Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Edinburgh Zoo is set in 82 acres of sloping parkland and is situated three miles to the west of Edinburgh city centre. It is home to over 1,000 rare and endangered animals, including chimpanzees, sun bears, Indian Rhinos, the UK's only koalas and the first Giant Pandas in the UK for 17 years. You can experience a busy programme of educational events and activities from keeper talks to hands-on animal encounters. There is also a wide-range of eating experiences, several play areas and a fantastic gift shop.Viewing for the Giant Pandas is currently free flow and booking is not required. Please check our website for any daily updates or closures.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Neighbourhood: Murrayfield
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See what travellers are saying
- TLPChester, United Kingdom92 contributionsFab zooFabulous zoo! Saw the giant pandas again. The zoo is very hilly so be warned! Staff all friendly and knowledgeable and care about the animals. If I didn't live so far away, I'd be visiting very oftenHello 943tinak, thank you so much for leaving a five star review! We really appreciate your feedback and the time it took for you to share your experience. We know that being based on a hill is a challenge so we run a free mobility vehicle service for anyone who may find it helpful to tackle some of our steeper paths. We also provide free specialised buggies and mobility scooters that can be booked from our admissions building. A fully refundable deposit is required to book these services. We want all our visitors to be able to enjoy the stunning views from our giraffe habitat right at the top of the zoo. We're pleased to hear you enjoyed seeing our amazing animals and found our food and drink options to be well priced. Thank you for helping to create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved đź’›Written 8 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 October 2023
- CornwallBeeCallington, United Kingdom77 contributionsFun day outWe travelled from Cornwall to Edinburgh to see the panda bears (which we did). The zoo is quite large, and all of the habitats look well maintained. Reasonable prices in the gift shop (for a gift shop!) Staff were all friendly. Would definitely love to visit again, maybe with better weather! Loved the wet floor signs, and I'm definitely ordering them for my workplace!Hello Angrycustomezz, thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review. It's lovely to hear you were able to wish our panda pair a giant farewell. Our staff always do their best to help your experience stand out, we're pleased this was your experience during your visit. We hope the wet floor signs made the weather more worthwhile! Every ticket and purchase made in our gift shop helps us to feed and care for our animals and deliver vital conservation work in Scotland and around the world. Thank you for supporting our wildlife conservation charity đź’›Written 10 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 8 October 2023
- vix_36Liverpool, United Kingdom245 contributionsNice ZooDecided on this Visit as I wanted to primarily see the Pandas before they go back to China but also the Koalas and Pygmy Hippo. Also as a Chester Zoo member I get a free entry. Arrived at the Zoo at about 11:30. We decided on a taxi as wanted to get there ASAP to make the most of the visit. Taxi about ÂŁ14 from the city centre and the driver gave us a card for booking a return journey which was also quick and easy. Now onto the Zoo itself. Yes it's very hilly but we just took out time and stopped for a rest when needed. Also the ticket staff advised us of this before we went in which is good to make people aware. Lots of walking around with a total of 9000 steps. Managed to see the male panda, Pygmy Hippo and Koalas amongst others. The tigers were in hiding but tbh I've found that in other Zoos too. Missed the lions as the signage isn't always clear. Due to it being out of season a lot of the food stands were closed up now for winter but that didn't make much difference. We found that we had to go back to the Panda and Hippo again as they were sleeping but hey that's animals for you but it was worth seeing them especially as we don't often get pandas over here. The gift shop has a good variety of things to buy. The staff all seemed pleasant on interaction too.Hello vicky g, thank you for taking the time to leave us a positive review and visiting to wish our panda pair a giant farewell. We' are so pleased you enjoyed your day seeing lots of our animals including the pygmy hippos and koalas. We know being based on a hill can be a challenge and we do offer a free mobility vehicle service for anyone who might need it. All our animals have access to indoor, outdoor and private off-show spaces and many of them are masters of disguise. We always recommend visiting different enclosures at different times of day for the best chance of seeing as many animals as possible and we're glad this helped you to see more of our animals during your visit. Every ticket and gift purchased in our shop helps us to feed and care for our animals and deliver vital conservation work in Scotland and around the world. Thank you for supporting our wildlife conservation charity đź’›Written 11 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 11 October 2023
