Edinburgh Festival first visit: where to stay and useful tips?

[rollonholiday]

Planning to go to the Edinburgh Festival for the first time. For those that have been before where would you stay to visit - we want to go for 5 -7 nights. Prices of lots of the hotels are eye watering. Does anyone know some gem of a hotel or apartment I have not found? Planning on taking train there as seems like parking is an issue. Are there any nuggets of wisdom from those who have been before? Thanks.

I live in Edinburgh, unfortunately prices are inflated in August & it’s also quite late, you really need to get in there months if not a year in advance.

You could try outside Edinburgh with a train link - Fife, Dunbar, Livingston, Falkirk.

If you have a Fringe guide look for the two for one tickets for shows at the start of the Fringe.. Not sure about offers for Festival shows. Airport hotels are generally cheaper and they have excellent tram and bus links into the with centre.

Stay out of Edinburgh. Livingstone is easy train access and usually reasonable hotel prices.

The Tweedbank train line is also useful if you want to stay out of Edinburgh. Choose somewhere close to one of the stations.

We stayed in Glasgow and travelled but that was a bit of a hike across.

As for the festival, check out the free shows to mix with those you are paying for. Less pressure to meet expectations, just have fun, experience things you wouldn’t usually. Ticketed can be expensive.

Also check out the university and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland productions. These are great value and excellent, performed by our next generation of professionals.

Adding that Malmaison in Leith has availability easy access to Princes Street and a great area to stay. Still expensive (£1500 for 5 days for two) but less than half the cost of my usual Edinburgh hotel for the same days.

Depends on what you describe as eye watering, of course.

Another tip would be to go for 5 or 6 nights and avoid a Saturday night. These are always eye watering in Edinburgh, regardless of what’s on!

Agree re the Borders railway - the Tweedbank train line is handy and Brunstane and Eskbank are 10/20 minutes from Edinburgh. There’s a premier inn within easy walking distance of Newcraighall station if you’re not looking for a boutique hotel.

No personal experience of it but I know someone who camped and said it was fine. Ten years ago now so might have changed. Anyway, in case it appeals.
Edinburgh Festival Accommodation – Unique, affordable accommodation during Edinburgh’s festival month of August.

It’s quite late in the day to book accommodation for the fringe. We went a few years ago and stayed in North Berwick to catch the Fringe by the Sea then a few days in on the train to Edinburgh. It meant we could take the car and park it at the hotel.

I’d look at the trains - along the coast, over to Glasgow and the tweedbank line and just go further out

Goodness. I love in Edinburgh and just popped the local Travelodge into Google. Over £2500 for 6 nights!!! No wonder people leave the city and rent out their property or used to.

Edinburgh is crazy expensive in August and you've left it very late. Most will have booked up a year in advance. Your best bet would be to stay out of town and commute in. Try Linlithgow, Falkirk, North Queensferry, Livingston, Bath gate, Newcraighall.

Even if you end up paying for a late night taxi back one or two nights, it will still be less expensive than the city.

I live in Edinburgh and if I wanted a budget, but nice, stay in August, I'd stay at Heriot Watt university accommodation. The campus is lovely and is right beside the park and ride into town. It might be student halls, but it's set in woodlands with lots of facilities and is away from the hustle and bustle, only about 15 mins away by bus.

I've heard it gets overlooked because it's not on booking.com, in the past you would have to phone reception, which puts people off, I don't know about this year.

Consider the North Berwick train line as well. They put on later trains during the festival.

You need to have some idea of how many later evening shows you might want to visit.

Agree about the North Berwick train line, also anywhere near to a tram stop.

I’m not going to Edinburgh but this year but there are some great tips on here. It’s my absolute favourite place to be in August, you’re going to have a great time.
For the pp who mentioned Heriot Watt - do you know how to book this?

I stayed in the youth hostel for £30 a night a couple of years ago. But I booked well in advance.

Accommodation aside, start at the Pleasance. Loads of shows to choose from and not far to move between venues until you've found your bearings. Then Bristo square. There are hundreds of venues and annoyingly they give them all similar names but I think if you're happy to go with the flow and see what comes next it's just perfect fun chaos. Worst thing you can do is overplan and find out your 6.30pm show is a 15 minute dash across the city from your 7.45 show. However, if you are planning to eat out in the evening do book ahead. The restaurants get very busy.

Lots of helpful information here @rollonholiday. Hope it is helping you, as you haven’t returned.

There’s a Wetherspoons hotel near the zoo although suspect that may be booked out. Try the facebook group for Edinburgh Fringe accommodation, lots of short term sublets on there. Agree staying further out might be best.

there is a venue called the Shed where established groups and performers try out new material. The Royal Mile has street performers from mid morning.

I am still here :)

We did fringe last year. We stayed at Haven Seton Sands. 50 minute bus journey from directly outside the accommodation into the city, or a 15 minute train journey from Prestonpans Station which is an 8 minute drive from Seton Sands.

You should’ve booked accommodation in January! We’ve done air bnbs before but they are always pricey

All the universities have summer accommodation

For Heriot-Watt you do need to email
Accommodation – Conference and Events

Likewise Napier Summer Accommodation

Edinburgh University can book online or using booking.com Summer Accommodation in Edinburgh | University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection

Mortonhall caravan park is also very handy, the 11 bus takes you directly towards town, they may have some holiday homes available depending on your dates

we stayed at a hostel in Glasgow that was about £150 a night

I stayed at temporary back packer type university accomodation. Not expensive but central. One is out and about mostly so accommodation was adequate.

Great, how are your plans coming along?