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The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission

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Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023 - 2024

Step aboard the royal yacht britannia.

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission. Start your tour at our entrance on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal.

A great day out for all the family, explore each of the five decks at this top attraction in Edinburgh and discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace. 

9:30am - 4pm

(Last Admission 6pm)

Ticket information, opening times and more.

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Pre-book your tickets to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia, top attraction in Leith.

Homemade soups, sandwiches and cakes, along with speciality teas and coffees.

Find souvenirs and gifts from Britannia's online Gift Shop.

Apply for 12 months' free admission after your first visit.

Stay at our luxury floating hotel, Fingal, Tripadvisor's No1. UK Luxury Hotel, AA Hotel of the Year Scotland.

Visiting Britannia

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 - 2024

Click on the Visit page  for more information before you visit.

Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!

Fingal Hotel

Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal.  Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea. 

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK LUXURY HOTEL TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK SMALL & BOUTIQUE HOTEL AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

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Royal Yacht Britannia

The Queen and the Royal Family’s vessel for over 44 years , the Royal Yacht Britannia has become one of the most famous yachts in the world.

A long life

Britannia was launched in Scotland in 1953 and, since then, has served the Royal Family on 968 official voyages , travelling over one million miles, stopping at 600 ports and in over 135 countries .

The Queen felt at home when she travelled on the vessel and the photos of her children and grandchildren still hang on the walls of the Britannia , as well as various personal items and gifts that were given to the family on their travels around the world.

Throughout its 44 years of service, Britannia has been a residence for official receptions, banquets, and State visits . For these events, 45 members of the royal household would climb on board with 5 tons of luggage.

In 1997, after over 40 years of service, the vessel was decommissioned and is now berthed at Leith Port where curious visitors can explore the majestic Britannia.

The visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia begins in the Visitor Centre found on the second floor of the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre . In this centre, you’ll be able to discover the vessel’s past through numerous photographs.

Before visiting the Royal Yacht, you'll be given an English audio guide with all the details of the vessel.

Beginning with a visit to Britannia’s Bridge , visitors will also explore the State Apartments , the Crew’s Quarters, and finish at the Engine Room .

Although the Queen’s chambers are very plainly decorated, other parts of the vessel are extremely lavish, like the Rolls Royce that sits permanently in the vessel’s garage.   

A ship like no other

Even if you're not passionate about boats, wandering through the Royal Yacht Britannia’s rooms will satisfy any inquiries about the Queen and the Royal Family you might have . Information such as who slept in what room, how many people worked on board, what visitors were invited to visit the Britannia and the countries it has visited, make for an entertaining tour.

Ocean Terminal.

From January to March: Open daily: 10 am – 5 pm From April to October: Open daily: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm November and December: Open daily: 10 am – 5 pm

Adults: £ 18 ( US$ 23.30) Students: £ 16 ( US$ 20.70) Children (aged 5 – 17): £ 9 ( US$ 11.70) Children under 5: free entry

Buses: Ocean Terminal , 11, 22 or 35.

Nearby places

Royal Botanic Garden (2.7 km) Calton Hill (3 km) Scottish National Portrait Gallery (3.1 km) Palace of Holyroodhouse (3.2 km) Scottish Parliament (3.3 km)

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Edinburgh Castle and Royal Yacht Britannia (GR17)

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Sneak Peek Inside The Royal Yacht Britannia Edinburgh & Tour Review

This article has links to products and services we love, which we may make commission from.

Catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth’s preferred room, see the honeymoon bed requested by Charles, and find out why a wombat takes pride of place in a roof fan during this self-guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. After 44 years of royal service, HMY Britannia is berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith and open to visitors who want to learn more about how the royals live.

However, a tour of Britannia is much more than just pulling back the curtains on an episode of The Crown, the tour goes deep into life at sea logistics, touches upon UK history and discusses the engineering of this floating palace.

You’ll get a sneak peek at the bowels of the Britannia as well as its bow. So let’s dive into the Royal Yacht Britannia tour review and photography.

Visit The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh

Setting and location.

