Southside Backpackers, Argyle Place

Argyle Backpackers

7.5/10 from 2,637 reviews

Hostel in Southside and Newington, kitchen available

from £20 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: Southside and Newington
Walk to Waverley: about 25 min on foot (straight-line estimate)
Breakfast: Not included
Kitchen: Yes

Hostel at 14 Argyle Place in Edinburgh's Southside and Newington, with dorm beds from £20 a night.

Overview

Argyle Backpackers occupies two Victorian townhouses at 14 Argyle Place, in the Southside and Newington area of Edinburgh. The property has been hosting travellers for over 25 years and sits close to both Edinburgh University and Napier University campuses. Guests sleep in dorm beds or private rooms, with rooms fitted with large windows that look out towards Arthur's Seat.

The walk to the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the National Museum of Scotland takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes on foot, and Waverley station is about 25 minutes away on a straight-line estimate. Self catering is well covered: there are two fully equipped kitchens with cookers, fridge freezers, microwaves and utensils, plus free tea and coffee. Extras include a conservatory and garden, a BBQ, a common room, a games room with board games, laundry facilities, lockers in some rooms and luggage storage. WiFi is free throughout.

Key Facts

Stay Type	Hostel
Area	Southside and Newington
Address	14 Argyle Place, Edinburgh EH9 1JL
Price	from £20 per night, dorm bed
Guest Rating	7.5/10 from 2,637 reviews
Check-In	13:00 to 19:00
Check-Out	until 11:00
Walk To Waverley Station	about 25 min on foot (straight-line estimate)
Breakfast	Not included
Kitchen	Yes
Free Wi-Fi	Yes
Luggage Storage	Yes
Age Restriction	Over 18s only
Cancellation	Free cancellation on selected rates

Facilities

Free city maps
Free WiFi
Free internet access
Adaptors
Luggage storage
Tours and travel desk
Housekeeping
Receptionlimitedhours
Internet access
Book exchange
Board games
Cabletv
WiFi
BBQ
Tea and coffee making facilities
Kitchen
Cooker
Fridgefreezer
Utensils
Microwave
Laundryfacilities
Dryer
Ironironingboard
Washingmachine
Hotshowers
Outdoorterrace
Lockers
Commonroom
Gamesroom
Linenincluded
Readinglight
Hairdryers
Towelsnotincluded
Towelsforhire
Breakfastnotincluded

Who It Suits

Solo travellers and small groups on a tight budget are the clearest fit, since dorm beds with linen included keep costs down and the kitchens let you self cater. Students and visiting families connected to the nearby universities also fit well. Under 18s can only stay in a private room with a family member over 18, so unaccompanied younger travellers cannot book here, and the deposit and key system plus shared facilities may not suit anyone wanting a full-service hotel experience.

House Rules

Reception hours are Monday - Thursday : 10am and 5pm Friday - Sunday : 10am and 7pm
Cancellation Policy:
You can cancel your reservation free of charge up to 48hrs in advance (i.e. 48hrs before 10:30am on your arrival day, local time).
- Please bring valid ID for check in Passport /driving licence (UK residents too)
- You will be charged 10 (in cash) as a deposit for the room key, refundable upon check-out
- TRIPLE ROOM can be: 3 x 1 single bed OR 1double bed + 1single bed or 1double bed + bunk bed
- TWIN ROOM can be: 2 single beds or a bunk bed
- Any guest under the age of 18 can stay only in a private room with a family member who is over 18
Reception hours are Monday - Thursday : 10am and 4pm Friday - Sunday : 10am and 7pm

Location

14 Argyle Place, Edinburgh EH9 1JL.

See this stay on the map

Waverley Station is about 25 min on foot (straight-line estimate).

The hostel is only a 10-15 min walk to The Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, National Museum of Scotland and other city attractions.

What To Know Before Booking

Age Rules. The hostel is over 18s only for general stays. Any guest under 18 may stay solely in a private room with a family member aged over 18.
Check-In Window. Check-in runs from 13:00 to 19:00, though the property says earlier check-in from 10am is possible if the room is ready. Arrivals after 5pm can be arranged if you contact the hostel in advance.
Cancellation Terms. Cancellation is free of charge up to 48 hours before arrival, calculated from 10:30am on your arrival day in local time. Free cancellation applies on selected rates, so check the rate details on the booking page.
Key Deposit. A cash deposit of 10 is taken for the room key and refunded at check-out. Bring valid ID, a passport or driving licence, including UK residents.
Bedding And Towels. Linen is included but towels are not. Towels are available to hire if you do not bring your own.
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 this into your budget.

About This Edinburgh Stay

Where is Argyle Backpackers located?

The hostel sits at 14 Argyle Place in the Southside and Newington area of Edinburgh, close to both Edinburgh University and Napier University campuses. Shops, cafes, pubs and supermarkets are all nearby according to the listing. The address places it a short walk south of the city centre attractions.

How far is the hostel from the city centre?

The listing states a 10 to 15 minute walk to the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the National Museum of Scotland. Waverley station is about 25 minutes away on foot based on a straight-line estimate, so allow a little longer in practice. Bus connections are not mentioned in the listing.

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

Check-in runs from 13:00 to 19:00, and check-out is until 11:00. The property says check-in from 10am may be possible if your room is ready, and later arrivals can be arranged if you tell them your arrival time in advance. Reception hours are shorter on weekdays than at weekends.

What facilities does the hostel have?

Facilities include free WiFi, two fully equipped self catering kitchens, a conservatory and garden, a BBQ area, a common room, a games room with board games, laundry facilities and luggage storage. Lockers or digital safes are available in some rooms, and free hair dryers, irons and tea and coffee are provided. Breakfast is not included, and towels are for hire rather than provided.

Who is Argyle Backpackers suited to?

It suits solo travellers and groups on a budget who are happy with dorm accommodation and self catering, as well as visitors connected to the nearby universities. Under 18s can only stay in a private room with a family member over 18, so it is not an option for unaccompanied younger travellers. Anyone expecting hotel service or included breakfast may prefer elsewhere.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before arrival, measured from 10:30am on your arrival day in local time. The listing notes that free cancellation applies to selected rates only. Check the rate terms on the booking page before you confirm, as conditions can vary.