We will be heading to Edinburgh at the end June for five nights. The first 3 nights, we will have 4 adult couples. The last two, 2 more adults and a 12yo. We'd prefer to be in the same house/apartment rather than separate hotel rooms. In addition, we are do not want to rent cars. Besides VRBO, AirBB, are there other websites I should look at? Are there certain locations I should look at that are close to city center and/or public transportation?
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
826 posts
Short term lets for VRBO and AirB&B are getting tough, due to housing shortage related regulations. Given that it's almost February, you might be lucky to find that many places in even the same hotel. Unless you want to move after the third night, I'd just look at Booking.com for 10+12yo. Move fast!
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
557 posts
Take a look at Leith. It's a short tram ride into the city (or you can walk the Water of Leith Walkway). Great restaurants there, as well.
Posted by
London
91 posts
To build on what jjgurley has said, the recent proliferation of AirBnB etc in Edinburgh has been really detrimental to the housing market for residents- driving up rents and reducing supply as landlords have figured out they can earn more from short term rentals. Entire buildings in the old town now are just short term rentals and the residents hate it (as a former resident, I don't blame them)- you will even see a lot of anti-AirBnB graffiti. That is the situation driving all the new regulations. I definitely understand why some groups find it easier to share an apartment but I would (very respectfully) encourage people visiting Edinburgh to consider hotels if possible.
To answer your other question, most of Edinburgh is extremely walkable, and for the parts that are a bit further away (like Leith), there is a frequently and reliable bus service. There is also a tram which can now take you all the way from the airport at one end to Leith at the other, via the city centre. I think Leith is a very good option if you don't find anything in the very centre that suits your needs/budget/etc. Good luck with the planning and enjoy Edinburgh- June is my favourite time there as the sun very nearly never sets!