared kitchen to cut food costs. The 24 hour reception, no curfew and evening events at Bar 50 suit social travellers and late arrivals. It is not open to guests under 18, and the lively evening scene may not suit anyone wanting a quiet stay.