Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle

Whether you live in Edinburgh, are stopped at Edinburgh on a road trip, or flying into Edinburgh Airport from further afield, we’ve put together directions from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle to help you on your travels.

The current Balmoral Castle was famously built for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, after they fell in love with Scotland’s Highlands and Royal Deeside. No trip to the Cairngorm National Park or Aberdeenshire is complete without a visit to Balmoral Castle.

Balmoral Castle is located just off the A93 in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, in the Cairngorms National Park, by the River Dee in the North East of Scotland. Ballater is the nearest town to Balmoral Castle, which is also home to Balmoral Arms, our very own fully upgraded five-star inn and accommodation in Ballater.

Balmoral Estate, grounds, gardens and exhibitions are open to visit each year from the 1st of April until the 31st July, from 10am to 5pm each day. Snowfall has usually cleared up towards the end of April and into May for the summer at the Glenshee Ski Centre, the high point on the A93 route from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle.

Read on for directions from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle, whether planning on visiting by car, public transport, or coming from Edinburgh International Airport

How to get from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle by Car

The drive from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle usually takes just over 2.5 hours, and is just over 100 miles in total.

To get from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle by car, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Join the A199 or another Edinburgh City road heading north towards the M90, towards the Queensferry Forth Road Bridge, at the North of Edinburgh.
2. Cross the Queensferry Crossing bridge and continue North on the M90 towards Perth for 30 miles.
3. At junction 11, take the exit signed A85 leaving the M90, and head towards Perth (there is also a brown castle sign at the exit).
4. Follow the A85 for just over 1 mile, and rather than following the A85 left over the Perth West Bridge, continue straight on the Main Street (A93).
5. Immediately continue straight taking the left fork on to Isla Road (A93).
6. Stay on the A93 for around 60 miles, until you see signs for Balmoral Castle and B976, South Deeside and Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
7. Turn right onto the B976 or straight into the Balmoral Castle pay & display car park, 9 miles after passing through Braemar.

Tip if visiting in winter or after snowfall: Make sure the castle is open for visitors. Be sure to check that the A93 road is open (check the snow gates are open using the Glenshee, Braemar & Cairn O’ Mount cameras here), if closed, it takes around 20 minutes longer to join the A90 instead, passing Dundee, keeping the Cairngorm National Park to your left.

Be sure to check the Cairn O’ Mount webcam too, you may have to follow the A90 all the way to Stonehaven, then join Slug Road (A957) until you reach the top end of the A93

 

How to get from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle by Public Transport

 

To get from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle by public transport, it can take around 6.5 and 7.5 hours or slightly more on the way back, with the routes going via Aberdeen on the East coast.

Steps to get from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle on public transport:

1. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley railway station to Aberdeen Station, which takes around 2.5 hours, with no changes.
2. Alternatively, catch the M92 MegaBus (Edinburgh to Dundee) from Edinburgh Bus Station (13-14 Multrees Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ) to Aberdeen Bus Station (2 Guild St, Aberdeen AB11 5RG), which takes around 3 hours.
3. Walk to Union Square Bus Station and catch the 201 bus (Aberdeen to Banchory).
4. Change at Banchory, catching the 201 bus (Banchory to Ballater).
5. Change at Ballater (stopping for a bite to eat at the Balmoral Arms’ restaurant in Ballater), catching the 201 bus (Ballater to Braemar) for the final leg, getting off at the ‘Crathie, Balmoral Rd End’ bus stop by Balmoral Castle, crossing the road and crossing the River Dee to the Balmoral Castle Grounds entrance.

 

How to get from Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) to Balmoral Castle

Getting from Edinburgh Airport to Balmoral Castle by car, whether your own car, or a hired car if you’re travelling from further afield:

1. Head out of Edinburgh Airport on Eastfield Road, crossing the roundabout for the Long Stay car park.
2. Follow signs for Stirling M9, heading right on the second large roundabout.
3. Join the Glasgow Road (A8)  dual carriageway briefly.
4. Soon after, when you reach the roundabout, turn right to join the M9 at junction 1, 
5. Leave the M9 soon after joining at junction 1A, following signs for M90 Dundee, Perth.
6. Cross the Queensferry Crossing bridge and continue North on the M90 towards Perth for 30 miles.
7. At junction 11, take the exit signed A85 leaving the M90, and head towards Perth (there is also a brown castle sign at the exit).
8. Follow the A85 for just over 1 mile, and rather than following the A85 left over the Perth West Bridge, continue straight on the Main Street (A93).
9. Immediately continue straight taking the left fork on to Isla Road (A93).
10. Stay on the A93 for around 60 miles, until you see signs for Balmoral Castle and B976, South Deeside and Royal Lochnager Distillery.
11. Turn right onto the B976 or straight into the Balmoral Castle pay & display car park, 9 miles after passing through Braemar.

 

To get from Edinburgh International Airport to Balmoral Castle by public Transport it takes around 7 hours, here are the steps:

1. Take the Jet 747 bus (Edinburgh Airport to Halbeath Park & Ride) from the Airport Terminal Forecourt.
2. Get off at Inverkeithing train station, and catch the train to Aberdeen.
3. Get off at Aberdeen, then walk to Union Square Bus Station.
4. Catch the 201 bus, changing at Banchory and then Ballater, getting off at ‘Crathie, Balmoral Rd End’ by Balmoral Castle.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much does it cost to go to Balmoral?

Adults are £16.50, children (5 to 16 years) cost £8.50, and children under 5 are free. There are booking fees with online bookings. Parking charges are £5 for 24 hours.

What are the Balmoral Castle opening times?

Balmoral Castle, grounds, gardens and exhibitions are open from 10am to 5pm each day. The coffee shop offers fresh sandwiches and snacks every day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hot food is available from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM daily, except on Thursdays.

It is possible to access parts of the grounds throughout the winter season while the castle is closed, such as the cairns (cannot be accessed via the castle entrance, though), Loch Muick and Lochnager.

Does Ballater have a train station?

No, the former Ballater train station closed in 1966.

How long does it take to tour Balmoral Castle?

We recommend allowing around 2 hours for the tour, be sure to leave additional time to walk around the grounds and stop at the cafe. The Ballroom is the only room open to visitors in the Castle. There are also 2 hour Landrover tour ‘Expeditions’, as well as 2 hour guided woodland ranger walks leaving from the Mews Gift Shop at 2pm each Wednesday at available for booking.

How long does it take to walk to Balmoral pyramid?

If you go straight to the pyramid from Balmoral Castle, it takes around 30 minutes. It is also possible to do a longer walk that visits many more of the Balmoral Cairns.

 

More to Explore Near Balmoral Castle

Thinking of making the trip from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle? There is so much more to do and see in Aberdeenshire,:

• Find things to do and attractions near Balmoral Castle & Ballater.
• Have you seen Scotland’s secret pyramid hidden away in the Balmoral Castle grounds?
• Love castles? Discover 25 must-see castles in Aberdeenshire.
• Discover a beautiful range of lochs to visit in Aberdeenshire.
• Keen walker? Discover walks in Aberdeenshire, or if you’re looking for more adventurous hill walks, view a list of mountains & munros near Aberdeen.
• Fascinated by ancient history? You’re spoilt for choice with so many stone circles in Aberdeenshire.
• Book a distillery tour or have a wee dram with our list of Whisky Distilleries in Aberdeenshire.