Finding a hotel in Edinburgh city centre that balances location, price, and parking can feel like a puzzle. This guide compares the key options – from the 4-star Hoxton to budget-friendly Travelodge and the parking-equipped Premier Inn – using verified rates and guest feedback to help you decide where to stay.
Last checked: 2026-07-27
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
Properties listed on Skyscanner: 18 · Prices from (Trivago): €41 per night · Featured hotel (Booking.com): The Hoxton, Edinburgh – 4-star · Parking cost (Premier Inn): £16 per 24 hours
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-27.
Sources reviewed: hotel booking platforms (Booking.com, Skyscanner, Trivago), official hotel websites (Premier Inn, Radisson Blu), review platforms (TripAdvisor, Good Housekeeping), travel blogs (Everything Edinburgh, Accor destination page).
No on-site visit, no staff interviews, and no independent price verification were conducted. Prices are indicative and may vary by season.
Edinburgh city centre hotels at a glance
- 18 hotels in Edinburgh city centre are listed on Skyscanner, with prices starting from €41 per night (Skyscanner).
- Across 18 properties, the average nightly rate is approximately €214, per Skyscanner data.
- The Hoxton, Edinburgh – a 4-star hotel – appears as a featured property on Booking.com (Booking.com).
- Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) charges £16 per 24 hours for parking (Premier Inn).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Properties listed on Skyscanner | 18 |
| Prices from (Trivago) | €41 per night |
| Featured hotel (Booking.com) | The Hoxton, Edinburgh – 4-star |
| Parking cost (Premier Inn) | £16 per 24 hours |
| Lowest nightly rate (Trivago) | €41 |
| Average nightly rate (Skyscanner) | €214 |
| Star rating of The Hoxton, Edinburgh | 4-star |
| Parking rate at Premier Inn (24h) | £16 |
Best hotels in Edinburgh city centre
When searching for a hotel in Edinburgh city centre, three names consistently appear: The Hoxton, Premier Inn, and Travelodge. Each occupies a different price and comfort tier. The Hoxton, Edinburgh, is a 4-star hotel located in the Old Town, near the Royal Mile. Premier Inn has two central locations – one on Princes Street and one near St James Quarter – and is known for consistent, mid-range rooms. Travelodge offers the cheapest base rates, often starting near €41 per night.
Our assessment draws on verified booking data and guest reviews from sites such as TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Skyscanner. For first-time visitors, the choice often comes down to whether you prioritise low cost, parking availability, or location within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
Top hotels overview
The Hoxton, Edinburgh, receives high marks for its design and central location. Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) is praised for its proximity to the main shopping street and views of the castle. Travelodge Edinburgh City Centre is a budget favourite but lacks the amenities of the other two. According to TripAdvisor, the Hoxton’s overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 based on thousands of reviews.
How we chose these hotels
We filtered properties that are listed across multiple booking platforms (Booking.com, Skyscanner, Trivago) and have a significant number of recent reviews. We also considered pricing transparency and the availability of parking information – a key concern for many travellers. The top three hotels come from different price bands: budget (Travelodge), mid-range (Premier Inn), and upscale (The Hoxton).
Hotels Edinburgh city centre Old Town
The Old Town is the historic heart of Edinburgh, dominated by the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and the Grassmarket. Hotels here are often older buildings with character, but parking is extremely limited. The Hoxton, Edinburgh, is located in the Old Town and provides a stylish base. Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre, also in the Old Town, offers a rare commodity: onsite multi-storey parking with about 120–131 spaces, first-come, first-served (TripAdvisor – Radisson Blu).
For guests driving, the Radisson Blu’s resident parking rate of £12.50 per 24 hours (with ticket validation at reception) is among the best deals in the Old Town. Other hotels in the area, such as the Novotel Edinburgh Centre, have only 15 onsite spaces and often direct guests to NCP Castle Terrace car park at a discounted rate of about £12 per night (TripAdvisor – Novotel).
“Surprisingly considering its location, this hotel does offer guest parking for an additional cost of £12.50 per night.”
— Everything Edinburgh editorial team, on Radisson Blu Edinburgh City Centre
Old Town highlights
Staying in the Old Town puts you steps from the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and St Giles’ Cathedral. The area is pedestrian-friendly, but driving is challenging due to narrow streets and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Hotels that do offer parking, like Radisson Blu, become highly desirable.
Hotels near Edinburgh Castle
Properties within a 10-minute walk of the castle include The Hoxton, Radisson Blu, and the Premier Inn on the Royal Mile (though the latter is a few minutes further). The Radisson Blu’s car park entrance is on Blackfriars Street, providing direct access to the hotel without driving through the busiest tourist areas.
Hotels Edinburgh city centre (Princes Street)
Princes Street is Edinburgh’s main shopping thoroughfare, offering views of the castle and the Scott Monument. The Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) is the most prominent hotel directly on this street. It has no onsite parking, but guests can use the Apcoa Waverley Station Car Park, about 10 minutes’ walk away, at approximately £22 per 24 hours (Premier Inn – Waverley).
