Do you need to book tickets in advance to Edinburgh Castle?
Tickets often sell out far in advance, especially over the summer months. Book your tickets online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry. Once tickets are sold out online, there will be no further tickets available at the castle.
Can you walk up to Edinburgh Castle without a ticket?
Edinburgh Castle is a popular tourist attraction and visitors must pay an entrance fee to access the castle and its grounds. The admission fees for Edinburgh Castle vary depending on the season and age of the visitor, but you can expect to pay around £19 (as of 2023) for an adult ticket.
You can expect to queue for at least 15 - 20 mins before being ushered quickly past the Jewels. In our opinion, it really isn't worth the wait and children will get bored with the queue. The castle also contains the National War Museum of Scotland and the Regimental Museum of the Royals Scots Dragoon Guards.
You should set aside at least 2 hours to see the main attractions at Edinburgh Castle. Opening times for the independent museums at the castle may vary.
Is EDINBURGH CASTLE worth visiting? | Things to know and how to prepare !
Does Edinburgh Castle sell out?
Admission. Tickets often sell out far in advance, especially over the summer months. Book your tickets online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.
What is the best time of day to go to Edinburgh Castle?
As many visitors (especially those coming from cruise ships) plan to visit the castle first thing in the morning, there can be considerable crowds at opening time. For a (slightly) quieter visit, going in after 1pm is recommended.
The castle is a wonderful place to visit when in Edinburgh. It's really big so you can spend a lot of time there (and has a nice cafe.) We got to see the daily canon being fired, which was fun. Make sure to visit the war memorial building, which is beautiful and sad.
The 105mm field gun is fired every day at 1pm, except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. The practice goes back to 1861, when the blast signalled the time to ships in the Firth of Forth.
Does the Hop on Hop off bus go to Edinburgh Castle?
Bus. The Airlink 100 express bus runs from the airport to the city centre. It takes 25 minutes to reach Waverley Bridge, next to the main railway station. Some hop-on, hop-off bus tours make a stop by the castle.
For reasons of ease of movement, visitor safety and general security, suitcases and large rucksacks (30L or over) are not permitted in the castle. We are unable to store luggage, prams, pushchairs or other personal items for visitors.
As part of Historic Environment Scotland's Historic Sundays, Scottish residents can get free admission to participating Historic Scotland visitor attractions (including Edinburgh Castle) on the first Sunday of every month until 03 March 2024.
There is no specific dress code to visit Edinburgh Castle. However, it is advisable to dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable footwear as the castle grounds involve some walking on uneven surfaces.
Of course you can. If there is any place where you can't (I am not sure if it is allowed in the Shrine, the memorial for the war dead, for example) there will be a notice telling you so. You can also take photos from the Castle which has terrific views over the city and the River Forth.
If you're one for the royals, a stop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a must. The palace is the official Scottish residence of the king and has housed many other notable royal figures throughout history, including King George V, Charles I and Mary, Queen of Scots.
You can purchase your tickets online before you arrive in Edinburgh. By having your tickets in advance, you can skip the ticket queues at the castle gates, saving yourself tons of time. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Purchase your tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line.
There's no better introduction to Edinburgh than a walk straight down the spine of its old town. Stretching from a hill-topping castle to a royal palace, this ramble is appropriately called the Royal Mile (though it's actually 200 yards longer than a mile).
Edinburgh is generally a safe and welcoming city. Street harassment is not a common occurrence and incidents are not widely reported by solo female travelers. However, like any major city, certain areas can be less safe at night, so it's advisable to stay within well-populated areas especially after dark.
