Finding cheap accommodation in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival can be a tricky task - especially when you want to be based in the city centre amidst all the festival buzz (without paying a fortune).
Booking beds early is perhaps the most important part of the festival planning process. This is something you need to sort out before you can start feeling Fringe fever due to the fact that accommodation for Edinburgh’s festivals always get booked up quickly (note to self: don’t wait until the last minute). A question backpackers often ask themselves is whether to opt for a hotel or a hostel. If you’re a regular reader and saw our , you’ll know that we believe in hostels all the way. And for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we’d recommend no different.
There are several reasons why hostels are the perfect place to base yourself during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - not just because they’re cheaper. St Christopher’s Inns, right in the heart of the Old Town is a modern hostel close to pretty much everything you’ll want to see and do during Fringe. Here’s why you should choose to stay at St Christopher’s…
IT’S AFFORDABLE
Why bother splashing out on a hotel when you can stay somewhere for half the price? It’s just for a couple of nights, after all. For Edinburgh Fringe, you can find cheap accommodation at St Christopher’s Inns. Festival beds don’t have to break the bank - a bed in dorm room will you set your bank balance back around £20-30 per night, which is pretty cheap if you ask us.
All beds are changed and made upon a guest’s arrival, with clean linen and individual plug sockets to charge your phone. All rooms are secure with key card access, as well as privacy curtains on the beds and free storage lockers.
IT’S SOCIABLE AND THE BEST WAY TO MEET PEOPLE
What better way to make friends with other people attending Fringe than in a hostel? Edinburgh is a backpacker favourite - and you can be sure that there will be a hell load of backpackers staying at St Christopher’s during the Fringe.
A place where you can rest your head in between shows, as well as being somewhere to party at the end of the day with other ‘Fringers’ in the lively hostel bar. The hostel will be sure to throw some killer parties and drink deals during Fringe, so hostels tick all the boxes for fun, socialising and partying.
CENTRAL LOCATION
You can find all the best bars, restaurants and clubs in the Old Town, moments away from St Christopher’s Inns. Just a short walk out of the hostel and you’ll find the best underground bar in Edinburgh (Hoot the Redeemer), the best vodka bar (Arcade Bar), a traditional Scottish pub next door to the hostel, plus a whole load more local hangouts.
Edinburgh’s main attractions and sights are all within walking distance too. Edinburgh Castle, Victoria Street, The Royal Mile, Princes Street Gardens and more are all walkable. The Edinburgh Dungeons are just opposite the hostel, as is Waverly Train Station.
FREE COMEDY AND BADASS BURGERS
Just for Edinburgh Fringe, our hostel bar Belushi’s will be hosting stand up comedians. Grab a drink, buy a famous Belushi’s burger and get ready for some laughs with the free comedy at St Christopher’s Inns. The perfect way to get in the spirit of Fringe.
IT’S CHEAPER IN THE OLD TOWN
Victoria Street is just around the corner
Did you know that it’s cheaper in the Old Town than the New Town? We recommend finding accommodation in the Old Town, especially if you’re on a budget as it's likely to be cheaper (hence why St Christopher's is a great idea). Food and drink is also cheaper here, as well as being home to some true hidden gems and authentic bars and the best Scottish pubs.
YOU CAN STILL HAVE PRIVACY
Did you know that most hostels also offer private rooms? If you would prefer to have your own room and ensuite, you can pay a little extra for the comfort of your own space - and it will still work out cheaper than a room in a 4 star hotel. With hostel private rooms you really get the best of both worlds: the privacy of a hotel room but the fun, social vibes of a hostel at the bar downstairs.
HOSTEL PERKS AND WEEKLY EVENTS
To name just a few of the perks you’ll receive if you stay at St Christopher’s Inns:
Free Wifi, Free walking tours, Pub crawls from the hostel, Fringe deals and events in the hostel, 25% off food and drink deals AND £2 bottle of fosters and £2 shot of Eristoff vodka and house mixer.
Weekly events at the hostel Mondays - Pub quiz, Tuesdays - Bar Pong, Thursdays - Live music, Friday - Live music, Saturday - Live music, Sunday - Sunday sessions. All sporting events shown on our HD screens and projector all day every day.