Hostels in Cairngorms 
Looking for the best hostels in Cairngorms? You are in the right place!
On this page, we have listed every city in Cairngorms with backpacker hostels and budget-friendly stays. Hostelz.com makes it easy to find your ideal Cairngorms hostel by comparing prices across major booking platforms. Save money while backpacking Cairngorms and sleep comfortably on a budget.
All Backpacker Hostels in Cairngorms
We have got you covered with a complete list of every hostel in Cairngorms, across 7 cities! Not all cities have hostels, but many offer alternative budget options like guesthouses and affordable hotels. Use our filters to quickly find cities with hostels or other budget accommodations to simplify your trip planning.
All Cairngorms hostels on a map
Alright, you are more the visual type? Planning your trip with a map is always handy.
Therefore, this map shows you all cities with hostels in Cairngorms. It will help you to plan your trip. Just zoom in the map and click your destination for more details. Just so you know: If we do not have a hostel in a city, it is likely that there is no hostel in that city.
Our handwritten guide on Backpacking Cairngorms
Cairngorms, a mountain range nestled in the eastern Scottish Highlands, is a place that boasts unsurpassed natural beauty.
It is part of Cairngorms National Park, which is located around 30 minutes from Inverness. Other Scottish cities within close proximity are Aberdeen (one hour away), Perth (one hour and 30 minutes away), Edinburgh (two hours and 30 minutes away) and Glasgow (2 hours and 45 minutes away).
Within the Cairngorms are five of the UK’s six highest mountains. It also has 55 mountains that are more than 3000 feet high. Your breath will be taken away by the rich natural wonders that can be observed in the national park - among the beautiful scenery are waterfalls, flowing rivers, beautiful lochs, diverse wildlife, ancient native trees and of course, massive mountains.
In winter, the Cairngorms is perfect for a snowy escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Sk or snowboard at CairnGorm Mountain, near Aviemore, which is one of the most popular (and highest) snowsports spots in the area. You can even partake in husky racing at the Cairngorms, if that’s something that interests you.
If you’re visiting at a warmer time of year, there are still plenty of outdoor activities that allow you to soak in the intoxicatingly beautiful surrounds. There are mountain-bike trails, pony treks, rock climbing, walking trails as well as orienteering courses.
For those who want to indulge in Scotland’s drink of choice - whisky, you could even make your way along the Malt Whisky Trail which has stops in several towns and villages in Scotland. The taste of a single malt whisky at Glenlivet Distillery at Tomintoul, which is part of the Malt Whisky Trail, will make it worth your while.
Also in the Cairngorms region is Loch Morlich which has a golden sand beach and waterspouts centre. This is surprising, given Loch Morlich is located 40 miles from the ocean.
For those who are searching for a relaxing way to check out the scenery, why not take a ride on the highest railway in Britain? The top station is located 1097m (3559 feet) above sea level.
There are several hostels, camping barns and bunkhouses available in eastern Scotland that are perfect for access to the Cairngorms. Many of these hostels are within the Cairngorms National Park itself, which is convenient, not to mention beautiful, as you are on nature’s doorstep. If you’d to stay somewhere other than a hostel for a change, other accommodation options here include hotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, self-catering accommodation, lodges, camping sites and log cabins.
You can also find many hostels in Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow, so you have plenty of options when travelling around the Cairngorms region.
Handwritten by local expert for Cairngorms hostels Erin
Travel Tips for Cairngorms - from the Community
Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Cairngorms. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Cairngorms. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!
FAQ on Hostels in Cairngorms
There is a lot of travel planning to do. So let us help you once again by putting together the frequently asked questions:
Finding Hostels and Prices
What hostel booking sites are best to use?
There is several hostel booking sites, such as Hostelworld.com, Hostelsclub.com and Booking.com. While every platform has its pros and cons, there is a universal truth you as a traveler should be aware of: Not a single booking site can always offer the best prices.
This is where Hostelz.com comes in. You can compare all major booking portals with one click.
For you as a traveler, Hostelz.com is the best booking site to actually save money.
How much are hostels in Cairngorms?
Prices always vary, depending on various factors. Weekends tend to be more expensive, same goes for special holidays. Please also take into account local vaction time.
You can search for exacty hostel prices in Cairngorms here on Hostelz.com. Pick your destination and pick a date. The system will track down the prices to give an idea of what budget and prices you can expect.
When to book hostels?
If you want to stay at the best hostels, it is a good idea to have your hostel booked around 1 month before you travel. For the regular hostels, booking one week before should be okay. Yet again, this always depends.
We dedicated a full article to the topic of when to book hostels.
Safety and Packing
Are hostels in Cairngorms safe?
Generally speaking, hostels are as safe as you make them. We highly recommend always to bring your own padlock, using the lockers and taking care of your belongings. Make sure you pick a safe hostel, offering lockers and a safe location. Please always pay attention to the reviews; they can give you a great insight on what to expect and safety tips.
What to pack when staying in hostels?
There is a few basics you should always pack when staying in hostels.
There is more actually. We wrote a complete guide with more details. Read our full hostel packing list.