Don’t even think about dragging your bulky suitcase up to the most beautiful castle in Scotland! That would be a horrible experience! Here you’ll find several luggage storage options near Edinburgh Castle.
Take advantage of this left luggage guide to make the most of your time!
Are bags allowed in Edinburgh Castle?
The iconic Edinburgh Castle is the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland. It’s located in the city center so that no one can miss it!
Many visitors often wonder if it’s possible to take luggage inside during the visit. Unfortunately, for general safety reasons and making movements easy, you cannot access suitcases and large rucksacks.
Moreover, there are no cloakroom or luggage lockers in the castle.
However, there is no need to worry, because there are many other options to store luggage in the city.
Where to store luggage near Edinburgh Castle?
If you’re arriving by train at Waverley station, you can drop off your bags at the station’s left luggage office. It’s run by Excess Baggage and is located between platforms two and three.
You can walk in and leave your suitcase for a few hours or a few days. There’s no need to book in advance unless you have large special large items (in that case, you can pre-book online).
Let’s talk about its price. Excess Baggage charges quite high rates (it costs £7,50 per item for 3 hours or £12,50 per bag/day).
Compared to other services that you’ll discover here, this option isn’t so cost-effective. Also, there are usually long queues at both drop-off and pick-up.
If you’re traveling by bus, you can store your bags inside the bus station’s self-service lockers. It costs about £5 – 10 per 12 hours (the rate depends on the locker’s size).
Be aware that during the high seasons, large lockers are often not available.
Best luggage storage facility near Edinburgh Castle
Finding an affordable and safe luggage storage facility isn’t an easy task.
Luckily, there is a new way of getting rid of your bulky bags.
Thanks to companies such as Radical Storage, you can now store your suitcases for a few hours, days, or weeks, at public places like restaurants, shops, hotels, etc.
Radical Storage provides storage locations around popular sites, airports, and stations, making it comfortable for you, especially if you plan to visit one of the tourist attractions, like Edinburgh Castle.
Moreover, it has a handy app and website to help you find a storage facility wherever you are. The booking system is fast and easy. Enabling the geolocation, you can view all available luggage storage spots.
Here are some of the reasons why most visitors choose the Radical Storage service:
- Straightforward booking process;
- Affordable price: £5 per bag;
- No weight or size limits on bags;
- A guarantee for each piece of luggage;
- Reliable storage locations: all Radical partners are verified;
- About 20 storage facilities in Edinburgh located close to main attractions and stations;
- Outstanding 24h customer service.
Luggage storage Edinburgh Castle map
Below are top-rated luggage storage Edinburgh Castle facilities:
- Luggage storage Edinburgh Castle: in a shop (100 meters from the Castle);
- Left luggage Princes Street Gardens: in a minimarket (400 meters from the castle);
- Luggage storage Mary King’s Close: in a hostel (540 meters from the Castle).
Luggage storage Edinburgh Castle pricing table
The high number of tourists in Edinburgh has led to an increased need for left-luggage facilities. That’s why many left luggage companies are operating the same way as Radical Storage. As you can imagine, it becomes challenging to choose the best one.
One of the most relevant details to consider before booking the perfect service is the price.
Some services apply an hourly rate and others only a daily one. For example, LuggageHero can keep your bag for a pound per hour, but you’ll have to pay a £2 handling fee. This makes the daily rate more convenient.
Depending on the company you choose, some require to pay in advance, while others after you drop off your bags. Prices and policies vary, but they all offer a guarantee against loss, theft, or damage.
Radical Storage is ranked among the best left luggage services in Edinburgh. However, we’ve created this comparison pricing table to help you get a quick overview of all luggage storage Edinburgh Castle options.
| Radical Storage | Luggage Hero | Stasher | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of locations per city | 20+ | 1 | 8 |
| Rates | £5 per bag | £8 per bag | £6 per bag |
| Handling Fee | No | Yes | No |
Things to know before visiting Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of Europe’s oldest fortified places and is listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This world-famous tourist attraction has a long and great history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison, and fortress.
Before you visit this fascinating castle, there is some information you need to know.
Below are the most frequently asked questions and answers.
Where is Edinburgh Castle?
The castle is situated upon Castle Rock, the remains of a volcano that erupted thousands of years ago. Thanks to its location, it proudly towers over the whole city and can be seen from anywhere.
When was Edinburgh Castle built?
Edinburgh Castle was built in 1103 (12th century). The royal fortress served to protect Edinburgh town, one of the first Scottish royal burghs established by King David I.
Who owns Edinburgh Castle?
Scottish Ministers and the Ministry of Defence own the castle. Historic Environment Scotland (an executive agency of the Scottish Government) manages and administers the castle for the most part.
What time does Edinburgh castle open?
Opening hours vary depending on the season. In winter (1 Oct – 31 Mar), it opens at 10am and closes at 4pm. In summer (1 Aug – 30 Sep) from 9.30am to 6pm.
Keep in mind that you’ll need at least 2 hours to see all of the castle’s highlights. Also, closing starts 1 hour before the actual closing time.
Is Edinburgh Castle free?
The entrance to the castle isn’t free. You need to buy tickets in advance online, choosing a specific time slot (on the official website or other online distributors).
Here are the current prices:
- Adult (aged 16-59) – £15.50
- Concession (aged 60+) – £12.40
- Child (aged 5-15) – £9.30
- Child Under 5 (aged 0-4) – free
- Family Ticket 1 (1 Adult and 2 Children) – £31.00
- Family Ticket 2 (2 Adults and 2 Children) – £45.00
- Family Ticket 3 (2 Adults and 3 Children) – £53.00
Please note, children must be accompanied by an adult aged 16+.
What to see inside Edinburgh castle?
Discover the highlights of Edinburgh Castle:
- The Royal Palace: the official residence of kings and queens;
- The Great Hall: the hall where special events, ceremonies, and banquets took place;
- Fight for the Castle: an exhibition representing the story of Edinburgh Castle during the Wars of Independence;
- The Stone of Destiny: a sacred object (an ancient symbol) used for centuries in Scotland’s Monarchy kings’ inauguration;
- The One o’Clock Gun: the 18-pound cannon used to set the maritime clocks of the Firth of Forth ships. It’s still fired at 1pm every day, except Sunday.
