Prices & times
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.
Admission prices
| Ticket categories | Online price | Walk-up price |
| Adult (16-64yrs) | £19.50 | £22.00 |
| Concession (65yrs+ and unemployed) | £15.50 | £17.60 |
| Child (7-15yrs) | £11.40 | £13.20 |
| Family (1 adult, 2 children) | £38.50 | £43.50 |
| Family (2 adults, 2 children) | £56.00 | £63.50 |
| Family (2 adults, 3 children) | £66.50 | £75.00 |
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Concession price: this applies if you can show proof that you’re aged 65+ or unemployed. Please note this does not apply to students.
Admission prices are subject to change.
Audio guides
Tour the castle with our audio guide, using your own mobile phone or one of our devices.
Head to the audio booth on arrival to hire a physical audio guide device. Alternatively, you can buy a downloadable version of the tour when you purchase your tickets online. We strongly recommend you download the guide before travelling as connectivity on site can vary. Please remember to bring your own headphones and ensure the battery on your device is fully charged.
Adult £3.50, Concession £2.50, Child £1.50. There is a 20% discount for Historic Scotland Members and Explorer Pass holders.
Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian and Dutch.
Print versions of the audio guide are available in both large print and Open Dyslexic large print. These are also available to download onto your own device. Please ask a member of staff at the audio booth for a copy.
You can also pick up a free copy of our orientation map on arrival.
Free and discounted admission
For all our free and discounted admission, book online to guarantee entry.
- Historic Scotland members get free entry to our sites, but please make an online booking to guarantee entry. You must show your valid membership on arrival.
- Not a Member? Join now to start enjoying the benefits
- English Heritage, Manx and Cadw members get half-price entry in your first year and free entry for renewal and life members. Please make an online booking to guarantee entry.
- Explorer Pass holders get free entry to our sites, but please make an online booking to guarantee entry. You must show your valid pass on arrival.
- Don't have an Explorer Pass? Find out more and buy an Explorer Pass
- Carers who accompany visitors with disabilities receive free entry. Please make an online booking to guarantee entry. Tickets are limited to two carers per transaction.
- Have a Young Scot card? Pay just £1 to visit the castle. Please make an online booking to guarantee entry. You must show your valid Young Scot card on arrival (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult).
- Current members of the British Armed Forces receive free entry to Edinburgh Castle (as well as Stirling Castle and Fort George). Please make an online booking using HM Forces from the list of ticket types. You will need to bring a valid MOD 90 card when you arrive at site. Please note free entry only applies to the serving member.
Opening times
| Dates | Opens | Closes |
| 1 April to 30 September | Daily 9.30am | 6pm ((last entry 5pm) |
| 1 October to 23 December | Daily 9.30am | 5pm (last entry 3.30pm) |
| 24 December | 9.30am | 4pm (last entry 3pm) |
| 27 to 31 December | Daily 9.30am | 5pm (last entry 4pm) |
| 1 January | 11am | 5pm (last entry 4pm) |
| 2 January to 31 March | Daily 9.30am | 5pm (last entry 4pm) |
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.
Closures
Early closure: last entry to the castle on 3, 9, 10, 17 & 24 August will be at the earlier time of 3pm (closing at 5pm).
The Honours of the Kingdom Exhibition is currently closed for essential maintenance (The Crown Room and Jewels remain open).
Saturday 28 September: the castle will open at the slightly later time of 10.30am, and the Crown Room will be closed all day. The admission price has been reduced to reflect this.
25 and 26 December.
Adverse weather or other reasons beyond our control may cause a site to close. We advise checking ahead if the forecast is poor or you are making a long journey. Current unexpected and short term closures.
One o'Clock Gun
The gun is fired every day at 1pm, except on Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmas Day.
Please be aware that we are currently implementing some new measures with the Ministry of Defence in relation to the viewing of the One O’clock Gun. As part of this, visitors are asked to please arrive at the new marked areas at least 10 minutes before the firing of the gun, and follow guidance from castle staff. We will limit access to some areas surrounding the gun until after it has been fired.
