Castle views, festival crowds and Georgian streets – compare stays from the Old Town and New Town to Leith.
Results open in a new tab on our partner's site. We may earn a commission if you book – it never changes your price. How we make money
Photo: Jörg Angeli / Unsplash
Edinburgh packs a lot into a small area. The Old Town follows the Royal Mile from the castle down to Holyrood, a maze of closes and wynds along a steep ridge, while the Georgian New Town across Princes Street Gardens has elegant terraces, shopping and many of the city's hotels. Waverley station sits between the two, and the waterfront district of Leith is a short tram ride away.
Hotel prices here are driven by events more than the weather. August, when the Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo take over the city, is in a league of its own, and Hogmanay, rugby internationals and stadium concerts also fill rooms. Since July 2026 a visitor levy has applied to overnight stays. Use the search above to compare dates and see how much difference a week can make.
Busiest monthsAugust is the most expensive month by a distance, as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo bring huge crowds. June and July are also busy, and Hogmanay at New Year and Six Nations rugby weekends at Murrayfield cause sharp spikes.
Best valueJanuary to March and November are the best-value months, with short, cold days but much easier availability. Spring and early autumn offer a good balance of longer days and more moderate prices.
Based on typical seasonal hotel demand, not live prices. Run a search to see current prices for your dates.
The Old Town runs along the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, with the Grassmarket and Cowgate below. Staying here puts you in the thick of things, especially during the August festivals, when many Fringe venues are on your doorstep. Expect steep streets, steps and late-night noise, and check access details if you have heavy luggage.
Built in the 18th and early 19th centuries on a neat grid, the New Town has Princes Street, George Street's bars and restaurants, and graceful Georgian squares. It is flatter than the Old Town and close to both Waverley station and the airport tram, making it the most practical base for a first visit. Stockbridge, just to the north, has a village feel and a Sunday market.
Edinburgh's historic port is now one of its best places to eat, with restaurants along the Shore and the Royal Yacht Britannia moored at Ocean Terminal. Since the tram extension opened in 2023, Leith has a direct tram to the city centre and the airport. Hotels and apartments here are often better value than in the centre, especially during the festivals.
The West End and Haymarket, just west of the centre, mix Georgian townhouse hotels with modern chains, and Haymarket station has trains to Glasgow and the north. The airport tram stops here, and Murrayfield Stadium is within walking distance, so rooms book up fast on match and concert days. Evenings are noticeably calmer than in the Old Town.
The Edinburgh Tram runs from outside the terminal through Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square to Leith, taking about 30–35 minutes to the centre. The Airlink 100 express bus to Waverley Bridge takes a similar time and runs around the clock. Taxis and ride-hailing cars take about 25–30 minutes, longer at peak times.
Yes. Edinburgh's visitor levy, the first in the UK, has applied to stays since 24 July 2026 for bookings made from 1 October 2025. It adds 5% to the cost of paid overnight accommodation for the first five consecutive nights of a stay. It covers hotels, guesthouses and short-term lets, and UK residents pay it too.
The Old Town is more atmospheric, with the castle and Royal Mile on your doorstep, but it is hilly and busy, particularly in August. The New Town is flatter, better for shopping and dining, and closer to Waverley station and the airport tram. The two are only a few minutes' walk apart.
As early as possible. Rooms for August are often booked months in advance, and rates rise as availability falls. Choose a free cancellation rate if your plans are uncertain, and widen your search to Leith, the West End or towns on the rail line if central options look thin.
January to March and November usually offer the lowest rates, outside rugby weekends and Hogmanay. Days are short and it can be cold, wet and windy, but the city is far less crowded. Throughout the year, midweek nights are generally cheaper than weekends.
Two or three nights covers the castle, the Royal Mile, the New Town and a climb up Arthur's Seat. Stay longer to add a day trip to Stirling Castle, St Andrews or the Highlands, or to see several shows during the festival season.
Casino resorts, big shows and desert day trips – compare stays from the Strip to Fremont Street.
Theatre, free museums and riverside walks – compare stays from the West End to South Kensington.
Skyline pools, hawker centres and garden walks – compare stays from Marina Bay and Orchard Road to Chinatown and Sentosa.
Cafés, galleries and Seine-side walks – compare stays from Le Marais to Montmartre.