In short
- General entry to the graveyard is 100% free.
- Guided walking and ghost tours cost from £15.
- The gates are open daily, roughly dawn to dusk.
In this article
You do not need a ticket to walk through Edinburgh's famous 16th-century cemetery. Visitors can explore the grounds, find the Harry Potter graves, and see the Greyfriars Bobby statue at no cost. Paid tickets only apply if you join a commercial guided tour.
Is there a Greyfriars Kirkyard entry fee?
No, there is no entry fee to visit Greyfriars Kirkyard.
The cemetery is a public space and is free to enter. You can walk in at any time during opening hours (generally dawn to dusk). You do not need to book a time slot or pass a ticket barrier to see the historic headstones.
Do I need Greyfriars Kirkyard tickets for a tour?
Yes, you must buy a ticket if you want to join a commercial ghost or history tour.
Private companies run these tours, and prices typically range from £15 to £25 per person. Prices change depending on the platform and season. Commercial tour guides must be registered under the City of Edinburgh Council scheme.
How much do guided tours cost?
Standard walking and ghost tours generally start around £15 to £25.
Private tours are more expensive. Booking in advance secures your spot, especially for evening ghost walks.
Can I visit the Covenanters' Prison for free?
No, access to the inner area of the Covenanters' Prison is usually restricted to specific guided tours.
While you can view the locked gates of the prison for free, you cannot walk inside the inner area without a guide. To enter this section, you need to purchase a ticket for a tour that holds the key.
Do I have to pay to see the Harry Potter graves?
No, the graves that inspired Harry Potter characters are in the free, public section of the kirkyard.
You can locate Thomas Riddell's grave and William McGonagall's grave on your own. Bringing a downloaded map helps, as the site covers 2.5 acres. Read more about finding them in our Harry Potter Graves guide.
Questions travellers ask
What are the opening times for Greyfriars Kirkyard?
The kirkyard is open daily, generally from dawn to dusk.
How long does it take to visit Greyfriars Kirkyard?
Most guided tours take 1.5 to 2 hours, but a self-guided walk can take as little as 30 minutes.
Is Greyfriars Kirkyard open at night?
Not freely: the gates can close in the evening, so night visits are usually made on ghost tours with after-hours access.
