Whether you are a resident posting a parcel or a visitor exchanging currency before heading to the Royal Mile, knowing where to find the right post office in Edinburgh saves time and hassle. This guide covers the main edinburgh city post office at Waverley Mall, its services, how to get there, and the wider network of branches across the city.
Key Takeaways
The edinburgh city post office is located inside waverley mall on waverley bridge (Unit 5-6, EH1 1BQ) and serves the wider edinburgh city centre area with comprehensive postal and financial services.
The main edinburgh city post office offers comprehensive postal and financial services including letters, parcels, banking, travel money, passport applications and document certification.
The old St James Centre branch has closed, but central options remain at Waverley Mall plus nearby branches on easter road, craigentinny avenue, bath street, blackford avenue and boswall drive.
There are 38 post office branches in edinburgh, with around 35 Post Office branches in Edinburgh open on Saturdays, giving residents strong coverage across most districts.
Always check the latest opening hours and any temporary changes before you visit, especially around bank holidays.
Overview of Edinburgh City Post Office (EH1 1BQ)
The edinburgh city post office is the principal central branch for the capital, sitting inside the mall waverley bridge shopping centre - formally known as Waverley Mall. Its full address is:
POST OFFICE LIMITED, Unit 5-6, Waverley Mall, Waverley Bridge, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 1BQ
Positioned between princes street and Edinburgh Waverley Station, this branch is the natural place for anyone in the edinburgh city centre shopping and business district to handle postal needs. Postal services available include UK and international mailing, Special Delivery, Parcelforce and tracked services.
The branch replaced earlier "city" locations at the old St James Centre. That move was announced in June 2014 when the St James site entered redevelopment - now the St James Quarter. Central services have been focused at Waverley Mall ever since.
How to Find the Edinburgh City Post Office
The Waverley Mall site is hard to miss. Public transport stops near the post office entrance - trains, trams and buses all converge at Waverley Station and the east end of princes street.
From Waverley Station: Exit the concourse to street level, enter waverley mall via escalators or lifts. The post office is located on the upper level of Princes Mall (now Waverley Mall).
From Princes Street: Use the Waverley Steps at the east end or the plaza entrance to enter the mall directly - the quickest route for shoppers.
From Waverley Bridge: A short ramp leads into the mall, convenient for those arriving from bus stops or the airport shuttle.
Nearby landmarks to help you find your way include Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument, St James Quarter to the east, and the Old town (Royal Mile) to the south. There is no dedicated customer parking, so rely on nearby multi-storey car parks or frequent public transport.
Contact Details and Customer Support
Most standard queries - lost items, redirections, complaints - are handled centrally rather than by branch counter staff. Here are the key details:
Channel | Contact |
|---|---|
National customer services | 0345 611 2970 |
Formal feedback / branch changes | comments@postoffice.co.uk |
Royal Mail delivery issues | Royal Mail customer service / local delivery office |
Specific Royal Mail delivery issues (missing parcels, redelivery to EH1 addresses) should go through Royal Mail's own channels, not the Waverley Mall counter. Always check the official Post Office branch finder online for the latest telephone numbers and hours before travelling.
Services Available at Edinburgh City Post Office
This branch offers a broader range of services than many smaller local post office branches in the suburbs.
Postal services:
1st and 2nd Class mail, Special Delivery, Signed For
Parcelforce Worldwide and international tracked services
Drop and Go parcel service and retailer returns
Financial and everyday services:
Everyday banking services offered include cash withdrawals and deposits for major UK banks
Bill payments, top-ups and Postal Orders
Foreign currency exchange is available at the edinburgh city post office, with common currencies held in stock
MoneyGram send and receive
Identity and licensing:
Passport Check & Send (paper and digital)
DVLA photocard driving licence renewals
Document certification services are provided by the edinburgh city post office
Biometric enrolment for Home Office
Customers can also buy postage online and then simply drop parcels at this branch or any participating branch to save time at the counter.
Accessibility, Layout and Facilities
The edinburgh city post office within waverley mall has been designed with accessibility in mind. The post office has level access and automatic doors at the mall entrances, making it suitable for wheelchair users and those with buggies.
Inside, a ticket-machine system keeps things orderly: customers take a ticket, select their service type (parcel, banking, identity), then wait for their number on the overhead display. The interior is relatively spacious, with seating near the waiting area - helpful at peak times.
A wheelchair accessible photo booth is available inside for passport and driving licence photos. Staff are reported to be very helpful and accommodating, assisting customers who need support using the booth or completing forms. Accessible toilets are provided elsewhere within waverley mall, not inside the post office itself.
