Access

This page was last updated on 19 June 2023.

Introduction

If you have any queries or require any assistance

Our 19th edition will bring together exhibitions and new projects in spaces across the city, complemented by a programme of events and workshops.

We are proud to showcase programming which highlights the breadth and depth of artists working locally, nationally and internationally.

Streets and buildings

Edinburgh is a historic city with its Old Town and New Town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is famed for its cobbles and winding closes which lead up to the famous Edinburgh Castle which sits upon a dormant volcano. Therefore, some venues, streets and vennels are unable to offer modern levels of access for everyone. See Euan’s Guide ‘Introducing Edinburgh’ for an introduction to Edinburgh and advice on accessibility.

We aim to maximise accessibility for all so please contact us if you would like advice on access to individual venues.

Assistance Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs at all our venues. Water bowls for assistance dogs can be provided at the festival office or on our project sites.

Pay What You Can Tickets: What Should I Pay?

In order to make EAF more accessible to those on a low income, we use a sliding scale ticket price for our festival-led events. You can choose what you pay based on your circumstances – you won’t be asked for any proof/ID. We just ask that you are honest!

FREE – Pay What You Can

  • I am unemployed or underemployed.
  • I have no access to savings.
  • I frequently stress about meeting basic* needs and don’t always achieve them.
  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs.
  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing.
  • I sometimes can’t afford public or private transport. If I own a car/have access to a car, I am not always able to afford petrol.
  • I qualify for government and/or voluntary assistance, for example, food banks and benefits.
  • I have no or very limited expendable** income.
  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them.
  • I can’t afford a holiday or don’t have the ability to take time off without financial burden.

£4 – Pay What You Can

  • I am employed.
  • I might have access to financial savings.
  • I have some expendable income.
  • I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them.
  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs.
  • I can afford public transport and often private transport. If I have a car/access to a car I can afford petrol.
  • I am able to buy some new items and I buy others second-hand.
  • I can take a holiday annually or every few years without financial burden.

£8 – Standard Ticket

  • I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic needs.
  • I may have some debt but it doesn’t prohibit attainment of basic needs.
  • I own my home or property or I rent a higher-end property.
  • I can afford public and private transport. If I have a car/access to a car I can afford petrol.
  • I have access to financial savings.
  • I have an expendable** income.
  • I can always buy new items.
  • I can afford an annual holiday or take time off.

£15 – Solidarity Ticket

  • I agree with all the statements in the Standard Ticket and able to comfortably support further.
  • I want to help support the festival in providing pay what you can tickets to make art accessible in Edinburgh.

*BASIC NEEDS include food, housing, clothing, and transportation.

**EXPENDABLE INCOME might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the cinema or a concert, buy new clothes, books and similar items each month, etc.

Travel

Edinburgh is well serviced by public transport routes across bus, tram and train. Many of our partner venues are between 5-10 minutes from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station and Edinburgh Haymarket Train Station, with nearby public bus stops. 

In the city centre, ranks are located outside Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, Radisson Blu Hotel on the High Street and G+V Hotel on George IV Bridge. Parking can be difficult in Edinburgh but there is public on-street parking by some of the venues as well as nearby car parks such as the Edinburgh Waverley Train Station car park and at the St James Quarter.

Toilets

Accessible toilets are located at the French Institute of Scotland, West Parliament Square and at many of our partner galleries. The nearest Changing Places Toilets in Old Town are located at the Booking Office Pub, Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ; and the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, EH1 1JF.

Accessible tours – Visually Described and BSL Interpretation

We offer a series of visual description talks, tours and activities, created with people who may have a visual impairment. This edition, Festival Information Assistants have received visual description training. We also develop BSL tours and are a partner of Edinburgh Deaf Festival. If you would like to find out more

If you have any queries or require any assistance

You can download the following statement in Microsoft Word below.