- quiller003Shrewsbury, United Kingdom255 contributionsA great day outGreat day out only a short bus ride from the city centre. The animals are well displayed and the staff friendly and happy to chat about their charges. The penguin pool is brilliant - don't miss the side part where you can watch the birds swimming underwater. One caveat - the site is on a hillside so could be hard work if you are pushing a buggy or wheelchairHello quiller003, thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review. It is brilliant to hear you enjoyed seeing our animals, particularly our penguin colony at Penguins Rock. Our friendly staff always do their best to ensure you have an excellent experience and we're pleased they helped your visit to stand out. We know being based on a hill can be a challenge and we offer a free mobility vehicle service for anyone who might need it. Every visit helps our wildlife conservation charity to feed and care for our animals and deliver vital conservation work in Scotland and around the world. Thank you for helping to create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved đź’›Written 12 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 11 October 2023
- Jill MScarborough, United Kingdom138 contributionsGreat place to visitWhat a great place to visit, though you really need to be good at walking! It's all uphill.. Great to see the panda, and the penguins were so funny.. all the animals were great and obviously well looked after. You need a good few hours to get round.Hello jillm240, thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind feedback. It's lovely to hear you enjoyed your visit, especially seeing our giant panda pair and our cheeky penguins! We know being based on a hill can be a challenge and we offer a free mobility vehicle service for anyone who may need it. Every visit helps us to feed and care for our animals and deliver vital conservation work here in Scotland and around the world. Thank you for supporting our wildlife conservation charity đź’›Written 14 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 October 2023
- John ALowestoft, United Kingdom5 contributionsA Birthday Day OutWe went up on the 12th for my wife’s Birthday to see the Panda’s before they leave the zoo. They are incredible! My wife and daughter, for a long time have watched them on the Panda Cam but they are a sight to see when you are standing in front of them. The zoo is a little challenging for those who have mobility issues but the staff are so helpful with this, they will drive you to the top and if you need them again they will come and take you back up the hill. A big thanks for a great day out and to all the staff.Hello 18john006, thank you for taking the time to leave us a positive review. We're delighted to hear you and your family had a lovely visit celebrating your wife's birthday! It's great to hear you were able to wish our panda pair a giant farewell. We know being based on a hill can be a challenge and as you say we offer a free mobility vehicle service for anyone who may need it. Our friendly staff always do their best to make your experience stand out, we will ensure to pass on your kind words. Every visit helps us to feed and care for our animals and deliver vital conservation work here in Scotland and around the world. Thank you for supporting our wildlife conservation charity 💛Written 23 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 15 October 2023
- julie GStockport, United Kingdom213 contributionsNot BrilliantWe visited whilst holidaying in scotland we have not been before, the zoo is in the main centre bit of a strange setting, we booked online before arriving they do not give you an option to pre book parking which they should mean as you have to pay save doing it on arrival. The zoo is very hilly not suitable for people with mobility issues, we struggled in places. We went to see the pandas not realising they will be going in december unfortunately we only saw one of them, the glass windows were cloudy which made viewing difficult, we didnt see the porcupine, or the armadillos as well as a few other animals as some pens were empty. The Grasslands restaurant was closed so we went into the cafe near the penguin enclosure my son a d his g/friend had paninis a can drink each and a bag of crisps which came to £20 they said the paninis were cold inside, i had a meal deal ( sandwich,coffee and crisps) for £8 i had to take the coffee back as it was barely warm cafe was busy and tables wefe full of rubbish. We spent about 3hrs here which made it an expensive day 90 for 4 tickets £40 on lunch and £3 parking, i dont think it offers value for money.Hello julieann1kitten, thank you for taking the time to leave a review and share your feedback. We are sorry to hear you were disappointed by your experience. We recognise being based on a hill can be a challenge and we offer a free mobility vehicle service for anyone who might need it alongside an accessibility map. All our animals have access to indoor, outdoor and private areas and are able to choose where they spend their time. We always recommend returning to visit animals at different times throughout your visit to ensure you have the best chance of seeing as many as possible. It is disappointing to hear about your experience at Penguins Café, we hope you were able to speak to a member of staff while you were there and we will ensure to pass your feedback on to the relevant team to look into further. Every ticket or meal purchased in our cafes helps our wildlife conservation charity to feed and care for our animals and deliver vital conservation work in Scotland and around the world. Thank you again for sharing your feedback 💛Written 23 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 22 October 2023
