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Visitors outdoors in front of the Vulcan airplane

Plan your visit

Find out everything you need to know about visiting the National Museum of Flight.

We're open weekends

The National Museum of Flight is currently open on Saturdays and Sundays and tickets are available for online booking.

Book now

Book online in advance

Admission tickets can be purchased in advance. This includes National Museums Scotland Members.

Book your tickets

Visiting safely

There is no longer a legal requirement to wear face coverings but we still strongly recommend that visitors wear them in our indoor spaces to help protect themselves and our staff. 

We want you to have a safe and enjoyable visit. During your visit, we ask you to:

social distancing icon Please keep your distance from others. mask icon We recommend wearing face coverings in our indoor spaces.
hands with sanitiser icon Use the hand sanitiser provided. hand washing icon Wash your hands often.

Please do not visit the museum if you or anyone in your household has any symptoms of Coronavirus.

Information for your visit

Face coverings

The legal requirement to wear face coverings in our museums has lifted. However, we still strongly recommend that all visitors over the age of 12 wear them in our indoor spaces to help protect themselves and our staff.

What's open?

Currently open are Hangar 4 (The Concorde Experience) and the Parachute Store, along with the Military Aviation and Civil Aviation Hangars, Fantastic Flight and Fortunes of War.

We have developed a new visitor map to show which parts of the museum are open and what new activities can be enjoyed during your visit, as well as a new family trail.

The Concorde Audio Guide is temporarily unavailable.

Food and drink

The Aviator Café is open, with indoor and outdoor seating areas. The café takes card and cash, with card being the preferred method of payment.

Browse the menu ahead of your visit.

National Museums Scotland Members receive a 20% discount in the café.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic to eat in our outdoor picnic area. Please dispose of your rubbish responsibly in the bins provided. Barbecues and gas stoves are not permitted.

Museum shop

The museum shop is open, accepting card payments only. In line with Scottish Government guidelines, face coverings must be worn in our shops.

National Museums Scotland Members receive a 10% discount on all shop purchases.

Boarding outside aircraft

Outside aircraft can be boarded at the following times:

Bac 1-11

11:45 - 12:15 / 13:15 - 13:45 / 14:45 - 15:15

Comet 4c

11:00 - 11:30 / 12:30 - 13:00 / 14:00 -14:30

Assault Course

The outdoor Assault Course is open with clear guidance on how the equipment should be used and with hand sanitiser nearby. We ask that children under 12 be supervised by one adult per household when using the Assault Course.

Visiting with children

Families and children of all ages are welcome at the National Museum of Flight.

  • Trained first aiders are always on duty and a policy is in place if children become separated from their party.
  • Baby changing facilities are available in the Concorde hanger.
  • There is an outdoor picnic area, popular with families of all ages.
  • Please note that we are currently unable to store buggies and pushchairs, and the lockers are temporarily unavailable.

School and group visits

Please visit our Schools pages for more information about booking a school visit to the museum.

For the safety of our visitors and staff, no birthday parties will be offered during this period.

Visiting with dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum buildings and on the outdoor site.

Non-assistance dogs are welcome outdoors, but must be on a lead. They are not allowed in the museum buildings. Please note, dogs are not allowed inside the hangar spaces.

Read the outdoor access code for dog walking.

Photography

Everyone is welcome to take photographs, including flash photography, in the hangars and galleries and around the outdoor site. Please note, photography restrictions may be in place around special exhibitions or displays. 

No prior permission is needed for photography intended for personal use. However, anyone wishing to use additional photography equipment onsite (eg a tripod) should contact the information desk to obtain a photo pass.

All photographers wishing to take photographs for commercial use are asked to contact Maggie Wilson in our Picture Library prior to visiting on 0131 247 4026 or at m.wilson@nms.ac.uk.

Security

We want all our visitors and staff to be safe at the National Museum of Flight. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a member of our Visitor Experience team. You can also help us keep the museum safe by reporting anything that looks out of place or suspicious to our Visitor Experience Assistants.

Facilities

  • Toilets

    Toilets are available throughout the site.

  • Baby changing

    Baby changing facilities are available in the Concorde hangar.