While there is no shortage of royal attractions in the Old Town, the Royal Yacht Britannia is actually located in the lesser-known, very hip and adored Edinburgh neighbourhood, Leith .

You can get to Leith via public bus, taxi or the hop on/hop off bus tour using the Majestic Tour line .

If you have a car, the Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the very few Edinburgh attractions that you can park at for free.

Parking is available at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre/mall where you will find the entrance of the yacht reception area.

Once you go through reception you will see a number of storyboards and artefacts as you move through to collect your audio guide.

Guest restrooms are located in this area and on the yacht.

Royal Yacht Britannia Audio Guide

The audio guide is narrated by the dreamy BAFTA award winner Mark Bonnar who you may recognise from the outstanding UK TV show, Line of Duty and the Scottish TV series, Shetland.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Bonnar (@mark_bonnar)

Visitors can choose between the sanitised audio device which is held up to the ear or using their own headphones and phone.

At each station, you type in a number to access the corresponding facts and stories about the exhibit.

The audio tour comes in 30 languages and there is a children’s version.

British and American Sign Language tablets are also available.

There are five decks to explore which take around 1.5 hours to walk through.

To access each deck you use the stairs or elevator in Ocean Terminal then walk over a bridge to get to the deck.

You do this each time you move between the decks, starting at the top and working your way down.

You can enjoy coffee and/or lunch at The Royal Deck Tea Room, which is only open to those who have paid to visit HMY Britannia.

Look how lovely and light the tea room is!

Afternoon teas are available, dahlin’.

Five Deck Tour

The tour kicks off among the tempting buttons, teasing dials and shiny plaques of the top deck Bridge.

This is where much of the control took place which was the responsibility of the Britannia’s Admiral or Commodore.

There is only one seat in this room that overlooks the yacht bow reserved for the man in charge.

Next, the tour takes you outside to the bow which is probably one of the most recognisable areas since this is where the royals would wave from when arriving at their destination.

A wooden lip was added to the bow to keep the wind from lifting up a royal skirt!

One of my favourite spots was the two-inch teak Verandah Deck which acted as a games deck, muse for art, hosted private engagements and doubled up as a swimming pool area for the kids!

The deck was cleaned daily before 8am and all work was conducted in silence so as to not disturb the royals as they slept.

The deck is also where the family photos were taken and acted as the pre-reception area for Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding.

The tour then takes you inside the yacht, through the Queen’s favourite room, the Sun Lounge, which has floor to ceiling windows viewing the Verandah Deck.

Next up is a nosey into the State Apartments which include the separate bedrooms of Queen Elizabeth (first image) and Prince Phillip (second image) and the honeymoon suite (third image) which has a double bed, at Prince Charles request.

Did you know that you can stay in a castle in Scotland?

The tour also has access to The State Drawing Room with its country home feel, piano and games.

This room was used for relaxing and entertaining.

Live music was an important part of HMY Britannia’s life and the Royal Marines Band could switch between a ceilidh and classical song with no hesitation.

They could also play every national anthem of the countries the royal yacht docked at, which is a reminder that this vessel has sailed over one million miles.

The lower you go down the decks, the greater insight you get into the workings of HMY Britannia.

From the pecking order living arrangements, including segregated pubs, to the bedroom dorms, it is evident that life at sea onboard Britannia was not an easy one for workers and sailors.

However, they appeared to create a good balance between work and fun creating games including one with a stuffed wombat, I won’t spoil the surprise!

During the tour, you will learn more than just facts about the royal family but also stories about the seamen, superstition, tradition and logistics.

Along with the original room content, there is lots of artwork and photography that compliment the audio guide.

If you are planning a trip from the States, check out this article on things every North American should know before visiting Scotland .

Essential Information

• Address: Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
• Self-guided audio tour: 1-2 hour s
• Kids enjoy the corgi treasure hunt
• Elevator and ramps throughout
• On-site restaurant

Cancellations

With GetYourGuide, tours have a 24-hour cancellation guarantee so if you can’t make it, you don’t lose your money.

Frequently Asked Questions About HMY Britannia

HMY Britannia was used for royal service from 1954 to 1997.

It was announced on 23 June 1994 that HMY Britannia would not be refitted due to cost.

