Accessible Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a city that likes to reveal itself in layers. Medieval closes climb away from the Royal Mile, Georgian streets stretch across the New Town, trains arrive beneath the city centre and green spaces appear where you least expect them. Travel a little further and the city gives way to Leith’s waterfront, the Firth of Forth and hills that make the views memorable — even if they can make the journey more demanding.
As the birthplace of Euan’s Guide, Edinburgh has one of the richest collections of disabled access reviews on the website. They cover everything from major landmarks and transport hubs to neighbourhood cafés, theatres, toilets and hotels. This guide cannot include them all, but it brings together some of the most useful places and experiences to help you begin planning your visit.
In Edinburgh, the shortest route is not always the easiest: a few hundred metres can include steep slopes, cobbles or a significant change in height between the Old and New Towns, so check the journey as carefully as the venue itself.
Getting to and around Edinburgh
Edinburgh is relatively compact, but its hills and historic streets can make distances deceptive. Trams, buses and well-placed transport hubs can help you avoid some of the steepest routes.
Arriving by air
Edinburgh Airport is connected to the city by tram, bus, taxi and road, with recent reviews praising its clear signage, plentiful seating, induction loops, accessible toilets and Passenger Assistance service. One wheelchair user taking their first flight in 11 years remained in their folding powerchair until reaching the ambilift, where they transferred into an aisle chair and were taken to their seat. Assistance was ready at both ends of the journey, helping turn a nervous test flight into renewed confidence about flying.
The Special Assistance area has automatic doors and a lowered counter but can become crowded. Accessible toilets are available in several zones, although their sizes and layouts vary. A Changing Places toilet is located airside near Gate 16; you can find more information in the Changing Places section below
The tram runs directly between the airport and city centre, while the Airlink 100 and other Lothian Buses services provide alternatives. Blue Badge holders can also use the airport car park free for one hour for drop-offs and collections.
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station
Set in the valley between Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station is unusual in that many passengers descend into it from the surrounding streets. The Waverley Bridge entrance is steep, but the station itself has level routes, accessible ticket gates and lifts serving most areas.
BSL departure boards, induction loops, tactile platform markings and Braille lift buttons are available, while recent feedback praises Passenger Assistance staff. Several accessible toilets are behind the main waiting area, including a Changing Places toilet. Waverley Bridge, Market Street and Calton Road offer different routes out of the station, with lift access from Market Street and the Calton Road drop-off point. Choosing the most suitable exit can save a substantial climb once you are outside.
Haymarket Railway Station
West of the city centre, Haymarket Railway Station is a convenient arrival point for the West End, Murrayfield and accommodation around Haymarket and Fountainbridge. The station has level access and lifts between the foyer and platforms. Braille lift buttons, induction loops, tactile paving, accessible waiting rooms and seating are available throughout. Three accessible toilets have slightly different layouts. A tram stop is immediately outside, with bus services, a taxi rank and drop-off point and two accessible parking spaces nearby.
Edinburgh Bus Station
Edinburgh Bus Station sits beneath and beside St Andrew Square, serving long-distance coaches and regional routes. The St Andrew Square entrance has automatic doors and a lift down to the station, while the Elder Street entrance is on a steep hill but leads to a ramp with grab rails and a level resting section. Inside, there is plenty of seating, a café, shop, lockers and a helpdesk with a lowered counter, although queues forming at the coach gates can make the central walkway more difficult to navigate at busy times.
The accessible toilet requires a RADAR key. Fixtures and bins restrict some of the space, while the emergency cord did not reach the floor during the reviewed visit. The station sits beside St James Quarter and St Andrew Square Tram Stop, with Waverley Station also nearby, although the route between them includes gradients.
Using Edinburgh Trams
For many wheelchair users, Edinburgh Trams offer one of the simplest ways to travel across the city independently. The route runs from Edinburgh Airport through Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square before continuing down Leith Walk to Newhaven. Wheelchair symbols on the platforms show where the accessible doors should arrive.