- Denise P69 contributionsLovely visit to the zoo!Although lots of people in a long queue at the entrance, the walkways, restaurant, and exhibits were not crowded. Enjoyed the animals and information. Playgrounds were a bonus. Shout-out to employee Chris for bringing an ice pack to our family member who had fallen. A lovely day!Hello I2625CLdenisep, thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review. It's lovely to hear you enjoyed your visit! We're pleased you had the opportunity to learn about our animals and spend some time at the playgrounds. We will ensure to pass your kind words on to Chris. Every visit helps us to feed and care for our animals and deliver vital conservation work here in Scotland and around the world. Thank you for supporting our wildlife conservation charity đź’›Written 24 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 23 October 2023
- Amelia12 contributionsIncredible experienceWent to see the giant pandas before they return to china, absolutely amazing. Plenty of viewing spots for both of them. Would recommend going up there a couple times since we went early and saw both but when we went again later in the day only saw one. VERY steep, however they do have mobility services if need be. Can’t really get anywhere in a rush due to the steepness. Must queue to get in whether you have tickets or not, but queue goes down very quickly. Gift shop is very good, very reasonable prices and a range of items to match any price point. A little bit of a maze to see every animal, so make sure to arrive early. Some parts of the zoo close early, ask the zoo staff on way in about that. We arrived at about 11:30, didn’t leave until 10 minutes to closing and didn’t see absolutely everything.Hello, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, we're so glad you enjoyed your visit and were able to see Yang Guang and Tian Tian before they return to China later this year! As a wildlife conservation charity, every visit and purchase made in our gift shop, cafe and restaurants helps feed and care for all our amazing animals and supports our conservation projects at home in Scotland and around the world. Thank you for your support, we hope to see you again soon 💛Written 28 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 October 2023
- AuldBletherEdinburgh, United Kingdom122 contributionsForget your prejudices against Zoos! As David Attenborough said, Edinburgh zoo is an exemplar of what all zoos should beThe zoo is a vast improvement on my visits there as a child. I can see why David Attenborough says Edinburgh Zoo is an example of what all Zoos should be. As a massive site, with a continuous program of repairing renewal, there are parts which are brand-new and others which are due for some TLC. But overall the experience was excellent. Catering left room for improvement although the staff were helpful and friendly. Grasslands produced an excellent sharing. Plant-based platter, but the interior is overdue for a bit of renovation. Gannets looked much more inviting, but unfortunately the fish and chips were straight out the freezer and not the freshest. Maybe the penguins get first choice. And the banana flower was…… interesting. Overall, the zoo is not a cheap family day out, and it would be good if the food quality was up to the same standard as the Zoo in general.Hello, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a lovely five star review, we're so glad you enjoyed your visit! We will be sure to pass on your feedback about our food and drink options to our catering provider, and are delighted to hear you found our staff helpful and friendly. We are always looking for ways to improve and you'll be glad to hear that Grasslands will indeed be closing for a renovation soon! As a wildlife conservation charity, every visit and purchase made in our gift shop, restaurants and cafe helps feed and care for all our amazing animals and supports our vital conservation projects at home in Scotland and around the world. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon 💛Written 3 November 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 October 2023
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4.0
9,392 reviews
Excellent
4,005
Very good
2,543
Average
1,421
Poor
789
Terrible
634
Bethany
3 contributions
Jan 2020
We travelled 4 hours to get here and we were so disspointed. Upon arrival we were shown into a scruffy car park full of pot holes under a hotel? We were charged ÂŁ4 to park here.
Once we went into the reception we went to the fast track line as we had bought the tickets online. This was a laugh, the other line got seen to before we did that were buying on the day so dont be fooled. The guy that showed us in was informative on where to go next and what shows were on which was great.
