Exploring the iconic Edinburgh Castle is a must-do for any visitor to Scotland. As one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, it’s essential to plan your visit carefully to make the most of your experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Edinburgh Castle tour entrance, from timings and ticket options to accessibility and weather considerations.
Tour Entrance and Timings
The Edinburgh Castle tour entrance is located at the Main Gate, just a short walk from the city center. Visitors have several options when it comes to experiencing the castle:
Guided Tours
- Official Guided Tours are available for £3.50 per visitor.
- Tours start at 9:45 am, 10:15 am, 10:45 am, 11:15 am, 11:45 am, 12:15 pm, 1:15 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:15 pm, 2:45 pm, 3:15 pm, and 3:45 pm from March 29 to September 30.
Audio Guides
- Audio guides are available for hire at £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for concessions, and £1.50 for children.
- They are available in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Avoiding Crowds
To avoid the busiest times at the castle, it’s recommended to visit either at the opening time (9:30 am) or towards the end of the day, with the last entry being one hour before closing. The peak hours between 11 am and 2 pm tend to be the most crowded.
Pre-Booking and Arrival
Pre-Booking
- All visitors with pre-booked tour tickets must arrive at the Tour Meeting Point 15 minutes before the pre-booked tour time.
- Entry to the castle can be very busy, so allow additional time for your arrival.
Tour Meeting Point
- The Tour Meeting Point is located just through the Main Gate and to the right.
Accessibility and Weather
Accessibility
- Further information on accessibility at the castle can be found in the Access Guide.
Weather
- Tours may be adapted or cancelled in poor weather conditions.
- If a tour is cancelled, visitors will be emailed with as much notice as possible and will be automatically refunded for the price of their tour ticket.
Additional Information
Ticket Prices
- Book your tickets online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.
- Tickets often sell out in advance.
Venue Hire
- Edinburgh Castle is available for corporate events, private dining, weddings, and civil ceremonies.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can contact the Edinburgh Castle team using the following phone numbers:
- USA: +1 855 664 8235
- UK: +44 (0) 20 330 894 97
- Germany: +49 (0) 30 544 459 44
- Switzerland: +41 (0) 91 261 15 93
- Italy: +39 (0) 6 45236984
- Spain: +34 91 769 35 19
- France: +33 (0) 1 85 65 34 44
- International: +49 (0) 30 544 459 44