Falkirk Wheel boat trips and the Kelpies at a glance
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that joins the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. The boat trip lasts about one hour and takes you up and down on the wheel. The Kelpies are two giant steel horse heads in the Helix park. You can see them from outside at any time, and a guided tour takes you inside one of them.
The two sights suit one day together. Prices are 2026 prices, and boat prices are "from" prices that change with the date and time.
Our picks: Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel tours
From Glasgow, the full day adds Kelvingrove Art Gallery and a Glasgow panorama; the Edinburgh trips combine the Kelpies with Stirling Castle. On the Edinburgh trips castle entry is paid separately or is an optional extra, and on the Glasgow day the boat ride on the Wheel is not included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel and Glasgow day tour
- Kelvingrove visit
- Glasgow panoramic tour
- Bottled water
Stops at the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel and Kelvingrove Art Gallery, plus a panoramic tour of Glasgow. The boat ride on the Wheel is not included.
Check availability →
Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and Kelpies day tour from Edinburgh
- Air-conditioned coach
- Live commentary
- Digital written translations
A full coach day with commentary from the driver-guide. Stirling Castle entry and the Loch Lomond boat trip are optional extras.
Check availability →
Half-day trip from Edinburgh to the Kelpies and Stirling Castle
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Live commentary
- Driver-guide
A driver-guide with live commentary in an air-conditioned vehicle. Stirling Castle admission is paid separately.
Check availability →Falkirk Wheel, Kelpies and Scotland day trips
Boat trips, Kelpies visits and day tours that combine the Kelpies with Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond, with live prices and availability. Check which options include entry.
Falkirk Wheel boat trip prices and times
"From" prices for 2026. The price you pay depends on the date, the time and the fare.
| Ticket | Price from |
|---|---|
| Adult | £14.63 |
| Concession | £13.20 |
| Child, 5 to 15 | £7.84 |
| Child under 5 | Free, but needs a ticket |
| Registered carer | Free, but needs a ticket |
Every passenger needs a ticket, including free toddlers. Concessions apply to people aged 60 and over, students and holders of the Blue Light Card. They can be limited between June and September, so check that your fare qualifies before you pay.
The Falkirk Wheel is open daily from 09:45 to 17:30. Boat departure times are separate and can change during the year. Booking ahead is strongly recommended but not compulsory. Cheaper off-peak prices apply to some trips only, so do not plan around one price for the whole day.
How the Falkirk Wheel works
Two white arms turn slowly, each carrying a water-filled gondola, and the wheel lifts boats from one canal to the other. From the water you ride in one of the gondolas as the arms turn. The half rings of the wheel reflect in the calm approach canal.
Boat departure times can change, so confirm your trip on the day.
The Kelpies: tours, lighting and times
The Kelpies stand in the Helix park beside Falkirk. Two ways to see them.
| Option | What it is | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelpies tour | A guided visit of about 25 minutes, and the only way inside | Adult £9, concession £8, child £3.50, 2 children free per paying adult | Booking ahead is recommended. Dogs are not allowed on the tour, with assistance dogs the exception. |
| From outside | Walk around the park and the sculptures | No tour needed. Parking is charged separately. | Visible by day and at night. The Kelpies are lit from dusk to dawn. |
Tour times from April to October are 10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30. From November to March they are 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30. Departure times can change, so confirm the slot for your date when you book. The visitor centre opens at about 09:00 or 09:30 and closes at 17:00, with shorter hours in winter.
Some areas near the swans may be fenced off when bird flu measures are in place. Do not feed birds, do not touch sick or dead birds and keep dogs away from them.
Kelpies parking and gate times
The main Kelpies car park charges for cars: £3 to £3.75 from March to June and in October, £3 to £4.50 from July to September, and nothing from November to February. Blue Badge parking is free during the day.
- April to October: last entry 21:30, the barrier closes at 22:00.
- November to March: last entry 19:30, the barrier closes at 20:00.
- Reopening: 08:00. If the barrier is down, you cannot drive out.
The smaller Helix car park is open around the clock, with rare event closures. Charges may apply, so read the signs. If you stay for the evening lighting, leave before the barrier closes.
Wheel or Kelpies: how to choose
They fit one day, but each does one thing well.
| Falkirk Wheel boat trip | Kelpies tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Time needed | About 1 hour | About 25 minutes |
| Price | From £14.63 adult | £9 adult |
| Good for | Riding the lift | Seeing the inside of a Kelpie |
| Children | From £7.84, under 5 free | £3.50, 2 free per adult |
For most visitors, do both in one day: the boat trip in the morning and the Kelpies tour in the afternoon, with an evening walk to see the lights. If you only have time for one, the Kelpies tour is the shorter and cheaper visit and the boat trip is the longer experience.
A day tour from Edinburgh that combines Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies also exists, if you prefer not to arrange the transport yourself. See the Scotland tours page. From Alloa, check the current route and timetable for the trip to Falkirk before you go.
Plan the rest of your trip
Combine the canal sights with castles and the way back to Alloa.
Stirling Castle
Tickets, hours and tours inside the castle.
Scotland day tours
Day trips from Edinburgh and Glasgow that include the Kelpies.
Getting there
Trains, buses and airport links to Alloa.
The Loch Lomond cruises pair well with a Kelpies day.
Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies: frequently asked questions
How much is the Falkirk Wheel boat trip in 2026?
Adult tickets start from £14.63, concessions from £13.20 and children aged 5 to 15 from £7.84. Children under 5 and registered carers go free but need a ticket.
How long is the boat trip?
About one hour. The Falkirk Wheel is open daily from 09:45 to 17:30, and boat departures are separate.
How much is the Kelpies tour?
An adult pays £9, a concession £8 and a child £3.50. Each paying adult can bring 2 children free. The tour lasts about 25 minutes.
Can I see the Kelpies without a tour?
Yes. You can see them from outside by day and at night, and they are lit from dusk to dawn. Only the guided tour takes you inside.
How much is parking at the Kelpies?
Cars pay £3 to £3.75 from March to June and in October, and £3 to £4.50 from July to September. Parking is free from November to February, and Blue Badge parking is free during the day.
Is this the official Falkirk Wheel or Kelpies website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the Falkirk Wheel, the Helix or any tour operator. Confirm prices and times before you travel.