The trams are roll-on, roll-off without a ramp. Each accessible area has two wheelchair spaces, while audio announcements and screens identify the next stop. A button beside the wheelchair space alerts the driver that additional time may be needed to leave. Customer-service assistants regularly move through the trams and can help manage busy spaces. There are no toilets on board, but several stops are close to Changing Places facilities.
Planning your journey? Explore more disabled access reviews of buses, railway stations, tram stops and transport around Edinburgh on Euan’s Guide.
Exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town
The Old Town contains many of Edinburgh’s best-known landmarks, but it is also where the city’s historic layout is most obvious. Cobbles, steep streets, narrow pavements and changes in level can matter just as much as the access once you get through the door.
A route down the Royal Mile can take you from Edinburgh Castle and St Giles’ Cathedral towards the Canongate and Holyrood, with museums, cafés and other attractions branching off along the way.
Edinburgh Castle
Few places announce themselves as confidently as Edinburgh Castle, sitting high above the city on Castle Rock. That position is also its greatest access challenge: reaching the Esplanade involves a steep climb unless you arrive by taxi or use the limited Blue Badge parking, while steep gradients and granite cobbles connect different parts of the castle.
A mobility vehicle operates between the Esplanade and Crown Square, but not every building or exhibition can be reached without taking steps, so contact the castle before visiting to discuss the most suitable route. The accessible toilet near the entrance is also reached across cobbles and has limited turning space. This is a place where the surfaces and gradients matter as much as the facilities themselves.
St Giles’ Cathedral
Further down the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral offers a quieter encounter with Edinburgh’s history. Ramps provide step-free access at the entrance and into the main cathedral. One external ramp is steeper than the other, but staff can direct visitors to the more suitable route, which may be particularly helpful in wet weather. Smooth flagstone floors and plentiful seating make most of the interior straightforward to explore. The stained glass, organ and central altar are accessible, although a few smaller areas have one or two steps.
National Museum of Scotland
A short distance south of the Royal Mile, the National Museum of Scotland brings natural history, science, technology, design and Scottish history together beneath the soaring roof of its Grand Gallery. It is one of Edinburgh’s largest free attractions, and lifts connect the floors with seating and accessible toilets available throughout. A Changing Places toilet is close to the helpdesk, with more information later in this guide.
The People’s Story
Back on the Royal Mile and further down the Canongate, The People’s Story explores the lives of Edinburgh’s working-class residents from the eighteenth to the late twentieth centuries. Objects, reconstructed rooms and tableaux cover domestic life, employment, leisure and political history. The displays have been praised for representing experiences that are often missing from traditional museums.
A permanent ramp provides step-free entry, and a lift connects the ground and first floors. The second and third floors can only be reached by stairs, and no alternative guide to those inaccessible floors was identified during the reviewed visit. An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor, and some seating with back support is provided.
The Scottish Parliament
Continue towards Holyrood and the historic streets give way to the striking modern architecture of The Scottish Parliament. Step-free access, lifts, accessible seating and an accessible café and shop are available. BSL and Gaelic information are prominently displayed, while staff positioned throughout the building can help with a layout that is not always immediately intuitive. Accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet are also available.
Festival Theatre
If you’re exploring the southern side of the Old Town, the Festival Theatre is also within reach, presenting musicals, dance, opera and large touring productions. A shallow ramp leads to a push-pad entrance, with lifts connecting the higher floors. Staff can escort wheelchair users to their spaces and assist with the lifts.
The accessible toilet is spacious and has an emergency cord reaching the floor. Foyers and lifts can become busy during intervals and at the end of performances, so allow extra time to move through the building.
OX184
Cowgate can be one of the Old Town’s more challenging streets on wheels, which makes OX184 a useful accessible option once you reach it. A side entrance provides step-free access, although a small lip may require care, while the interior is spacious with tables that wheelchair users can fit comfortably underneath. The surrounding streets present the greater challenge, with cobbles, narrow pavements and awkward lowered kerbs.
Exploring the New Town and city centre
Across the valley, the New Town trades medieval closes for Georgian streets, broad squares and some of Edinburgh’s busiest shopping areas. Routes are often smoother than in the Old Town, although steep slopes still connect Princes Street with the Mound and the streets above.
