Please find some frequently asked questions below. If you have another question not listed here you can contact us, send an email to contact@eif.co.uk or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter.

How can I book tickets?

You can book ticketson our website or via telephone on 0131 473 2000. Our phone lines are open from 10am–8pm, Monday–Saturday and 12pm–8pm on Sunday.

This year our in-person box office is not open to the public. In-person booking is available for customers with access requirements, however, by appointment only. Please email boxoffice@eif.co.uk or call 0131 473 2000 to arrange an appointment.

I have access requirements. How do I find out more about your performances or booking process?

You can find out more information about our access provisions on our Access web page.

If you want to speak to the Access team, you can use the following contact details:

Phone +44 (0) 131 473 2056
The textphone prefix is 18001

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Email: access@eif.co.uk

What is your ticket return policy?

If a customer is unable to attend any event at the 2022 Edinburgh International Festival for any reason related to COVID-19, we will refund the full cost of the ticket to the lead booker. Refunds must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of the performance. Postage fees are non-refundable.

We also offer optional ticket protection for all Edinburgh International Festival events. See our refund policy for further details.

What do I do if my train is cancelled and I miss a performance?

The International Festival encourages audience members to take out ticket insurance when buying tickets, as this allows a full refund through our insurance partner Secure My Booking should a performance be missed due to transport issues. Please also note that the city becomes significantly more crowded in August, which can add to travel times and there are risks of train delays due to strike action. See our terms for further details.

How will the Edinburgh International Festival keep staff and audiences safe?

The Festival will follow Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council health and safety recommendations at all times to ensure the safety of our audiences, artists and team.

As the recommendations are still changing, we encourage customers to continue to check our Visit Us page for the latest COVID-19 safety measures at the International Festival.

Do you have a contact tracing policy?

The International Festival currently does not plan to use the NHS Test & Protect scheme in August 2022 as the Scottish Government no longer requires it.

We will continue to follow Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council health and safety recommendations up to and during August to ensure the safety of our audiences, artists and team. As the recommendations are still changing, we encourage customers to continue to check our Visit Us page for the latest COVID-19 safety measures at the International Festival.

Will the COVID policies change depending on venue?

All venues will follow Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council advice on COVID-19 protocols as appropriate to the venue. Details will be included on our Visit Us page and on the individual venue pages.

Are the fireworks happening this year?

We won't be staging the fireworks this year due to planning times coming out of the pandemic, however, we will still have a large-scale free event in Princes Street Gardens. We'll be live-streaming a performance by The Philadelphia Orchestra in the Edinburgh Playhouse to the Ross Bandstand on Saturday 27 August and the first 100 audience members will receive a free snack pack to enjoy whilst watching the concert. Further information can be found here.

Do you share the City of Edinburgh’s commitment to 2030 net zero carbon emissions?

Yes, the International Festival shares the City of Edinburgh’s commitment to the 2030 net zero carbon emissions target. You can see the our environmental action plan here.