The zoo itself was really big! I bet its fabulous in the summer, however, in the winter we were not at all impressed. We only got to see a few animals as most of the animals 'homes' were empty. On the signs it said it might be too cold outside so to check in the indoor rooms for them, yet still there was nothing to be seen. The most we seen were the big false plastic animals.
We took the pushchair and the whole zoo is up the steepest hill you could imagine. I dont know how disabled people would manage as we really struggled pushing a baby up it. We only spent around an hour here then went back home as it seemed a waste of time. The zoo should definitely offer discounted prices in the winter as it was way too expensive for what you get to see and do!
Once we went into the reception we went to the fast track line as we had bought the tickets online. This was a laugh, the other line got seen to before we did that were buying on the day so dont be fooled. The guy that showed us in was informative on where to go next and what shows were on which was great.
The zoo itself was really big! I bet its fabulous in the summer, however, in the winter we were not at all impressed. We only got to see a few animals as most of the animals 'homes' were empty. On the signs it said it might be too cold outside so to check in the indoor rooms for them, yet still there was nothing to be seen. The most we seen were the big false plastic animals.
We took the pushchair and the whole zoo is up the steepest hill you could imagine. I dont know how disabled people would manage as we really struggled pushing a baby up it. We only spent around an hour here then went back home as it seemed a waste of time. The zoo should definitely offer discounted prices in the winter as it was way too expensive for what you get to see and do!
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leesunderland2015
Sunderland, UK5 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
My Wife, my 3 year old son and myself went here for the day on bank holiday Monday as we were staying in East Lothian on a short break. We had always wanted to go but we were very disappointed. First of all it was very expensive to get in. Then trying to get parked was a nightmare. Drove round and round the car park for 10-15 minutes waiting for a space.
Once in there, it was a 1 way system with covid safety measures which is a good idea but there should have been more employees giving guidance as to what is open and where it is. Most enclosures were empty or you could not see anything. A lot of people seemed to be walking around aimlessly like ourselves.
After an hour, we had enough and decided to get some food before leaving. ÂŁ24 for 2 meal deals of hot dog, chips and drink which were very poor.
Would recommend the park trying to get more free parking allocations, more employees giving guidance and some better quality food and more reasonable prices.
We spent a day at Blair Drummond safari park in Stirling whilst on holiday in Scotland and this was a much better day out. Well defined routes, better exhibits, more choice of food outlets at a better price and an overall better experience. Edinburgh zoo could learn a lot from them.
Once in there, it was a 1 way system with covid safety measures which is a good idea but there should have been more employees giving guidance as to what is open and where it is. Most enclosures were empty or you could not see anything. A lot of people seemed to be walking around aimlessly like ourselves.
After an hour, we had enough and decided to get some food before leaving. ÂŁ24 for 2 meal deals of hot dog, chips and drink which were very poor.
Would recommend the park trying to get more free parking allocations, more employees giving guidance and some better quality food and more reasonable prices.
We spent a day at Blair Drummond safari park in Stirling whilst on holiday in Scotland and this was a much better day out. Well defined routes, better exhibits, more choice of food outlets at a better price and an overall better experience. Edinburgh zoo could learn a lot from them.
Written 1 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laurahhh2329
Carnoustie, UK22 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I'm really gutted to be leaving a two star review but sadly this is the maximum I can give for this visit.
We went as a family of three with a four year old for her first visit to the zoo. I had booked online and was aware that there would be some restrictions in terms of what was open and mechanisms in place to manage crowds given the , still very real, threat of COVID-19 transmission.
The reality is that very few inside spaces are open. So, on the hottest day of the year, most of the animals were rightly inside and out of the sun and we didn't see them.
There were no staff around to manage the crowds (although to be fair, adults shouldn't need telling twice). So despite the advice given at the admissions desk, very few people were observing social distancing measures and those of us that were were made to feel uncomfortable and rushed.
There are only two areas in the park that have drinks for sale and nowhere to be able to fill a water bottle. We had brought food and drinks with us but, as I say, it was the hottest day of the year and there was no opportunity for respite from the sun so it would have been good to have a couple of extra drinks carts dotted about.
