Getting here

Edinburgh Castle is easy to spot from most parts of the city. The mighty fortress has dominated the skyline of Scotland’s capital for centuries.

Location

Edinburgh Castle 
The Esplanade 
Edinburgh
EH1 2NG

National Grid reference: NT 252 734

Information Point telephone: 0131 225 9846

Air

Edinburgh Airport is within easy reach and has good bus and tram links to the city centre. Visit edinburghairport.com

Rail

Waverley is Edinburgh’s main and most central station. It’s just a short walk to the castle, which can be seen from the station exits – though it’s uphill all the way.

Haymarket Station, also in the city centre, is to the west of Princes Street.

Bus

The Airlink 100 express bus runs from the airport to the city centre. It takes 25 minutes to reach Waverley Bridge, next to the main railway station.

Visit lothianbuses.com

Some hop-on, hop-off bus tours make a stop by the castle.

Visit edinburghtour.com

Or look for local buses with the Mound or George IV Bridge on their route.

Tram

Trams leave the airport every 7 minutes from early until late. The journey to Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main shopping street, takes about 30 minutes.

Visit edinburghtrams.com

Car

There is no public parking at Edinburgh Castle. Castle Terrace NCP is the nearest car park.

There are a small number of parking spaces available for ticket holders with Blue Badges on the Castle Esplanade. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that vehicle access will be limited between the Whisky Experience and Cannonball House from Mon 22 to Fri 26 April due to maintenance works on Castlehill being carried out by Scottish Power. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Bicycle

There are bike racks on the left hand side as you enter the esplanade, behind the ticket box (not accessible when the Tattoo stands are in place).

Bike racks are available nearby at:

  • Victoria Street
  • Waverley Station
  • Chambers Street