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Opening Times
The Zoo is open every day of the year - even Christmas Day! - from 9.00am.
The closing times are as follows:
April-September 6.00pm
October and March 5.00pm
November-February 4.30pm
Last entry is 1 hour before closure.
The animal houses close 15 minutes prior to these times.
During the winter, if conditions are particularly snowy or icy the zoo may not open; check with the zoo before travelling.
Admission Prices
Adult: | £16.50 |
Child 3-15: | £12.00 |
Child under 3: | Free |
Concession*: | £14.00 |
Carer accompanying disabled visitor | Free |
Family (1 + 2): | £36.45 |
Family (1 + 3): | £47.25 |
Family (2 + 2): | £51.30 |
Family (2 + 3): | £62.10 |
*Concessions include seniors, students, unemployed and disabled, and proof of eligibility may be needed. | |
Note: Cheques are not accepted as payment for admission. | |
Viewing for the Giant Pandas is included in these prices, but is time-ticketed - you will need to book your time-slot when you buy your entry tickets; see the zoo's website for details. | |
Group and membership rates also available; see zoo's website for details. | |
Description
Edinburgh Zoo is set in 82 acres of sloping parkland three miles to the west of Edinburgh city centre and can boast to having over 1,000 rare and beautiful animals. As well as the animals, Edinburgh Zoo offers its visitors a wide range of eating facilities, a gift shop, and several play areas for the children. There is also a busy programme of events, such as keeper talks and hands-on animal encounter sessions, throughout the day, and the free hilltop safari ride with commentary gives visitors the opportunity to ride to the top of the hill on which the zoo is situated, or take a full circuit.
Edinburgh Zoo is one of Europe's leading centres of conservation, education and research, and takes part in many international conservation programmes to help ensure the survival of threatened animal species. It is one of Scotland's most successful visitor attractions, second only to Edinburgh Castle in terms of paying visitors, with over 650,000 visitors a year, and has been awarded four stars by the Visit Scotland quality assurance scheme.
Official Website
(Opens in separate window)
Facilities
Car Park
£4.00 (£2.00 for members)
Eating
Mansion House full service restaurant (for a taste of luxury!)
Stripes café offers a range of full and lighter meals
Oasis café offers a range of light meals (school holidays only) and snacks
Several kiosks serving snacks and ice creams
Several picnic areas.
For Kids
Baby changing facilities, several play areas including a play area especially for the under 5s, meet the keepers, brass rubbings,
Special Needs
Edinburgh is accessible to wheelchair users but because it is built on a hillside, there are steep areas and it is recommended that disabled visitors follow an easier route details of which can be obtained from reception on arrival. The hilltop safari ride is also accessible (and recommended) for wheelchair users and those with mobility problems.
Wheelchairs are loaned on a first come first served basis.
Visually impaired visitors may enjoy the Close Encounters animal handling sessions - tickets are issued on a first come first served basis and the sessions are run daily from April to September and weekends from October to March.
Restrictions
Children aged 14 or under must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 17 or over.
Assistance dogs are permitted in the Zoo but visitors are asked to respect guidelines on areas of the Zoo which should be avoided - details of these areas can be obtained from reception on arrival.
Attractions
Animal Collections
Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates
Note: The animal pictures on this page are merely representative of this type of attraction; they do not mean that the animals can be found at this specific attraction.
Star Animals
Giant Pandas - the only ones in the UK
Lions, Tigers, Rhinos, Monkeys
Koalas - the only ones in the UK
Penguins - the world's largest pool with over 130 birds from 3 species: King, Rockhopper, Gentoo
Blue poison arrow frog and many, many more
Special Attractions
Budongo Trail, the world's most innovative Chimpanzee enclosure.
Rainbow Landings, an innovative indoor walk-through exhibit housing up to 100 Rainbow Lorikeets. Buy some nectar to feed the birds!
Hilltop safari ride
Animal Antics show
Close Encounters
Other Attractions
Rainy weather trail, 2 hour trail, conservation trail
Animal Adoption
Various Events are held throughout the year - see the Zoo's main website for details.
How To Get There:
By Car
From the south - on the A1, A68 or A702:
When you reach the City Bypass (A720) turn left, following signs for Edinburgh north and west. Follow the by-pass for 13 miles (from the A1), 11 miles (from the A68) or 6 miles (from the A702) until the end of the bypass. At the huge Gogarburn roundabout, take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the south west - on the A70:
Approaching Edinburgh, at the village of Currie, turn left at the Post Office following signs for Hermiston and Heriot Watt University. Follow this road for 1.5 miles, then turn right onto the A71 towards the city centre for a further 1.5 miles. At the first roundabout, turn left onto the City Bypass (A720) and head north for 2 miles. At the huge Gogarburn roundabout, take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the south west - on the A71:
Heading towards Edinburgh, turn left onto the City Bypass (A720) following signs for Edinburgh north. Follow this for 2 miles, until the end of the bypass. At the huge Gogarburn roundabout, take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the west - on the M8:
Travelling east on the M8, leave the motorway at Junction 1 onto the City Bypass (A720). Follow this for 1.5 miles, until the end of the bypass at the huge Gogarburn roundabout. Take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the airport - on the A8:
Follow signs for Edinburgh city centre, turning left onto the A8. On the dual carriageway, take the right hand land for City Centre, and follow the underpass at the huge Gogarburn roundabout. Follow this road for approx 3 more miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the north west - on the M9:
Leave the motorway at Junction 2, following signs for the Airport (A8). On the dual carriageway, take the right hand land for City Centre, and follow the underpass at the huge Gogarburn roundabout. Follow this road for approx 3 more miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the north, Forth Road Bridge - on the M90:
Continue on the A90 towards Edinburgh city centre, for 5 miles. At the Cramond roundabout, turn right onto the A902 for a further 1.5 miles. At the Maybury Junction, turn left onto the A8 following signs for city centre. Follow this road for a further 2 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
By Public Transport
By Bus:
From Edinburgh city centre, use Lothian Buses 12, 26, 31 or the Airport Express.
By Train:
Alight at Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket stations, then use the buses described above.
Data on this page last updated: Apr 13 2014
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