I understand that the zoo is a charity and I have donated over the course of the pandemic, however I don't think it is reasonable to be charging full price for tickets and I think there should be full disclosure on the website re what is open and what is not - as in a note on the map so you can judge for yourself the time it will take to go round and if it is worth it.
I also think there needs to be more staff on site as the lack of social distancing made for a very unpleasant and anxious visit.
We went as a family of three with a four year old for her first visit to the zoo. I had booked online and was aware that there would be some restrictions in terms of what was open and mechanisms in place to manage crowds given the , still very real, threat of COVID-19 transmission.
The reality is that very few inside spaces are open. So, on the hottest day of the year, most of the animals were rightly inside and out of the sun and we didn't see them.
There were no staff around to manage the crowds (although to be fair, adults shouldn't need telling twice). So despite the advice given at the admissions desk, very few people were observing social distancing measures and those of us that were were made to feel uncomfortable and rushed.
There are only two areas in the park that have drinks for sale and nowhere to be able to fill a water bottle. We had brought food and drinks with us but, as I say, it was the hottest day of the year and there was no opportunity for respite from the sun so it would have been good to have a couple of extra drinks carts dotted about.
I understand that the zoo is a charity and I have donated over the course of the pandemic, however I don't think it is reasonable to be charging full price for tickets and I think there should be full disclosure on the website re what is open and what is not - as in a note on the map so you can judge for yourself the time it will take to go round and if it is worth it.
I also think there needs to be more staff on site as the lack of social distancing made for a very unpleasant and anxious visit.
Written 14 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DexxTravels
Edinburgh, UK625 contributions
Dec 2019
Having lived in Edinburgh for 5 years and never seeing the 'Giant Lanterns' at the zoo I was left very disappointing. The interaction between the setup is poor. The paths aren't exactly clear and the story is just plain and lifeless. Even the giant volcano in the centre wasn't impressive as it could have been with very little effect until we began walking away... even then just a tiny puff of smoke.
It wasn't an improvement on the Zoo. The Zoo it'self has gotten better but this attraction is solely aimed at taking your money and giving you nothing back in return. I'd avoid it.
It was also understaffed and the toilets are disgusting see my images...
I paid for 4 Full price Adults and I was left with a highly disappointing visit. I definately wont be returning to this event again. Nor bringing or recommending the event.
It wasn't an improvement on the Zoo. The Zoo it'self has gotten better but this attraction is solely aimed at taking your money and giving you nothing back in return. I'd avoid it.
It was also understaffed and the toilets are disgusting see my images...
I paid for 4 Full price Adults and I was left with a highly disappointing visit. I definately wont be returning to this event again. Nor bringing or recommending the event.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah H
Brechfa, UK35 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We were sadly disappointed by our visit to the zoo today. Animals were spread out over a large area with long uphill walks between exhibits. We saw more animal models than actual animals. Many of the exhibits were surrounded by overgrown vegetation so you couldn’t actually see the animals at all!
We visited the penguin parlour in the morning for coffee, some of our group were disappointed by their dry cookies. Coffee was nice. Penguin parkour assured us there were gluten free menu options in the main restaurant so at lunch time we waited through a long queue to be seated only to find sparse gluten free options on the menu! Extortionate prices and lack of choice on menu!
Heard a few zoo talks from one of the keepers. I think name James? Extremely friendly and professional keeper. Really enjoyed his talks, as well as a snippet of information he gave our group in passing about red pandas!
Pictures show the some of the few animals I actually saw whilst there. Penguin exhibit was excellent.
We visited the penguin parlour in the morning for coffee, some of our group were disappointed by their dry cookies. Coffee was nice. Penguin parkour assured us there were gluten free menu options in the main restaurant so at lunch time we waited through a long queue to be seated only to find sparse gluten free options on the menu! Extortionate prices and lack of choice on menu!
Heard a few zoo talks from one of the keepers. I think name James? Extremely friendly and professional keeper. Really enjoyed his talks, as well as a snippet of information he gave our group in passing about red pandas!
