Check-In and Check-Out Policies

Check-in: 3:00 PM

Check-out: 10:30 AM

if you have booked for a night and will be arriving after 12am (midnight), please email our reception at highstreethostel@macbackpackers.com or call us at +44 131 557 3984

18+ only Adult Hostel

We are an over 18s hostel. Children will not be permitted to stay, and you may still be charged for beds if you show up with children to our property - we email you in advance to remind you of this also.

ID Requirement

We require valid government-issued photographic ID for every person checking in to the hostel. This can be passports, drivers license or other government identification cards. However, student ID's, work ID's, library cards, etc will not be accepted. Not having the correct physical ID may result in your booking being cancelled upon arrival, and you will be charged for your first nights stay under our cancellation policy.

Key Deposit

Each guest key will require a refundable deposit of £10/€10/$10 or national ID when collected at check-in. Your deposit will be held and returned to you upon your check-out when the key is returned.

Visitor Levy

Edinburgh is introducing a Visitor Levy (similar to a 'Tourist Tax') from 24/07/26 - any bookings checking-in from this date onwards will be subject to a 5% additional charge on the price of accommodation, to be paid at check-in. You will receive an email when booking if your reservation requires you to pay the levy with more details.

Cancellations

Standard Cancellation: For most of the year, we have a 48 hour cancellation policy. Cancellations must be made 48 hours before 10:30 AM of the arrival date and you will receive a 90% refund of the deposit paid if you booked through our website. The 10% we keep covers transaction fees from our card provider.

Peak Season Cancellation: For bookings made in August and any booking including 31 December, you will be charged 14 days before arrival and once you have been charged your booking becomes non-refundable.

Dorm Allocations

While we do our best to keep reservations of multiple people in dormitories together in the same room, we are unable to guarantee this. Please email us in advance of your stay and we will try to arrange beds in the same room for you to the best of our ability.

Third-Party Bookings

Bookings made through third party websites (Hostelworld, Booking.com, etc.) are subject to different cancellation policies listed on their websites - we can't change these, sorry. Always book direct for the best prices and most flexibility.

No Shows

No shows shall be charged the equivalent of the first two nights’ accommodation.

Maximum Stay

The maximum stay at our hostel is 7 nights. Our accommodation is intended strictly for short-term holiday stays.

Group Booking Terms

Group Size & Direct Booking: We welcome groups, but any bookings for more than 5 guests must be made directly with us via email at highstreethostel@macbackpackers.com

Group Key Deposits: All groups are required to pay a refundable deposit upon arrival, which will be returned when all keys are handed back at check-out:

• Groups up to 6 guests: £10 / €10 / $10 per set of keys.

• Groups of 6–10 guests: £75 / €75 / $75 flat deposit per group.

• Groups of 10+ guests: £150 / €150 / $150 flat deposit per group.

Stag & Hen Parties: We strictly do not accept stag or hen parties.

Booking Remaining Beds in Shared Dorms: If your group books the majority of beds in a shared dormitory (for example, 3 out of 4 beds in a 4-bed dorm; 5 out of 6 beds in a 6-bed dorm, etc.), we will email you requesting that you purchase the remaining bed to book out the entire room. This helps ensure a better experience for both your group and other guests by avoiding splitting your party across multiple rooms. Please note that your booking is liable to cancellation if you choose not to book the additional space.