---
title: "Cowgate Hostel, Edinburgh: reviews, location & comparison"
description: "Cowgate Hostel in Edinburgh: rated 7.1 by guests, Hostel. Amenities, location and nearby alternatives compared side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/cowgate-hostel-edinburgh/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-11
---

Hostel
# Cowgate Hostel

Old Town, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

7.1 ·  Good 278 reviews ·  #211 #211 of 216 in Edinburgh ·  9.4 Location score
## About Cowgate Hostel

Cowgate Hostel is a hostel in Old Town, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Guests rate it 7.1 out of 10 across 278 reviews. Facilities include free wi-fi. It is 300 m from the centre of Edinburgh. The nearest airport, Edinburgh Airport (EDI), is 11 km away.

- **Type:** Hostel

- **Check-in from:** 14:00

- **Check-out until:** 10:00

- **Rooms:** 36

- **Smoking:** Smoke-free property

- **Other stays within 500 m:** 107

96 Cowgate

## How Cowgate Hostel scores

Better rated than 2% of hotels in Edinburgh

-   Guest rating **7.1**
-   Location **9.4**
-   Beach access **0.0**
-   Public transport **9.1**

Edinburgh average

## Amenities

### Food & drink

-   Breakfast

### Internet

-   Free Wi-Fi

### Services

-   Laundry
-   Luggage storage

### In the rooms

-   Kitchen
-   Coffee or tea maker

### Policies

-   Smoke-free

Based on the property listing at our booking partner.

## Location

- **Location score:** **9.4**/10

- **Walk grade:** **100**/100 Great for walkers

- **Restaurants & cafés within 500 m:** **150**

- **Sights within 1 km:** **40**

<table class="dist" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><tbody data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Nearest beach<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Wardie Bay Beach</span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">3.9 km</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">9 min drive</span></td></tr><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Nearest station<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Newcastle Train Station</span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">330 m</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">5 min walk</span></td></tr><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Nearest airport<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Edinburgh Airport (EDI)</span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">11 km</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">26 min drive</span></td></tr><tr data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><th scope="row" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Distance to the centre<span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">Edinburgh</span></th><td class="num" data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7=""><b data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">300 m</b><span data-astro-cid-s3y4nmt7="">5 min walk</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Sights nearby

-   Mercat Cross130 m
-   Parliament House140 m
-   William Chambers Monument140 m
-   Edinburgh Science Museum140 m
-   Natural History Museum160 m
-   The High Kirk of St. Giles170 m

## Cowgate Hostel: in detail

Experience an abundance of unparalleled facilities and features at Cowgate Hostel. Share your photos and respond to emails at your convenience, thanks to the free Wi-Fi internet access offered by hostel. Reception services such as express check-in or check-out and luggage storage are available to accommodate your requirements. Traveling with minimal luggage is achievable at Cowgate Hostel due to the hostel's laundry service ensuring your garments stay fresh. Room amenities feature daily housekeeping, allowing you to unwind and make the most of your visit. The hostel maintains a completely smoke-free zone, providing a breathable atmosphere. Smoking is limited to specified smoking zones. Each accommodation at Cowgate Hostel is thoughtfully created and adorned to provide visitors with a comfortable, home-like atmosphere. In select rooms of the hostel, guests can enjoy the advantage of having linen service available for their convenience. Rest assured, in a few chosen rooms, the presence of a coffee or tea maker can be found. Embark on your holiday experience in the most ideal manner. Commence each morning of your visit with an on-site breakfast. For those who prefer savoring meals within their personal space, Cowgate Hostel offers the convenience of doorstep grocery delivery, allowing you to prepare and enjoy food in your room. Should you be particularly discerning in your dining choices, you will surely appreciate having access to the on-site shared kitchen provided at this location.

### Compare

## Compare Cowgate Hostel with nearby hotels

Similar hotels within 3 km. Open a match-up to see where each one wins.

-   [Stay Central Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/stay-central-hotel-edinburgh/) Hotel ★★★ 50 m away
    
    8.5 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cowgate-hostel-edinburgh-vs-stay-central-hotel-edinburgh/)
-   [No.1 Apartments - George IV Bridge](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/no-1-apartments-george-iv-bridge-edinburgh/) Apartment ★★★★ 130 m away
    
    8.8 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cowgate-hostel-edinburgh-vs-no-1-apartments-george-iv-bridge-edinburgh/)
-   [Market Street Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/market-street-hotel-edinburgh/) Hotel ★★★★ 170 m away
    
    9.3 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cowgate-hostel-edinburgh-vs-market-street-hotel-edinburgh/)
-   [Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+)](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/kick-ass-greyfriars-18-edinburgh/) Hostel ★★★★ 180 m away
    
    8.3 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cowgate-hostel-edinburgh-vs-kick-ass-greyfriars-18-edinburgh/)
-   [Apartments Royal](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/apartments-royal-edinburgh/) Apartment ★★★★ 180 m away
    
    8.7 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/apartments-royal-edinburgh-vs-cowgate-hostel-edinburgh/)
-   [Fraser Suites Edinburgh](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/fraser-suites-edinburgh-edinburgh/) Hotel ★★★★ 190 m away
    
    8.7 ·  [Compare](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/cowgate-hostel-edinburgh-vs-fraser-suites-edinburgh-edinburgh/)

## Questions about Cowgate Hostel

### How do guests rate Cowgate Hostel?

Cowgate Hostel has a guest rating of 7.1 out of 10 from 278 reviews, which is better than 2% of rated hotels in Edinburgh.

### What are the check-in and check-out times at Cowgate Hostel?

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is until 10:00.

### Does Cowgate Hostel include breakfast?

Breakfast is available. Whether it is included depends on the rate you book.

### How far is Cowgate Hostel from the airport?

The nearest airport, Edinburgh Airport (EDI), is 11 km away in a straight line.

### How many rooms does Cowgate Hostel have?

Cowgate Hostel has 36 rooms.

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/cowgate-hostel-edinburgh/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/