What is Edinburgh Zoo?
Run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo sits on a steep hillside in Corstorphine with views over the city. It's home to over 1,000 animals, including penguins in one of Europe's largest penguin pools, koalas, red pandas, chimpanzees in the Budongo Trail, and sun bears. The Penguin Parade has been a tradition since the 1950s, now running as the reimagined Wee Waddle.
Tickets
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How busy is it?
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Tips
- It's steep: take the free hilltop safari bus up and walk down.
- Check the Wee Waddle and talk times at the entrance.
- Bring rain gear: it's Scotland.
- Winter closing is early (4 pm).
Getting there
Buses 12, 26 and 31 run from Princes Street (about 20 minutes), or take the tram towards the airport and walk. There's paid parking on site.
Highlights
- Penguins Rock: one of Europe's largest outdoor penguin pools, with gentoo, king and rockhopper penguins.
- Budongo Trail: a chimpanzee enclosure with indoor and outdoor areas.
- Koala Territory: one of the few places in the UK to see koalas.
- Red pandas and sun bears: in the upper areas of the hill.
- Painted dogs, lions and giraffes: in the African areas.
- The Hilltop Safari: a road train to the top of the hill.
History
Edinburgh Zoo opened in 1913 on Corstorphine Hill, founded by the lawyer Thomas Gillespie. It was famous for its penguin breeding: it was the first zoo in the world to hatch a king penguin, in 1919. The Penguin Parade began in 1951, when a keeper accidentally left the gate open and the penguins followed him. For years it was also home to Sir Nils Olav, a king penguin who is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying at the gate: online is cheaper.
- Walking up the hill first: take the hilltop bus and walk down.
- Missing the penguin times.
- Coming late in winter: it closes at 4 pm.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings in term time are calmest, and animals are most active early. Scottish school holidays start earlier than in England (late June), and August brings Festival crowds to the city, though fewer to the zoo. Winter visits are quiet and the animals are often more visible, but closing time is 4 pm. Check the daily talk and penguin times on arrival and plan your route around them.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Edinburgh Zoo, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Least busy time
Monday, 10 am-5 pm
Busiest time
Saturday, 11 am-5 pm
Combining it with Edinburgh
The zoo is about 20 minutes by bus from Princes Street. Combine it with a walk on Corstorphine Hill, next door, or head back into town for the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland. With children, Dynamic Earth, near Holyrood, is another good half-day.
With children
Edinburgh Zoo is designed for families, with playgrounds, the penguin pool and the koalas as favourites. Under-3s are free and children's tickets are discounted online. The hilltop bus saves little legs on the steep slopes. Buggies are fine on the main paths, but some areas are steep.
Is Edinburgh Zoo worth it?
Yes for families and animal lovers, with excellent conservation work and city views. Book online and arrive early.
FAQs
How much is Edinburgh Zoo?
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About £27.50 online for adults and £17.50 for children, including a voluntary donation.
What are the opening hours?
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From 10 am every day except Christmas Day, closing at 6 pm in summer, 5 pm in October and March, and 4 pm in winter.
Is the penguin parade still on?
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It runs as the reimagined Wee Waddle. Check the time on the day.
How long do you need?
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3-4 hours.
Does Edinburgh Zoo still have giant pandas?
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No. The giant pandas returned to China in 2023.
Heading to Edinburgh Zoo?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
