- How long every standard ticket stays valid, as an Annual Pass
- 12 months
- Entry for under-4s, and for carers with valid ID (day visit only)
- Free
- Year it opened, according to Wikipedia
- 1999
What it is and whether it is worth your time
Dynamic Earth is a science centre and planetarium that tells the story of the planet from the Big Bang to present-day challenges. Wikipedia says it opened in 1999 under a fabric roof designed by Hopkins Architects, at the foot of Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park. Wikipedia also notes it was originally called Our Dynamic Earth.
The site lists 360-degree interactive galleries, a real iceberg, a simulated earthquake, a rainforest with a tropical monsoon, a 4D flight experience and a 6K full-dome planetarium.
Honest verdict: it suits families best. If you are an adult on your own with one day in Edinburgh, the free National Museum of Scotland probably earns the time first. With children, it is an easy next step from the palace, because it is next door.
What to see and how long to allow
The galleries are self-guided. The planetarium has its own schedule, with shows running hourly on the hour and on a first come, first served basis. The site advises arriving ten minutes before a show.
Two regular shows are listed. You Are Here is presenter-led, runs 30 minutes and is listed for ages 6 and over. We Are Aliens is a dome film listed for ages 5 and over. The page gives it as 25 minutes in one place and describes dome films as 30 minutes elsewhere.
On time, the site disagrees with itself. One page describes a 90-minute walk-through and planetarium visit, and the ticket page gives 2 to 3 hours as the average. Plan for at least 90 minutes and be ready for longer with children.
The café has views of Arthur’s Seat, Salisbury Crags and the Scottish Parliament. Visiting the café or gift shop does not need a ticket.
Tickets and opening hours
Check the tickets and pricing page, checked October 2026.
- No day ticket: every standard ticket is an Annual Pass, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, not from your first visit. It is non-transferable.
- Price pattern: adult (16 and over) £23.00 online and £24.50 walk-in. Child (4 to 15) £15.00 online and £16.50 walk-in. Concession (students with valid ID, or unemployed) £20.00 online and £21.50 walk-in. Under-4s and carers with valid ID are free for a day visit.
- Planetarium only: £8.00 online and £9.50 walk-in, for one 30-minute show. It is not an Annual Pass.
- Booking: book online in advance to guarantee entry. Walk-ins depend on availability. Visits are non-refundable.
- Extras: the pass does not cover Planetarium Lates or special events.
- Hours: the site publishes an opening times calendar, and we could not confirm hours from it. Check the calendar for your date before you set out.
Getting there from Holyrood
It is next to the palace and the Scottish Parliament, at the foot of Arthur’s Seat. There is a public footpath to the entrance from Horse Wynd, the road between the palace and the Parliament, and the building is also reached from Holyrood Road.
By bus, the 35 stops about a 3-minute walk away. Waverley station is about a 15-minute walk from the Market Street exit, and the site says it is about a 20-minute walk from the city centre. There is a 24-hour car park underneath the building, with Low Emission Zone rules at the front turning circle. See our getting there guide for the wider picture.
One practical tip
Treat the ticket as a pass. Because it lasts 12 months, you can split a visit with young children across two shorter days, or come back if you live nearby. When booking online, you choose a time for the self-guided galleries.
Dynamic Earth also runs Quiet Afternoons and Relaxed Days on selected dates, with reduced capacity. Check the accessibility page, as dates change. All areas are wheelchair accessible, according to the site.
How it fits with a Holyrood visit
Dynamic Earth is a good partner for the palace, because the two are a short walk apart. The Scottish Parliament is next door and free. For families, Arthur’s Seat is on the doorstep. See tickets and tours for booking the palace itself.
