Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+

Michèle

Switzerland

May 2025

4/5

Unfortunately, buying the ticket was not as I had imagined. I thought I would get a barcode and that would be the entrance fee. That wasn't the case and I still had to queue at the ticket office.

Marzahn,

Germany

May 2025

5/5

A beautiful castle with a lot of historical background. The audio guide made it easy and convenient to get all the important information. It's essential to book admission in advance so that you can make the most of the excursion.

Richard

United Kingdom

Apr 2025

4/5

Ticketing was good, needed to contact headout as I lost the first set of tickets, but was easy to get them re-issued. Great tour, and so was the tour guide

Peggy

United States

Aug 2025

5/5

It was so convient! and we loved riding on the top of the bus. The commentary along the way was a great way to learn about Edinburgh.

Matthew

New Zealand

Jun 2025

5/5

Easy to book, helpful staff and great to be able to get tickets to to the three Royal attractions. Bus commentary was good and being available in Chinese was great for my wife. Recommend the full package.

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Royal Yacht Britannia | A floating royal residence

The Royal Yacht Britannia holds a significant place in British maritime history as the former royal yacht of the United Kingdom. The yacht stands as a testament to the connection between the British monarchy and maritime traditions, and its legacy continues to be preserved through its role as a museum and tourist attraction, visited by over 300,000 people each year.

Things to know before booking Royal Yacht Britannia tickets

When to buy tickets: Since the Royal Yacht is a popular tourist attraction, it is best to book your tickets in advance. If you decide to book tickets in person at the site, note that only card or contactless payments are accepted. However, note that Armed Forces, student, and carer tickets are only available at the ticket office and cannot be booked online.
What’s included: Your tickets include entry to the Royal Yacht Britannia, access to all five decks on the yacht, and an audio guide in 30 languages.
Guided tour: Opt for an audio-guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia to learn about and explore the attraction simultaneously.
Free entry: Children under the age of 5 years enjoy free entry to the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Accessibility: The Royal Yacht Britannia is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

What to see on the Royal Yacht Britannia

The bridge

From the bridge at the Royal Yacht Britannia, you can see the navigational center of the yacht and learn about its operations.

State Apartments

Marvel at the State Apartments, including the Queen's and Prince Philip's bedrooms and the elegant State Drawing Room that served as a reception room for 250 guests.

Sun Lounge

Visit the Sun Lounge, Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite room, where she enjoyed breakfast and afternoon tea with panoramic views.

Royal bedrooms

Discover the bedrooms of other members of the royal family, which provide a glimpse into their private spaces aboard the yacht.

The Engine Room

Delve into the heart of the yacht by exploring the Engine Room, which showcases the technical aspects of the Royal Yacht Britannia's propulsion.

State Dining Room

Explore the largest and grandest room on board, where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip entertained powerful figures like Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Margaret Thatcher.

Admiral's Cabin

See where the Admiral worked, entertained, and often ate during his time on board. In charge of the Britannia’s operations, the Admiral also had 19 Officers and 220 Yachtsmen working for him.

NAAFI

Explore the NAAFI shop which was stocked with everything the Officers and Yachtsman might need - from toothpaste to Britannia souvenirs.

Crew's quarters

In contrast to the regal State Apartments, see the living quarters where the crew, referred to as Royal Yachtsmen, were cramped in alongside operational equipment.

Royal Deck Tea Room

Enjoy waterfront views as you indulge in scones, sandwiches, and specialty teas in the same spot where the royal family played deck games.

Ther Verandah Deck

See where the royal family sunbathed, played games of quoits or deck hockey, or swam in the collapsible swimming pool. Prince Philip also painted here.

Exhibitions

Be it the Royal Sailing Exhibition or the Royal Yachts Exhibition, see exhibitions showcasing photographs and memorabilia that outline the yacht’s legacy.

Plan your visit to Royal Yacht Britannia

Apr to Sept: 9:30am to 6pm (last entry: 4pm)
Oct: 9:30am to 5:30pm (last entry: 3:30pm)
Nov to Mar: 10am to 5pm (last entry: 3pm)

Note: Last admission on Dec 24 is 2:30pm.

Closed: Jan 1 and Dec 25

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Royal Yacht Britannia is during the spring or early autumn. During this time, the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller and you’ll have to wait less to visit the yacht.

Address: Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, United Kingdom | Find on Maps

By bus: 7,10, 14, 16, 34, 35, Skylink 200, Regal Tour bus
Nearest stop: Commercial Street or Mill Lane
By tram: T50
Nearest stop: Ocean Terminal
By cycle: Leith Cycle Company or Bike Trax
Nearest bike rack: Ocean Terminal
By car: Via B900
Nearest parking: Ocean Terminal Car park (Levels C and E are closest to the entrance)

The entrance to the tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia is on the Ground Floor of the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre.

Washrooms: Toilets are located on four decks on the Britannia.
Baby changing facilities: Baby changing stations are available at the visitor center and onboard the Britannia.
Gift shop: Buy exclusive souvenir gifts, royal gifts, china, toys, or nautical items at the gift shop in the Ocean Terminal Shopping Center.
Audio guides: Audio tours are available in English, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Cantonese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Gaelic, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Welsh.
Car park: There is a free car park on the Ocean Terminal ground floor, including a dedicated space for parent and child bays.
Headphones: While it is recommended to bring your own headphones, you can borrow one from the headphones desk should you require one.

