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The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Edinburgh

Looking for a digital nomad’s guide to Edinburgh? Our city is a hub for digital freelancers, remote workers and startups alike thanks to its thriving cafe culture, exciting nightlife, beaut surroundings and so much more. 

But guess what, you digital nomads and remote workers out there have even more to like about the city now we’ve created Edinburgh’s first coliving space at The LoFT.

The LoFT combines the freedom of rented accommodation with the benefits of a boutique hotel. Perks and facilities include affordable, flexible stays; a shared workspace on-site; 24-hour access kitchen facilities and daily room cleaning. Not to mention that we give you that sweet, sweet high-speed wifi for free! 

Now that you know where to stay, pack your laptop and check out our guide to making the most of your time in the Scottish capital. 


Where to work from 

Looking for sociable office spaces without the gruelling commute? There are tonnes of spots around the city to head within walking distance but hey, for days when even that’s too much, The LoFT has you covered with a co-working space on site. Many of our members are digital nomads themselves, so you will be surrounded by like-minded colleagues with exciting stories to share. 

Digital Nomad's Guide to Edinburgh - CoDE Pod Hostels and Coliving Space
Our coworking space at The LoFT

When you’re looking for a change of scenery, Nexus often tops lists for Edinburgh’s co-working spaces for its central location. The fact that Nexus members get discounts for local businesses might have something to do with this, too.  

For tech professionals looking to develop (both figuratively and possibly literally…), CodeBase is an excellent choice. The venue dubs itself ‘the UK’s largest technology incubator’, offering services like flexible office spaces, mentorship opportunities and networking events. 

Fans of an all-inclusive setup will find Kingsford Office right up their street. With desirable features like stationery, printing and refreshments included along an open bar on Fridays, you will actually want to stay in the office for as long as possible – and let’s face it, you deserve it…


How to meet like-minded people  

Edinburgh has so much to offer in terms of business networking and meetups. For an informal networking experience, you can try No Ties. This event is held on the last Thursday of every month – it’s usually held at the Breadstreet Brasserie, but they are currently running events online. This means you can still meet other professionals in the area but without the usual £15 price tag. 

Most of our guests at The LoFT are here to take advantage of both the accommodation and the co-working space so who knows? The person you get chatting to in the communal kitchen or while sharing one of our pod rooms might just end up becoming a new mentor, client, collaborator or business partner! 

Tip: Be sure to look out for networking events held at some of the coworking spots we mentioned, too.

Digital Nomad's Guide to Edinburgh - CoDE Pod Hostels and Coliving Space
Part of the café at The CoURT


WHERE TO GO FOR YOUR CAFFEINE FIX 

There are plenty of places to get your caffeine fix in Edinburgh.

True coffee aficionados will find Brew Lab the perfect place to plug in and start the day. The coffee house serves speciality coffees and if you pop by when you have some downtime you can participate in one of their brewing masterclasses. 

You can also take your laptop on a coffee date to Black Medicine Coffee Co. which boasts a cosy atmosphere and friendly staff. They do great food options which you can eat in or take out if you’re on the go.

If you want a home away from home feel whilst staying at The LoFT then be sure to check out our sister site, The CoURT, which is located just off the Royal Mile in the city’s Old Town. We have delicious hot drinks and snacks, speedy wifi, and a friendly clientele (that sometimes includes cute dogs – check out our Instagram page for evidence)!

Want more insider knowledge?

Check out our post on the best cafes to work from in Edinburgh.

Digital Nomad's Guide to Edinburgh - CoDE Pod Hostels and Coliving Space
Are you a flat white or a cappuccino kinda person?


GETTING AROUND THE CITY 

Environmentalists and health junkies rejoice! Edinburgh is a pedestrian-friendly city that’s easy to navigate by foot or by bike along one of the many cycle paths. Don’t have your own bike? Not a problem – take advantage of the Just Eat cycle hire scheme and grab a bike for a single trip from just £1.50 or get a 24 hr multi-trip pass for £3.