Yes, over 300,000 people visit the royal yacht each year.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is looked after by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust.

Other Things To Do Near The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia is located in Ocean Terminal which is home to a number of restaurants, a cinema and the cool Leith Collective should which is a great store for local souvenirs.

A five-minute walk from Ocean Terminal is Leith Shore and the independent bars and restaurants that surround it.

Enjoy fine dining at The Kitchen, seafood at The Ship On The Shore, brunch at The Kings Wharf or Nobles, lunch at The Hideout Cafe, afternoon tea at Mimi’s Bakehouse, cocktails at the Roseleaf or a cold pint at Teuchters Landing.

Our Leith Guides

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From Leith you can walk up Leith Walk to Princes Street or along the Water of Leith Walkway to Stockbridge where you will find a Sunday market, cafes galore and a path to the historic Dean Village.

Find out more about Stockbridge here .

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Disclaimer: This guide was written in partnership with GetYourGuide. I, Gemma, have been working alongside GetYourGuide since 2017. Opinions are my own.

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Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia

Accommodation needed for this tour

We highly recommend letting us sort the accommodation for you for an extra cost. But you are more than welcome to book your own accommodation if you wish.

Our one-day Edinburgh shore excursion travels through the ancient capital city of Scotland. Spend time exploring the Royal Yacht Britannia, learn all about the secrets of the Royal Mile, visit the historic Edinburgh Castle, enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh City Centre, followed by a photo stop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Upon leaving the port, our Edinburgh shore excursion will head to the Royal Yacht Britannia*, the former royal yacht of the British monarchy. Board the ship and explore where the Queen and Prince Philip used to spend their voyages. After this, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh City Centre; see the city, the Old Town streets and enjoy magnificent views across the city from Arthur's Seat (Mon-Sat only).

Your Edinburgh Shore Excursion will then travel to the Royal Mile to visit historic Edinburgh Castle*, Scotland’s most iconic castle which stands proudly atop Castle Rock which has been occupied since around the Iron Age. Spend time touring the castle, learn all about its centuries of history and even see the famous Stone of Destiny; the traditional crowning seat of the ancient Scottish monarchs.

After a tour of the Castle, enjoy free time for refreshments and explore Castlehill, the city’s oldest street, and discover one of the many atmospheric ‘closes’ or alleys running off the back-bone of the Royal Mile, and attractions such as St Giles Cathedral.

Following this, there will be a photo stop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland since the 16th Century. It has played host to countless members of the Royal Family and many official events and gatherings have been held here. After this, we will return to the ship, taking in more of Edinburgh's beautiful streets on our way.

*Optional Extra

2024 Cruise Docking Dates

23/07/2024       Regal Princess

26/07/2024       Caribbean Princess

03/08/2024       Regal Princess

10/08/2024       Silver Spirit

15/08/2024       Regal Princess

21/08/2024       Niew Statendam

28/08/2024       Regal Princess

08/09/2024       Caribbean Princess

09/09/2024       Regal Princess

21/09/2024       Regal Princess

25/09/2024       Seven Seas Splendor

01/10/2024       Norwegian Star

03/10/2024       Regal Princess

Tour Overview

Tour highlight.

60 mins panoramic tour of Edinburgh

Royal Yacht Britannia

Holyrood Palace

Edinburgh Castle

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the departure point.

The Driver-Guide for your Edinburgh shore excursion will meet you at the port (see port listing below). We kindly ask all passengers to ensure they are 15 minutes early.

Are the optional extras included?

No, optional extras are not included in the tour price. The price of your shore excursion includes the services of a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced Driver-Guide, and transportation on one of our luxury coaches. All optional extras – attraction entrance fees and meals – are not included in the price of your tour and are payable on the day of travel. This is to allow our guests the freedom to choose which optional extras they would like to take part in on the day. Optional extras for your tour are as follows:

• Royal Yacht Britannia: Adult: £16.50, Concession: £14.50, Child: £8.75
• Edinburgh Castle: Adult: £18.50, Concession: £15, Child: £11, Child (Under 7): Free

Prices valid from April 2023

Do I need to pre-book the optional extras?

