About

Edinburgh's original backpackers hostel. We offer a fun, friendly, comfortable, easy-going historic place seconds from the Royal Mile right in the heart of the centre of Edinburgh. Backpackers, budget travellers, students, explorers, revellers and friendly folk are all welcome to experience the best of our beautiful and historic city. Open year-round, we offer up daily events for travellers to come together and make the most of being right in the middle of it all. We are an 18+ hostel, no children are allowed to stay at any time.

Alongside our awesome vibe, we have two comfortable lounges, a kitchen, and terrace in a building that was once the mansion of the Earl of Morton, the right-hand man of the King of Scotland. We offer a laundry service for £5, breakfast every morning for just £4, towel hire for £2 and more in both our communal dormitory and private rooms. There's free luggage storage on the days that you check in & out, and we have a 24/7 reception so you can arrive to the building at any time, and check in any time after 3pm. Since 1986, we've been the original choice for travellers to explore Scotland's compact, beautiful and hilly capital city.

House Rules

Check In

15:00 - 00:00

Check Out

until 10:00

  • Taxes Not Included
View House Rules

Facilities

  • Free City Maps
  • Free WiFi
  • Free Internet Access
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Adaptors
  • Jobs Board
  • Luggage Storage
  • 24 Hour Reception
View all facilities

Reviews

9.2Superb(9281)
  • Value for Money
    9.0
  • Security
    9.4
  • Atmosphere
    9.1
  • Cleanliness
    8.7
  • Staff
    9.5
  • Location
    9.9
  • Facilities
    8.8
Summary of traveller reviews

High Street Hostel in Edinburgh offers a fantastic central location, making it easy to explore the city. Guests frequently praise the friendly and helpful staff, the vibrant social atmosphere, and the clean, comfortable facilities. It's a great choice for solo travellers and groups looking for a welcoming and well-located base.

Was this helpful?
Stayed in Oct 2026
8.3
J
Jessica
Female, 25-30, Australia
Great location and great staff. Expensive but all hostels seem to be pricey nowadays. Rooms and toilets/showers are small. Social vibes were okay - you get out what you put in.
Stayed in Oct 2026
10
A
Anonymous
Male, 31-40, England
A great hostel well run clean, shelf and charging port with each bed. Lockers and good hot showers. Cheap towel rental.
Stayed in Oct 2026
9.4
J
Jorge
Male, 25-30, Chile
Is an extremely great place I think they should have more showers for all the beds that they have
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Location

8 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
0.9km from city centre
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Hostelworld says

We're proud to say that High Street Hostel has been with Hostelworld for more than a decade, and it's little wonder why, as one guest said, they have a "top location right off the Royal Mile, very friendly and helpful staff, great steady beds, hot showers at every time of the day, free Wi-Fi...what more can you wish for?!" We like that they also have a high standard of security, with free lockers and safes and staff on-hand 24 hours a day. Many of our users say they'd stay here again.