Edinburgh Zoo is a large zoological park set across 82 acres of wooded hillside on Corstorphine Hill in the west of Edinburgh, Scotland. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
To save money, book your Edinburgh Zoo tickets in advance.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the current £30.00 adult ticket price and the shift to the year-round 10:00 am opening time.
Quick facts about Edinburgh Zoo
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open daily from 10:00 am. Closing times vary by season (4:00 pm to 6:00 pm). |
| Ticket prices | Adults £30.00, Concessions £27.00, Children (3–15) £22.50, Under 3s go free. |
| Address | 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS, Scotland. |
| Nearest public transport | Lothian Buses (Lines 12, 26, 31) to the main entrance. |
| Typical time needed | 3 to 5 hours. |
Edinburgh Zoo opening hours
Edinburgh Zoo opens at 10:00 am every day of the year, closing entirely only on Christmas Day. Closing times adjust depending on the season.
During the winter months (November to February), the zoo closes at 4:00 pm. During the shoulder seasons in March and October, the closing time extends to 5:00 pm. During the summer season from April through to September, the park remains open until 6:00 pm. Last entry to the zoo is always one hour before closing time, and some indoor animal houses close 30 minutes before the rest of the park.
Why book tickets for Edinburgh Zoo?
- 🐧 Penguins Rock: Home to the world-famous penguin parade and Sir Nils Olav, the only knighted penguin in the world, living in one of Europe’s largest outdoor pools.
- 🐨 UK’s Only Queensland Koalas: Visit the Koala Territory to see these unique marsupials, as Edinburgh Zoo is the only location in the UK where you can find them.
- 🐒 Budongo Trail: Explore a world-leading, interactive chimpanzee enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat and showcase their complex social behaviors.
- 🦒 Majestic Giraffes & Sloths: Get close to a herd of nubian giraffes and visit Scotland’s only sloths, part of a collection of over 2,500 incredible animals.
- 🏙️ Stunning City Views: Take a break from the wildlife to enjoy panoramic vistas of the Edinburgh skyline from the zoo’s unique hillside location on Corstorphine Hill.
Edinburgh Zoo ticket prices
Standard single-day tickets for Edinburgh Zoo cost £27.50 for adults, £24.50 for concessions (students with valid ID and seniors over 65), and £20.45 for children aged 3 to 15. Children under the age of three enter for free but still require a booked ticket. Visitors who require special assistance receive free admission for one accompanying carer.
These prices are for tickets booked online without a Gift Aid donation. Pay on the gate, and it’ll be a little bit more expensive.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
Edinburgh Zoo is not generally included in the standard multi-attraction city passes, meaning visitors will need separate tickets for other paid attractions in the Scottish capital, such as Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and The Real Mary King’s Close.
Five great things to do while you’re in Edinburgh
Discover the Old Town’s underground vaults on a walking tour.
- Follow the Da Vinci Code on a Rosslyn Chapel day tour.
- Learn dozens of stories on a guided walk of the Royal Mile and Old Town.
- Explore the best places to eat in Edinburgh on a food tour.
- Let an expert guide take you around Edinburgh’s Harry Potter locations.
How to get to Edinburgh Zoo
The zoo is located on Corstorphine Road, approximately three miles west of the city centre. The direct way to reach the attraction is via public transport using Lothian Buses services 12, 26, and 31, which depart frequently from Princes Street, Haymarket, and Waverley Station and drop passengers directly outside the main gates.
For visitors arriving directly from Edinburgh Airport, the Airlink 100 express bus also stops immediately outside the zoo entrance on its route into the city centre.
Parking at Edinburgh Zoo
There is an on-site visitor car park located at the main entrance, but spaces are strictly limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking costs £10.00, but zoo visitors can have their ticket validated at the admissions desk to reduce the fee to £3.00.
Parking is free for Blue Badge holders and Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) members. Because the car park frequently fills up early in the day during school holidays and summer weekends, taking the bus is highly recommended.
Books set in Edinburgh
If you want to get a good feel for Edinburgh before visiting, it’s worth reading a book or two set there. Options include…
- Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – an inspirational teacher changes lives with equal parts comedy and tragedy.