No, you don't need to worry about pre-booking any of the optional extras.

All the optional extras can be booked on the day and your Driver-Guide will advise you of how to book. We recommend bringing enough cash to pay for your attraction tickets. 

If you have any questions about this please contact our Reservations Team on +44 (0)131 226 6066 - open 07.00 - 21.00 daily.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, all of our tours are in English. Your trip to Edinburgh will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking Driver-Guide.

What should I bring with me?

As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days. Don't forget your camera to capture all of Edinburgh's stunning scenery to show to all of your friends and loved ones. Since we cannot allow hot food on our buses you could also bring a cold packed lunch with you to make the most of your time at each stop, this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!

Can children travel on this tour?

We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate. We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4.

Worry Free Shore Excursion

We always ensure passengers return back to their port on time, however in the rare case we can't make it, we will transfer you to your next port of call.

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Royal Yacht Britannia & Leith

Visit the royal yacht located in the port of leith (edinburgh).

In the harbor district of Edinburgh, Leith, lies the Royal Yacht Britannia. All info and tickets for visiting this impressive royal yacht with a guided tour.

Visit the royal yacht in Leith

For forty years, the Royal Yacht Britannia was the official means of sea transportation for the British Royal Family. Today you can visit the royal yacht in the harbor town of Edinburgh , Leith . Visit the royal family's five-deck yacht with an audio guide and learn about the state apartments and crew cabins.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

For more than 44 years, the Britannia sailed the British monarchs around the world. The Britannia was the last yacht of a total of 83 royal yachts. In total, the Britannia has sailed more than one million nautical miles on her way to approximately 968 state visits around the world. It is not surprising that the ship has played several key roles in major historical events. Britannia was also known for the large state banquets that were organized on deck. The Royal Apartments have hosted many well-known world leaders.

What to see on the Royal Yacht?

According to many, the highlight of a visit to the Royal Yacht is the viewing of the Queen's Bedroom. Other areas you will see include the States Apartments, the State Diner Room, and the Engine Room. Also visit the famous Sun Lounge, where the Queen loved to have breakfast or drink tea. Or take a look at the Admiral Quarters, where the admiral worked and often ate during his visit to the Royal Yacht . Where the British monarchs used to enjoy games and entertainment, nowadays you can have a bite to eat and enjoy the view over the sea.

The still bustling Leith

Leith is a pleasant harbor district in the north of Edinburgh. Since the bustling harbor was here in the eighteenth century, Leith was Scotland 's main port for products such as wool, wine, spices and raw materials. In 1920, Leith officially became part of Edinburgh . The yacht of the British monarchs docked at Leiths Ocean Terminal after her last voyage and is still here. Although Leith therefore became known among tourists, this district also has its own charm.

Innovative restaurants

In terms of restaurants, you won't have to starve in Leith. You will find unique, innovative restaurants everywhere and there are even two Michelin restaurants in the district: The Kitchin and Restaurant Martin Wishart . Food in a cozy atmosphere can be found in Borough's. Or visit one of the many seafood restaurants, such as Ship on the Shore. If you prefer Italian or Asian cuisine, visit East Pizzas and Lucky Yu respectively. You don't have to look far for lunch either. Leith offers you the largest sandwiches in Alby's. The port town's first wine café is Toast and for coffee lovers you have Williams and Johnson.

Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

Where is the royal yacht brittania in edinburgh.

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A Tour Guide to Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh Scotland

First Royal Yacht Designed for Ocean Travel

Commissioned just two days before the death of king george vi, created to double as a hospital, home to a lot of history, redesigned to be less opulent, has homely touches by royal standards, a royal honeymoon essential, a family vacation spot, the decommissioning in 1997, features of this ship, the queen’s favorite room, royal apartments and bedrooms, naafi sweet shop, royal deck tea room, the entrance, car parking, opening time.

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The Royal Yacht Britannia is Leith's most popular attraction. Great Britain has had a very strong connection with the seas and oceans for centuries. Plan your trip for a tour of the iconic royal yacht Britannia in the beautiful city of Edinburgh in Scotland. Rated as one of the top 5 tourist attractions in the UK, this is truly a must-visit place. Here is a brief information about the story of this royal vessel, activities and things to do, along with all the facilities it has to offer.

