Edinburgh on a Budget
Don’t let the bulk of your budget go to accommodation – here are some local tips to find fine Festival beds for a fraction of ticket prices.
Hostel haven – As a Mecca for backpackers and budget travellers Edinburgh has numerous hostels to choose from. Some are privately owned and many are members of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA). For solo visitors travelling to Edinburgh’s Festivals, hostels are good value for money and a perfect place to meet like-minded festival goers. As well as shared dormitory accommodation most hostels have one or two private single or double rooms. Other affordable alternatives include staying on campus at some of Edinburgh’s Universities (only an option from late June to September) and budget B&B accommodation.
Crashpadder.com- Wanting to stay in Edinburgh but worried about the cost? Crashpadder.com is a homestay community that allows you to save on Edinburgh accommodation, by staying with a friendly local in their home. Staying in someone’s spare room, can be cheaper than an Edinburgh hotel and more welcoming than a local hostel and it also allows you to get to know a bit about the area, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Surf nation – The more adventurous budget traveller should check out www.couchsurfing.org – a community of international travellers with spare beds or a couch to crash on. There are over 120 of these in Edinburgh and as long as you have your own free couch and are willing to return the favour, you can enjoy free lodgings and a local guide.
Swap shop – If couch surfing feels too temporary then a straight house swap is the way to go. There are a number of holiday house swap agencies and directories out there. Most have minor registration fees and a good place to start is www.intervac.co.uk who have co-ordinated home swaps since the 1950s. More useful information is available at: www.thehomeexchanger.com.
Go online – Steer clear of the obvious options and go online to find the best bargains. Many Edinburgh residents with spare rooms will post adverts on www.edinburgh.gumtree.com, the message boards on www.edfringe.com and www.spareroom.co.uk. If you’re looking for a festival friend to rent an apartment with then these are the places to start looking as well.
Find a festival flat – Finding a short-term holiday apartment is generally better value than booking into a hotel, easier to manage the whole family in and much more fun. Many Edinburgh homeowners rent out their flats for festival time so short term holiday apartments are usually long term family homes ensuring a warm welcome for you and your family. www.spareroom.co.uk.
Camping and Caravanning – Instil the sense of adventure from the start by taking the tent or caravan. There are 14 camping and caravan sites in the Edinburgh and Lothians area, allowing you a perfect base to explore the city and its environs.
