Arrived at Edinburgh Airport feeling a mix of excitement and jetlag. I hopped on the Airlink 100 Express Bus, which cost £8.50 for a return ticket and dropped me right in the city center at Waverley Station. Super convenient – runs frequently, like every 10 mins, and has Wi-Fi onboard, which was great for checking maps and figuring out where I was going next.
🏨 Hotel Confusion & Coffee Machines
Night one was booked at the Holiday Inn Express – City Centre, but I somehow ended up at the Holiday Inn Express – Royal Mile. Classic mix-up. Had to walk an extra 30 minutes with my bags through the city to get to the right hotel. Not ideal, but at least I got a mini walking tour out of it.
The room was clean and decent – on the ground floor, facing a little parking lot. Lots of loading and unloading noise during the day, but thankfully quiet at night. There was a free coffee machine in the lobby that served tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. Big win.
I decided to sleep in, but housekeeping barged in around 9 a.m. Definitely unexpected. Pro tip: always use the “Do Not Disturb” sign.
Breakfast was included and surprisingly solid: scrambled eggs, sausages, back bacon, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, cereals, yogurt, cheese, juice, coffee, and tea. Not bad for a budget hotel.
🏘️ Hostel Shuffle: Code Pod – Loft & Court
After breakfast, I packed up and walked over to Code Pod – Loft to drop off my bags. They’d sent emails about online check-in, but said it was just to “speed things up.” I figured I’d check in when I got there. Turns out there’s no reception at the Loft branch. So I had to drag my bags across town again to Code Pod – The Court, which is in a converted courthouse. They let me store my bags there, thankfully.
Later, I joined their free daily walking tour with Mark. He was knowledgeable and clearly passionate about Edinburgh’s history, but it lacked some flow and I left feeling like I hadn’t learned enough.
🧙♂️ Hostel Vibes & Harry Potter Magic
One of the best parts of hostel life? Meeting fellow travelers. I hit it off with two girls—one Canadian, one Israeli—who were buzzing about their upcoming Harry Potter tour. Fun fact: J.K. Rowling wrote much of the series in Edinburgh, and the city is brimming with Potter lore. From the inspiration behind Diagon Alley (Victoria Street) to the gravestones in Greyfriars Kirkyard that may have inspired character names like Tom Riddle, Edinburgh is a magical pilgrimage for fans.
🌧️ Storm Incoming: Holyrood Palace Detour
The weather turned blistery – classic Scottish storm rolling in – so I changed plans and headed to Palace of Holyroodhouse, hoping for something indoors. It’s located at the end of the Royal Mile, right across from the Scottish Parliament.
It’s still a working royal residence, used for events like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and ceremonies honoring people who’ve contributed to their communities. You’re not allowed to take photos inside, so I can’t show you the rooms, but they do provide an audio guide and some printed materials with photos and historical snippets.
Honestly, I wish I’d studied up on Scottish history beforehand. The tour jumps between centuries and events, and without context, it’s hard to follow. They kept referring to a timeline, but it was just names and dates – no real explanation.
The Mary, Queen of Scots tower was interesting. They talked about her assassination attempts and had some of her embroidery from when she was held captive. But overall, the rooms lacked detail about the items inside. It was an okay visit, but I’d recommend watching a quick documentary or reading a summary of Scottish history before you go.
Entry was £25, and if you’re a UK taxpayer, you can opt to donate your ticket so they don’t have to remit VAT.
🛍️ Postcards & Seafood
After the palace, I wandered the Royal Mile hunting for postcards. Every souvenir shop had a slightly different take – castles, tartan, Highland cows. Fun little mission.
Dinner was at White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar. I sampled three oysters—Carlingford, Lindisfarne, and Caledonian—each with its own briny personality. The charred octopus with padron peppers and romesco was a bit too burnt, and the hake ceviche was overwhelmed by coconut cream. Not bad, but not quite the culinary highlight I’d hoped for.
🛏️ Pod Life at Code Court
Back at the hostel, I settled into my 4-person pod. Entry to the building, floor, and room required separate codes – challenging to remember but secure. The building had a common area with a kitchen. Each floor had a shared washroom (one toilet, two showers for about 10 people) was surprisingly available, and everyone was respectful and quiet. The Loft has about 30 people, vs the Court has around 300. Nightly activities run at the Court branch. That night it was coaster painting, but I didn’t participate.
My roommates included two French women and one from Indonesia, who hung her socks and pants in the communal window to dry – an odd sight. Each pod had five walls and a curtain door, with free earplugs and eye masks provided. The vertical ladder to the top bunk was a bit of a climb, but the space felt clean and cozy. Lockers were also code-operated.
Edinburgh greeted me with a mix of charm, confusion, and character. From royal palaces to Potter lore, stormy skies to seafood samplings, it was a day full of surprises. If you’re planning to visit, pack your curiosity—and maybe a pocket guide to Scottish history.
Stay tuned for Day 2, where I dive deeper into the city’s hidden gems and cultural quirks!
Just so you know: None of the places I mentioned—hotels, hostels, restaurants, or attractions—are sponsoring me or paying me to talk about them. This trip was entirely self-funded, and all the opinions, mishaps, and discoveries are my own. Just sharing what I experienced so you can plan your own adventure with a few more insights (and maybe fewer wrong turns).