Royal Edinburgh Ticket

See Scotland's top three royal attractions - including Edinburgh Castle - with one great-value pass

e-voucher

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket key selling points

Save up to 25%

Compared to buying individual tickets: visit 3 royal attractions + 48hr bus pass and pay only £70 (instead £95)

Highlights

Make the most of your visit with the Royal Edinburgh Ticket : your all-in-one pass to explore Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia, plus unlimited travel on Edinburgh’s hop-on, hop-off city tours for 48 hours. It’s the easiest and most cost-effective way to experience the capital’s royal highlights.
Explore Edinburgh Castle, the most visited landmark in Scotland: with nearly 1,000 years of history, this iconic fortress offers breathtaking views of Edinburgh, immersive exhibits, and a deep dive into Scotland’s royal legacy. A must-see for history lovers and first-time visitors alike.
Step into the grandeur of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of His Majesty The King in Scotland: discover centuries of royal history, walk through majestic state apartments, and visit the ruins of Holyrood Abbey—all nestled at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Tour the award-winning Royal Yacht Britannia, once the private vessel of the British Royal Family: ranked among Scotland’s top attractions, this floating palace offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at royal life at sea, complete with elegant rooms and historic memorabilia.
Edinburgh, a city where ancient history meets vibrant modern life : wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, marvel at Georgian architecture in the New Town, and soak up the creative energy of world-famous festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe.

What's included

Entry to Edinburgh Castle
Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse
Entry to Royal Yacht Britannia
48 hours unlimited Edinburgh Bus Tour travel (on any of three bus tours: Edinburgh Tour, The Regal Tour and City Sightseeing)

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket is valid for 48 hours. It is date stamped at the main departure point at Waterloo Place. In order to redeem your Royal Edinburgh Ticket, prepaid e-vouchers and e-tickets, must be exchanged/validated with ticket sellers at the tour departure point before boarding at:

Edinburgh Bus Tours, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

The aim of this Edinburgh attractions pass is to allow you to visit all three attractions within the validity of the ticket, however entry to the Britannia or the Palace of Holyroodhouse could be used after the validity of tour bus travel if required.

Edinburgh Castle

An allocated time slot will be given to the Royal Edinburgh Ticket holder at time of validation / exchange. Entry to the castle is guaranteed, even if the castle’s own website is sold out

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays except for July - September, when it is open 7 days a week
The palace accepts entry after the 48 hours validity of the Royal Edinburgh Ticket if guests are able to go another day

Royal Yacht Britannia

Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing for touring the five decks.

Ticket restrictions

Royal Edinburgh Ticket bookings are non-refundable
Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult
The Royal Edinburgh Ticket Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket is valid for 48 hours from the moment of redemption

Edinburgh Castle

Regular opening times are:

1 April - 30 September: 9:30am - 6:00pm (last admission 5:00pm)
1 October - 31 March: 9:30am - 5:00pm (last admission 4:00pm)

Please note: Opening times for the independent museums at the castle may vary.

Planned closures:

25th and 26th December
1st January - open from 11:00am

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except during July to September when we are open 7 days a week.

Regular opening times are:

November - March: Thursday - Monday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm (last admission 3:15 pm)
April - June: Thursday - Monday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm (last admission 4:30 pm)
July - September: Open daily 9:30 am - 6:00 pm (last admission 4:30 pm)
October: Thursday - Monday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm (last admission 4:30 pm)

Planned Palace closures:

26 December

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the setting for State ceremonies and official entertaining so opening arrangements may change at short notice.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Regular opening times are:

January - March: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (last admission 3:00 pm)
April - August: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm (last admission 4:00 pm)
September: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (last admission 4:00 pm)
October: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm (last admission 3:30 pm)
November - December: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (last admission 3:00 pm)

Planned closures and schedule changes:

Last admission on 24 December is 2:30 pm
25 December

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Service

The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Services operate 7 days a week, almost every day of the year (no service on 24, 25, 26, 31 December and 1 & 2 January)
Tour operating times vary with season

Accessibility information
Edinburgh Castle
Located on top of a steep slope which may be challenging for some disabled customers
Some areas are not wheelchair accessible due to width restrictions
A mobility vehicle to Crown Square is available on request, and can be arranged by staff at the castle entrance
Two manual wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis
Only assistance dogs are permitted, including within roofed areas
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Manual wheelchairs and rollators (wheeled walking aids with a seat) are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come first-served basis for the duration of a visit
Mobility scooters can also be used in the Palace grounds and are permitted in the Palace as long as they are compatible with the lift. The lift measures 130cm width x 125cm depth with a weight limit of 800kg and the door width is 89cm
Accessible toilets available
Registered assistance dogs are welcome
The multimedia guide is available in British Sign Language (BSL) and with subtitles, and an audio-descriptive guide is available for blind or partially-sighted visitors
Royal Yacht Britannia
The nearest dedicated parking for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments is on Levels C and E of the multi-storey car park at Ocean Terminal
For wheelchair users: Shopmobility scooters are generally unsuitable on Britannia due to the gradient of the ramps on board
The Royal Deck Tea Room is highly accessible for wheelchairs less than 670mm in width and buggies by internal lift from the Royal Bedrooms. The Tea Room is not accessible by Shopmobility scooters. The tables and chairs are moveable for wheelchair access
Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour
All tour buses have ramped access
All tour buses have wheelchair accessible spaces
A Class 2 mobility scooter is welcome on board if a wheelchair accessible space is available
Please contact our customer service team before booking should you require further accessibility information regarding the attractions/experience.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I redeem my Royal Edinburgh Ticket?
Your Royal Edinburgh Ticket, prepaid e-vouchers and e-tickets, must be exchanged/validated with ticket sellers at the tour departure point prior to boarding the bus tour.
Address: Edinburgh Bus Tours, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG.

What is the Royal Edinburgh Ticket?
The Royal Edinburgh Ticket is a convenient city pass that includes entry to three of Edinburgh’s top royal attractions:
Edinburgh Castle
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Royal Yacht Britannia
It also offers 48-hour unlimited travel on Edinburgh’s hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses.
How much does the Royal Edinburgh Ticket cost?

Ticket prices start at £76 for an adult and £40 for a child (from 5 to 15 years old).

Is there an Edinburgh city pass?

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket functions as a city pass for royal attractions and sightseeing buses. Other passes may be available for museums and general activities, but this is the most popular for royal-themed visits.
Is Edinburgh Castle suitable for children?

Absolutely! Edinburgh Castle offers interactive exhibits, family-friendly tours, and special events for kids. Children under 7 enter free with a paying adult.