Edinburgh is expensive. If you’ve spent five minutes looking at hotel prices near the Royal Mile during the Fringe or even a random Tuesday in October, you already know that. It’s brutal. You’re usually stuck choosing between a "boutique" room the size of a shoebox for £300 or a hostel where you’re sharing a bathroom with eighteen strangers. That’s why people end up at Travelodge Edinburgh Central St Mary's Street. It’s not flashy. It’s not going to win any architectural awards. But for anyone who actually knows how Edinburgh’s Old Town is laid out, this specific spot is basically a cheat code for the city.
Location is everything here. St Mary’s Street sits right at the intersection of the historic Old Town and the slightly-less-chaotic areas leading toward Holyrood. You step out the door, turn right, walk for about sixty seconds, and you’re standing on the Royal Mile. Turn left, and you’re heading toward the Cowgate or the Pleasance. It’s central, but because it’s tucked just off the main tourist drag, you aren't constantly fighting through a wall of bagpipe players and people taking selfies with statues just to get to your front door.
What You’re Actually Getting Inside
Let’s be real about what a Travelodge is in 2026. This isn't a luxury resort. It’s a place to crash. The rooms at Travelodge Edinburgh Central St Mary's Street are the standard "Travelodge Dreamer" setup. You get the king-size bed, which, honestly, is better than the beds in some hotels that cost twice as much. The mattress is firm. The pillows are hit-or-miss.
One thing people often overlook is the sheer size of these rooms. Compared to the Premier Inn around the corner or the Ibis, the floor space at St Mary's Street is surprisingly generous. You can actually open a suitcase without having to jump over it to get to the bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, they’re basic. You’ve got your shower-over-bath setup, white tiles, and that ubiquitous soap dispenser on the wall. It’s clean, functional, and devoid of personality. That’s the trade-off.
The "Bar Café" is on-site, serving the standard unlimited breakfast. If you’re a parent, this is the part you care about because kids eat free. That saves you twenty quid right there. The coffee is... well, it’s caffeine. It gets the job done before you head out to find a real flat white at a place like The Milkman on Cockburn Street.
The Noise Factor Nobody Mentions
Edinburgh is an old city built on hills and cobblestones. St Mary’s Street is a thoroughfare. If you’re staying here, you need to know about the noise. It’s a lively area. You’ve got the world-famous Holyrood 9A pub right across the street—which, by the way, has some of the best burgers in Scotland—and that means people are out and about.
If you get a room facing the street, you’re going to hear the city. You’ll hear the bins being emptied at 6:00 AM. You’ll hear the late-night revelers wandering back from the Grassmarket. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room at the back of the hotel. It’s significantly quieter, though your view will likely be of a brick wall or a parking lot. It’s a tactical choice: view vs. sleep. Choose sleep.
💡 You might also like: Why Molly Butler Lodge & Restaurant is Still the Heart of Greer After a Century
Navigating the Logistics: Parking and Trains
Don't drive here. Just don't. Edinburgh’s Old Town was designed for horses and carts, not SUVs. Travelodge Edinburgh Central St Mary's Street doesn't have its own parking lot. If you ignore this advice and bring a car, you’re going to end up at the APCOA parking at Waverley Station or the NCP at Holyrood. Both are expensive. You’re looking at £20 to £30 a day even with a hotel discount.
The real win is the proximity to Edinburgh Waverley. If you’re arriving by train, you can walk from the platform to the hotel lobby in about eight minutes. Use the Market Street exit. It’s uphill, because everything in Edinburgh is uphill, but it’s a short burst. For those flying in, the Airlink 100 bus or the Tram will drop you at St Andrew Square or Princes Street, leaving you with a ten-minute walk. It’s effortless.
The "Secret" Neighborhood Perks
Most people stay here and just walk up to the Castle. That's fine, but you're missing the best parts of the immediate vicinity. St Mary's Street is the gateway to the Southside.
- The Holyrood 9A: I mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. It’s literally thirty steps from the hotel entrance. Great craft beer selection.
- Gordon’s Trattoria: Just up the hill on the corner of the High Street. It’s an Edinburgh institution. Real Italian food, no-nonsense service, and always packed.
- The Pleasance: During the Fringe, this is the heart of the action. If you’re staying here in August, you are in the prime spot. You can see a show, walk home in five minutes, use your own bathroom, and be back out for the next one.
