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United Kingdom/Things to Do in Edinburgh, solo trip

Edinburgh Zoo (solo trip)

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How Solo-Friendly is Edinburgh Zoo?

81%Solo-Friendly
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What makes it 81% Solo-Friendly: A solo visitor can freely explore top exhibits, join many keeper talks, book VR and keeper experiences, and navigate via the app; some steep hills and child-centred crowds may reduce serenity.

Google
Reviews4.3/ 5
(from 13,363 reviews)
4K | Edinburgh Zoo | Scotland’s Biggest and The Best zoo | Animal 2024 🦒 🦓 🐅
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4K | Edinburgh Zoo | Scotland’s Biggest and The Best zoo | Animal 2024 🦒 🦓 🐅
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Edinburgh Zoo | Full Tour in 4K | Scotland's Biggest Zoo
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Edinburgh Zoo | Full Tour in 4K | Scotland's Biggest Zoo
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Full Tour Of Edinburgh Zoo | Edinburgh Zoo | 4K | Finding Wonders
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Full Tour Of Edinburgh Zoo | Edinburgh Zoo | 4K | Finding Wonders
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We flew to Edinburgh Zoo to see Pandas!
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We flew to Edinburgh Zoo to see Pandas!
1.9K views • 2 years ago
Edinburgh Zoo, A Zoo Where You Can See Behavioural Research!
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Edinburgh Zoo Vlog 2023
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Positives:

  • Interactive encounters: Join keeper talks or VR sessions for hands-on learning.
  • Easy navigation: The free zoo app shows live feed times and shortest walking routes.

Challenges:

  • Hilly terrain: Zoo covers 82 acres with steep paths; wear sturdy shoes and rest often.
  • Variable weather: Most exhibits are outdoors; bring rain gear for sudden UK showers.
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🏖️ Explore Edinburgh Zoo with a local guide: GetYourGuide's 10 BEST Activities and Tours around Edinburgh Zoo. Local guides know the hidden gems you'd otherwise miss, read what other travelers experienced, and book easily.

What is Edinburgh Zoo?

  • A zoological park established in 1913 on 82 acres of wooded parkland at the western edge of Edinburgh, integrating historic landscapes with purpose-built animal habitats
  • A conservation-led institution housing over 1,000 animals across 120 species, including the UK’s only resident giant pandas, koalas and artificially incubated emperor penguins
  • A scientific research and breeding centre accredited for international wildlife programmes, pioneering captive-breeding techniques and collaborative conservation studies

What is so special about Edinburgh Zoo for solo trip?

  1. Use the free app to customize your visit.
  2. Join keeper talks for close-up animal views.
  3. Experience Gorilla Trek VR for immersive wildlife.
  4. Visit early to spot pandas and penguins without crowds.
  5. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for UK weather.

Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours

Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: Enough time to see key exhibits, join keeper talks, and fit in the VR experience without rushing.

(View Edinburgh Zoo on Map)

Solo-Friendly Activities in Edinburgh Zoo

Explore via the Edinburgh Zoo app:

Plan your route, find eateries, and view live keeper talk times.

Tip: Download before arrival and bookmark exhibits you don’t want to miss.

Attend daily keeper talks:

Listen to short talks and watch animal feeding demos.

Tip: Check the app on arrival to map out talks near popular exhibits like Penguin Lawn.

Try the Gorilla Trek VR:

Experience a 360° virtual journey into a Rwandan gorilla family.

Tip: Book on site for £7; go mid-afternoon when pods free up.

Join the Half Day Keeper Experience:

Spend three hours behind the scenes learning zookeeper skills.

Tip: Pre-book online at £175; arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Edinburgh Zoo

  1. Beat the queues: Arrive 45 minutes before opening to head straight to the pandas.
  2. Smart routing: Start at the top park near pandas and work downhill to avoid backtracking.
  3. Stay informed: Check the app hourly for keeper talk updates and any exhibit closures.
🏖️ Tour Edinburgh Zoo like a local: GetYourGuide's Top 10 Activities and Tours in Edinburgh Zoo. Local experts uncover hidden treasures you'd never find alone, browse authentic traveler reviews, and book your perfect adventure hassle-free.

Reviews of Edinburgh Zoo

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Ash OCP001

Ash OCP001

Sep 2025

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

ZoltanoMoltano

Aug 2025

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

isabela muntean

Aug 2025

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

J D

Aug 2025

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

Anna Grabsztunowicz

Jul 2025

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 ...

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh Zoo (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)?

From March to May, lemurs and otters are most active. Summer weekdays early have lighter crowds. In winter, catch the midday penguin walks—check times on the app.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Edinburgh on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)

ItemCost (Approx.)
Adult entry ticketGBP 21.05
VR Gorilla TrekGBP 7
Lunch at Penguin CaféGBP 10
Coffee & snackGBP 4
Total EstimatedGBP 42.05

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

Map of Edinburgh Zoo

Address: 134 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, UK

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Looking for other Things to Do besides Edinburgh Zoo (Edinburgh)?

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About Edinburgh Zoo

Opening Hours

Monday:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+44 131 334 9171

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