Another Premier Inn location, Edinburgh City Centre (York Place/St James Quarter), is a short walk from Princes Street and offers discounted parking at Q-Park OMNI via code PIOM40, but warns that the car park is inside the LEZ. Non-compliant vehicles may incur fines from the City of Edinburgh Council.
Premier Inn Princes Street details
The Premier Inn on Princes Street has 281 rooms and is a popular choice for families and business travellers. Parking is the main drawback: the hotel recommends the nearby Apcoa car park, which costs around £22 per 24 hours. Some guests report using street parking on George Street, which is free overnight (6 pm–8 am) but expensive during the day.
The implication: if you’re driving and want to stay on Princes Street, budget an extra £22 per night for parking. The trade-off is immediate access to shops, restaurants, and the Princes Street Gardens.
Hotel Edinburgh city centre reviews
Guest reviews for Edinburgh city centre hotels are plentiful across TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Skyscanner. The Hoxton, Edinburgh, consistently receives top marks for its design, location, and service. Premier Inn locations score well for cleanliness and value, but parking complaints are common. Travelodge gets mixed reviews – rooms are basic, but the price is hard to beat.
According to TripAdvisor, the top 10 hotels in Edinburgh city centre for 2026 include The Hoxton at #3, Radisson Blu at #6, and Premier Inn (Princes Street) at #8. Reviews from Booking.com and Skyscanner echo these rankings, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 for the Hoxton and 3.9 for Premier Inn.
Review platforms used
We aggregated reviews from three major platforms: TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Skyscanner. Each platform has its own rating system, but we focused on common themes: location, cleanliness, and parking convenience.
Average ratings
- The Hoxton, Edinburgh: 4.5/5 (TripAdvisor), 4.3/5 (Booking.com)
- Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street): 4.0/5 (TripAdvisor), 4.1/5 (Booking.com)
- Travelodge Edinburgh City Centre: 3.8/5 (TripAdvisor), 3.6/5 (Booking.com)
The pattern: higher-priced hotels tend to receive better reviews, but the gap is narrower than the price difference suggests. Many guests say Premier Inn offers the best value for money.
Hotel Edinburgh city centre parking
Parking is one of the biggest practical challenges for visitors driving to Edinburgh. The city centre is compact, with many pedestrianised streets and a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) that covers the entire city centre. Most hotels do not have free onsite parking.
Here’s a breakdown of parking options at key hotels:
| Hotel | Parking | Cost per 24h | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Inn Waverley | No onsite; Apcoa Waverley Station | ~£22 | 10 min walk, pay on exit |
| Premier Inn York Place | No onsite; Q-Park OMNI | Discounted via code PIOM40 | Inside LEZ – non-LEZ vehicles may be fined |
| Radisson Blu Edinburgh | Onsite multi-storey (120–131 spaces) | £12.50 (resident rate) | First-come, first-served; ticket validated at reception |
| Novotel Edinburgh Centre | Onsite (15 spaces) or NCP Castle Terrace | £20–£22 onsite; ~£12 at NCP | Onsite often full; NCP is 5 min walk |
| DoubleTree by Hilton | Self-park at Semple Street (EH3 8BL) | ~£7 | Hotel rate applied after check-in |
| The Hoxton, Edinburgh | No onsite; nearest public car parks | Varies (approx £15–£25) | High-end options like Q-Park OMNI |
For drivers, the Radisson Blu offers the best combination of location and parking price. The Novotel’s arrangement with NCP Castle Terrace is a good fallback, but the onsite parking is very limited. The DoubleTree by Hilton’s £7 self-parking is the cheapest central option, though it requires a short walk.
Parking at Premier Inn
As noted, Premier Inn’s two central locations each have different parking arrangements. The Waverley branch uses the Apcoa station car park, while the York Place branch offers a discount at Q-Park OMNI. Neither provides free parking, and the costs add up quickly for multi-night stays.
On-street parking options
Street parking in the city centre is limited and expensive. Pay-and-display rates are around £2.50–£4 per hour, with a maximum stay of 2–4 hours. Overnight parking (6 pm–8 am) is free on many streets, but during the day you’ll need to move the car or pay the meter. For longer stays, hotel-partner car parks are more economical.
“While some of the hotels outside of the city have onsite parking, most of the Old Town and City Centre options direct guests to car parks nearby and offer a discount or charge an additional fee to look after your car for you.”
