Attraction · Edinburgh
Palace of Holyroodhouse: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Holyroodhouse website. Official links are under Sources.
Holyroodhouse is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Children under 5 free; access companion for disabled visitors.
- Otherwise: adult, advance (2026) — £22.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Convert your ticket to a 1-Year Pass for free re-entry for a year (£2 fee to pre-book a return visit).
- £1 tickets for Universal Credit and other named benefits (cheap, not free).
- Christmas displays from 19 Nov 2026 are included in standard admission.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forChildren under 5 free | children under 5 | — | No |
| Free forFree access companion for disabled visitors | carers of visitors with disabilities | — | No |
Official prices
Holyroodhouse ticket prices
| Adult, advance (2026) — On the day £26. Young person 18-24 £14/£17; child 5-17 £11/£13; disabled visitor £11/£13. 2027 prices rise by up to £1. Ticket can be converted to a 1-Year Pass. | £22 |
| Palace of Holyroodhouse + The Edwardians combined ticket, adult advance — Adds the exhibition at The King's Gallery. | £29.70 |
| Exclusive guided tour of the Palace — Small-group daytime or evening tour. | £55 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult, advance (2026)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Holyroodhouse
Timed-entry ticketEdinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.8 · 6.5k reviews1.5 hoursfrom £22
Timed-entry ticketPalace of Holyroodhouse Entry Tickets★★★★★ 4.6 · 5.6k reviewsfrom £22
Timed-entry ticketThe King's Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets★★★★★ 4.5 · 2.7k reviewsfrom £11
Timed-entry ticketPalace of Holyroodhouse: Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.7 · 1.0k reviewsfrom £22
Guided tourPalace of Holyroodhouse Small-Group Exclusive Guided Tour★★★★★ 4.8 · 49 reviewsfrom £55
Timed-entry ticketThe King’s Gallery at Palace of Holyroodhouse: Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.5 · 39 reviewsfrom £11
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
1 Nov-31 Dec 2026: Thursday-Monday 9:30-16:30 (last admission 15:15). Open Thu-Mon most of the year and daily in summer (21 May-7 Sep 2026). Closed 25-26 Dec 2026.
Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
- Arthur's SeatEdinburgh: Guided Hike to Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Parkfrom £24 · 1.1 km
- St Giles' CathedralVisitor Ticket (16+, non-residents of Scotland)from £12 · 1.2 km
- National Museum of ScotlandRoman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, adult advance (14 Nov 2026 - 18 Apr 2027)from £13.50 · 1.3 km
FAQ
Holyroodhouse: common questions
Is Holyroodhouse free?
Holyroodhouse has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Children under 5 free; access companion for disabled visitors. Otherwise the official ticket costs £22.
Who gets free entry to Holyroodhouse?
Children under 5. Carers of visitors with disabilities.
How much is a ticket to Holyroodhouse?
Adult, advance (2026) costs £22 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Holyroodhouse
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- rct.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
- media.rct.uk/sites/default/files/2025-11/10-11-2025%20Opening%20times%20and%20closure%20list.pdf
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.