Wheelchair accessibility: The Royal Yacht Britannia is fully wheelchair accessible with lifts and ramps throughout. However, note that wheelchairs should not be wider than 670 mm. Shopmobility electric wheelchairs are not suitable, and the Royal Deck Tea Room is not accessible by electric wheelchairs.
Wheelchair on loan: You can borrow a wheelchair for free from the visitor center.
Lifts: There are two central lifts that connect all five levels of the ship.
Carer tickets: Carers can visit for free if they are accompanying a disabled person. Note that carer tickets cannot be booked online and have to be purchased at the venue.
Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available at the Ocean Terminal car park on level E.
Guide dogs: Guide dogs, hearing dogs, and other recognized assistance dogs are welcome onboard.
Audio tours: Audio handset tours in English with additional information on the ship’s layout are available at the handset desk for visually impaired visitors.
Script: A tour script in English Braille is available.
Visual tours: Tablets with British and American Sign Language are available at the handset desk.

Payments: Only card or contactless payments are accepted. Cash is not accepted.
Pets: Pets are not allowed on board Britannia or at the Ocean Terminal.
Buggies: Buggies no wider than 670 mm are welcome onboard.

Brush up on history: To make the most of your visit to Royal Yacht Britannia, read up on British maritime history to better understand the significance of the royal yacht. Take advantage of the audio-guided tours of Royal Yacht Britannia. Not only does this help you explore the attraction, but it also makes it a great learning experience.
Photography: For the best photography opportunities, consider the outer decks.
Visit other ships: Located within walking distance from the Royal Yacht Britannia, explore the Fingal, the Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound, Coweslip, Bluebottle, and Royal Nore.

Easter: Spot corgis on the Cuddly Corgi Treasure Hunt, try on officers’ uniforms, and celebrate Easter onboard the Britannia during the Easter holidays.
Yottie’s Week: From May 12 to 15, see former Royal Yachtsmen don their white overalls and return to the Britannia and see their work! Chat with them to learn more about life on the Britannia.

On Royal Yacht Britannia:

Royal Deck Tea Room: Located inside the Royal Yacht Britannia, the tea room is a great place to enjoy refreshments and snacks with views of the waterfront. Treat yourself to the Champagne Cream Tea in the same spot as the royal family played deck games while you’re there!

On Fingal:

Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar: Just 5 mins away on the Fingal sister ship, the Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar is a stylish space to relax in the finest Art Deco interiors. Indulge in a 5-course afternoon tea, dinner, or nautical-inspired cocktails.

Budget stays: Britannia Hotel Edinburgh (from £35 | 4.5 km), Edinburgh House Hotel (from £37 | 1.8 km), 4 Friends House (from £38 | 930 m)
Mid-range stays: Premier Inn Edinburgh Leith Waterfront Hotel (from £58 |1.1 km), Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Leith Waterfront (from £61 | 390 m), Malmaison Edinburgh (from £66 | 720 m)
Luxury stays:Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa (from £150 | 4.4 km), The Scotsman Hotel (from £212 | 3.5 km), Fingal Hotel (from £307 | 620 m)

Royal Yacht Britannia on the big screen

Over the past 25 years, Britannia has been featured in many TV series, documentaries, and weather and news segments. You can spot the Britannia on episodes of both Downton Abbey (when the family sails to the Dowager Countess of Grantham’s inherited villa in the South of France) and season 2 of The Crown.

Beyond Royal Yacht Britannia

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is 5.1 km from Royal Yacht Britannia. Perched on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks and offers stunning views of the city.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Just 3.8 km from Royal Yacht Britannia is the famous Palace of Holyroodhouse. The palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland and is located at the end of the Royal Mile.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

Explore the world of Scotch whisky with interactive exhibits and tastings at The Scotch Whisky Experience. The Scotch Whiskey Experience is located 5 km from Royal Yacht Britannia.

Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Yacht Britannia tickets

Why should I book Royal Yacht Britannia tickets online?

You can enjoy cheaper ticket rates online as compared to offline purchases of tickets. Irrespective of the tourist season, you are guaranteed entry to the attraction on the day of your visit if you have booked your tickets online. You can book tickets for the attraction from pretty much anywhere, thus making online booking easy and convenient.

How long does it take to complete a tour of Royal Yacht Britannia?

It will take you around 2 hours to complete a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia. However, allot more time if you want to enjoy afternoon tea at the Royal Deck Tearoom. You are welcome to stay however long you like onboard.

Why are all the clocks onboard stopped at 3:01pm?

All the clocks on board remain stopped at 3:01pm to mark the exact time Queen Elizabeth II was piped ashore for the final time during the decommissioning ceremony.

If I'm running late, can I still visit?

You can still visit, as long as you arrive within our opening hours. The team at the ticket desk will let you on board as soon as possible on your arrival.

What did a day in the life onboard Britannia look like?

A day on Britannia for Queen Elizabeth II would begin at 7:30am. She would have breakfast in the Sun Lounge at 8:30am. At 9:15am, she would commence official duties with her private secretary in the Sitting Room. The queen and the royal family dined in the State Dining Room at 1pm, and afternoon tea was served in the Sun Lounge at 5pm. The rest of the day would be taken up to discuss dress and jewelry requirements for drinks with the Captain in the State Drawing Room Anteroom followed by dinner at 8pm in the State Dining Room. At 9:30, the royal family would retire to the Drawing Room for coffee, drinks, games, films, or even a spin on the piano. The Queen retires to bed at 11pm, and as per custom, no one goes to bed until the monarch does.

Can I book a private tour?

Yes, private guided tours are available that allow you to access areas that are otherwise restricted to the public. Enter through the Royal Brow, the official entrance previously reserved for the royal family, and get exclusive access to the Admiral’s Cabin and the State Apartments, including the State Dining Room, on a private morning tour.

Can I rent the space for a private event?

Yes, you can rent the space for birthday parties, anniversaries, corporate events, or incentive events. The State Dining Room, Officers’ Wardroom, and the Royal Deck are available for drinks receptions or private dining events.