Edinburgh Castle stands at Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. For an Edinburgh Castle visit, plan around seasonal opening hours and book a timed ticket online in advance; from Twin Lions Hotel, Edinburgh city centre is about 54 minutes on foot or 15 minutes by car.
- Location: Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
- Timed tickets are used, and advance online booking is recommended.
- Opening hours vary between the April–September and October–March periods.
- The closest tram stop and railway station are each 0.4 miles from the castle.
Planning a castle visit
Edinburgh Castle is at the upper end of the Royal Mile, making it easy to pair with time in the Old Town. For a walk through the surrounding streets, you can also plan around Edinburgh Old Town and the Royal Mile.
Allow for a route that includes slopes, cobbles and steps once you are inside the site. The castle’s visitor information also points to Holyrood Abbey and Palace Gardens and Holyrood Park, each 2 miles away, as nearby historic places.
Edinburgh Castle tickets and timed entry
Book a timed ticket online ahead of your visit if you want to secure entry at your preferred time. Historic Environment Scotland says tickets often sell out far in advance, particularly over summer, and no further tickets are available at the castle once online tickets have sold out.
Ticket options include standard entry for a specific date and time, flexi tickets for one entry at any timeslot on any day within a 7-day period, guided-tour tickets, member tickets and Explorer Pass tickets.
Standard online prices are £23.50 for adults aged 16–64, £19 for visitors aged 65 and over, and £11.50 for children aged 7–15. Listed in-person prices are £26, £21 and £13 respectively.
Historic Scotland members receive free, unlimited entry to its sites. Scottish Young Person and National Entitlement Card holders aged 7–25 can visit for £1. Visitors with disabilities pay the applicable admission rate; up to two accompanying carers receive free entry per transaction, and proof of disability is not required.
Edinburgh Castle opening hours and seasonal changes
Edinburgh Castle opens daily from 9:30am to 6pm from 1 April to 30 September, and from 9:30am to 5pm from 1 October to 31 March. Last entry is one hour before closing.
There are different hours around Christmas and New Year: the castle opens from 9:30am to 4pm on 24 December, opens from 11am on 1 January, and closes on 25 and 26 December. Hours and admission details can change, so check the official site before you go.
Historic Environment Scotland also advises checking ahead if the forecast is poor or you are making a long journey, as adverse weather or other reasons beyond its control can lead to a closure.
How do you get to Edinburgh Castle from west Edinburgh?
Lothian Buses serve the Old Town; the Mound and George IV Bridge are useful places to get off for the castle. Edinburgh Trams’ closest stop is Princes Street, 0.4 miles from the entrance. Edinburgh Waverley is the closest railway station, also 0.4 miles away; Haymarket station is approximately 1 mile away.
There is no public parking at the castle. Castle Terrace NCP is the nearest car park. A small number of spaces on the Castle Esplanade are available for ticket holders with accessibility requirements.
They are first-come, first-served, and may be booked in advance by email; availability may be limited from May to October when the Esplanade hosts the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
If you are planning a full day around the city, the castle can be part of a one-day Edinburgh itinerary.
Access, walking surfaces and time on site
The entrance is reached over a wooden-slatted bridge, and routes through the castle are steep and curved, with cobbled surfaces and steps in some areas. A mobility vehicle and manual wheelchairs are available. Adapted toilets are provided, and sensory backpacks and ear defenders can be borrowed from the ticket office.
Assistance dogs are permitted at Historic Environment Scotland sites, including inside roofed areas. Suitcases and large rucksacks of 30 litres or over are not permitted, and the castle cannot store luggage, prams, pushchairs or other personal items. Bike racks are available behind the ticket box on the Esplanade from November to April; they are unavailable from May to October.
FAQs
Do you need to book Edinburgh Castle tickets in advance?
Advance online booking is strongly recommended because timed tickets have capacity limits and may sell out. Once online tickets are sold out, no further tickets are available at the castle.
Can you park at Edinburgh Castle?
There is no public parking at the castle. Castle Terrace NCP is the nearest car park; limited Esplanade spaces are reserved for ticket holders with accessibility requirements.
Is Edinburgh Castle accessible for wheelchair users?
A mobility vehicle and manual wheelchairs are available, though the site includes steep, curved routes, cobbles and steps. Adapted toilets are available.