Edinburgh Castle tours – which include admission tickets – often have availability when straight entry tickets have sold out. This guide – freshly updated for 2026 – tells you how to get into Edinburgh Castle when the ticket office says no
Want to skip the explanation and just book a tour that gets you into Edinburgh Castle? Check which tours have availability here.
What to see at Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is justifiably one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.
One of Europe’s best castles, it has a rich history, with the oldest part – St Margaret’s Chapel – dating back to around 1130. It also has several museums and exhibitions that are worth visiting in their own right. The Scottish National War Memorial and Prisons of War are fascinating, although the National War Museum is pretty tedious and best skipped if on a limited schedule.
Do you need an advance ticket for Edinburgh Castle?
Unfortunately, a lot of visitors make the mistake of assuming they can just walk up to Edinburgh Castle and buy a ticket on the gate. Sometimes, this is the case.
But in Edinburgh‘s peak summer season, chances are all the Edinburgh tickets will have sold out online in advance.
And not just for one day, but often several – including Mondays.
What are Edinburgh Castle tours like?
If you really want to see Edinburgh Castle, but have forgotten to book well in advance, the best workaround is to book a tour.
There are several Edinburgh Castle tours available, and they’re all much of a muchness.
There will be plenty of stories of misfiring guns, crafty conquests and lengthy sieges – all fairly entertaining.
However, the tour guides are not permitted to go inside the buildings of Edinburgh Castle – the tours are conducted entirely outside.
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.
Do Edinburgh Castle tours include an admission ticket?
What these Edinburgh Castle tours do have in common, however, is access.
The tours include an admission ticket to the castle.
Once the tour guide has finished talking, you’re left to explore on your own. That’s when you can go inside the buildings, see the Royal Palace and ogle Scotland’s version of the Crown Jewels.
Getting into Edinburgh Castle when tickets have sold out
In July 2025, I checked the Edinburgh Castle website for tickets for the next day.
Tickets were entirely sold out for the next day and the day after.
However, going onto Viator, I could find a guided tour for £37 which got me into Edinburgh Castle at 10am the next day.
Given it’s easy enough to spend a day at the castle, that’s really not such a bad deal.
And there’s plenty to do around Edinburgh Castle if you have to wait a while.
All information is correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change in the future.
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.
Edinburgh Castle costs and timings
Visiting Edinburgh Castle requires a ticket for entry; you cannot enter the grounds for free. When I last checked, the cheapest online adult ticket was £21.50, which is always less than the price at the gate. The castle is open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Summer opening hours run from 9.30 am to 6 pm (April to September), with the last entry at 5 pm. Winter hours are from 9.30 am to 5 pm (October to March), with last entry at 4 pm.
Don’t miss the famous One o’clock Gun firing every day at 1 pm, except on Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday. Members of Historic Scotland get free entry, and British Armed Forces personnel also get in for free.
At a glance: Visiting Edinburgh Castle
The following visitor information was verified in January 2026.
| Detail | Information |
| Price | Adult tickets start at £21.50 (online) |
| Opening hours | 9.30 am daily (Summer until 6 pm, Winter until 5 pm) |
| Address | Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG |
| Free for | Historic Scotland members; Carers accompanying a visitor with disabilities; Serving British Armed Forces personnel |
| Last entry | One hour before closing time |
Things to do near Edinburgh Castle
This famous European castle stands at the top of the Royal Mile. This historic stretch offers a perfect hub for exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town on foot.
The Royal Mile – The historic main street running from the castle down to Holyrood Palace. It is lined with pubs, shops, and old closes, or alleyways.
St Giles’ Cathedral – Edinburgh’s principal church, with its distinctive crown spire. It has been a central part of the city’s religious life for centuries.
The Scotch Whisky Experience – A visitor attraction next to the castle, offering tours and tastings that introduce you to Scotland’s national drink.
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions – A fun, family-friendly attraction with interactive exhibits and a unique rooftop camera offering 360-degree views of the city.
The National Museum of Scotland – A large, engaging museum that covers Scottish history, natural history, science, and technology. It is a short walk off the Royal Mile.
Practical tips: Edinburgh Castle
- Location: The castle dominates the city skyline from Castle Rock. It sits at the very top of the Royal Mile.
- Getting there: The castle is in a pedestrianised area. Walk or take a bus or tram to a nearby stop, then walk uphill. There is no public parking available for visitors.
- Time needed: Budget at least two to three hours to see the key attractions like the Honours of Scotland, Mons Meg and the Great Hall.
- Photography rules: Photography is permitted across most of the site. I would suggest getting your wide shots early to avoid the crowds.
- Dress code: No specific dress code exists. However, as the site is highly exposed to the elements, wear layers and comfortable shoes. The cobbles are unforgiving.
- Accessibility: The castle grounds are very steep and cobbled, making mobility difficult. A mobility vehicle is available on request to transport visitors to the upper Crown Square.
- Crowds: The castle is Scotland’s most popular paid attraction. Book the first entry slot of the day to avoid the worst queues and crowds.
FAQs: Edinburgh Castle
| Question | Answer |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Yes, booking online in advance is essential. It guarantees your entry and gives you the best price. Tickets often sell out. Look to book a tour as a workaround if so. |
| What is the One o’clock Gun? | It is a cannon fired every day at 1 pm (except Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday). It was historically used to allow ships in the Firth of Forth to set their chronometers. |
| What are the Honours of Scotland? | They are the Scottish Crown Jewels, the oldest set of crown jewels in the UK. They are displayed in the Crown Room within the Royal Palace. |
| How long does it take to tour the castle? | Most people spend two to three hours here. If you want to see the museums and the exhibitions, allow for closer to three and a half hours. |
| Can I see the castle without paying? | You can walk up the approach road for views and photos, but you must have a ticket to enter the main gate and the historic buildings. |
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself.
More Scotland travel
Other Scotland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- National Museum of Scotland review: Which bit to visit first?
- The Dean Village: Edinburgh’s secret, scenic escape.
- How to spend a perfect day in Edinburgh.
- Review of the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour.
- Are there any direct flights from Edinburgh to Oslo?
- Guide to Glasgow’s West End for first time visitors.
