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OPENING HOURS & TICKET PRICES
Help plan your visit to Cardiff Castle with up to date information on our opening hours and admission times, as well as prices for entry tickets and guided tours. Upgrade to an Annual Pass with unlimited entry for a whole year, or find out about the incredible Castle Key scheme for Cardiff residents.
OPENING TIMES
Cardiff Castle is open to visitors 7 days a week all year round, including bank holidays.
The only exceptions are Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January), when we are closed.
We recommend that you allow at least an hour and a half for a typical visit, with additional time for any guided tours. However; your ticket is for the full day so the choice is yours.
There are often special event days throughout the year, but especially during the summer, where admission is only open to event ticket holders for all or part of the day.
Please check for any changes to our regular opening hours before your visit.
| Summer Opening (Mar – Oct) | Mon – Fri | Sat – Sun* |
| Opening Time | 10:00 | 09:00 |
| Last Entry | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Closing Time | 18:00 | 18:00 |
| Winter Opening (Nov – Feb) | Mon – Fri | Sat – Sun* |
| Opening Time | 10:00 | 09:00 |
| Last Entry | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Closing Time | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| *these times also apply on bank holidays and during school holidays | ||
CHANGES TO OPENING HOURS & PUBLIC SQUARE ACCESS
Cardiff Castle opening hours will be adjusted to accommodate certain events during Summer 2025, more information will follow in due course.
Access to the public square will be prohibited during Summer 2025 to accommodate certain events, more information will follow in due course.
TICKET PRICES
Explore at your own pace with a Castle Ticket.
Discover the Roman remains and Chariot Corner, climb the Norman Keep and Battlement Walks, marvel at the lavishly decorated Castle Apartments, experience the Wartime Shelters and visit the Firing Line military museum.
Castle Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or on the day from our Ticket Office.
Please note that Castle Key and Annual Pass holders do not need to book tickets.
| Admission Rates | Prices |
| Adult | £16 |
| Child (Ages 5 – 16, must be with an adult) |
£10.50 |
| Senior / Student / Disabled (single carer free with each disabled ticket) |
£12.50 |
| Adult Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children) |
£42.50 |
| Senior Family Ticket (2 Seniors and 2 Children) |
£36.50 |
| Under 5s | FREE |
TICKET UPGRADES - GUIDED TOURS
Explore even more of Cardiff Castle.
Castle Ticket, Castle Key, or Annual Pass holders who would like to see more of Cardiff Castle, or delve more deeply in to its fascinating history can also join one of our guided tours.
Our regular House Tours through the Castle Apartments run every day on the hour, while Black Tower Tales recounts a chilling chapter from the Castle’s history back to life in a family friendly fashion.
Tours of the Castle’s iconic Clock Tower are available on weekends and bank holidays from April through September.
Guided tours cannot currently be booked in advance but please enquire at the Ticket Office for availability and further information.
| Admission Rates | Tour Prices |
| Adult | £4.50 |
| Child (Ages 5 – 16, must be with an adult) |
£3.50 |
| Senior / Student / Disabled (single carer free with each disabled ticket) |
£4.00 |
| Adult Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children) |
£13.50 |
| Senior Family Ticket (2 Seniors and 2 Children) |
£12.50 |
TICKET UPGRADES - ANNUAL PASS
Get FREE admission to Cardiff Castle for a whole year.
There’s a lot to take in during one visit, so you might need to come back and make sure you haven’t missed anything.
For a small, one-off surcharge you can upgrade your Castle Ticket to an Annual Pass and visit us as often as you like with free admission for twelve months from the date of issue.
Please ask for more information at the Ticket office.
| Admission Rates | Additional Fee |
| Adult | + £7.50 |
| Child (Ages 5 – 16, must be with an adult) |
+ £5.00 |
| Senior / Student / Disabled (single carer free with each disabled ticket) |
+ £7.50 |
TICKET UPGRADES - THE CASTLE KEY
Get FREE entry to Cardiff Castle for 3 years!
Did you know that the Castle was given to the people of Cardiff by the 5th Marquess of Bute in 1947?
To honour the spirit of this gift, if you live or work in the city then you are entitled to your very own Key to Cardiff Castle, giving you free admission as often as you like for a minimum of three years!
Please ask for more information at the Ticket office.
| Admission Rates | Additional Fee |
| Adult | + £7.50 |
| Child (Ages 5 – 16) |
FREE |
| Senior / Student / Disabled (single carer free with each disabled ticket) |
+ £7.50 |
THE PUBLIC SQUARE
A welcoming space in the beautiful setting of the Castle’s outer green, open for all to enjoy free of charge. Pick up a souvenir at the Gift Shop or grab some refreshments from the Castle Café. Tourists can also stop by the Cardiff Visitor Information Point.
VISITOR INFORMATION
If you have any further queries about your visit to Cardiff Castle, then you may find the answer on our Visitor Information page which covers accessibility, travel advice, and frequently asked questions. You will also find a link to Visit Cardiff, the city's official tourism organisation.