Pictures show the some of the few animals I actually saw whilst there. Penguin exhibit was excellent.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mbell2444
Glasgow, UK77 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
ÂŁ40 for two adults last entry 3pm
ÂŁ4 for the parking which is open all night
Arrived at the reception desk was very informative proving a map with hand written key points such as must see events and animal closing times.
We arrived at 2pm on Monday of this week. The park was pretty quiet which meant we didn’t have any issues checking out the animals.
We seen the panda feeding time at 3pm but the viewing window is rather small so you have to deal with rude people standing in your way but not everyone can be polite or respectful.
The animals were very interesting and for someone who has never been to a zoo, I found it extraordinary the zoo kept animals for all types of climates.
Many of the animals were impressive and all well kept from what I seen.
They could be doing with more litter bins.
Penguin cafe was reasonably priced and stocked lactose free milk.
Two coffee and a cake ÂŁ8.40
Not that it’s been ticked off the list I wouldn’t be back but enjoyed the experience and the zoo was quiet which meant it was easy to move around and excess routes without mounds of people
ÂŁ4 for the parking which is open all night
Arrived at the reception desk was very informative proving a map with hand written key points such as must see events and animal closing times.
We arrived at 2pm on Monday of this week. The park was pretty quiet which meant we didn’t have any issues checking out the animals.
We seen the panda feeding time at 3pm but the viewing window is rather small so you have to deal with rude people standing in your way but not everyone can be polite or respectful.
The animals were very interesting and for someone who has never been to a zoo, I found it extraordinary the zoo kept animals for all types of climates.
Many of the animals were impressive and all well kept from what I seen.
They could be doing with more litter bins.
Penguin cafe was reasonably priced and stocked lactose free milk.
Two coffee and a cake ÂŁ8.40
Not that it’s been ticked off the list I wouldn’t be back but enjoyed the experience and the zoo was quiet which meant it was easy to move around and excess routes without mounds of people
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline
Aberdeenshire, UK21 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
We visited with my two young children who were so excited to visit the zoo but sadly I was a little let down. The place is looking run down. The new park area was quite good but I felt the place lacked any real wow factor overall. The food is overpriced and the quality is really poor so would definitely recommend taking a picnic with you. We barely caught a look at any of the animals as the enclosures were very over grown and the glass was so dirty. I understand this isn’t the easiest to maintain but sadly meant viewing the animals was very hard. In terms of covid 19 - sanitizer was provided all over the zoo which I was glad to see. The one way system to us was very clear and signage remind the public about the rules was all over the place. Unfortunately due to the high number of people in the park crowding was unavoidable and I didn’t feel very safe. I didn’t see much social distancing which is the responsibility of the individuals, however I would urge the zoo to look at this as we visited on a Monday during the school term so I hate to imagine what it would be like at the weekend. Overall an average family day out. Wouldn’t rush back.
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi ctaitx, thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your visit.
As a wildlife conservation charity, every ticket and purchase in our cafes helps feed and care for our amazing animals and protects threatened species around the world.
We're sorry to hear you found the signage confusing and we'll be sure to pass this along to the relevant teams. There are still limited visitor numbers, though we have been fully booked due to English school holidays the past couple of weeks which is why it may have felt busier than usual on a Monday.
There are over 2,500 amazing animals living here at the zoo, with natural enclosures full of foliage to provide organic coverage, as well as private areas to give them privacy should they choose it during the day. We always recommend visiting different areas of the zoo at different times to have the best chance of seeing particular animals.
We are working hard to revamp areas of the zoo and appreciate your feedback.
Once again, thank you for sharing your experience with us. If you have any questions or further feedback please do get in touch via info@rzss.org.uk
Written 8 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
carlyby
Dumfries, UK117 contributions
July 2020 • Friends
This would have been easily a 5 star review but it was let down by the cost and quality of the food.
We went a week after it reopened from lockdown. So didn’t know what to expect. The staff were friendly and helpful. Everything had been well thought out. A good one way system in place. Couldn’t see everything we had hoped for as some of the inside areas had to be closed but staff explained they were hopping to get these reopened ASAP. There was no penguin parade and this won’t happen for a long time according to staff. As they need everyone close together to stop the penguins wandering off and getting lost.
