Park & garden · Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Royal Botanic Garden website. Official links are under Sources.
Royal Botanic Garden is free to visit.
- Garden grounds free; Palm Houses ticketed.
- Also free: Palm Houses free for children 15 and under; Palm Houses: accompanying carer free.
- Members must also book a time slot.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free areaGarden grounds free; Palm Houses ticketed | everyone | Only the Palm Houses (reopened 2 Oct 2026) are ticketed; all other glasshouses remain closed for restoration. Some garden areas temporarily restricted. | No |
| Free forPalm Houses free for children 15 and under | children under 16 | — | Yes |
| Free with passPalm Houses free for RBGE Members | members | — | Yes |
| Free forPalm Houses: accompanying carer free | carers of visitors with disabilities | — | Yes |
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
Daily from 10:00: Feb-Oct until 17:00; Nov and Jan until 16:00; Dec until 15:30. Closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. May close in extreme weather. Palm Houses: timed entry 10:15-16:15.
Arboretum Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ, United Kingdom
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Royal Botanic Garden
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Royal Botanic Garden: common questions
Is Royal Botanic Garden free?
Yes — Royal Botanic Garden is free to visit. Garden grounds free; Palm Houses ticketed. Also free: Palm Houses free for children 15 and under; Palm Houses: accompanying carer free.
Who gets free entry to Royal Botanic Garden?
Children under 16. Carers of visitors with disabilities.
Do I need to book for free entry to Royal Botanic Garden?
Timed slots; book online to guarantee entry.
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What visitors say about Royal Botanic Garden
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Sources
Where this comes from
- rbge.org.uk/visit/royal-botanic-garden-edinburgh/ · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
- rbge.org.uk/whats-on/palm-houses/ · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.