Ghost Tour vs The Real Mary King's Close — Which Underground Edinburgh Tour?
Both go beneath the Old Town, but they're different experiences: the vault ghost tours lean into scares and storytelling, while Mary King's Close is a guided history of a buried 17th-century street. Here's the side-by-side.
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8 options
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4.6 - 5,679 reviews
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$18 GBP
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Ghost Tour vs Mary King's Close: what to know before booking
Both go beneath the Old Town, but they're different experiences: the vault ghost tours lean into scares and storytelling, while Mary King's Close is a guided history of a buried 17th-century street. Here's the side-by-side.
- Availability
- 8 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $18 GBP before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.6 stars across 5,679 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Both in the Old Town: vault tours from South Bridge / the Royal Mile; Mary King's Close at 2 Warriston's Close, Royal Mile
- Best time
- Mary King's Close by day, vault ghost tours after dark; book weekend slots well ahead
- Ticket note
- Both are date- and time-stamped; arrive 10–15 minutes before the start
Ghost Tour vs Mary King's Close in Edinburgh
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Side-by-side: Ghost tour vs The Real Mary King's Close
Pick a vault ghost tour if you want atmosphere and a few genuine scares after dark — it's the classic Edinburgh spooky night. Choose The Real Mary King's Close if you'd rather have authentic, well-told history (and you're visiting with children or aren't keen on jump-scares). They complement each other beautifully: do Mary King's Close in the afternoon for the history, then a vault ghost tour after dark for the chills.
Everything you should know before you book
Two of Edinburgh's most popular experiences both take you underground beneath the Old Town, and travellers regularly choose between them. The South Bridge vault ghost tours lean into the city's haunted reputation with dark chambers and storytelling guides, while The Real Mary King's Close preserves an actual 17th-century street, sealed beneath the Royal Mile and explored with costumed guides who play its former residents.
The decision comes down to scares versus history. If you want atmosphere and a fright after dark, the vault ghost tours deliver; if you'd rather understand how Edinburgh's Old Town really lived (and you're bringing kids), Mary King's Close is the gentler, more factual choice. The table below breaks down scares, price, time, and who each suits.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ghost tour or Mary King's Close scarier?
The vault ghost tours are far scarier, especially after dark — they're built for atmosphere and frights. The Real Mary King's Close is a history experience that's spooky in places but not a scare attraction.
Which is better for families with children?
The Real Mary King's Close — its costumed, storytelling tour suits families, while late-night vault and graveyard ghost tours can frighten younger children. Check each listing's age guidance.
Can I do both in one day?
Yes, and they pair well. Do Mary King's Close in the afternoon for the authentic history, then a vault ghost tour after dark for the atmosphere — both run about an hour.