Cowgate Hostel, Old Town Dorms

Kick Ass Greyfriars

8.4/10 from 8,963 reviews

Hostel in Old Town

from £10 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.

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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 9 min on foot (straight-line estimate)
Breakfast: Not included

Hostel at 37-39 Cowgate in Edinburgh's Old Town, with dorm beds from £10 a night.

Overview

Kick Ass Greyfriars is a hostel on the Cowgate, at the corner of Grassmarket in the Old Town, with dorm beds in a building the property describes as historic. The beer garden looks toward Edinburgh Castle, and the hostel runs events such as pub crawls and a pub quiz.

Guests get a bed with fresh linen, a reading light, USB charging at each bunk, and a secure locker. Reception is staffed around the clock with no curfew, swipe card access to rooms, CCTV, and security wristbands. There is a bar and restaurant, a common room, a games room with a pool table, laundry facilities, and a mini supermarket. Waverley station is about a 9 minute walk away on a straight-line estimate. No guests under 18 are accepted, and proof of age is required at check-in.

Key Facts

Stay Type	Hostel
Area	Old Town
Address	37-39 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JR
Price	from £10 per night, dorm bed
Guest Rating	8.4/10 from 8,963 reviews
Check-In	14:00 to 00:00
Check-Out	until 10:00
Walk To Waverley Station	about 9 min on foot (straight-line estimate)
Breakfast	Not included
Free Wi-Fi	Yes
Luggage Storage	Yes
24-Hour Reception	Yes
Cancellation	Free cancellation on selected rates

Facilities

Free city maps
Free WiFi
Free internet access
Adaptors
Luggage storage
Faxservice
24 hour reception
Tours and travel desk
Cardphones
Internet access
Board games
Pool table
WiFi
Restaurant
Bar
Mealsavailable
Vendingmachines
Minisupermarket
Caf
Tea and coffee making facilities
Laundryfacilities
Washingmachine
Hotshowers
Lockers
Keycardaccess
24Hoursecurity
Commonroom
Gamesroom
Linenincluded
Readinglight
Hairdryers
Towelsnotincluded
Towelsforhire
Breakfastnotincluded

Who It Suits

This suits solo travellers and groups of adults who want a dorm bed in the Old Town with nightlife on the doorstep and organised social events. The 24 hour reception and no curfew fit late arrivals and nights out, while the locker for every bed and keycard access work for people carrying valuables. It does not suit families with children, since no guest under 18 may stay, and anyone wanting towels included or breakfast in the rate will need to pay extra or look elsewhere.

House Rules

A Visitor Levy will apply to all overnight stays in Edinburgh from 24 July 2026.
Maximum stay at the hostel is 14 nights.

Location

37-39 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JR.

See this stay on the map

Waverley Station is about 9 min on foot (straight-line estimate).

What To Know Before Booking

Age Limit. No guests under 18, and proof of age is required at check-in.
Check-In Card. A valid credit or debit card must be physically present at check-in and checked against guest ID.
Cancellation. Free cancellation applies only on selected rates, so check the rate terms on the booking page before paying.
Visitor Levy. Edinburgh's visitor levy adds 5% of the bed price before VAT, charged on the first five nights of stays from 24 July 2026.
Extras Not Included. Breakfast and towels are not included; towels can be hired, and luggage storage before check-in and after check-out is charged separately.
Maximum Stay. The hostel caps stays at 14 nights, and bookings of 10 or more people follow group policies including pre-payment and a deposit.

About This Edinburgh Stay

Where is Kick Ass Greyfriars located?

The hostel sits at 37-39 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JR, at the corner of Grassmarket square in the Old Town. The property describes its surroundings as Edinburgh nightlife at the doorstep and attractions within walking distance. Waverley station is about a 9 minute walk away on a straight-line estimate.

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

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 00:00, and check-out is until 10:00. Reception is staffed 24 hours and there is no curfew, so late arrivals are possible. A valid credit or debit card must be physically present at check-in and checked against guest ID.

What facilities does the hostel have?

Listed facilities include free WiFi, a restaurant, bar and cafe, laundry and washing machines, hot showers, lockers, keycard access, 24 hour security, a common room, a games room with a pool table and board games, a mini supermarket, vending machines, luggage storage, hairdryers and adaptors. There is also a tours and travel desk. The beer garden has a view of Edinburgh Castle.

Who is this hostel suitable for?

It suits adults travelling solo or in groups who want a dorm bed in the Old Town and a social atmosphere, with events like a pub crawl and pub quiz. No guests under 18 are allowed, so it does not suit families with children. Anyone needing towels or breakfast included in the rate should note both cost extra.

Can I cancel my booking for free?

Free cancellation is available on selected rates only. The listing does not state the deadline or conditions for those rates, so check the terms shown on the live booking page before you book. Edinburgh's visitor levy may also apply to stays from 24 July 2026.

How do I get to the city centre from the hostel?

The hostel is already in the Old Town at the corner of Grassmarket, and the property says attractions are within walking distance. Waverley station is about a 9 minute walk away on a straight-line estimate. The listing does not state bus routes or other transport details, so check the live booking page or a map for current options.