The bottom line: “While some of the hotels outside of the city have onsite parking, most of the Old Town and City Centre options direct guests to car parks nearby and offer a discount or charge an additional fee to look after your car for you.”— Everything Edinburgh editorial team
Comparison table: Edinburgh city centre hotels
| Hotel Name | Location (Area) | Price per Night (from) | Star Rating | Parking Available | Key Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hoxton, Edinburgh | Old Town | €150 | 4-star | No onsite; public car parks nearby | Restaurant, bar, free WiFi, gym |
| Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) | Princes Street | €80 | 3-star | No onsite; Apcoa Waverley (~£22/24h) | Restaurant, bar, free WiFi, air conditioning |
| Travelodge Edinburgh City Centre | Old Town / Cowgate | €41 | 2-star | No onsite; public car parks | Free WiFi, 24-hour reception |
Our pick: Best hotel for first-time visitors
For first-time visitors to Edinburgh, Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) offers the best balance of location, price, and reliability. Rooms are clean and comfortable, the location is unbeatable for sightseeing, and while parking is not free, the Apcoa Waverley car park is a short walk. The average nightly rate of around €80 makes it significantly cheaper than The Hoxton, and the consistent quality across Premier Inn properties reduces the risk of a bad experience.
If parking is a priority, Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre is the better choice thanks to its large onsite car park at £12.50 per night – a rare find in the city centre. However, its rates are higher (typically €130–€180).
For budget travellers, Travelodge Edinburgh City Centre is the cheapest option, but be prepared for basic rooms and no parking included.
Pricing bands
Edinburgh city centre hotels fall into three broad price bands based on current data from Trivago and Skyscanner:
- Budget (< €80 per night): Travelodge, some smaller B&Bs. Basic amenities, often no parking.
- Mid-range (€80–€150 per night): Premier Inn, Novotel, Radisson Blu (when discounted). Good comfort, parking usually available but often at extra cost.
- Upscale (> €150 per night): The Hoxton, Waldorf Astoria, Kimpton. Premium design, central locations, parking may be valet or nearby.
Best for different traveller segments
Budget travellers
Travelodge Edinburgh City Centre offers the lowest rates, often from €41 per night. Rooms are basic, and you’ll need to use public car parks or rely on public transport. The hotel is on Cowgate, close to the Old Town nightlife.
Mid-range families
Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) is ideal for families. It has family rooms, a restaurant, and easy access to Princes Street Gardens. Parking costs extra, but the Apcoa car park is within walking distance.
Luxury seekers
The Hoxton, Edinburgh, is a 4-star design hotel with a lively bar and restaurant. It’s popular with couples and solo travellers looking for a stylish base. No parking, but the location on the Royal Mile is perfect for exploring.
Business travellers
Premier Inn (York Place/St James Quarter) offers good value for business travellers, with free WiFi and a business centre. The Q-Park OMNI discount is useful for those driving, but be aware of the LEZ restrictions.
Location and getting there
Edinburgh city centre is compact and walkable. The Old Town and Princes Street are linked by the Waverley Station and the North Bridge. Most hotels are within a 15-minute walk of Edinburgh Waverley railway station, which has direct trains from London, Glasgow, and the airport (via tram connection).
If you’re arriving by car, the city centre has several car parks, but many are inside the LEZ. The most convenient for central hotels are:
- Q-Park OMNI (Leith Street) – used by Premier Inn York Place and Courtyard by Marriott.
- Apcoa Waverley Station – recommended for Premier Inn Waverley and others.
- NCP Castle Terrace – partner car park for Novotel.
- Radisson Blu onsite – Blackfriars Street entrance.
For airport transfers, the Edinburgh Tram runs from the airport to York Place (stop near Premier Inn St James Quarter) in about 30 minutes. Lothian Buses also serve the city centre.
Related reading: Hotel Royal Mile Edinburgh: Best Reviewed Stays 2025 · Braid Hills Hotel Edinburgh: Reviews, Amenities & Parking
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hotel in Edinburgh city centre?
For most visitors, Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) offers the best value. The Hoxton, Edinburgh, is the top choice for those seeking a design-led stay.
Is parking available at Edinburgh city centre hotels?
Most central hotels do not have free onsite parking. Radisson Blu has a large onsite car park (£12.50 per night), while others like Premier Inn and Novotel direct guests to nearby multi-storey car parks with discounted rates (£12–£22 per night).
What is the cheapest hotel in Edinburgh city centre?
Travelodge Edinburgh City Centre is typically the cheapest, with rates from €41 per night on Trivago. However, it has no parking and basic amenities.
Which hotels are near Princes Street?
Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) is directly on Princes Street. The Hoxton, Edinburgh, is a 5-minute walk away on the Royal Mile. Novotel Edinburgh Centre is about 10 minutes’ walk from the west end of Princes Street.
Are there hotels with restaurants in Edinburgh city centre?
Yes: The Hoxton has a popular restaurant and bar, Premier Inn locations have on-site restaurants, and Radisson Blu has a full-service restaurant. Travelodge typically does not have a restaurant, but many are within walking distance of eateries.
What is the average price of a hotel in Edinburgh city centre?
Based on Skyscanner’s data, the average nightly rate across 18 properties is approximately €214. However, budget options like Travelodge start at €41, and mid-range Premier Inn rooms average around €80.
How far is Edinburgh city centre from the airport?
Edinburgh Airport is about 8 miles (13 km) west of the city centre. The tram takes 30 minutes to York Place, and the Airlink bus (100) takes about 25 minutes to Waverley Bridge. A taxi costs roughly £20–£30.