What to do · Edinburgh
Royal Yacht Britannia, Elizabeth II's ship moored in Leith
Information
- From
- £23 adult
- Duration
- 2 h
- Season
- All year except 25 December and 1 January
- Who it's for
- All ages; with a children's audio guide and five accessible decks
Britannia was the British royal family's yacht for more than 44 years. She was launched at the John Brown shipyard in Clydebank, near Glasgow, on 16 April 1953, sailed more than a million nautical miles on official voyages and royal honeymoons, and was decommissioned in Portsmouth in December 1997. Since October 1998 she has been permanently moored in Leith, Edinburgh's port, and you can visit her inside, from the State Apartments to the crew's working areas.
Five decks at your own pace
The visit has no guide or set departure time on board: you go in with the audio guide and explore the five decks at your own pace. The audio guide comes in 42 versions: 36 languages, sign language and braille. There's also a children's audio guide in five languages. Allow about two hours; you can stay as long as you like within opening hours.
The ship has two worlds. Aft are the State Apartments and the royal family's quarters, calm and elegant. Forward of the funnel the crew lived and worked, in a much more cramped space. On board is the Royal Deck Tearoom, with views over the water; tables can't be booked and you need a ticket for the ship. Every deck has a lift, you can take a pushchair on board, and the visit works well in the rain too.
Tickets and opening hours
From 1 October 2026 to 21 March 2027, an adult ticket costs £23 bought online before the day and £25 at the ticket office. Ages 7 to 15, and 16 to 21 or with a student card, £11.50 online. Children up to 6 don't pay. The ticket includes the audio guide and an annual pass to return free for twelve months. The ticket office only accepts cards.
From November to March it opens at 10:00, last entry is at 15:00 and it closes at 17:00. From April to October, from 9:30 to 18:00 with last entry at 16:00. Closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Getting to Leith
The ship is next to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, about 3 km from the centre. The entrance to the visit is on the second floor of the shopping centre.
- By tram: get off at the Ocean Terminal stop. A single within the city zone costs £2.40; buy your ticket from the machine on the platform before boarding.
- By bus: Lothian Buses routes 10, 16, 34 and 35 run from the centre. From the airport, Skylink 17 goes direct.
- By car: the Ocean Terminal car park is free, with a maximum height of 2 metres. Motorhomes don't fit.
Tips
- Buy the day before Online and before the day you save £2 per adult, and you go in through the pre-booked tickets entrance.
- Keep your ticket It includes an annual pass: if you're back in Edinburgh within twelve months, you get in free.
- Go in the morning in winter From November to March last entry is at 15:00. If you arrive late, you won't have time to see it properly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Britannia?
£23 per adult buying online before the day and £25 at the ticket office. Ages 7 to 15, £11.50 online; up to 6, free.
How much time do you need?
About two hours, according to the official website. There's no time limit within opening hours.
How do you get there from central Edinburgh?
By tram to the Ocean Terminal stop or on buses 10, 16, 34 and 35. The entrance is on the second floor of the shopping centre.
Is there a guided tour?
The standard visit is self-guided, with an audio guide in 36 languages. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 29 October 2026 to 1 April 2027, there's a guided tour of the State Apartments with tea, booked separately.
Is it accessible?
Yes. All five decks have lifts and ramps, and VisitScotland gives it its highest wheelchair rating. To get round the whole ship, the wheelchair must be no wider than 67 cm.
As a family