Saw the pandas, they are great a Animals but they don’t really do much. This will most likely be the only time in that I will get to see them give how it endangered they are and that they are only on loan from the Chinese.
Because the zoo limited numbers allowed in never had to wait to long to access the viewing platforms. Due to social distancing. They had also brought in lots of extra toilets to help with social distancing. Lots of hand washing and sanitising places everywhere.
Had a fanatic day, was only let down by the coat and quality of food.
I knew in advance that it would only be takeaway places available. That was ok, I get things have changed. But nearly £5 for a poor quality sandwich and £2.59 for a bottle of water was far to expensive. Got some nachos for £4.50 these were poor quality and ended up leaving most of them. I just hope the animals get better food than this, which by the look of how someone of the monkeys were going crazy at feeding time I would say they thoroughly enjoyed their lunch. I just wished I had brought a packed lunch. But given that the park is on a steep hillside I wouldn’t have wanted to carry round lunch for 6 people all day. I think you can go back out to your car but currently the only entrance and exit is at the bottom of the hill and the car park is half way up the hill. No ideal to nip back out to.
But overall a great day, the animals were amazing and the staff were great.
We went a week after it reopened from lockdown. So didn’t know what to expect. The staff were friendly and helpful. Everything had been well thought out. A good one way system in place. Couldn’t see everything we had hoped for as some of the inside areas had to be closed but staff explained they were hopping to get these reopened ASAP. There was no penguin parade and this won’t happen for a long time according to staff. As they need everyone close together to stop the penguins wandering off and getting lost.
Saw the pandas, they are great a Animals but they don’t really do much. This will most likely be the only time in that I will get to see them give how it endangered they are and that they are only on loan from the Chinese.
Because the zoo limited numbers allowed in never had to wait to long to access the viewing platforms. Due to social distancing. They had also brought in lots of extra toilets to help with social distancing. Lots of hand washing and sanitising places everywhere.
Had a fanatic day, was only let down by the coat and quality of food.
I knew in advance that it would only be takeaway places available. That was ok, I get things have changed. But nearly £5 for a poor quality sandwich and £2.59 for a bottle of water was far to expensive. Got some nachos for £4.50 these were poor quality and ended up leaving most of them. I just hope the animals get better food than this, which by the look of how someone of the monkeys were going crazy at feeding time I would say they thoroughly enjoyed their lunch. I just wished I had brought a packed lunch. But given that the park is on a steep hillside I wouldn’t have wanted to carry round lunch for 6 people all day. I think you can go back out to your car but currently the only entrance and exit is at the bottom of the hill and the car park is half way up the hill. No ideal to nip back out to.
But overall a great day, the animals were amazing and the staff were great.
Written 11 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keep P
Edinburgh, UK272 contributions
July 2020
Was excited to finally have a family day out, but sadly our enthusiasm waned when we discovered many areas were closed/ several animals out of view/and many parts of the zoo looking run down and unkempt. We counted that we saw 50% of the animals highlighted in the free Park map. The place was worryingly mobbed and although there were attempts to appeal to visitors to socially distance, there were some areas which were simply a free-for-all. We queued for 15 minutes to see lions but gave up on the tigers as the queue was simply too long. The many play areas were teeming, sadly suggesting the children were more entertained by swings than livestock. Staff were helpful and surprisingly buoyant in this lacklustre zoo and being the best part of ÂŁ100 out of pocket for the 'privilege' I'm afraid these customers were pretty sad too.
Written 21 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EllieEllie13
Surrey, UK82 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
No queue to get in and hardly anyone there but that was probably due to going on a rainy school day. Covid restrictions seem pretty clear and lots of sanitiser around.
Main positives were seeing the pandas, rhinos and big cats as well as the little cafe we stopped in by the penguins had tasty food and fast service.
Unfortunately an awful lot of the zoo seems to be closed off without any explanation, warning or reduction in ticket cost to reflect this.
A member of staff that we unfortunately didn’t grab the name of deserves a huge shout out and really brightened up the visit right towards the end of our time there, a lady working in the chimpanzee building came over to us and started telling us more about them and answered loads of questions we had and explained who each of them are and more about their personalities. She was incredibly informative and showed such a genuine passion and care for the animals which was lovely.