National Galleries of Scotland: National
At the foot of the Mound, the National Galleries of Scotland: National brings historic galleries together with newer spaces for Scottish art. The traditional entrance on the Mound has heavy doors, but a lower entrance provides a more straightforward step-free route. Spacious lifts connect the levels, while clear signs combine text and symbols.
The Smartify app can recognise artworks and provide information through a visitor’s own phone and its built-in accessibility features. Accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet are available. The gallery is close to Princes Street Tram Stop, although the surrounding Mound is steep.
East Princes Street Gardens
The galleries also provide a useful connection with East Princes Street Gardens directly below. The main ramps from Princes Street can feel long and steep, but wheelchair users have highlighted an alternative route from Waverley Bridge. Enter opposite the Lothian Buses Travel Shop and take the upper path on the left.
The path winds gradually around the gardens on a comparatively level route before reaching the terrace outside the National Galleries. From there, visitors can use the gallery lifts to reach the Mound or follow the ramped path back towards Princes Street. It is a good example of an Edinburgh journey where the less obvious route may also be the more enjoyable one.
St James Quarter
At the eastern end of the New Town, St James Quarter combines shops, restaurants, a cinema and leisure venues beneath its sweeping open roof. Smooth floors, spacious routes and numerous lifts make it straightforward to navigate. The Welcome app can be used to arrange support in advance, while customer service staff can provide information and arrange wheelchair or mobility-scooter loans.
Several accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet are available. The centre also has accessible parking and sits beside Edinburgh Bus Station, between the St Andrew Square and Picardy Place tram stops. Its combination of seating, toilets, transport links and smooth indoor routes can make it a useful practical stop while exploring this end of the city centre.
Edinburgh Playhouse
A short distance from St James Quarter, the Edinburgh Playhouse hosts touring musicals, concerts and comedy. Its wheelchair spaces are in the upper circle and reached by a ramp. The view is generally good, although it may be obscured if people in front stand.
Recent feedback suggests that access and staff support have improved considerably. Tickets described as “wheelchair transferrable” can be converted into wheelchair spaces; the wording does not mean that the customer must transfer out of their chair. There is one accessible toilet near the bar, which can develop a long queue during the interval.
The Dome
Head west along George Street and you will find several of Edinburgh’s grandest dining rooms. The Dome is among the most distinctive, with its columns, chandeliers and elaborate interior. Step-free access is available to the main Grill Room, with lifts serving other areas. Tables provide good wheelchair clearance, an accessible toilet is available, and staff have been praised for responding thoughtfully to practical requests, including providing lighter cutlery.
Contini George Street
Also on George Street, Contini George Street pairs Italian food with an ornate former bank interior. Once inside, there is plenty of space to move around and tables accommodate wheelchair users comfortably. The entrance is the main barrier: portable ramps provide access over two sets of steps, but the first can be extremely steep.
The accessible toilet is also very narrow, with insufficient room for a side transfer. For visitors who can manage the entrance ramp and do not require side-transfer space in the toilet, however, the spacious dining room, attentive staff and highly praised food could make Contini a memorable choice.
Explore more disabled access reviews of shops, galleries, restaurants and entertainment across Edinburgh’s New Town and city centre.
Exploring the West End and Haymarket
At the western end of Princes Street, cultural venues, restaurants and hotels sit within reach of both the tram and Haymarket Station. Routes can be smoother than in the Old Town, although gradients remain around Lothian Road and the connecting streets.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Johnnie Walker Princes Street turns whisky history into an immersive tour involving performance, projections, music and cocktails. Lifts and a platform lift connect changes in level, while lowered counters and tables allow wheelchair users to take part comfortably. Staff accompany visitors through the route and can rearrange seating or carry drinks where needed.
The tour includes dramatic lighting, sound and moving visual effects, which may be worth considering if you have sensory access requirements. A Changing Places toilet is available in the entrance hall, with standard accessible toilets on the other floors.
