If you’ve tried to book a hotel for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, you’ll know just how fast the prices can skyrocket during these few months. It’s known that over 2 million people visit Edinburgh every August just for this festival, so I’ve created a list of six hotels where you can stay without spending a fortune and that are so close to the action, with a comfy bed included.
So, let’s get into the best hotels you can still book for this year’s Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.
1) Leonardo Royal Hotel - 180m from Festival
Spacious, comfy rooms with a great location and friendly staff — ideal if you're coming with mates or a partner, plus the gym’s actually decent too. Perfectly located for the Fringe Festival and close to all the iconic landmarks in Edinburgh.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 4.5/5 – Great (421 reviews)
📍 180m from Edinburgh Festival Fringe
🍳 “Convenient location” · “Delicious breakfast”
2) Hilton Edinburgh Carlton - 280m from Festival
Perfect central spot — comfy beds, a short walk from Waverley station, and ideal if you want quick access to the castle and museums. This one is also perfectly located for the Fringe Festival and in the centre of town.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 4.2/5 – Very Good (162 reviews)
📍 280m from Edinburgh Festival Fringe
🛏️ “Great rooms” · “Great stay!”
3) Roomzzz Edinburgh - 780m from Festival
Stylish, modern, and super comfy — great views of Calton Hill, walking distance to the station, and the staff couldn’t have been more on point. I would defintely stay here again!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 4.6/5 – Great (158 reviews)
📍 750m from Edinburgh Festival Fringe
☕ “Convenient for shopping” · “Great coffee”
4) Leonardo Edinburgh Haymarket - 2km from Festival
Spacious, clean rooms with a warm, bright feel and super friendly staff. It’s about a 25-minute walk to the Fringe action, but definitely worth it if you’re after comfort over chaos.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 4.2/5 – Very Good (272 reviews)
📍 2 km from Edinburgh Festival Fringe
🍳 “Convenient location” · “Delicious breakfast”
5) Destiny Student Holyrood (Brae House) - 1km from Festival
Clean, organised rooms with good-sized bathrooms and helpful little extras at reception. It’s walking distance to the Royal Mile, so a solid pick if you're heading to the Fringe Festival but don’t mind a student-style vibe.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 3.8/5 – Good (137 reviews)
📍 910m from Edinburgh Festival Fringe
🛁 “Clean and tidy” · “Great stay!”
6) Apex Waterloo Place Hotel - 330m from Festival
Spacious, spotless rooms with unreal city views and a perfect location near Waverley Station. Super walkable to Fringe venues, and the spa facilities are a solid bonus after a long day out.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 4.3/5 – Very Good (90 reviews)
📍 330m from Edinburgh Festival Fringe
🛏️ “Great rooms” · “Convenient location”
Edinburgh Fringe Festival is only getting bigger, so if you see a good deal, make sure you lock it in now before the rush hits in August. And while you’re visiting Edinburgh, I’d highly recommend checking out the Edinburgh Castle — but make sure you book tickets in advance and get there early, as it gets pretty busy, especially in August.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this article helps you in finding you're accommodation for Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
By Tom Purcell