Access Guide
Opening Hours
Summary (Edinburgh Zoo)
- The venue is in a pedestrian area.
- Services / facilities within the grounds include animal enclosures, animal houses, cafés and restaurants, kiosks, gift shop, education centre, Mansion House meeting and function rooms, play areas, picnic areas, and much more.
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Parking and Entrance AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Lower Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Centre Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Upper Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Accessible Toilet Facilities AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Gift Shop and Exits AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
Getting Here
-
By Road
View
- Edinburgh Zoo is located to the west of the city and is on Corstorphine Road.
The zoo can be accessed via the A720 Edinburgh bypass and the A90. - There are ample Blue Badge bays and standard parking bays within the main zoo car park which is located to the right of main building, to the rear of the Holiday Inn Edinburgh Hotel.
- Edinburgh Zoo is located to the west of the city and is on Corstorphine Road.
-
By Bus
View
- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
- The nearest bus stop is on Corstorphine Road, in front of the zoo, approximately 4 metres away.
The bus stop is served by buses 12, 18, 26, 31, X12, X24, X25, X38, 100 Airlink, 900 Citylink, 909 Citylink and 904 Citylink, with links to Edinburgh, the surrounding areas and other cities. - For more information on local bus times please click here (opens new tab).
-
By Train
View
- The nearest Railway Station is Haymarket.
- Haymarket Station is approximately 3 miles away to the east, there are direct routes to Scotland and beyond. It is served by ScotRail.
- For more information on train times please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on Haymarket Station please click here (opens new tab).
-
By Tram
View
- The nearest tram stop is Balgreen.
- The nearest tram stop is approximately 1 mile away on Balgreen Road to the south east of the zoo.
- For more information on tram times please click here (opens new tab).
-
Useful Links
View
- For information on Balgreen Tram Stop please click the link below.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- For the zoos information for visitors with disabilities please click here (new tab).
- Please click here for information on opening times.
- The following are available: zoo maps, sensory maps, accessibility maps, mobility scooter maps, assistance dog maps, downloadable zoo maps, downloadable sensory maps, downloadable accessibility maps, downloadable mobility scooter maps and downloadable assistance dog maps.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is a member of staff trained in basic British Sign Language.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print and different languages.
- There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the grass areas throughout the zoo.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are mobility aids available.
- The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact the information desk at the main entrance.
- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.
- Sensory packs are available and include: ear defenders, fidget toys, sunglasses, binoculars, accessible maps and sensory maps. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
- Edinburgh Zoo Information - Visitors with Disabilities For accessibility information from the Edinburgh Zoo website, for assistance dog information, or to download a zoo map, wheelchair accessibility map or mobility scooter map, please click here (new tab).
Route from Zoo Entrance to Mobility Vehicle
- From the second set of doors at the Zoo entrance, turn left and follow the path.
- The path surface begins as paving slabs. There are very easy slopes here from left to right and right to left, there is also a metal drainage gulley.
- After approximately 8 metres the path becomes tarmac.
- There are uneven surfaces and a manhole cover on the tarmac path.
- After approximately 6 metres the path turns left and then after approximately 5 metres the path turns right.
- There is a slight slope on this right hand path.
- Follow the path for approximately 5 metres. At the top, go slightly left but continue ahead. This area has a steep slope.
- Follow the path for approximately 10 metres and the mobility vehicle is ahead.
- There is a slight camber on this path from left to right.
Mobility Vehicle
- A mobility vehicle is available.
- Please see the Route from Zoo Entrance to Mobility Vehicle section for directions to the vehicle.
- There are 4 standard seats available in the mobility vehicle; 1 in the front and 3 in the back.
- There is a deep step to all standard seats.
- There is a designated space available for 1 wheelchair.
- It is accessed via a steep ramp at the rear of the vehicle.
- The clear door width of the rear door is 77 cm.
- The width of the ramp is 76cm.
- The dimensions of the wheelchair space are 78cm wide by 106cm deep.
- The wheelchair space is also on a steep ramp.
- There are straps and clamps to secure a wheelchair in place.
- The mobility vehicle can also pick up from the members' gate.
- The mobility vehicle can drop visitors off almost anywhere in the zoo grounds.
Related Access Guides (Cafés and Restaurants)
- To view other AccessAble Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- The Gannet Fish Bar link (new tab) - click here
- Penguins Café link (new tab) - click here
- Grasslands Restaurant link (new tab) - click here
Related Access Guides (Animal Enclosures)
- To view other AccessAble Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- The following animal enclosures are either walk-through, covered, or internal enclosures.
- Avian Walkway link (new tab) - click here
- Chimpanzee Budongo Trail link (new tab) - click here
- Gibbons House link (new tab) - click here
- Giraffe House link (new tab) - click here
- Koala Territory link (new tab) - click here
- Penguins Rock link (new tab) - click here
- Pigmy Hippo link (new tab) - click here
- Rhino House link (new tab) - click here
- Sloths and Armadillos link (new tab) - click here
- Wallaby Outback link (new tab) - click here
- Wee Beasties link (new tab) - click here
- Animal Antics link (new tab) - click here
- Living Links link (new tab) - click here
- Magic Forest link (new tab) - click here
Related Access Guides (Other Buildings)
- To view other AccessAble Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- For details of buildings please click the relevant link.
- Edinburgh Zoo - Parking and Entrance link (new tab) - click here
- Edinburgh Zoo - Gift Shop and Exits link (new tab) - click here
- Edinburgh Zoo - Education Centre link (new tab) - click here
- Mansion House at Edinburgh Zoo link (new tab) - click here
- Medical Centre link (new tab) - click here
- Edinburgh Zoo - Accessible Toilet Facilities link (new tab) - click here
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
- Changing Places facilities are located to the left of the Centre Park Area, below Penguin, below Penguins Rock and next to the First Aid centre.
- Accessible toilet facilities are located in the following locations:- Lower Park Area - Entrance Building, Centre Park Area - Chimpanzee Budongo Trail, Centre Park Area - Animal Antics, Centre Park Area - Grasslands Restaurant, Centre Park Area - Penguins Café, Centre Park Area - The Gannet Fish Bar and Upper Park Area - Giraffe House.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located in the following locations:- Car Park, Lower Park Area - Entrance Building, Members' entrance, Centre Park Area - Chimpanzee Budongo Trail, Animal Antics, rear of Wee Beasties, Grasslands Restaurant, Penguins Café, The Gannet Fish Bar and Upper Park Area - Giraffe House.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located in the following locations:- Car Park - near Members' Entrance, Lower Park Area - Entrance Building (shared accessible facility), Members' entrance, Centre Park Area - Chimpanzee Budongo Trail, Animal Antics, One Horn Rhino path (stepped access), Grasslands Restaurant, Penguins Café, The Gannet Fish Bar and Upper Park Area - Giraffe House.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the following locations:- Lower Park Area - Entrance Building, Centre Park Area - Animal Antics, Wee Beasties, Grasslands Restaurant, Penguins Café, The Gannet Fish Bar and Upper Park Area - Giraffe House.
- For detailed information on the toilet facilities available please click here (new tab).