Bestseller
Royal Edinburgh Ticket
From 93,20 €
Buy the ticket
To explore Edinburgh to the fullest and, most importantly, to save considerably on attraction entry fees, we recommend considering the purchase of a city card.
Edinburgh offers two different tourist passes: the Royal Edinburgh Ticket and the Edinburgh City Pass. Whilst both provide the opportunity to discover the city, they cater to different types of visitors and include different attractions.
The choice between the two depends on various factors: length of stay, personal interests, budget, and whether it’s your first visit or a return to the city. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyse both options in detail to help you make the choice best suited to your needs.
There’s also the Edinburgh Digital Pass, a combined ticket designed for those who want to concentrate their visit on the city’s three iconic attractions in a single convenient and immediate digital purchase.
The Royal Edinburgh Ticket is the ideal tourist pass for those wishing to explore Edinburgh’s principal “royal” attractions. Valid for 48 hours, this pass not only offers access to three of the city’s most iconic sites, but also includes unlimited transport on hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses. The main advantage is the ability to skip queues at all included attractions, a benefit particularly appreciated during peak season. For Edinburgh Castle, a guaranteed time slot is assigned, even when the site is sold out on the official website.
The pass grants access to three important royal attractions:
It also includes unlimited 48-hour access to three hop-on hop-off bus routes:
You can purchase the Royal Edinburgh Ticket online or collect it directly in Edinburgh at the departure point of the sightseeing buses on Waterloo Place. You need to visit the collection point in person to receive the physical tickets for each attraction.
Once activated at the collection point, the pass offers 48 hours of access to the sightseeing buses. As for the attractions, you’ll receive individual tickets which — in the case of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia — can be used even after the 48-hour bus service expires. Edinburgh Castle must be visited within your assigned time slot. Each attraction can be visited once only.
Current prices for the Royal Edinburgh Ticket are:
The Royal Edinburgh Ticket is particularly good value for those visiting Edinburgh for the first time who want to see the main attractions. The estimated saving is 25% compared to buying individual tickets. The real added value lies in the ability to skip queues and the inclusion of the sightseeing bus service, which allows you to travel comfortably between attractions. Before purchasing, check the opening days of the Palace of Holyroodhouse based on the dates of your stay.
The Edinburgh City Pass is a more flexible pass covering over 20 experiences and is aimed at those who want to explore Edinburgh in a more complete and unconventional way. Unlike the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, it doesn’t include direct and independent access to the Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse, but instead offers a broader range of experiences ranging from guided tours to distilleries, adventure parks to museums.
Available in three different durations (1, 2 or 3 days), this pass is designed for those wishing to discover Edinburgh comprehensively.
The pass grants free access to a selection of over 20 experiences, including:
The pass also includes discounts of up to 15-20% on day trips in the surrounding areas (Loch Lomond, Highlands, Stirling).
The Edinburgh City Pass can be purchased online through the official website. The pass is digital and is used directly on your smartphone.
The pass activates on first use and remains valid for the number of days chosen (1, 2 or 3 consecutive days). For some attractions, advance booking is required. Each experience can be enjoyed once only during the validity period.
Prices vary depending on the duration chosen:
Children under 5 enter free to most of the included attractions.
The Edinburgh City Pass is particularly good value for stays of two or three days, for those returning to Edinburgh who have already visited the main attractions, or for those preferring a more varied experience that also includes transport, guided tours and tastings. The 3-day pass offers the best value for money, with estimated savings of up to 40% compared to buying individual tickets.
The Edinburgh Digital Pass, available on Tiqets, is a more compact option compared to the two passes described above, designed for those who want to concentrate their visit on the city’s three iconic attractions in a single convenient and immediate digital purchase.
The pass combines three experiences:
After purchase, a personal 10% discount code valid up to 5 times on other Edinburgh attractions bookable through Tiqets is also sent by email.
All tickets are digital: no physical collection, no kiosk to visit. After purchase, you’ll receive the tickets directly via email and simply need to show them on your smartphone at the entrance of each attraction. Each experience is booked separately by choosing your preferred date and time.
It’s the ideal solution for those with one or two days to spare who want to visit the three main attractions without logistical worries. Compared to the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, it doesn’t include hop-on hop-off buses, but instead offers the Scotch Whisky Experience, a much-appreciated addition. The completely digital management also makes it the most convenient choice for those purchasing at the last minute.
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