  • Access

    The site is wheelchair accessible and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge.

  • Café

    The Aviator Café is open daily from 10:00–17:00. Please note we are accepting card payments only.

  • Picnic area

    There is a picnic area outside near the shop.

  • Dogs

    Dogs are permitted in outdoor areas but must be kept on a lead.

  • Assistance dogs

    Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum buildings and on the outdoor site.

  • Parking

    Parking at the museum is free, although there may be a charge during special events.

  • Information

    Our information desk can be found in the museum shop.

  • Shop

    The museum shop sells a range of aviation-themed gifts and books. Please note we are accepting card payments only.

  • Contactless payment

    Please note we are accepting card payments only.

Museum map

Plan your visit to the National Museum of Flight with our map to view online or print at home.

View and download the map
Beaufighter TFX NV553 East Fortune April1945 FO A Fraser Nav FO Elmer Banting Pilot

Second World War trail

Discover the history of this fascinating airfield with our Second World War-themed family trail, bringing the stories of the museum's historic site to life.

View the trail

National Museum of Flight

East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Tel: 0300 123 6789

Admission

Advance online booking

Adult £12.50
Concession £10.50
Child (5–15) £7.50 (under 5s free) 
Family (2 adults and 2 children) £33

National Museums Scotland Members free

  • *Concessions: 60+, students with valid NUS or Young Scot card, unemployed with ID, disabled people.
  • Carers of disabled people free.
  • National Museums Scotland Members free
  • School visits are free; some workshop charges apply
  • Discounts available for group bookings and those travelling by bicycle

Opening times

Museum open
Weekends only, 10:00 - 16:00

 

5 November 2022 - 31 March 2023
Weekends, 10:00 - 16:00

1 April 2023 - 31 Oct 2023
Daily, 10:00 - 17:00

How to get here

By bus

There is a bus drop off and pick up point within the grounds of the museum itself. The 121 service runs between Haddington and North Berwick via the National Museum of Flight on Monday to Sunday from 1 April to 30 September.

A regular bus service runs from Edinburgh to North Berwick and an express bus service runs from Edinburgh to Haddington.

Plan your journey with the Traveline website or get directions from Google Maps.

By train

Scotrail runs regular services from Edinburgh to North Berwick. 

Get directions from Google Maps.

By bike

Free bicycle parking
There is a secure cycle rack available to park your bike.

From Edinburgh
Travelling east out of Edinburgh, take Cycle Route 76 for approx 23 miles to Haddington. Continue on Route 76 from Haddington, turn left towards A199, next turn right onto A199. After approximately 2.5 miles, turn left onto B1347 and follow the signs for the National Museum of Flight.

From the south
Pick up Cycle Route 76, following the A199 from East Linton. After approximately 6 miles, turn right onto B1347 and follow the signs for the National Museum of Flight.

10% bicycle discount
The National Museum of Flight is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and supports sustainable tourism. On presentation of your cycle helmet at the ticket desk, receive 10% discount on one adult, concession or child admission. For validity on Family tickets, all family members must have travelled by bicycle. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not valid during special events.

Get directions from Google Maps.

By car

Parking at the museum is free, although there may be a charge during special events.

From Edinburgh
Follow the A1 south exit at Abbotsview Junction. Take third exit from roundabout onto A199 for East Linton. After approximately 2.5 miles, turn left onto B1347 and follow the signs for the National Museum of Flight.

From the south
Follow the A1 north to Thistlycross Roundabout. Take second exit to East Linton. At Beltonford Roundabout take second exit onto A199 for East Linton. After approximately 6 miles, turn right onto B1347 and follow the signs for the National Museum of Flight.

Get directions from Google Maps.

Accessibility

We want everyone who comes to the National Museum of Flight to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. We've compiled all our accessibility information in one place.

Accessibility
Child in holding arms out like a plane with Vulcan airplane in the background

Support us

As a charity, we rely on your donations to protect our historic aircraft. Please donate today to support our work.

Thank you.

Donate today
Family looks at a screen under the nose of an airplane in a hangar

Membership

Create memories that last a lifetime!

Become a Member for free access to the National Museum of Flight and special events throughout the year.

Become a Member
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