From Edinburgh Fringe organisers through performers, support staff and prospective punters, there is a general recognition that finding accommodation in Edinburgh during August has become a very expensive nightmare.
Every year, journalists gleefully interview those reduced to tents or swearing that they will never return, though many folk do always seem to come back. For very good reasons, the city council is not helping the situation, preferring to favour those who wish to live in the area for 12 months of the year over outsiders who wish to visit for a few days in high summer, or as close to it as Scotland can manage.
Generally speaking, those keen enough to spend time at the Fringe, the International Festival or associated events somehow manage to find a way. Typically, this either involves “investing” a ludicrous amount of money or accepting that even on holidays, commuting might be necessary.
Then, there are those who have more concrete solutions, led by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, which works hard to help those in need. Even they are beginning to despair, having informed the Scottish Parliament last year that accommodation costs had soared by a multiple of three in only six years.
Now, “a leading tourism expert” Johanna Jernberg, who just happens to work for an organisation named UniversityRooms.com, is sharing her expertise. This lady is good with statistics, noting that “last year, ticket sales rose to over 2.61 million and event organisers claimed there was a shortfall of 25,000 guest nights to meet demand. The demand for accommodation in Scotland’s capital rises every year. In 2024, Edinburgh had the third-highest number of guest nights in the entire UK, at 3,016,130.
"Critically, it’s during the Festival and Fringe events in August that the accommodation crisis peaks. Of the guest nights recorded in Edinburgh last year, 411,900 (13.6%) were in August.” This last percentage will strike Festival fiends as surprisingly low and may be understated due to the preponderance of grey market lettings.
With respect, Ms Jernberg’s support is not quite as charitable as it may initially sound. She represents a company that is part of a large, global commercial organisation, SpeedyBooker and, if Edinburgh does fall outside your pay scale, you could always try university accommodation in one of 100 other cities or tap into associated businesses such as BeachHuts.com or the even more unlikely Monasteries.com.
To give UniversityRooms.com credit, it has identified a gap in the market, although many Edinburgh regulars have been occupying empty university accommodation for decades. The good news is that accommodation is still available with less than one month to go until the Fringe kicks off with a vengeance. Hurrah.
The marketing team is offering three prospects, admittedly two a little bit of a walk from the seat of the action but not too far away. However, for those of us who need to mind the pennies, the really central venue offering studio apartments from £220 per night might seem truly shocking. You don’t need a higher mathematics degree to work out that this comes in at over £1,500 a week and will be wary of that “from”.
The two a little bit further out are a wee bit more manageable but, even so, still fall into a range of between £90 and £100 minimum each night. This still means that one week will cost over £600 and staying for the duration is going to set you back more than £2,000.
Judging by the sample photo, the rooms are comfortable and self-contained as one would expect with university accommodation but might get a little claustrophobic for a long stay, especially if some fellow guests attempt to relive their student days by partying through the night.
The sensible way to budget for a visit to the International Festival and Fringe is to book well in advance, when there is more accommodation available and the prices might be a little more manageable.
If you are a perennial addict, sticking with a tried and trusted accommodation provider normally gets the best results or, should you happen to strike it lucky, finding a friend or relation with a flat, a room or even a couch to borrow for a few nights will keep your bank manager happy.