the royal yacht britannia hours

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Royal Yacht Britannia

The Queen and the Royal Family’s vessel for over 44 years , the Royal Yacht Britannia has become one of the most famous yachts in the world.

A Long Life

Britannia was launched in Scotland in 1953 and, since then, has served the Royal Family on 968 official voyages , travelling over one million miles, stopping at 600 ports and in over 135 countries .

The Queen felt at home when she travelled on the vessel and the photos of her children and grandchildren still hang on the walls of the Britannia , as well as various personal items and gifts that were given to the family on their travels around the world.

Throughout its 44 years of service, Britannia has been a residence for official receptions, banquets, and State visits . For these events, 45 members of the royal household would climb on board with 5 tons of luggage.

In 1997, after over 40 years of service, the vessel was decommissioned and is now berthed at Leith Port where curious visitors can explore the majestic Britannia.

The visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia begins in the Visitor Centre found on the second floor of the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre . In this centre, you’ll be able to discover the vessel’s past through numerous photographs.

Before visiting the Royal Yacht, you'll be given an English audio guide with all the details of the vessel.

Beginning with a visit to Britannia’s Bridge , visitors will also explore the State Apartments , the Crew’s Quarters, and finish at the Engine Room .

Although the Queen’s chambers are very plainly decorated, other parts of the vessel are extremely lavish, like the Rolls Royce that sits permanently in the vessel’s garage.   

A Ship Like No Other

Even if you're not passionate about boats, wandering through the Royal Yacht Britannia’s rooms will satisfy any inquiries about the Queen and the Royal Family you might have . Information such as who slept in what room, how many people worked on board, what visitors were invited to visit the Britannia and the countries it has visited, make for an entertaining tour.

Ocean Terminal.

From January to March: open daily from 10 am to 5 pm From April to August: open daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm September: open daily from 10 am to 6 pm October: open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm November and December: open daily from 10 am to 5 pm

Adults: £ 19.50 ( US$ 24.74) Children aged 5-17: £ 9.25 ( US$ 11.73) Students: £ 13.50 ( US$ 17.13) Children under 5: free entry Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £ 50 ( US$ 63.44)

Buses : Ocean Terminal , 11, 22 or 35

Nearby places

Royal Botanic Garden (2.7 km) Calton Hill (3 km) Scottish National Portrait Gallery (3.1 km) Palace of Holyroodhouse (3.2 km) Scottish Parliament (3.3 km)

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Opening hours The Royal Yacht Britannia

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The Royal Yacht Britannia

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The daily opening times of The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh

The following overview lists the visiting hours for The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh . The hours of the current day (today) are highlighted. Please note that opening hours on special days or holidays may differ from what is displayed here. We therefore recommend you to always check the opening hours with The Royal Yacht Britannia before your visit and see if it might be needed to reserve a time slot.

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Want to know when The Royal Yacht Britannia is open? These are the opening hours:

January* - March -10:00 - 15:00 April - August - 9:30 - 16:00 September- 10:00 - 16:00 October - 10:00 - 15:30 November - December - 10:00 - 15:00 The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 1 January and 25 December. The last admission to the Royal Yacht on 24 December is 2:30pm.

More about The Royal Yacht Britannia

• Royal Deck Tearoom
• Group Visit
• Accessibility
• Annual Pass
• Our Green Tourism
• Weekly Snaps
• Things to do in Edinburgh
• What's On
• Private Events
• Private Dining
• Drinks Reception
• Private Tours
• Burns Supper
• Meet The Team
• Historical Timeline
• Explore Britannia
• Royal Residence
• Life Below Decks

The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pre-book tickets? 

We strongly recommend pre-booking tickets online to guarantee admission.

How are the tickets sent?

Tickets will be e-mailed to the e-mail address providing during ticket purchase. This e-mail can be shown on your phone/tablet or printed out. 

How can I pay for tickets?

You can pre-book tickets online or your can pay via card or contactless at the ticket desk on arrival. Please note that we do not currently accept cash. 

Can I pre-book with my vouchers?

It is not possible or necessary to pre-book with Britannia Gift Vouchers/Virgin Experience Days/Leisure vouchers. Please follow the instructions on your voucher and then bring your vouchers with you on the day and our team at the ticket desk will process your admission.

Do you offer military discount? 

Yes, we offer a   rate of £10. These discounted tickets are only available at the ticket desk. Please be reassured, even though it is not possible to book these discounted tickets in advance, you will still be able to buy your tickets and visit on the day.

Do you offer NHS discount?

How do I get to Britannia?

Click here for directions . 

When does the Yacht close and how long do I have after last admission?  

Our tickets are sold by arrival times and once you are on board you can stay as long as you wish within our opening hours. We close 2 hours after the last admission. 

Ocean Terminal is currently undergoing redevelopment, adding new leisure and retail businesses, as well as residential spaces. As part of this redevelopment, Britannia will also be gaining a  new Visitor Centre and Gift Shop  which will involve us operating out of temporary accommodation whilst these new facilities are being created. Our entrance and Gift Shop are currently on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. 

* The last admission to the Royal Yacht on 24 December is 2:30pm.  The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 25 December  and  1 January. 

Can I change my date/time slot if I can no longer make it?  

Yes,  please  contact us on 0131 555 5566 or email  enquiries@tryb .co.uk , Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00.

Can I get a refund?

Bookings can be moved free of charge. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before your visit. To request a refund please e-mail [email protected] with your order reference.

