You can only enter the vaults on a guided tour, so planning a visit really means choosing a tour and turning up at the right meeting point. Here is how it works.
When tours run
Unlike a museum with fixed opening hours, the vaults run on tour departures. Between them the operators cover most of the day and evening: gentle afternoon and history tours in daylight hours, atmospheric ghost walks in the early evening, and a strictly adults-only late-night tour after dark. The underground tastings run to their own schedule at The Lost Close. Because slots are timed and popular tours sell out days ahead in summer, book before you travel rather than hoping for a walk-up.
Meeting points at a glance
- Royal Mile, 300 Lawnmarket — by the police box opposite Deacon Brodie's Tavern.
- Royal Mile, 124 High Street — the old police box near the top of the street.
- Mercat Cross, High Street — for the Blair Street vault tours.
- John's Coffee House, Parliament Square — for the underground whisky and gin tastings.
Your confirmation names the exact spot — always follow it, and aim to arrive ten minutes early, as guides leave on time.
Getting there
Everything sits in the Old Town within a few minutes' walk of each other. Edinburgh Waverley station is five to ten minutes away on foot, and many bus routes stop on South Bridge and the Bridges. Driving is not worth it: the Old Town is congested, parking is scarce and expensive, and the meeting points are pedestrian-friendly closes and squares. Come on foot or by public transport.
What to wear and bring
- Flat, non-slip shoes. Floors underground are uneven, worn and sometimes damp.
- A warm layer. The vaults are cool and damp year-round, even in summer.
- Your booking confirmation on your phone, plus a little time to find the meeting point in the maze of closes.
There are no cloakrooms or toilets underground, so plan ahead. Photography rules vary by operator — some ask you not to film in the chambers, so check with your guide.
How long it takes
Most tours last between an hour and just under two hours, with roughly forty to forty-five minutes of that spent below ground. It is a compact experience that slots easily into a day of Old Town sightseeing — pair it with Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Royal Mile or a graveyard tour that several operators build in.
Access in brief
The vaults are reached by a step and a spiral staircase and are not wheelchair accessible. Age limits vary by tour, and a few are adults-only. The accessibility guide sets out exactly what each tour involves.
When you know your dates, compare departures and prices across every operator on Edinburgh Underground Tours and book the slot that fits your day.