Haymarket & West Travel Guide

A working west-end neighbourhood focused on rail links and stadiums, with casual eats and sporty pubs.

• Best for: Stadium events and easy rail/tram connections
• Vibe: Practical, sporty and slightly residential
• Nearest station: Haymarket Station
• Price level: $ - $$
• To the main sights: Short tram or bus ride to the Old Town and New Town
• Safety: Generally safe; very busy on match days

Great for:

• People attending matches or gigs
• Travellers needing quick rail or tram links
• Budget and mid-range hotel stays

Maybe skip it if:

• You want boutique shopping or fine dining
• You want a lively late-night club scene

Centre runs along Lothian Road and Haymarket Terrace, stretching west toward Murrayfield and north toward Roseburn.

• Match days: Arrive early and allow extra time for crowds and road closures around stadiums.
• Haymarket Station: Use the station for fast rail links west and north; check platforms for last-minute changes.
• Evening eating: Late dining choices are limited; cafés and pubs are safest bets after 10pm.
• Public transport: Buy tickets before boarding trams and some buses to avoid queues.
• Booking: If visiting for a big match or festival, book accommodation well in advance.

• Murrayfield Stadium: Catch a rugby match or stadium event and soak up the match-day atmosphere.
• Tynecastle Park: Attend a Heart of Midlothian football match or check the fixture list for tours.
• Edinburgh Zoo: Short drive or local bus to see the zoo’s animal collections and family exhibits.
• Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art: A pleasant museum outing a short bus ride away, with modern art collections and parkland.
• Bruntsfield Links: Green common popular for walks and a short bus or cycle from Haymarket.

• Edinburgh Airport: Public transport - Tram runs direct from the airport to Haymarket, journey about 30 minutes, fares vary; the Airlink 100 bus also serves Haymarket in about 25-30 minutes for a slightly lower fare. Taxi/ride-hail - direct taxi to Haymarket takes around 25 minutes depending on traffic, roughly £25-£35.
• From the main sights: Public transport - From the Old Town or Princes Street take the tram or a frequent Lothian bus to Haymarket; tram rides are short, around 5-10 minutes from central stops. Taxi/ride-hail - a taxi from the Old Town takes around 10-20 minutes depending on traffic.

• Haymarket Station: Main rail hub for westbound and regional trains; good for day trips and connections.
• Tram and buses: Edinburgh Trams stop in the area and Lothian Buses provide frequent routes across the city.
• On foot: Flat streets make walking to the New Town and Princes Street feasible in 20-30 minutes.

Accommodation here leans toward budget and mid-range chains clustered around Haymarket Station, with a few boutique and upscale options in the West End. Staying close to Haymarket makes arriving for matches and catching trains easy. Expect practical rooms rather than boutique luxury.

Luxury

• The Hoxton: Stylish West End hotel with well-designed rooms and on-site dining in a refurbished building.
• Voco Hotel Edinburgh-Haymarket: Upmarket IHG property close to Haymarket, offering contemporary rooms and business facilities.

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn Edinburgh: Reliable chain hotel within easy reach of Haymarket Station and local pubs.
• Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End: Modern mid-range chain with comfortable rooms and straightforward amenities.
• Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket: City centre chain hotel handy for transport links and stadiums.
• MEININGER Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket: No-frills international brand with practical rooms and family-friendly options.

Budget

• Murrayfield Park Guest House: Simple guest house very close to Murrayfield, convenient for match days.
• Twin Lions Hotel: Basic accommodation near the west end, useful for short stays on a budget.
• Travelodge Haymarket: Budget chain offering straightforward rooms not far from Haymarket transport links.
• hub by Premier Inn (Haymarket): Affordable, compact rooms from a familiar UK budget brand near the station.

Eating options are largely casual cafés, takeaways and neighbourhood restaurants clustered around Roseburn, Fountainbridge and Lothian Road. Expect cafés for breakfast and inexpensive international eateries for lunch and dinner. Price levels range from $ for cafés and takeaways to $$ for sit-down neighbourhood restaurants.

• Cocobean Cafe: Café serving coffee and light bites; good for a quick breakfast or takeaway. $
• Pigsys Den: Local café with a relaxed atmosphere for brunch or coffee. $
• Presko Dessert Parlour: Dessert and café spot popular for sweet treats and coffee. $
• Dine: Neighbourhood restaurant suitable for casual dinners. $$
• Wok And Sambal: Asian eatery offering quick, affordable meals near Haymarket. $
• Cafe Pal: Small Indian café good for inexpensive meals and takeaway. $
• The Bonnie Barrista: Independent coffee shop for a reliable espresso and pastries. $

Nightlife is low-key and sports-centred, with plenty of pubs and a few lively bars along Lothian Road and in nearby Fountainbridge. Evenings are busiest on match days or when the city has events. Expect £-££ prices and a friendly, local crowd.

• Murrayfield Bar & Kitchen: Large sports-orientated pub popular on match days and evenings. $$
• Brass Monkey Gorgie: Neighbourhood pub with a relaxed, local vibe. $
• Stratfords: Traditional pub serving pints and casual food near Haymarket. $
• Platform 5: Pub useful for pre-match drinks and groups. $
• The Polwarth Tavern: Community pub a short walk from the stadiums and local streets. $
• The Athletic Arms: Sports pub frequented by locals and visiting fans. $

There is no large mall in the immediate neighbourhood; shopping is mainly small independent shops, supermarkets and retail parks nearby. For full high-street shopping head east to Princes Street and the New Town by tram or a short taxi ride.