Usher Hall
A short distance away in Festival Square, the Usher Hall hosts orchestras, touring musicians and major concerts. Wide automatic doors provide step-free entry. A viewing platform in the standing area offers wheelchair users a clear view while remaining part of the atmosphere of the crowd, although its ramp is fairly steep and has a sharp lip at the top.
Accessible positions are limited once companion spaces are included, so early booking is worthwhile. Staff have received excellent feedback for helping visitors move around the venue. During one recent concert, flooding left the accessible toilet unusable, although this does not appear to reflect its usual condition.
Loudons
Nearby, Loudons provides a more relaxed stop for breakfast, lunch, cakes and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The venue is step-free and spacious, with good room between tables. Staff have been praised for responding thoughtfully to individual requirements, including adapting food for a customer with limited hand strength. The accessible toilet has generous manoeuvring space and well-positioned grab rails. Loudons does not normally take bookings, so there may be a wait at busy times. Haymarket Station and both Haymarket and West End tram stops provide useful transport connections for exploring this side of the city.
Find more disabled access reviews of cafés, theatres, hotels and other venues around Edinburgh’s West End and Haymarket.
Exploring Leith and the waterfront
Edinburgh’s tram line now continues from the city centre through Leith to Newhaven, making the neighbourhood and waterfront easier to reach without relying solely on buses or taxis. Stops along Leith Walk provide access to its independent shops, cafés and restaurants. The Shore is useful for exploring the waterfront, while Ocean Terminal serves attractions including the Royal Yacht Britannia and the surrounding docklands.
Exploring beyond the city centre
Some of Edinburgh’s major event venues sit beyond the central Old and New Towns, where public transport can be useful but event-specific access arrangements may require more planning.
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium hosts Scottish Rugby, concerts and other large events. Access arrangements can vary considerably depending on what is taking place. At one recent concert, ramped viewing platforms had accessible portable toilets and staff could take food and drink orders directly from the platforms.
The route from the car park to the accessible entrance involved a considerable distance, while signage and crowd management were inconsistent. The stadium also has a permanent Changing Places toilet. Confirm the entrance, viewing platform and toilet arrangements with the event organiser before travelling.
Explore more Euan’s Guide reviews of parks, gardens, sporting venues and attractions beyond central Edinburgh.
Changing Places toilets in Edinburgh
Knowing where you can find a Changing Places toilet can shape an entire day in Edinburgh. A facility that appears close on a map may still sit at the top or bottom of a steep hill, so these venues can be useful anchors when planning routes through different parts of the city.
The amount of information available in individual reviews varies. If you rely on a particular hoist, sling, bench, weight limit or transfer arrangement, contact the venue before travelling to confirm its current equipment.
Old Town and Holyrood
National Museum of Scotland: The Changing Places toilet is close to the helpdesk, where staff can provide access. A recent review confirms transfer space, grab rails, a low-level mirror and sink, an outward-opening door and an emergency cord reaching the floor. Its Chambers Street location makes it well placed for the museum, Greyfriars, George IV Bridge and the southern Old Town.
The Scottish Parliament: A Changing Places toilet is available alongside the standard accessible toilets, with recent visitors describing the facilities as clean and spacious. Its Holyrood location makes it a convenient option at the foot of the Royal Mile.
City centre and New Town
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station: The Changing Places toilet is behind the main waiting area and includes a ceiling-track hoist, height-adjustable changing table, shower, transfer space on both sides and a height-adjustable washbasin. Two emergency cords reached the floor during the reviewed visit. A RADAR key is required, and the wall-mounted locking arrangement may be unfamiliar. Its central location makes it particularly convenient for Princes Street and the lower Old Town.
National Galleries of Scotland: National: A Changing Places toilet is available inside the gallery. A recent reviewer noted that it has a smaller footprint than some facilities. The lower step-free entrance and internal lifts make it well placed for Princes Street Gardens and the Mound.
St James Quarter: The Changing Places toilet is on Level One, with smooth routes and lifts throughout the centre. Its position beside Edinburgh Bus Station and between St Andrew Square and Picardy Place tram stops makes it a handy city-centre option.
