Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pre-book tickets? 

You are welcome to buy tickets on the day of your visit (card or contactless payment only) or to book your tickets in advance through our website.

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. 

Can I add my tickets to my Google Pay/Apple wallet?

Yes, your booking confirmation email has buttons with the option to add your tickets to your Google Pay/Apple wallet.

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. 

How much does it cost to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia?

Our prices are available on our Visit page, click here to view. 

Can I pre-book with my vouchers?

It is not possible or necessary to pre-book with Britannia Gift 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/Blue Light card discount?

No.

Where is The Royal Yacht Britannia?

The Royal Yacht is now permanently berthed alongside Ocean Terminal, in Leith which is 2 miles from Edinburgh's city centre.

How do I get to Britannia?

You can easily get to Britannia from the city centre via local bus or the tram. We also have free car parking within Ocean Terminal. Click here for directions. 

I have booked the Britannia Bus Tour, are tickets to visit Britannia included?

There is a bus tour of Edinburgh called the 'Britannia Tour' however, this is operated by a third party. Tickets to visit Britannia are not included in the 'Britannia Tour' bus ticket.

The Royal Edinburgh ticket however does include 48 hours on the Edinburgh Bus Tours (City Sightseeing, Edinburgh Tour and Regal Tour), as well as entry to The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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. 

Admission Times	First Admission	Last Admission	Closing Time
January - March*	10:00	15:00	17:00
April - August	9:30	16:00	18:00
September	10:00	16:00	18:00
October	10:00	15:30	17:30
November - December*	10:00	15:00	17:00

*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 enquiries@tryb.co.uk with your order reference.

I pre-booked my ticket but I will be early/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 visit Britannia on a rainy day?

Yes, Britannia is an all-weather attraction with the majority of the tour taking place indoors. Read our 'Rainy day' blog to find out more.

Can I leave luggage somewhere whilst I visit?

Yes, you can leave luggage with our team at the Handset Desk before boarding the ship.

How does the commentary work as I tour Britannia? 

Tours are self-guided and, included in your admission ticket, the tour is available in 36 languages (including BSL/ASL tablet, audio for the visually impaired, children's version and plain English) and in Braille script. 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 Second Floor of Ocean Terminal. 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 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 Shop be open? 

Yes, our Tearoom, 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 Second 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/caravan parking available? 

There is no motorhome/caravan parking due to the height restriction in the Ocean Terminal multi-storey car park, which is two metres. Ocean Terminal can be reached by Lothian buses or trams. 

Is there coach parking?

Please be aware that there are currently no designated coach parking bays outside Ocean Terminal, and available parking in the surrounding area is limited. We kindly request that all coach drivers adhere to the Highway Code and comply with all parking regulations at all times.

How long does a visit last? 

You are welcome to visit for as long as you wish within our admission hours. On average, visitors take 1.5 - 2 hours to 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 aboard 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. 

Can you stay on The Royal Yacht Britannia? 

There is no hotel accommodation on The Royal Yacht Britannia. Our sister ship, Fingal Hotel, is a 5-10 minute walk from Britannia within the same historic Port of Leith, with 22 luxurious cabins inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime heritage as a former Northern Lighthouse Board tender. The onboard Lighthouse Restaurant, welcomes both those staying on board as well as walk ins for seasonal dinner and spectacular cocktails. Table reservations are required for Afternoon Tea.

What happened to The Royal Yacht Britannia?

After 44 years sailing around the world, the decommissioning service was on 11 December 1997 in Portsmouth. It was soon after decided that Edinburgh was the chosen location for Britannia to start the ship's next chapter as a visitor attraction. Britannia opened to the public on 5 May 1998.

Why was Edinburgh chosen as the location for Britannia after decommissioning?

The Rt Hon. George Robertson spoke of his decision in an interview for BBC Radio Scotland: 'I had to make a difficult decision between two very close schemes... they'd had a slightly more imaginative scheme involving the use of some of the state rooms for very special occasions and secondly because Leith has got that ocean-going tradition that fits in with Britannia's million mile background and of course, for centuries it has that Royal tradition of yachts and ships that have brought Royal families over these centuries to Edinburgh.'

Who owns The Royal Yacht Britannia?

Britannia is now owned and cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, a charity with the principal activity to encourage as many people as possible to visit Britannia, in order to learn more about this iconic vessel and the ambassadorial role she undertook throughout the world.

Where was The Royal Yacht Britannia built?

Britannia was built in John Brown's Shipyard in Clydebank. To read more on Britannia's history, click here.

Do you have a risk assessment?

Yes, you can see our risk assessment here.

Who are the 'Yotties'?

The 'Yotties' is the affectionate name given to the Royal Yachtsmen who worked aboard Britannia during Royal service. Once a year, usually in May, many of the Royal Yachtsmen return to the Yacht for their annual Working Party where they volunteer their time to assist our own dedicated Maintenance team in preserving Britannia. Find out more about life below decks here. 

Last updated: August 2025