Stirling Castle tickets and opening hours at a glance
Stirling Castle stands on a rock above the Old Town of Stirling. From Alloa it is a short train ride and a steep walk. Historic Environment Scotland runs the castle. This guide covers prices, hours, the tours and the practical details that decide how your day goes.
Tickets are cheaper online than at the gate, and online booking asks for a date and a time slot. The standard guided tour is included in the price. A longer behind-the-scenes tour is a separate paid extra. Prices below are 2026 prices.
Our picks: Stirling Castle tickets and tours
The plain ticket suits a visit at your own pace; the Old Town walk adds an English-speaking guide with the ticket included. From Edinburgh, the escorted day trip includes castle entry, but the guide explains the castle only from outside.
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.
Guided walk through Stirling Old Town and the castle
- Castle ticket
- English-speaking guide
A walk with an English-speaking guide through the Old Town and into the castle, with the castle ticket already included.
Check availability →
Edinburgh day trip to Stirling with castle entry
- Escorted trip from Edinburgh
- Castle entry
- Historic centre visit
Escorted travel from Edinburgh to Stirling and back, a visit to the historic centre and the castle ticket. The guide explains the castle from outside; you explore the rooms on your own.
Check availability →Stirling Castle admission ticket
- Castle entry
- Short English introduction
Entry to the castle plus a short introduction in English, given by availability and in order of arrival.
Check availability →Stirling Castle tickets and day trips
Guided visits, day trips from Edinburgh and Glasgow and combinations with the Kelpies and Loch Lomond, with live prices and availability. Check which options include castle admission.
Stirling Castle ticket prices 2026
Prices per person. Members of Historic Environment Scotland enter free.
| Visitor | Booked online | Bought on the day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 16 to 64 | £18.50 | £20.50 |
| 65 and over | £15 | £16.50 |
| Child, 7 to 15 | £9 | £10 |
| Historic Environment Scotland member | Free | Free |
If you arrive by bus, train or bike, Historic Environment Scotland offers 25 percent off online with the code GOOD25 and proof of your bus or train ticket or your bike. Check the terms when you book, because the discount may not combine with other offers.
For a mixed day, the Wallace Monument stands on its own hill above Stirling. Its tickets are separate, and castle membership does not cover it. The Edinburgh Castle tickets guide helps if you are comparing the two castles.
Opening hours and closing days
From 1 April to 30 September the castle is open 09:30 to 18:00. From 1 October to 31 March it is open 09:30 to 17:00. The last entry is one hour before closing, so the latest you can walk in is 17:00 in summer and 16:00 in winter.
- 24 December: open until 16:00.
- 25 and 26 December: closed.
- 1 January: opens at 11:00.
Strong wind and storms can close the castle for a day. Look at the castle's own visit page the morning you travel, and keep a second plan for the town and the bridge. The Loch Lomond day trips make a good wet-weather alternative.
Stirling Castle tours: included, audio and Secret Stirling
Three ways to see the castle. Only the first is part of your ticket.
| Option | What you get | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard guided tour | A guide leads a walk around the castle | Included in admission | Starts at the well in front of Fort Major's House. Ask staff for the times that day. |
| Audio guide | Self-paced commentary, also in German | Extra, price at the castle | Suits a slower visit without a group. |
| Secret Stirling | About 90 minutes in areas with narrow, steep passages | Extra on top of admission | Starts at 11:00 and 14:00. Book ahead. Not for children under 12 or anyone afraid of heights. |
When Secret Stirling launched in September 2025 it cost £15 on top of castle admission. Confirm the current price when you book. For most visitors, the standard tour plus a slow walk through the royal palace and the Great Hall is enough. Add Secret Stirling if you have already seen the main rooms or you want a smaller group.
What you see inside the castle
The royal palace has a Renaissance front with a flower bed below it. The Great Hall, with its tall windows, is a cream-coloured building. Inside, a wooden roof frame spans the hall. Plan most of a morning or an afternoon for the main sights, longer if you add a tour or the audio guide.
The paths are steep and uneven in places. Wear flat, grippy shoes, and bring a waterproof layer.
Getting to Stirling Castle from Alloa
Go by train and walk up. It is the least stressful way.
Train from Alloa
ScotRail runs direct trains from Alloa to Stirling, averaging 8 minutes. Return fares start at £4.70. Up to two trains an hour run, and weekend timetables can differ. Check the current timetable before you go. Details on the getting there page.
Bus from Alloa
Bus 51 links Stirling and Alloa via Tullibody. It is slower than the train.
From the station to the castle
The railway and bus stations are about 0.5 miles downhill from the castle. The walk up is steep, so allow time and wear good shoes.
Driving and parking
The castle car park is for coaches and visitors who need accessible parking. Everyone else should arrive by train or bus, or park in town and walk up the hill.
Plan the rest of your Stirling day
Castle, monument and old bridge fit into one day by train.
Stirling Castle: frequently asked questions
How much is a Stirling Castle ticket in 2026?
An adult ticket aged 16 to 64 costs £18.50 online and £20.50 on the day. People aged 65 and over pay £15 online and £16.50 on the day. Children aged 7 to 15 pay £9 online and £10 on the day.
Do I need to book Stirling Castle in advance?
Online booking asks for a date and a time slot and costs less than a ticket on the day. It is worth booking ahead in summer and on weekends.
Is a guided tour included in the ticket?
Yes, the standard tour is included. It starts at the well in front of Fort Major's House, and staff can tell you the times that day. Secret Stirling is a separate paid tour.
Can I park at Stirling Castle?
The castle car park is for coaches and visitors who need accessible parking. Most visitors take the train or bus to Stirling and walk uphill, about 0.5 miles from the stations.
How do I get from Alloa to Stirling Castle?
Take the train from Alloa to Stirling, which averages 8 minutes, or bus 51. Then walk up to the castle.
Is this the official Stirling Castle website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and has no link to the castle, Historic Environment Scotland or any tour operator. Always confirm hours and prices with the castle before you travel.