Story of Royal Yacht Britannia

The British royal family too has the same long history of seafaring. HMY Mary (HMY standing for His or Her Majesty’s Yacht) was the first official royal yacht. It was gifted by the Dutch to Charles II in 1660. Over the centuries, the British monarchy has used 83 royal yachts including the current one, the HMY Britannia, also known as The Royal Yacht Britannia. Though the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned from royal service in 1997 and despite some efforts to get a new one, there has been no replacement for it so far. With its seafaring days long over, The Royal Yacht Britannia remains an important piece of history. It gives a sneak preview of the royal life with interesting stories behind it.

Royal Yacht Britannia was the first royal vessel that was designed for travel across oceans. John Brown & company built it in a Clydebank shipyard. It is also regarded for building famous liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. With 12,000 horsepower to propel it in the oceans, the ship could sail at the max — speed of 22.5 knots which was quite reasonable. Before its commissioning, the royal family used the British Naval ships or even passenger liners for their sea travel during royal tours across the commonwealth. The Royal Yacht Britannia was in royal service for 44 years and traveled 1.1 million miles throughout its life span in royal service.

The idea of having an ocean capable royal vessel was conceived. So that the royals could comfortably tour their far-flung commonwealth and with the belief that travelling may improve the failing health of the reigning King. Just two days after the order was placed to the shipbuilders, John Brown Shipyard in Scotland, the King died on 6 th Feb. 1952. The ship was built in little over a year and was officially named only during its launch in April 1953. It was just two months before the new monarch, and Queen Elizabeth was coronated. The ship was named Royal Yacht Britannia by the Queen who toasted it by opening a bottle of wine as Champagne was considered very extravagant for celebrating the launch ceremony of a ship at that time.

Envisioned to be built less than a decade post-WWII, the ship designers planned to build the ship as functional as possible so that it could be transformed from a royal ocean liner to a seafaring floating hospital during wartime. As a result, the main veranda was spaced wider and re-enforced to support helicopter landing. The laundry area was made much larger than naval vessels to accommodate wounded soldiers in the event of a war. The ship was never actually used for that purpose though. However, Royal Yacht Britannia was put to service for a mission to rescue European nationals from Yamen in 1986.

The Royal Yacht Britannia had many pieces of history on it. The white and gold binnacle in the ship’s verandah was picked up from HMY Royal George, which served Queen Victoria. Some of the Queen’s bedroom linens were originally made for her bed aboard older royal yacht.Royal Yacht Britannia had its steering wheel lifted from its namesake racing yacht HMY Britannia that was built in 1893 for King Edward VII.

Despite the sense of opulent luxury that a royal yacht exuberates, the Queen and Prince Philip, the interior plans by the ship’s original interior designers found it too lavish for a country. Still recovering from war, it got redesigned by Sir Huge Casson. The ship in her 44 years of service has received minimal updates throughout.

The low-key royal living is a fairly high class by any standards on the Royal Yacht Britannia. The floating royal home has a 56-seat state dining room which has hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, many US Presidents and has a formal staircase where the Queen would greet her guests. It has separate bedrooms and sitting rooms for both the Queen and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh and a telephone system with similar configurations as Buckingham palace systems. During her earlier years, The Royal Yacht Britannia used to carry the Queen’s car, a Rolls Royce Phantom V, in a special garage compartment. The space being slightly small, the car’s bumpers used to be dismantled for storage to avoid damage and refitted at the port of call. As the Queen started using the car provided for her at the port, this space was converted to a storage space for beer.