I pre-booked my ticket but I'm running late, can I still visit?   

You can still visit, as long as you arrive within our opening hours. Our team at the ticket desk will let you on board as soon as possible on your arrival.

Can I leave luggage somewhere whilst I visit?

Due to operating out of temporary accommodation for our entrance, we are currently unable to store luggage.

How do I listen to your audio guide as I tour Britannia? 

Tours are self - guided and include an audio tour available on your mobile or an audio handset which is included in the  price of admission.  If possible, please bring your own headphones for use with your mobile phone. However if you are unable to do so, we do have headphones available on request from our handsets desk.   

Is Britannia accessible? 

Britannia is highly accessible via two central lifts. For further information please see  our   accessibility page  where you can find our  access statement .  

Please note, should you visit with someone acting in a carer capacity, they will receive free admission to Britannia. This ticket is only available on the day from the ticket desk on the ground floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre. It is not necessary or possible to book this in advance, however please be reassured that they will be able to visit with you on the day. 

Is there a dress code to visit?

There is no formal dress code to visit however due the nature of the decks on board the ship, please wear sensible shoes, no high heels. Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing for touring the five decks.

Will the Royal Deck Tearoom, NAAFI and Gift Shop be open? 

Yes, our Tearoom, Gift Shop and  NAAFI will be open. 

Will there be facilities and catering? 

Yes,  all of  our toilets and  the  Royal Deck Tearoom will be open. 

Can I pre-book a table in the Royal Deck Tearoom? 

No, as tables are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that you must purchase a Britannia admission ticket or be an Annual Pass holder to visit the Royal Deck Tearoom.

Can I pre-book with my Annual Pass? 

Annual Pass holders do not need to pre-book, just come along at your chosen date/time within our admission hours and show your pass at the entrance on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal.

Is there parking? 

Visitors to Britannia should use the Ocean Terminal car park. Parking is free. There are accessible parking spaces and dedicated parent and child parking bays available.  

Is there motorhome parking available? 

There is no allocated motorhome parking. Car parking is free in the multi-story car park. There are however, frequent bus and tram  services to Ocean Terminal.  

How long is a typical tour of Britannia? 

We recommend you allow 2 hours for your visit. Please allow longer if you wish to visit our stunning  Royal Deck Tearoom .  

Can I bring my dog on board? 

We welcome guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs. It is not possible to bring other dogs into Ocean Terminal or on board Britannia.  

Can I take photographs on board? 

You are welcome to take photographs on board. There are some great photo opportunities, especially on the outer decks.  

Does Britannia have hotel accommodation? 

There is no hotel accommodation on The Royal Yacht Britannia. Our sister ship,  Fingal Hotel , offers 22 luxurious cabins, inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime heritage and named after Stevenson Lighthouses. Fingal Hotel is now permanently berthed just moments away from Britannia in the historic Port of Leith. Open to both overnight guests and non-residents, treat yourself to an unforgettable experience in  The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar , serving  Afternoon Tea , dinner   and spectacular  cocktails .  

I am an international traveller, can I visit following Brexit?

See advice for international visitors from national tourism agency VisitScotland here . 

Do you have a risk assessment?

Yes, you can see our risk assessment here .

Last updated: September 2024

Visiting Britannia

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 - 2024

PLEASE PRE-BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO GUARANTEE ADMISSION Start your tour at our entrance, currently located on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. Please note that tickets purchased in person are by card/contactless only. 

Click on the Visit page  for more information before you visit.

Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!

Fingal Hotel

Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal.  Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea. 

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK LUXURY HOTEL TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK SMALL & BOUTIQUE HOTEL AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

The Royal Yacht Britannia

Please note, due to ongoing construction work, Britannia Visitor Centre and Gift Shop are temporarily located on the ground floor of the centre, they will return to the 2nd floor in a new unit later in 2024.

Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction

Step aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia, Her Majesty The Queen’s former floating palace for over 40 years. Berthed at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, follow in the footsteps of Royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.

Explore Britannia’s five decks with the complimentary audio handset tour, available in 30 languages.

The Britannia Experience

Discover what life was like on board Her Majesty The Queen's floating Royal residence. You can follow in the footsteps of world leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Rajiv Gandhi. Tour highlights include the State Apartments and Royal Bedrooms, a sample of life below decks and the gleaming Engine Room.

Royal Deck Tea Room

Enjoy delicious, and freshly prepared, home-made food, stunning views and a warm welcome at the Royal Deck Tea Room. Previously where the Royal Family enjoyed drinks receptions, sumptuous buffets, or played deck games. Now you can treat yourself with specialty teas, coffees and lunch in spectacular surroundings.

Britannia's fabulous Gift Shop has a great range of exclusive souvenir gifts, Royal gifts, china, toys, food and nautical items. Hand-picked by our team of experts, you'll find some of the bestsellers online, with the full range available in the Gift Shop.

Visit: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/plan-your-visit/whats-on/

Please note, The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed on 1 January and 25 December. The last admission to the Royal Yacht on 24 December is 2:30pm

Jan* - Mar 10am-3pm (last admission) Apr - Aug 9.30am-4pm (last admission) Sept 10am - 4pm (last admission) Oct 10am - 3.30pm (last admission) Nov - Dec* 10am - 3pm (last admission) *Closed 1st Jan & 25th Dec

Visit The Royal Yacht Britannia Website

Tel: 0131 555 5566

• LOCATED: Ground Floor