Edinburgh Castle

Getting there | Facilities & access | Opening arrangements & costs | Contact

Getting there

Region – Edinburgh and the Lothians
Postcode: EH1 2NG

Grid reference
NT 252734.

Cycle Routes
Site on the National Cycle Network


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Facilities & access

Parking is not available at the Castle. The nearest city parking zones are located at Castle Terrace and Johnston Terrace. Visit NCP car park website www.ncp.co.uk for additional information on directions and parking fees.

To book parking spaces for disabled visitors at the Castle, telephone 0131 310 5114 in advance of your visit, as places are limited.

A courtesy vehicle is normally available to take visitors with disabilities from the esplanade to Crown Square. Please contact the castle on 0131 225 9846 to make arrangments.

There is good access around a number of major sights within the castle including: Mons Meg, the Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel viewpoint, the National War Museum of Scotland, the Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, Crown Square, the Crown Room, Scottish National War Memorial, restaurant and shop.

Due to width restrictions, some areas are unsuitable for wheelchair access. These include the military prisons, St Margaret’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Room, King’s Dining Room and Crown Jewels exhibition although most of these are accessible for more mobile visitors.

From Crown Square visitors with disabilities can gain access to the Crown Jewels. There is a ramp over the four steps into the Great Hall and at St Margaret’s Chapel.

Wheelchairs are available from the castle but steep, cobbled roadways make pushing hard work.

The Crown Jewels exhibition has hands-on models of the Scottish Regalia and a Braille interpretation of their history.


A complimentary guided tour (subject to weather and availability of staff) is led by experienced and well-informed stewards. Audio Guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin.


Guidebooks are available in English, Gaelic, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin.


Dogs (except for guide dogs and assistance dogs) are not permitted in the castle due to the volume of visitors..

Opening arrangements & costs

Month	Days	Times
1 April - 30 September	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun	9.30 am to 6.00 pm (last entry 5.00 pm)
1 October - 31 March	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun	9.30 am to 5.00 pm (last entry 4.00 pm)

We recommend at least 2 hours to see the major attractions within the castle.

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with reduced opening hours on 1st January (telephone 0131 225 9846 nearer the time for confirmed hours) and as normal hours from 2nd January. Please note that opening times for the independent museums may vary.

Very occasionally a property has to close at short notice due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons out with our control. Please check our closure page for any unexpected site closures www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/hsclosure. You can also follow closure tweets from @welovehistory using #hsclosure. Alternatively please call the site before setting off to check they are open.

Admission Prices

Visit www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk to buy admission tickets.

Contact

Tel 0131 225 9846