Four royal couples, starting from Princess Margaret & Anthony Armstrong Jones in 1960, have celebrated their honeymoons in the honeymoon suite of Royal Yacht Britannia. This is the only room aboard which has a double bed. Since then, Princess Anne and Capt. Mark Phillips, in 1973, Prince Charles & Princess Diana in 1981, and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have famously traveled on The Royal Yacht Britannia for their respective honeymoons. Stories of these tours abound with one who got the ship its nickname “the ghost ship” owing to the crew that ducked the press so effectively during the Mediterranean honeymoon cruise of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

In addition to her diplomatic duties on frequent royal tours and as a honeymoon retreat, The Royal Yacht Britannia was also used as a vessel for family vacations. During summers, it catered to the royal family’s western Isles tour cruising around Scotland with a stopover to play games and barbeques on the islands. The tour would also have a stop off at Castle of Mey to visit the Queen Mother and a port of call at Aberdeen for the Queen to visit her favorite summer home, The Balmoral Castle . Though no longer used as a private yacht for tours, it still has connections with the royal family. The oldest granddaughter of the Queen, Zara Phillips, hosted a reception a night before her wedding in 2011 on the ship. The guests included all her royal cousins though the Queen was not in attendance.

Having clocked 1.1 million miles on the seas, Royal Yacht Britannia was finally decommissioned on 11 th December 1997. The Queen was seen shedding a tear at the ceremony as so many memories were attached to it. Since the Queen officially took leave of it, the ship is docked in the port of Leith in Scotland. It now serves as a floating museum and venue for events for those who can afford it. All the clocks aboard the ship remain stopped at 3.01 hours which is the exact time the Queen disembarked the vessel for the last time. The Queen has never visited the yacht ever again till date.

Initially, there were plans to get a replacement yacht, but the government eventually declined to fund it, and thus it remains an unfulfilled plan.

The ship was designed with three masts – a 41 m foremast, a 42 m mainmast, and a 36 m mizzenmast. A portion of the top of the foremast and mainmast were hinged to be removed to allow safe passage under bridges. A floating palace, Royal Yacht Britannia was built to double up as a hospital in the event of a war and was a functional royal residence.

It had a capacity of 250 guests and carried one platoon of Royal Marines and 21 officers with 250 Royal yachtsmen while carrying the Queen or the royal guests. Five of the decks open for public viewing include the Queen’s sleeping chambers, the state drawing, and dining rooms and a honeymoon suite with a double bed. It also had a garage to carry the Queens Rolls Royce Phantom V during the royal journeys. The Royal Deck Tea Room was added in 2009.

Royal Yacht Britannia had a steering crew who could not see where they were going as unlike on most ships, where the steering wheel sits on the bridge on the topmost floor. The Britannia’s wheel room is one floor below blinding the crew. To navigate, the crew used voice pipes to convey navigational orders to circumvent this problem. Amazing but true.

To maintain silence and calm during the Royal presence onboard, the crew would use hand signals instead of shouting orders. It was also the last Naval ship where the crew slept in hammocks, a practice that was discontinued in1973.

What Can You Do on Board?

The five decks of The Royal Yacht Britannia are open for public viewing as the ship was converted to a museum. The following are the few attractions on the yacht.

The sun lounge was the Queen’s favorite room where she liked to have her tea at 8.30 AM whenever sailing on onboard. She would view the shipping chart at 11 AM here reviewing the sailing progress it made during the night as she got back here for coffee. She liked having her afternoon tea here at 5 PM. The wooden-floored and paneled Sunroom remained the Queen’s favorite room for relaxing and informal time spending.

The yacht was a functional royal residence for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburg. It was fully equipped with all conveniences to host world leaders who have stayed in the royal apartments in the royal vessel. You can see the grand staircase where the Queen would greet her guests, a state drawing-room along with a state dining room for 56-guests. The Queen would sit on the port side of the dining table and used a small bell to clear off a food course. You can also see the Queen’s bedroom and sitting room which is covered with a glass screen for protection.

As in all Royal navy ships, Britannia has a NAAFI (Navy, Army & Air Force Institute) shop where the crew could buy sweets, papers, magazines and special Britannia souvenirs along with daily need items like razors and toothpaste. You could visit it too on your own to Royal Yacht Britannia.

The Royal Deck Team Room was added in 2009 in The Royal Yacht Britannia where you can enjoy freshly made food with stunning views and are warmly welcomed here. Treat yourself with tea and onboard baked snacks on the very same spot where the royals would have played games and entertain during their royal tours.

The onboard award-winning gift shop is a good place to buy exclusive gifts for your loved ones. Buy beautiful Britannia souvenirs to immortalize your tour to a royal icon.