I would also give a word of warning to anyone that might struggle with a lot of up hill walking as it’s built on a slope, it’s not a mountain or anything but if I’d been pushing a push chair or wheel chair it could have been tough.
Overall I wouldn’t say it’s an absolute must see but it was really great seeing the pandas, big cats and rhinos and it’s a nice half day out with lots of cafes dotted around, nice viewpoints and fun facts/ interactive bits for kids.
Main positives were seeing the pandas, rhinos and big cats as well as the little cafe we stopped in by the penguins had tasty food and fast service.
Unfortunately an awful lot of the zoo seems to be closed off without any explanation, warning or reduction in ticket cost to reflect this.
A member of staff that we unfortunately didn’t grab the name of deserves a huge shout out and really brightened up the visit right towards the end of our time there, a lady working in the chimpanzee building came over to us and started telling us more about them and answered loads of questions we had and explained who each of them are and more about their personalities. She was incredibly informative and showed such a genuine passion and care for the animals which was lovely.
I would also give a word of warning to anyone that might struggle with a lot of up hill walking as it’s built on a slope, it’s not a mountain or anything but if I’d been pushing a push chair or wheel chair it could have been tough.
Overall I wouldn’t say it’s an absolute must see but it was really great seeing the pandas, big cats and rhinos and it’s a nice half day out with lots of cafes dotted around, nice viewpoints and fun facts/ interactive bits for kids.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes you could do it in 3 hours, you can make it as long or short as you want depending on how you use your time whilst there 🙂
Written 3 August 2024
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hello, as we are a city zoo, our car parking spaces are limited and only available on a first come, first served basis. Our car park can be very popular, which means it can fill up early in the day, especially during busier periods such as school holidays. Travelling by bus is highly recommended where possible and our partners at Lothian Buses can drop you off right outside our gates
Parking for zoo visitors is ÂŁ3. All car park users will need to take a ticket from the barriers on arrival and have this validated to exit the car park without paying full price (ÂŁ10) at the machine. RZSS members park for free as part of their membership benefits.
During the day, some parking can also be found within the vicinity of the zoo but please note this space is also limited due to the residential nature of our location.
Written 8 July 2023
If we come for a day trip we was wondering what the chances are of seeing the Panda's? Are they always able to be viewed?
Written 1 October 2022
I’d say yes especially if you go to the back viewing area. Don’t forget pandacam
Written 3 October 2022
I have seen that the new fish and chip place has gluten free food that is suitable for coeliacs, what options are there please and also at any of the other eating places in the zoo? Thank you
Written 12 July 2022
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hello, we do have gluten-free options at our restaurants but as the menu changes from time to time it's best to ask our restaurant staff what is available on the day đź’›
Written 13 July 2022
Hi, was just wondering if anyone knows roughly how much the bus is from the train station to the zoo for both adults and children, thanks in advance.
Written 20 April 2022
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hi stace898, Lothian Buses are ÂŁ1.80 for an adult and ÂŁ0.90 a child for a single journey. The numbers 12, 26 and 31 will drop you right at the zoo steps from the city centre. We hope to see you soon!
Written 24 April 2022
I haven't received my email confirmation of proof of purchase of tickets for our visit on Saturday 16/04/22 I cannot retain a bank statement to prove this what should I do?
Written 13 April 2022
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hello! We're so sorry - our system was struggling earlier this week but it should all be sorted now. There's more information on our website that might help and our team can check your purchase with the last four digits of your payment card number - please do turn up at your original booked time đź’›
Written 16 April 2022
We are thinking of taking our son here for his 5th birthday in January as he is mad about Panda's. Are they always visible from their enclosure as I would hate to take him there and not be able to see any? Also I did notice there 10 year tenancy is almost up so will they even be there in January?
Written 29 October 2021
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hi Ads30, our current agreement is due to end in December 2021. We hope to keep the pandas for longer but it's too soon to say - we'll be sure to keep everyone updated when we can.
Written 30 October 2021
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