Opening Hours and Busy Times
Monday to Saturday hours for the edinburgh city post office are 09:00 to 17:30. The branch is closed on Sundays. Post offices in Edinburgh typically open at 9am on weekdays, and most post offices close between 5pm and 5:30pm on weekdays.
Most post offices in Edinburgh are closed on Sundays, though some in-store branches keep weekend hours. Around 35 post office branches in Edinburgh open on Saturdays, giving good coverage.
Arrive earlier in the day for passport applications, travel money or large parcels to avoid longer queues. Peak times are lunchtime on weekdays, late afternoons near last posting times, and the pre-Christmas period.
Hours may change on bank holidays - always confirm before you visit.
Other Post Offices Serving Edinburgh City and Suburbs
Beyond eh1 1bq, a network of around 38 branches covers most districts. Here is a snapshot by area:
Near the city centre: elm row, leith walk, brandon terrace (Warriston/Stockbridge) and great junction street in Leith - all a short bus ride from princes street.
East Edinburgh: easter road, restalrig road (Lochend), craigentinny avenue (Morrisons), milton road west and the Post Office on bath street is located at 6 Bath Street in Portobello.
North and north-west: The Drylaw Post Office is at 663-667 ferry road. Further out, granton mains avenue, newhaven road, corbiehill road (Davidson's Mains), and boswall drive all have branches.
South Edinburgh: blackford avenue, hay drive, moredun park road, drum street (Gilmerton), colinton road and the Oxgangs Post Office is at 1-2 Oxgangs Broadway.
West and south-west: The Corstorphine Post Office is located at 119B St Johns Road. Other branches sit at lanark road west, calder road, westside plaza, bridge road, hays business centre and currie.
Post Offices Inside Supermarkets and Convenience Stores
Many edinburgh residents now use post office counters inside supermarkets and convenience stores for extended hours. Typical examples include Morrisons branches at craigentinny avenue and Drylaw, where you can buy groceries and post parcels in one trip.
Convenience-store partners like Premier and Best-One host counters across Leith, Lochend and newhaven road, offering evening and weekend availability. The latest closing time for Post Offices is around 22:00 at select in-store locations.
These in-store counters handle core postal and bill-payment services but may not offer every specialist service found at the edinburgh city post office. Check individual branch listings for passport applications, driving licence renewals or identity services before travelling.
Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips
Choosing between the central edinburgh city post office and a local neighbourhood branch depends on what you need.
Visitors staying near Waverley Station, princes street, the Royal Mile or St James Quarter should use the waverley mall branch for its range of services and easy access.
Residents of areas like easter road, Portobello (bath street), Morningside, blackford avenue or boswall drive should consider their nearest local branch for routine posting to avoid city centre crowds.
For high-value or time-sensitive items, allow extra time for forms, ID checks and queuing - particularly near last acceptance times.
Check Royal Mail last posting dates for Christmas and other busy seasons, and note specific last collection times from nearby postboxes.
Purchase postage online, then drop parcels at any participating branch to reduce time at the counter.
Your overall experience will be smoother if you plan ahead - confirm hours, gather documents and arrive with time to spare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there still a Post Office in Edinburgh city centre near Princes Street?
Yes. The old St James Centre / Princes Mall post office has closed, but the edinburgh city post office at waverley mall (Unit 5-6, waverley bridge, eh1 1bq) now serves as the main central branch, just steps from princes street and Waverley Station.
Which Post Office is best if I am staying near the Royal Mile or Edinburgh Old Town?
The Waverley Mall branch is usually the most convenient. It is a short walk downhill from the Royal Mile via North Bridge or Cockburn Street to waverley bridge - roughly five minutes on foot.
Can I renew my passport or driving licence at Edinburgh City Post Office?
Edinburgh City Post Office typically offers passport and driving licence photo services, Check & Send and document certification. Confirm exact availability on the official Post Office branch finder before your visit, as some services operate at particular times.
Are any Edinburgh Post Offices open late or on Sundays?
The central edinburgh city post office keeps standard daytime hours and is closed on Sundays. However, several suburban branches inside supermarkets and convenience stores stay open later on weekdays - some until around 22:00 - and a handful open on Sundays with shorter hours.
How many Post Office branches are there in Edinburgh city?
There are 38 post office branches across edinburgh, covering postcodes from the city centre (EH1) out to Leith, Portobello, Corstorphine, Wester Hailes, currie and beyond. Exact numbers can shift as branches open or relocate, so check the branch finder for the latest information.