Information about Royal Yacht Britannia

After being at service of her Majesty, The Queen and the Royal Family for more than 40 years and sailing over 1.1 million miles, the majestic Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed in Leith in Scotland. The place is just 2 miles from the city center of Edinburgh. You can follow the lives of the royalty on this tour with this most special royal residence. You can be part of the historic icon which hosted the Kings & Queens of the world along with important world leaders who have been a guest here. This famous ship is one of the top 5 landmark attractions in the UK. You can visit The Royal Yacht Britannia at Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland - EH6 6JJ.

As you reach the Ocean Terminal, which is the entrance of the Royal Yacht Britannia museum, you will get a truly warm welcome. The terminal is the gateway and boarding point for the ship. It has a replica Lego model of Britannia. You can view the historical royal photographs in the gallery before you get on board the ship. You can get a complimentary audio headset which gives you an audio tour of the 5 main decks in 30 languages.

Same-day tickets for the tour can be bought onsite at the Ocean Terminal visitor center before 8 am. You can also pre-book your ticket online for added convenience. Look out for discounts or special offers that may be applicable from time to time. The ticket free costs £16.50 for adults, £14.50 for senior citizens (60 years), £14.50 for students with valid ID, £8.75 for children (5-17 years), free - children under 5 years. There is also a family package of £46 (2 adults and up to 3 children).

There is ample free car parking available at the Ocean Terminal for Britannia visitors. The level E of the blue car park will get you to the same level as the Britannia’s visitor center. There are reserved car parking slots for disabled and dedicated bays for parent and child parking on this level.

The museum opens for admission at 10 am and allows admission till 3.30 pm, 7 days a week from Jan- March, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm from April- Oct. and 10 am to 3.30 pm in Nov- Dec. It closes 2 hours post the last admission.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed for visits on 25 th Dec. and 1 st Jan. due to holidays.

How to Get There

Royal Yacht Britannia can be reached in just 15 minutes by car from the Edinburgh city center. The visitor center is located on the 2 nd floor in the Ocean Terminal. For satnav guided driving, punch the codes EH66JJ or use google maps to reach here. Follow road signs for Edinburgh and Leith/ North Edinburgh. You will see brown Britannia signs for the final approach.

There are local bus services from Edinburgh city center. Lookout for Lothian Bus services with bus number 11, 22 or 35 which have service to the Ocean center. The ticket can be purchased in the bus carrying exact change. You can also buy bus tickets online at form-tickets. Optionally you can consider Majestic Tour buses which depart from Waverley Bridge at Edinburgh city center. You will get a 10% discount showing your Majestic bus ticket on your Britannia admission ticket.

Royal Yacht Britannia is approx. A 45-minute drive from Edinburgh airport. The new Lothian Skylink 200 service directly connects the airport to the Ocean Terminal.

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Royal Yacht Britannia

Royal Yacht Britannia, reasons to visit the Queen’s yacht

Royal apartments.

This beautiful vessel once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II , sailing her all over the world on State visits and Royal Family holidays , and now you too can explore its decks, discovering what life on board was like for both the Royals and the crew .

Useful Information

Nov-Mar 10am-3.30pm

Apr-Sep 9.30am-4.30pm

Oct 9.30am-4pm

£16.50 adults

£14.50 seniors/students

£8.75 children

Free children under 5

On the upper decks, you will see the various rooms where the Royal Family spent their time on board . Imagine them hosting guests in the magnificent State Dining Room, or simply relaxing in the Sun Lounge.

You can also see the Royal Bedrooms, and browse the photography exhibitions about Royal Yacht Britannia’s travels - Princes Charles and Princess Diana even used the yacht for their honeymoon .

For a truly regal experience, stop by the Royal Deck Tea Room, a glass walled cafe on the top deck , offering elegant cream teas and a lunch menu.

It’s also possible to hire out the State Apartments for private functions - Zara Tindell, the Queen’s granddaughter, held her engagement party on board in 2011.

Life for the crew

You can also see the areas of the ship where the Royal Yachtsmen lived and worked . Explore the Sick Bay, Laundry, and Crew’s Quarters, and don’t forget to stop at the NAAFI sweet shop to try their delicious fudge!

