Edinburgh Festival - where to start with booking a holiday

[Jessie3]

Hi, dh has always wanted to go to the Edinburgh Festival and he is 50 this year. I’d like to surprise him with a 4 night(ish) visit but not sure where to start. Has anyone got any advice on how to go about it? Thanks.

The main thing is book a place to stay asap...everywhere gets booked up very quickly. The nearer the city, the better, obviously, but anywhere along a tram route would be ok. (There are also Ubers) It's mega busy and the atmosphere is really great. Booking shows in advance is not too important, unless there are acts you definitely want to see. The first group of acts goes on sale sometime this month. We usually go sometime in the middle of the festival.

Start with a budget! Prices go through the roof in the festival. Staying centrally means you'll be in the thick of things, but obviously you pay a premium for that. Public transport is good so you might choose to stay further out. (Not necessarily trams though, they only cover part of the city).

What's your budget? You need to book accommodation now! Everything quadruples in price during August.
Do you want hotels or air BnB?

Central is best as you'll be in amongst it all and come and go during the day, but it'll be very expensive. If you're on a budget look a bit further out. Edinburgh is well served by buses if you do need to stay a bit further out.

The first few days of the festival you'll get the 2 for 1 tickets and cheaper tickets of preview shows. Book a couple of things you really want to see in advance and then take a punt on a few random things when you get here.

We went to Edinburgh festival last year. We stayed in Musselburgh which was lovely, about 20 mins drive from city centre, and an 8 minute train journey.
As PP's say, book ASAP before prices go crazy .

So a little out there, but a couple of years ago we stayed at a Parkdean in Eyemouth, Scottish Borders.

During that break we visited Edinburgh for the day, and it just so happens it was during fringe.....amazing!

We drove to NewCraigHall and parked at the train station for 50p for the day and then jumped on the train for a £3-4 return to Waverley Station in Edinburgh, it worked really well, and quite cost effective.

Alternatively, there is a Village Hotel on the outskirts of Edinburgh, it is about 20 minute bus journey to the Royal Mile, we stayed one year and enjoyed our stay.

This is all incredibly helpful, thanks everyone. So if I book somewhere central now, say from the 6th to 10th August, and think about events later, that’s the priority, is what I am getting. Ok, awesome!

Just wondering if you are at the Festival as I am.

Sorry, @Deliciousandnutrious, I missed this at the time - I was there, and we had a brilliant time, so much so that we have already booked for
next year! Thanks to everyone who gave us advice. For anyone still there, I highly recommend No Apologies at Summerhall - Emma Frankland is incredibly talented. Alan Davies was in the audience when we went and she has her band playing with her tomorrow, would have loved to have seen that.