- Arthur’s Seat: You’re closer to the start of the hike than almost any other central hotel. Walk down toward the Parliament building, and you’re at the base of the hill.
Debunking the Budget Hotel Myth
There’s a weird snobbery about staying in a Travelodge in a city like Edinburgh. People think they’re "missing out" on the historic experience. Honestly? Unless you’re paying £500 a night for a suite at The Balmoral or the Waldorf Astoria, you’re just paying for fancy wallpaper.
At Travelodge Edinburgh Central St Mary's Street, you’re paying for the ability to spend your money on things that actually matter—like a £90 tasting menu at The Witchery or tickets to every single show you want to see. The WiFi works (though you have to pay for the "Pro" version if you want to stream Netflix), the water is hot, and the location is unbeatable for the price point.
The staff here are battle-hardened. They deal with thousands of tourists every week, yet they’re remarkably efficient. If your room isn't ready at 3:00 PM, they have a luggage storage area. It costs a few pounds, but it’s secure.
📖 Related: 3000 Yen to USD: What Your Money Actually Buys in Japan Today
What Could Be Better?
It’s not perfect. Let’s be honest. The carpets in the hallways usually look like they’ve seen better days. The elevators can be slow when everyone is trying to head down for breakfast at 9:00 AM. And the lack of air conditioning is a very British "feature." Usually, Edinburgh is cold enough that this doesn't matter, but during those three days in July when it hits 25 degrees, the rooms get stuffy. They provide fans, but they just move the warm air around.
Also, the "saver" rates are non-refundable. This is where people get caught out. If your plans change, that money is gone. If you want flexibility, you have to pay the "flexible" rate, which is usually £10-£15 more. It’s still cheaper than the Hilton, but it’s something to watch out for when booking on the official site.
Actionable Advice for Your Stay
If you’ve decided to book Travelodge Edinburgh Central St Mary's Street, do these three things to make the experience better.
First, book as far in advance as humanly possible. Travelodge uses a dynamic pricing model. The rooms start at £35, but they can hit £200+ during the Tattoo or New Year’s Eve. There is no "last minute deal" in Edinburgh.
Second, join the "Travelodge Business" program if you’re a freelancer or small biz owner. It’s free to join and often gives you a 5% discount on flexible bookings.
Third, skip the hotel dinner. You are surrounded by some of the best food in the UK. Walk five minutes in any direction. Go to "Civerinos" for a massive slice of pizza or "Makar’s Mash Bar" for something traditionally Scottish.
👉 See also: The Eloise Room at The Plaza: What Most People Get Wrong
Ultimately, this hotel is for the pragmatic traveler. It’s for the person who wants to wake up, see the Royal Mile, hike a volcano, eat a great meal, and have a clean, safe place to sleep without a massive bill at the end of it. It’s the middle-of-the-road choice that, in a city as extreme as Edinburgh, is often the smartest one you can make.
When you leave the hotel, don't just head toward the shops on Princes Street. Head down toward Holyrood Park. There’s a quietness there that most tourists miss because they’re too busy looking for Harry Potter filming locations. The contrast between the busy St Mary’s Street and the silence of the Salisbury Crags is what makes staying in this specific corner of the city so worth it.
Make sure to check the check-out time. It's 12:00 PM. That's actually quite generous for a budget hotel. It gives you enough time to have a slow morning, grab a final Scotch egg from the nearby shops, and wander down to the station without feeling rushed. Just remember to double-check your room for chargers; the outlets are sometimes tucked behind the bedside tables and are easy to forget.
Plan your route from the hotel to the Royal Mile before you leave. It's a short walk, but there are a few stairs involved if you take the shortcuts. If you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, stick to the main road slopes rather than the "closes" or alleyways. The cobblestones are unforgiving on small suitcase wheels.
Take the time to look at the building itself from across the street. It blends into the Victorian surroundings better than most modern budget builds. It’s a solid, dependable base for an Edinburgh adventure.
Next Steps for Your Edinburgh Trip:
- Check the official Travelodge website specifically for "Saver" rates at the St Mary’s Street location at least 3 months in advance.
- Download the APCOA Connect app if you absolutely must bring a car, as it handles the nearby Waverley station parking.
- Locate the "Market Street" exit on a map of Waverley Station to ensure your walk to the hotel is less than 10 minutes.
- Research "The Holyrood 9A" menu online to see if you need to book a table for your arrival night, as it fills up fast.
- Pack a pair of earplugs just in case you end up in a street-facing room during a busy weekend.