West End
Johnnie Walker Princes Street: The Changing Places toilet is in the venue’s large entrance hall, with standard accessible toilets available on other floors. It has received particularly enthusiastic feedback from disabled visitors, while its position close to the West End tram stop makes it convenient for the western end of Princes Street, Charlotte Square and nearby cultural venues.
Further afield
Edinburgh Airport: A Changing Places toilet is available airside near Gate 16 at Edinburgh Airport. Because it is beyond security, it cannot be used by someone visiting the landside terminal or collecting a passenger without travelling. If you rely on particular equipment, contact the airport’s Passenger Assistance team before travelling.
Looking for more options? Explore accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities across Edinburgh on Euan’s Guide.
Accessible hotels and places to stay in Edinburgh
Location can matter almost as much as the room itself in Edinburgh. A well-positioned hotel may help you avoid repeatedly crossing steep or cobbled streets.
hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Haymarket
Close to Haymarket Station and the West End, hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Haymarket offers compact rooms that can be more affordable than a standard Premier Inn. Automatic sliding doors and lifts provide step-free access, while the reviewed accessible room has lowered hooks, touchscreen controls and a wet-room bathroom with a roll-in shower. Space is genuinely limited, however: the bed can only be approached from one side, there is no space underneath for a portable hoist and larger powerchairs or mobility equipment may leave little room to manoeuvre. Staff have been praised for proactively helping with a heavy fire door between reception and the lifts.
Gleneagles Townhouse
For a more luxurious stay, Gleneagles Townhouse occupies a former bank building on St Andrew Square. The hotel has two accessible rooms within a total of 33. Steps remain in parts of the historic building, but a wheelchair entrance is available at the side and refuge call buttons are positioned around the hotel. The Spence restaurant on the ground floor and Lamplighters bar on the fifth floor both have accessible toilets nearby. Staff have received excellent feedback for being helpful and considerate.
Travelodge Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place
Close to Waverley Station and the eastern end of Princes Street, Travelodge Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place offers a practical central base. The reviewed accessible room was spacious and had a well-designed accessible bathroom. Its lower-ground-floor position made it darker than the public areas, however, and the windows did not open.
Feedback on the room’s comfort was more mixed, but it met the visitor’s access requirements and offered reasonable value for its central location. On-street parking is limited, while Waverley Station and its Market Street taxi rank are nearby.
Looking for another neighbourhood or price point? Browse more disabled access reviews of hotels, apartments and other accommodation across Edinburgh on Euan’s Guide.
Visiting Edinburgh during the festivals
Edinburgh’s festivals transform the city, particularly in August. Temporary venues appear in universities, theatres, parks and spaces that may operate very differently during the rest of the year. Crowds, security barriers, temporary surfaces and traffic changes can affect otherwise familiar routes. Accessible toilets, seating and entrances may also be managed by festival organisers rather than the permanent venue. For current information on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, International Festival, Book Festival and other events, use Euan’s Guide’s dedicated Edinburgh Festivals resources rather than relying only on an evergreen city guide.
Visiting Edinburgh at Christmas
Edinburgh takes on a different character during the festive season, when Christmas markets, light trails and seasonal events appear across the city. Temporary layouts, busy crowds, winter weather and changes to paths and surfaces can affect access, while individual events may have their own accessible entrances, toilets and booking arrangements. For disabled access information and reviews of Edinburgh’s Christmas markets, festive attractions and seasonal events, explore Euan’s Guide’s Edinburgh Christmas page before you visit.
Share your accessible Edinburgh experiences
Edinburgh is where Euan’s Guide started, and the reviews contributed across the city continue to show why detailed local knowledge matters.
It is a place where access can depend on the exact entrance, direction of travel or side of a hill you choose. That makes every new review, photograph and practical route recommendation especially valuable.
Have you found somewhere brilliant in Edinburgh—or discovered a route, entrance or barrier that other disabled visitors need to know about? Share your experience by writing a review on Euan’s Guide.
