What makes it 94% Kids-Friendly: School-age children see penguins march, koalas feed, follow activity trails and join discovery days, with cafés and toilets nearby; only the long hillside paths may tire small legs.
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: This time lets you cover main exhibits, keeper talks and a trail without tiring young children.
Penguin Lawn Keeper Talk:
Watch king and gentoo penguins feed and learn fun facts from a keeper.
Tip: Arrive 10 minutes early and stand close to the rail for best views.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Trail:
Pick up a map and follow story-themed stops to earn a small prize.
Tip: Buy the £3 trail map at the entrance and plan breaks near indoor exhibits.
Giant Panda Viewing:
See Edinburgh Zoo’s only giant pandas in a shaded, quiet habitat.
Tip: Visit early for smaller crowds and ask staff about feeding times.
Hilltop Safari Bus Ride:
Free shuttle ride gives a bird’s-eye view of the parkland and animals.
Tip: Board at the Lower Park stop and hold on as the bus climbs to the top.

Ash OCP001
First time here and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Parking is capped at £4 and the ticket is required to pay the £4. There were lots of lovely animals😍. Its a shame the lion and tiger were having a nap. At least the lion woke up, eat and and drank water and went back to sleep 😴. The giraffes were amazing to watch roaming around, such majestic creatures. Lots of uphill walking can be tiring so allo...
ZoltanoMoltano
Huge areas for the animals and many vantage points for visitors to watch them. I would say the best time is to visit around 4-6pm as the most activity starts from the animals at that time but all day is fine just there will be a lot of carnivores sleeping and most of the herbivores resting in the shade. WHEN you travel with car and use google maps make sure you don’t take the hospital parking lot...
isabela muntean
The zoo was a wonderful experience! I didn’t expect to spend so many hours there, exploring every corner and admiring each animal. They were all incredibly cute – if I could, I would have taken them all home. The place is very clean, well-maintained, with friendly and attentive staff. There are plenty of playgrounds and activities for children, as well as food and sweets stands for visitors. I wa...
J D
Beautiful Zoo! Plenty of animals to see although be prepared for hills! We have visited many zoos in the UK and this is second on the list (Chester is the best). Parking could be an issue, although we arrived early and only about 20 cars in the car park (staff I assume) We ate in the Penguin cafe which serves lovely food. We had an issue with one of our wraps. It was labeled incorrectly. Didn’t...
Anna Grabsztunowicz
One of the best zoos I’ve ever been to. It’s well kept. It seems like there’s new things being added or restored, which is important for comfort and safety. Most importantly the animals seem to be kept in right conditions, with plenty of space and the fauna mimicking their natural habitat. It was a great workout coming there with a pram as the entire place is on a hill— it’s not for faint hearted ...
In summer, start early to avoid rain showers and catch all daily talks. In spring, look for new penguin chicks on Penguin Lawn. In winter, wear waterproof shoes on sloped paths and dress in layers.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2 adult tickets | GBP 43 |
| 2 child tickets | GBP 26 |
| 2 Caterpillar trail maps | GBP 6 |
| Lunch and snacks | GBP 30 |
| Total Estimated | GBP 105 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: 134 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, UK
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