Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is at the heart of the city, in the Old Town at the top of the famous Royal Mile.

View Edinburgh Castle on Google Maps

By bus and tram

Lothian Buses run several services through the Old Town. The best places to get off are the Mound or George IV Bridge.

The closest Edinburgh Trams stop is Princes Street, 0.4 miles from the castle.

By bike

Bicycle racks are available from November to April, behind the ticket box the esplanade. They are not available from May to October, when the Tattoo stands are in place.

Search for National Cycle Network routes with the Walk Wheel Cycle trust.

By train

The closest station is Edinburgh Waverley, 0.4 miles from the castle. It is served by trains from across the UK. Haymarket station is approximately 1 mile away.

By plane

The castle is within easy reach of Edinburgh Airport The Airlink 100 bus and Edinburgh Trams run from the airport to the city centre.

By car

There is no public parking at Edinburgh Castle. Castle Terrace NCP is the nearest car park. There are a small number of parking spaces available for ticket holders with accessibility requirements on the Castle Esplanade. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Journey planners

Plan your journey by public transport using Traveline Scotland.

Access Guide

A full access guide is available on the Edinburgh Castle website. This includes a detailed description of what to expect at the site and links to download visual stories and a sensory map. 

Edinburgh Castle access guide

Carers' tickets

Visitors with disabilities are charged standard admission rates (adult/concession/child). Proof of disability is not required. Up to two accompanying carers receive free entry per transaction.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas. 

Parking

There are a small number of parking spaces for visitors with accessibility requirements on the castle esplanade. These are available upon arrival or can be booked in advance by emailing ecparking@hes.scot. Availability may be limited from May to October due to the esplanade hosting the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

What to expect at the site

Visitors access the castle over a wooden-slatted bridge. Moving through the castle involves taking a steep, curved route surfaced with cobbles. Some areas are accessed by steps. A mobility vehicle and manual wheelchairs are available. Sensory backpacks and ear defenders are available to borrow from the ticket office.

Our full access guide includes a map of the journey through the castle and information about accessing shops, cafes and points of interest.

Toilets

Adapted toilets are available.

We are carrying out much needed refurbishment of one of our visitor toilet facilities (located on the left after crossing the drawbridge) and they will be closed until some point in June 2026. There are temporary toilet facilities next to the ticket plaza. Accessible toilets can be found at the Redcoat Café, Queen Anne Café and National War Museum.  

Edinburgh Castle on Euan's Guide

For 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.

We may carry out bag searches at the castle entrance as part of our security screening process.