Do I have to see both Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse on the same day with a combo?

Not always. Many combo products let you book each experience in its own slot, though same-day use is the simplest plan because the attractions are linked by the Royal Mile.

How much time should I leave between Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse?

Leave at least 30–45 minutes if you’re walking comfortably and want a short buffer. The direct Royal Mile route itself takes about 20–25 minutes.

What should I do if I’m visiting during peak season when both experiences might be crowded?

Book the combo as soon as you know your date. Castle tickets are the first constraint, while Holyroodhouse closures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays can reshape your plan.

What happens if one experience is cancelled due to weather?

Full weather cancellations are uncommon, but if one visit is disrupted by closure or operational changes, providers usually offer a rebooking, alternative, or partial refund under the ticket terms.

Can I bring my own food or drinks?

Food and drink usually aren’t part of this combo. Use on-site cafés or eat between visits, because historic interiors prioritize preservation and controlled visitor routes.

Are both accessible for people with mobility issues?

Access is uneven rather than impossible. Holyroodhouse is more mobility-friendly, while Edinburgh Castle has steep slopes and steps; choose the combo knowing the castle remains the limiting stop.

Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse Combo Tickets

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Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

What's not allowed

Edinburgh Castle

Luggage, large bags, and bags over 30L in volume are not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle.
Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.
Drones are strictly prohibited on the premises.
Access to the roof is not permitted in poor weather conditions.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Bags larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm are not allowed in this experience.
Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
Photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.
Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
In consideration of other visitors, mobile phones must be switched off inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Accessibility

Edinburgh Castle

The experience is not fully wheelchair-accessible due to uneven terrain and steps within the castle grounds and surrounding areas.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Concessionary rates for disabled visitors and a complimentary companion ticket are only available to book directly with Royal Collection Trust.

Additional information

Edinburgh Castle

The guided tour takes place outdoors around Edinburgh Castle. Entry to interior buildings is not included during the guided portion, but you may explore them independently after the tour.
Specific stops during the tour are assigned by castle authorities and may vary.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult to join the tour.
Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 mins before your scheduled start time.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice.
You may be subject to security checks. Some items may have to be checked in and reclaimed at the end of your visit.
For safety and security reasons, a one-way route operates inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Last admission time is 3:15pm.
Under 5s must be booked with a paid ticket.
The tour is only available when the Palace is closed to other visitors.
Please arrive at least 15 mins before your scheduled tour time.

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Free cancellation

Explore at your pace

Guided tour

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Why combine Edinburgh Castle & Palace of Holyroodhouse?

Easy walk

Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse sit at opposite ends of the Royal Mile, so you can turn two separate attractions into one clear, walkable Old Town itinerary.

Full royal story

The castle explains Scotland’s military power and crown traditions, while Holyroodhouse adds the lived-in royal side, from State Apartments to Mary, Queen of Scots’ chambers and abbey ruins.

Better value

Buying a dedicated combo can be cheaper than separate entries, especially when it bundles a castle guided tour with palace admission and removes the need for multiple transaction fees.

Less coordination

Edinburgh Castle’s timed entry is the harder ticket to secure. Pairing it with Holyroodhouse in one purchase cuts planning stress and keeps your day anchored.

Smarter upgrades

Combos let you choose guided or small-group options, so you can add context at the castle or palace without rebuilding your itinerary from scratch.

The best ways to explore both

Aspect	Separate tickets	Combo tickets
Cost	Castle from £39 online + Holyroodhouse about £22; roughly £61.	About £57.95 with 5% savings; guided upgrades cost more.
Availability	Castle slots disappear first; palace Tuesday/Wednesday closures complicate planning.	One booking reduces mismatch risk and secures the castle first.
Timeslots	You manage the castle slot, palace day, and Royal Mile walk.	Built around the same route, so timing feels simpler.
Convenience	Two checkouts, two confirmations, and separate venue rules.	One payment, one booking flow, and clearer inclusions.
Flexibility	Best if you want to split visits across days.	More structured, but easier once you’ve chosen a day.
Best for	Visitors mixing Old Town sightseeing with other neighborhoods.	Visitors covering both royal landmarks in one efficient day.

Making the most of your experience

Plan one royal day: Allow 2 hours at Edinburgh Castle, then walk 20–25 minutes down the Royal Mile for a 1.5-hour palace visit. Add lunch midway. Total: 5 hours.
Upgrade smartly: Choose the castle guided tour for context you won’t get from room labels, or add the palace guided tour upgrade for a closer look at the State Apartments.
See both royal stories: The castle covers Crown Jewels, St. Margaret’s Chapel, and the One O’Clock Gun; Holyroodhouse adds Mary, Queen of Scots’ rooms and abbey ruins.

Edinburgh Castle: Daily 9:30am–6pm from April to September, and 9:30am–5pm from October to March. Last entry is usually 1 hour before closing.

Palace of Holyroodhouse: Usually 9:30am–6pm from April to October, and 9:30am–4:30pm from November to March. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with last admission at 3:15pm.

Start at the castle: Its timed entry and uphill approach are easier earlier, and the route to Holyroodhouse then becomes a mostly downhill Royal Mile walk.

Best strategy: Choose a late-morning castle slot if you want the One O’Clock Gun, or go early and leave the palace for a calmer mid-afternoon finish.

Location context: Both landmarks sit on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in Old Town — the castle crowns the west end, and Holyroodhouse anchors the east end.

Edinburgh Castle: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United Kingdom | Find on Maps

Palace of Holyroodhouse: Canongate, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom | Find on Maps

Between them: Walk 20–25 minutes via Lawnmarket, High Street, and Canongate. There’s no practical metro for this route. Taxis usually take about 10 minutes. Waverley Station sits roughly midway if you’re arriving by rail.

Parking: City-centre parking is limited and expensive. Castle Terrace Car Park works best for the castle; NCP Edinburgh Holyrood Road is more convenient for the palace. Moving on foot is usually easier than relocating a car.

Edinburgh Castle: Not fully wheelchair-accessible because of steep slopes, cobbles, and steps across the grounds.

Palace of Holyroodhouse: Wheelchair and stroller accessible, except in parts of Mary, Queen of Scots’ rooms.

Sensory comfort: Holyroodhouse offers a calmer indoor route; the castle is more exposed to crowds, wind, and uneven surfaces.

Service animals: Registered guide dogs are welcome at Holyroodhouse, and service animals are the exception to pet restrictions at the castle.

Walk west to east: Start at the castle and finish at Holyroodhouse, so the Royal Mile slopes gently downward instead of forcing an uphill return.
Time the gun: Choose a castle slot that puts you near the Half Moon Battery before 1pm if the One O’Clock Gun matters to you.
See the jewels first: The Honours of Scotland draw lines fastest, so head there before lingering in the Great Hall or battlements.
Respect palace rules: Photography is not allowed inside the State Apartments, and phones should be switched off indoors.
Pack lightly: Edinburgh Castle bans bags over 30L, while Holyroodhouse restricts larger backpacks, so this combo works best with a small day bag.
Use the Royal Mile well: Pause midway for lunch on Canongate rather than backtracking toward Princes Street between attractions.
Pick your weather window: Wind and rain are felt much more at the castle; if the forecast worsens later, keep the palace for the second half.

Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse combo tickets

You can visit them separately, but the combo usually costs less and saves you from coordinating two bookings, two entry rules, and the castle’s harder-to-get timed availability.

Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse Combo Tickets

Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

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