- The Heart of Midlothian – arguably Sir Walter Scott’s finest work.
- Ian Rankin’s Rebus books – gripping, grouchy detective novels.
- Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting series – for the city’s gritty side.
- David Nicholls’ One Day – an innovative and emotive romance, tracked by the same date each year.
The links above are to Amazon. You can probably get them all cheaper at World of Books, which is where I buy most of my books.
How long to spend at Edinburgh Zoo
Most visitors spend between three and five hours exploring the 82-acre site.
Because the zoo is situated on a steep hill, navigating the winding paths between enclosures requires moderate physical exertion and extra time. Factoring in scheduled animal talks, a meal break, and the steep inclines, dedicating a full half-day is necessary to see the entire park.
Accessibility at Edinburgh Zoo
Due to its location on Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh Zoo features steep slopes and gradients that can be challenging for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility. A free mobility vehicle operates daily from April to October to transport visitors to the top of the hill.
Manual wheelchairs can be hired for a £10 refundable deposit, and motorised mobility scooters are available for a £25 refundable deposit. Visitors can also borrow free sensory bags from the admissions desk, which include noise-cancelling ear defenders and sunglasses. Accessible toilets and a dedicated quiet space are available on-site.
Inside Edinburgh Zoo
The zoo is known for its conservation work and large animal habitats. Penguins Rock is a prominent area, featuring a large outdoor penguin pool. It houses colonies of gentoo, rockhopper, and king penguins, which can be viewed from above and through underwater viewing panels.
Koala Territory is another key exhibit, housing Queensland koalas. The indoor habitat is specially designed with climbing branches and eucalyptus stations.
The Budongo Trail is a large chimpanzee enclosure featuring an expansive outdoor climbing frame and a network of indoor rooms that visitors can observe through glass windows.
Further up the hill, visitors will find the Giraffe House, which welcomed a bachelor herd of Nubian giraffes in 2021. The upper sections of the zoo also house Sumatran tigers, Asiatic lions, and sun bears, alongside panoramic views looking back over the city of Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Practical advice |
| Timing | Arrive exactly at 10:00 am to secure a space in the limited on-site car park before it reaches capacity. |
| Crowds | Book an online entry time slot in advance to bypass the long queues during Scottish school holidays. |
| Layout | Walk straight to the top of the hill first while you have energy, then slowly zig-zag your way back down. |
| Entry process | Download the free digital map to your phone before arriving, as physical paper maps are not widely distributed. |
| On-site logistics | Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes, as the steep inclines and uneven paths can be tiring in flat footwear. |
Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh Zoo
| Search query | Answer |
| Is Edinburgh Zoo suitable for children? | Yes, the zoo features multiple play areas and interactive trails, though pushing a pram up the steep hill is strenuous. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Edinburgh Zoo? | No, walk-up tickets are available, but booking online in advance is highly recommended to save money. |
| Is Edinburgh Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes, the zoo is open every Sunday year-round, closing only on Christmas Day. |
| Are dogs allowed at Edinburgh Zoo? | No, pet dogs are strictly prohibited as they can distress the animals; only trained assistance dogs are permitted. |
Things to do near Edinburgh Zoo
- Murrayfield Stadium: The home of Scottish rugby, located just down Corstorphine Road, offering guided stadium tours.
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art: A pair of gallery buildings set in extensive sculpture parks, situated slightly closer to the city centre.
- Dean Village: A picturesque and historic milling village situated in a tranquil gorge along the Water of Leith walkway.
- Edinburgh Castle: The historic fortress dominating the city skyline, reachable via a direct 20-minute bus ride from the zoo. Make sure you book tickets in advance.
- Princes Street Gardens: A public park separating the Old Town and New Town, located at the end of the bus routes serving the zoo.
More Edinburgh travel
Other Edinburgh travel stories on Planet Whitley include:
- Guides to Mons Meg and the One O’Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle.
- How to get to the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill.
- Review of the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith.
- How to visit Newhailes House in Musselburgh.
- Guides to Edinburgh Old Town attractions: Dynamic Earth and St Giles’ Cathedral.
