Visiting the zoo during the Easter holidays
Posted 31 Mar 2026 in Edinburgh Zoo
As we enter the Easter holidays, it is wonderful to see so many people visiting the zoo to connect with nature and support wildlife conservation around the world. We are so grateful for your support!
To help you make the most of your visit we have compiled some top tips and helpful info.
Booking in advance
Booking online in advance is the best way to avoid disappointment as we can sell out of tickets during busy timeslots. You also save money by booking online!
We highly recommend arriving as close to your time slot as possible, but your ticket will be valid until last entry at 5pm if needed. Please don’t worry if you are running a little late - we completely understand things don’t always go to plan.
How to get here
Travelling by car? Use postcode EH12 6TS to find us on your navigation device. As we are a city zoo, our parking spaces are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Our car park can fill up early in the day, especially during busier periods such as school holidays.
All car park users will need to take a ticket and have this validated to exit the car park. Parking is £5 for visitors and free for RZSS members and Blue Badge holders.
Travelling by public transport is highly recommended where possible. Our partners at Lothian Buses can drop you off right outside our gates with their regular services from the city centre and surrounding areas.
Find out more about how to get to the zoo
Queuing for entry and our most popular animals
The zoo experiences very high visitor numbers during holidays. Booking a timed entry slot in advance helps manage queues on entry and you save money by booking online! It can be quieter to visit later in the day.
There may also be queues inside the zoo for facilities, including toilets and cafes, and for some popular animals. Please be respectful of other visitors, staff and our animal residents.
Members gate
The members gate offers entry for RZSS members, open 10am – 5pm from Wednesday 1 April to Wednesday 30 September. An RZSS membership pays for itself in three and a half visits and gives you unlimited free visits to Highland Wildlife Park. Members also get free entry to lots of other zoos as well as so many other great benefits!
Please bring your membership card with you. This will allow our admissions team to get you into the zoo and enjoying your visit much quicker!
Catering options
All of our catering outlets will be open during the holidays, so why not drop in for a bite to eat? Penguins Cafe and our main restaurants The Gannet and Grasslands are all located in the centre of the zoo, next to Mansion House. We also have snack kiosks by our pygmy hippos, giraffes and sloths.
There are lots of water refill points around the zoo, including two ape2o stations which offer chilled still and sparkling water.
You’re also welcome to bring your own lunch and have a picnic – the Mansion House lawn is a great place to soak up the sun and have your lunch.
We believe everyone should enjoy great food during their visit. Across all our outlets, you’ll find options for a wide range of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan and non-gluten choices.
Find out more about our food and drink options
Most importantly
Last but certainly not least, please remember to respect our teams, animals, signage and other visitors. Our charity’s hardworking staff are there to make sure you enjoy your day at the zoo!
Our keepers and veterinary teams ensure all our animals receive the very best diet catered to their individual needs. Please do not feed any of our animals, you could cause unnecessary harm. Likewise, be careful not to drop anything into habitats – we can’t guarantee it will be returned without bite marks.
Do not bang on the glass or make loud noises to get the attention of any animals. We know seeing these amazing species up close can be exciting but quiet voices are the best way to ensure a great visit for everyone.
Thanks again to everyone who has and continues to support our wildlife conservation charity. If the animals we care for could say ‘thank you’, they would! Together, we can create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
