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Edinburgh Tickets

Palace of Holyroodhouse entrance | Which lane to use and how to skip the line

Quick overview: Palace of Holyroodhouse entrance

The Palace of Holyroodhouse has one main public visitor entrance located at the foot of the Royal Mile (Canongate) in the main courtyard/piazza. The King's Gallery sits in the same complex but operates with its own separate entrance adjacent to the main palace gates.

  • Shortest queues: Arrive before 10:30am or after 2:30pm.
  • Timed-ticket holders: Main Visitor Entrance, pre-booked ticket lane.
  • On-the-day buyers: Main Visitor Entrance, ticket office counters.
  • Guided tours/Audio guides: Collect handsets inside the visitor entrance after security.
  • Step-free access: Main Visitor Entrance via ramped access.

→ Find the right lane based on your ticket type

Find the right lane based on your ticket type

Ticket typeUse this entranceNotes

Standard timed entry

Main Visitor Entrance (Palace Courtyard)

Join the pre-booked timed slot lane < 15 min early

King's Gallery entry

The King's Gallery Entrance

Dedicated entrance adjacent to the main courtyard entrance

Guided tour

Main Visitor Entrance

Show voucher at ticket scanner; collect multimedia guide inside

On-the-day purchase

Main Visitor Entrance (Ticket Desk)

No skip-the-line benefit; standard ticket and security queues apply

Meet your host at the right lane

Book a combined Palace and King's Gallery ticket to explore both the historic State Apartments and royal art collections with a single seamless entry point.

Accessible entrances at Palace of Holyroodhouse

Entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and The King's Gallery is step-free via smooth paving and ramped access at the main visitor entrance. Staff are positioned at the entrance gates to assist visitors requiring step-free access or priority routing.

Inside the Palace, the ground floor and courtyard areas are fully accessible. Due to the historical structure of the building, upper levels, including Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers, are accessed via stairs, though stair-climbers and wheelchair lifts are available for standard manual wheelchairs (max. width/weight restrictions apply). Free companion tickets are available for disabled visitors when booked alongside an access ticket.

Security, bags & re-entry

Frequently asked questions about Palace of Holyroodhouse entrances

Yes, The King's Gallery has its own dedicated entrance nearby in the entry courtyard. If you hold a ticket for both attractions, check in at the gallery entrance first or follow signage in the courtyard.