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      Edinburgh Castle: Tickets, Opening Hours and How to Plan Your Visit

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      A stone fortress on a steep rocky hill with green grass, lit by sunshine under blue sky and white cloudsPin it
      A stone fortress on a steep rocky hill with green grass, lit by sunshine under blue sky and white clouds. Photo: ancymonek, Adobe Stock.

      Tickets and opening hours

      Tickets can sell out long before the day, above all in summer, so book online before you travel. When the online allocation is gone, nothing more is sold at the castle itself. the castle's opening times page lists the current hours.

      From 1 April to 30 September the castle opens at 9:30 am (09:30), last entry is at 5:00 pm (17:00) and it closes at 6:00 pm (18:00) In the colder months, from 1 October to 23 December and again from 2 January to 31 March, the morning start is the same, but the last visitors go in at 4:00 pm (16:00) and the castle shuts an hour later.

      It is closed on 25 and 26 December, and on 1 January it opens later, at 11 am (11:00) Set aside at least 2 hours for the main sights.

      Inside the castle

      A floodlit castle on a hill above city rooftops at dusk, with a tall illuminated clock tower on the rightPin it
      A floodlit castle on a hill above city rooftops at dusk, with a tall illuminated clock tower on the right. Photo: surangaw, Adobe Stock.

      You enter from a steep curved route that is surfaced with cobbles, which can be uneven, so wear comfortable shoes. Bag searches may be carried out at the entrance as part of security screening.

      An audio guide works on your own mobile phone or on one of the castle's devices, and twelve languages are covered, among them English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Ukrainian.

      The One o'Clock Gun goes off at 1 pm (13:00) every day apart from Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. It makes a loud, sudden noise, so plan your route around it if you want to see it fired.

      Getting there

      A cobbled old town street at dusk with tall stone buildings, a hanging clock and pink blossom in the foregroundPin it
      A cobbled old town street at dusk with tall stone buildings, a hanging clock and pink blossom in the foreground. Photo: Alexey Fedorenko, Adobe Stock.

      Do not plan on parking at the castle, because it has no public spaces; the nearest car park is Castle Terrace NCP. Waverley is the city's main and most central station, a short walk from the castle, though it is uphill all the way.

      From the airport, the Airlink 100 express bus reaches Waverley Bridge, beside the main railway station, in 25 minutes. More is on the castle's getting here page.

      Walking tours around the castle

      A city skyline of stone towers and spires at sunset under a pink and orange sky, with golden flowers on rocks in the foregroundPin it
      A city skyline of stone towers and spires at sunset under a pink and orange sky, with golden flowers on rocks in the foreground. Photo: TTstudio, Adobe Stock.

      The castle is the high point of the Old Town, and a walk gives it context. The Self-Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh with Audio Guide is an app-guided route that takes in the Royal Mile and approaches the castle esplanade, according to its operator, who adds that entry fees to the castle are not included. The Edinburgh Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour with GPS Map follows a longer route from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse with audio commentary, and its operator also leaves castle entry out.

      For a private introduction, the Private Edinburgh Sightseeing Tour with Scenic and Historic Sites drives past hilltop views and the Old Town, covering the exterior and surroundings of the castle, according to its operator. On any of these, book your own castle ticket first if you want to go inside.

      Frequently asked questions

      Can I buy a ticket at the castle on the day?

      Only if tickets have not sold out online, and in summer they often do, so book ahead.

      How long should I allow?

      Two hours is the minimum for the main sights.

      Is there parking?

      No, it has no public spaces. Use Castle Terrace NCP, the closest car park.

      When is the One o'Clock Gun fired?

      Daily at 1 pm (13:00), except on three days: Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas.

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