Both are located just minutes apart on the Royal Mile, and both descend into the city’s dark, subterranean past. However, the experiences they offer are worlds apart.

Before you book your Mary King’s Close tickets, it is essential to understand exactly what you are paying for. One is a meticulously preserved 17th-century street frozen in time, while the other is a series of eerie, atmospheric chambers built into the foundations of a bridge.

In this 2026 guide, we break down the prices, the “scare factor,” and the historical depth of each to help you decide which “underground city” is right for your group.

The Core Difference: Social History vs. Paranormal Thrills

The main thing to understand is that these two attractions serve different “appetites.”

The Real Mary King’s Close: The “Time Capsule”

Mary King’s Close is a true historical site. It was once a bustling street open to the sky before being buried beneath the Royal Exchange in the 18th century. When you walk through it today, you are walking into authentic houses where people lived, worked, and died during the plague. The tours are led by character guides who focus on social history—it feels like a high-end, immersive museum.

The Edinburgh Vaults: The “Ghost Hunter’s Choice”

The Vaults (specifically the Blair Street or South Bridge Vaults) were never streets. They were storage chambers built into the arches of the South Bridge in the 1780s. While they have a fascinating history of poverty and illicit trade, they are most famous today for being “the most haunted place in Britain.” Most Vaults tours focus heavily on ghost stories, paranormal sightings, and jump-scares.

The Verdict: If you want to see how Edinburgh’s residents actually lived, head to Mary King’s Close. If you want a candle-lit ghost tour designed to make you shiver, the Vaults are your best bet.

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Comparison at a Glance: Mary King’s Close vs. The Vaults

If you are in a rush, use this 2026 quick-comparison table to see which underground experience fits your itinerary.

Feature	The Real Mary King’s Close	Edinburgh Underground Vaults
Experience Type	Immersive Social History	Ghost Stories & Paranormal
Tour Duration	1 Hour (Strictly)	1 to 1.5 Hours
Scare Level	3/10 (Atmospheric)	7/10 (Theatrical/Spooky)
Minimum Age	5+ Years Old (Strict)	Varies (Usually 5+ or 8+)
Photography	Strictly Prohibited	Usually Allowed
Cost (2026)	£25 – £28.50	£18 – £22

Key Differences to Consider:

• Photography Rules: A major dealbreaker for many is that The Real Mary King’s Close does not allow photography or filming of any kind. This is because it sits directly beneath the Edinburgh City Chambers (a government building). In contrast, most Vaults tours allow you to take as many “ghost photos” as you like.
• Historical Accuracy: Mary King’s Close is a 5-star heritage site. The stories are backed by archival research and the guides play real people from history. The Vaults tours are often more “story-driven,” focusing on urban legends and the famous hauntings of the South Bridge.
• Physicality: Both tours are underground, but Mary King’s Close involves a specific set of 58 steps down and 38 steps up. The Vaults can be equally uneven, but the paths are generally shorter and less vertical.

Why Choose The Real Mary King’s Close?

Choose this tour if you want to see how people actually lived. You aren’t just walking into an empty cellar; you are walking into a preserved 17th-century street with houses, workshops, and even a “plague room.” It is consistently voted Scotland’s best heritage experience because it feels like a real-life time capsule.

If you are traveling with history lovers or want a high-quality production with costumed actors, this is the definitive choice. To avoid disappointment, we recommend you check the ticket availability on our homepage as slots sell out daily.

The Edinburgh Vaults: What You Need to Know

If Mary King’s Close is a “Time Capsule,” the Edinburgh Vaults are a “Haunted Cellar.” Located beneath the arches of the South Bridge, these chambers were never meant for living—they were designed as storage for merchants in the late 1700s. However, dampness and poor air quality soon forced the merchants out, leaving the vaults to be overtaken by the city’s criminal underworld and the destitute.

Why choose the Vaults?

• The Ghost Hunter’s Dream: The Vaults are world-famous for paranormal activity. If you’ve seen shows like Most Haunted, you’ll recognize these stone circles and damp corridors. Most tours focus heavily on spirits like “Mr. Boots” or “The Watcher.”
• Photography is Encouraged: Unlike Mary King’s Close, where cameras are strictly forbidden, most Vaults tour operators (like Mercat or Auld Reekie) encourage you to take photos. It’s the best option if you want to capture “spooky” content for social media.
• Theatrical Vibe: While Mary King’s Close uses “Character Guides” to tell history, many Vault tours use “Storytellers” who lean into the gore, torture, and jump-scares of Edinburgh’s past. It is often described as a more “fun and frightful” night out.

The Trade-Off

The Vaults are essentially empty stone rooms. You won’t see original houses, furniture, or preserved streets. The experience relies entirely on the skill of the storyteller and your own imagination. Additionally, while some Vault tours allow children, the “Extreme Paranormal” versions are often strictly 18+ only, making them less family-friendly than the daytime tours at Mary King’s Close.

Prices and Value for Money

Budget is always a factor when choosing between attractions. In 2026, pricing has shifted slightly due to the new “tiered” ticketing systems:

• Mary King’s Close: Prices generally range from £25 to £29. While more expensive, the ticket includes a much higher level of production, historical preservation, and a guaranteed 60-minute immersive experience.
• The Vaults: Tickets are typically cheaper, ranging from £18 to £24. This makes the Vaults a great “budget-friendly” alternative if you just want a quick peek underground without the full historical deep-dive.

The Verdict on Value: If you want the “premium” experience that you’ll be talking about for years, the extra £5–£10 for Mary King’s Close tickets is widely considered the better investment.

To wrap up the comparison, this “Final Verdict” section helps the user stop researching and start booking. In 2026, the key is to give them a “If you are X, choose Y” framework.

Final Verdict: Which Underground Tour Should You Choose?

After comparing the history, the price, and the atmosphere, the choice between Mary King’s Close and the Edinburgh Vaults usually comes down to what kind of “underground” you are looking for.

Choose The Real Mary King’s Close if:

• You love authentic history: You want to see real 17th-century rooms and paved streets that were actually lived in.
• You are traveling with family: You want a high-quality, professional production that is safe and educational for children (aged 5+).
• You want a “Top Tier” experience: You prefer a 5-star rated attraction with expert character guides and immersive storytelling.
• Check availability and book your Mary King’s Close tickets here.

Choose the Edinburgh Vaults if:

• You want a ghost tour: Your main goal is to hear about hauntings, poltergeists, and the paranormal.
• You are a photographer: You want to capture your own photos of the dark, damp stone arches beneath the bridge.
• You are on a budget: You want a slightly cheaper, quicker subterranean fix without the full historical recreation.

Can you do both?

Absolutely. Because they are located only 300 meters apart on the Royal Mile, many visitors book a daytime historical tour at Mary King’s Close and an “Extreme Paranormal” tour at the Vaults after dark. Doing both gives you the complete picture of Edinburgh’s “Underground City”—from the tragic reality of the plague to the enduring legends of the city’s ghosts.

Pro Tip: No matter which you choose, book in advance. Due to limited group sizes, same-day walk-ins are almost non-existent during the summer and October seasons.