But if you need to make a long journey or get from A to B that bit quicker, you can take advantage of the public transport options or taxis. 

Buses start at around £1.70 for a single and you can make savings with day tickets or a Ridacard (lasting 1 week- 1 year). 

Going to and from Edinburgh Airport and the city centre is also easy – you have the option to travel via bus using the 24-hour 100 bus route with an express journey time of around 35 minutes. Other services you can use are the 200, 300 and 400 routes. Tram journeys between the airport and the city also take approximately 35 minutes. 

For travelling by train, Edinburgh Waverley Station carries an extensive range of rail services to the rest of Scotland and England. It is conveniently situated in between Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, less than a 10-minute walk from both The LoFT and The CoURT. 


BALANCING WORK AND PLAY

The beauty of working for yourself is the ability to work anywhere, but everyone knows it’s no fun to be all work and no play. 

Those looking to completely unplug outside of working hours can do so by making the most of Edinburgh’s beautiful outdoors. Princes Street Gardens provide the perfect space to unplug and get back to nature right in the heart of the city. A hike up Arthur’s Seat is more of a physical challenge but it’s well worth the effort for the unbeatable views across Edinburgh and beyond.

Is art more your thing to unwind? No problem. There’s bound to be at least one public gallery to suit your tastes. Traditional art fans will enjoy heading to the National Galleries of Scotland whilst contemporary art buffs need to pay a visit to the Gallery of Modern Art. For more culture, you can also say hello to the resident tyrannosaurus rex at The National Museum of Scotland or dive into the city’s literary history at The Writers Museum.

The fountain in Prince’s Street Gardens


LETTING YOUR HAIR DOWN

Sometimes at the end of a long working day, you need a well-deserved drink – agreed? Fortunately, few do nightlife as well as the Scots, and Edinburgh is full of great pubs and bars where you can relax after working through that to-do list. 

Sample from a huge range of authentic scotch whisky at Amber Bar, which is a part of The Scotch Whisky Experience attraction. If a pint is your chosen poison instead, then The Brass Monkey on Drummond Street is a traditional Edinburgh pub that offers a relaxed yet bohemian feel.

Celebrating the week’s wins? If you’re feeling a little bougie, you can’t go wrong with Superico Bar which is just a 5-minute walk from The LoFT. The bar has stylish interiors, a menu of delicious South American eats and chilled DJ beats – until the music is turned up at 9 pm! Oh, and their drinks menu is stacked with creative cocktails – we recommend trying the Goldfinch. You can thank us later. 

Digital Nomad's Guide to Edinburgh - CoDE Pod Hostels and Coliving Space


HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 

Rent can be high in Edinburgh but it is possible to find budget-friendly options if you know where to look. Opting to stay in a coliving space like The LoFT means you can save over £225 a month when compared to renting privately. Plus, you won’t be locked into long leases and you don’t need to worry about bills.

Eating out will set you back between £10-£15 for a main meal in a restaurant, but there’s always offers to be found if you do a bit of research. A coffee is around £2.50 and a pint is around £4.

You can also find some great street food and markets in Edinburgh where you can pick up lunch on a budget. When staying with us, you can prepare your own food in the communal kitchen (which is also a great way to meet your fellow members). 

As we mentioned earlier, there are many ways to save on transport in and around the city – just ask one of our team who will be happy to share their local tips on the best options for you. 

Another bonus is that many of the cultural and historical gems here in Edinburgh – including some of those we mentioned earlier – have free admission, so you can explore the city while saving money. Win-win!

Has our digital nomad’s guide to Edinburgh already got you planning your next trip? If you’re staying for more than a week or looking to set up base here for a few months, then you can bag a discount by staying with us at The LoFT. If it’s more of a flying visit, check out The CoURT – and get 20% off your stay when you use code PODPERKS to book. See you soon?