The Engine Room is also a highlight, where you will marvel at the massive, gleaming machinery that powers the yacht.

You should also check out the sailing exhibition, to learn about the Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound, which is moored next to Britannia .

If you are interested in the affairs of the Royal Family or f you are passionate about sailing, the experience of exploring the Royal Yacht Britannia will worth the visit.

You can see the Royal Yacht in the harbour of Leith, which can be reached on foot or by bus from the city centre. Enter through the Britannia Visitor Centre inside the Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

Get directions to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Related Activities

You won’t be able to see Bloodhound in July and August, as she is moored in Oban at this time, where she can be hired for day sailing.

Don’t miss...

The magnificent Rolls-Royce Phantom V that remains on board, which travelled with the Royal Family around the world!

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Departs from St Andrew Square from 9am-6pm

Edinburgh Britannia Tour

Experience The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle, and Royal Botanic Garden as just some of the sights forming our Britannia Tour. We offer multilingual commentary, and a unique take on the history of Edinburgh.

Launching 30th May, our Britannia route is the best way to truly experience Scotland's Capital. Soak up the culture of Edinburgh and enjoy the eateries, parks, cafes vintage shops and markets found in Stockbridge and Leith Shore. Offering the perfect blend of must-see tourist attractions, as well as the authentic locals experience of Edinburgh. 

Hop on and hop off as much as you like to truly take in the sights of our Britannia Tour including:

• The Royal Botanic Garden
• Newhaven Harbour
• The Royal Yacht Britannia & Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre
• Leith Shore
• Stockbridge
• The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
• Edinburgh Castle
• The Royal Mile

Click here to download our tour maps.

We have ticket options to suit you, with validity for 24 or 48 hours allowing you to squeeze in as many of the sights as possible from the best seats in town!

We're the not-boring bus tour, and our friendly team are here to ensure you have the very best experience of Edinburgh during your time on board, and beyond!

From £10 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• +44 (1506) 534977
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

• Level Access
• Pets Welcome

Tour information

• Edinburgh - City Centre
• Large Group (31+)
• Medium Group (17-30)
• Small Group (1-16)
• Architecture
• Outdoor Activities

Tour prices

From £10 Per Adult £6 Per Child £9 Concession

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour gallery

Tour company information

Bright bus tours.

Arthur no longer has the best seat in town! You can enjoy our Edinburgh Hop-on, Hop-off City Tour and Britannia Tour for the best way to truly experience Scotland’s Capital over 24 or 48 hours. Travel between Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and Royal Yacht Britannia, hopping on and off as much as you like. Sample a tipple at Holyrood Distillery or explore at Dynamic Earth before a stroll in beautiful Stockbridge, or Leith Shore. An adult tour ticket is £10 or enjoy a trip with the family for £29 plus upgrade to a 48 hour ticket for only an extra £3.

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Opening times

Our Tours operate from 9am daily, 7 days a week and depart from St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.

Other tours from this company

Edinburgh City Tour

Departs: Edinburgh - City Centre, Edinburgh

We’ve got the best seats in the house, dropping you at the door of attractions l...

Price from:

Edinburgh City and Britannia Tour - Two Tours

Departs: Edinburgh - City Centre

Take in the bustle of Scotland's capital on board our City Tour, and switch over...

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Britannia Tour

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Hop on and hop off as much as you like to truly take in the sights of our Britannia Tour including Edinburgh New Town, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Newhaven Harbour, The Royal Yacht Britannia, The Shore, Leith, Stockbridge, The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh Castle and so many more! Your ticket is valid for 24 hours allowing you to squeeze in as many sights as possible from the best seats in town! Our friendly and informative team is here to ensure you have the best experience of Edinburgh during your time on board, and beyond! Please note Royal Yacht Britannia attractions tickets are not included in the ticket price and must be purchased separately.

Ticket Options

1 Option Available

Britannia Tour : $8

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• Free headphones to keep
• 24 hour validity

What's not Included

• Please note Royal Yacht Britannia attractions tickets are not included.

Cancellation Policy

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Additional Info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible

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