Game of Thrones studio tour: how to get tickets for set tour in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, and opening date

After ending in 2019, the legacy of Game of Thrones continues to give fans things to be excited about - with the prequel series House of the Dragon already underway, and a stage show set to take the West End and Broadway by storm.

Now fans can go behind the scenes of the hit HBO show with the new Game of Thrones studio tour, featuring the real sets, costumes, props and more used in the filming of the series.

This is everything you need to know.

What can I expect from the tour?

The Game of Thrones studio tour is an incredible £40 million attraction boasting sets, costumes and props from the smash hit TV show.

While fans will be aware that some scenes during the series were shot in locations like Croatia and Spain, a lot of the action was filmed in Northern Ireland - including at the very studio now open to guests.

The experience opens at Linen Mill which was one of the show’s filming locations in Northern Ireland, with the Great Hall of Winterfell and Castle Black sets that have remained in place since filming wrapped in 2018.

Guests will begin their journey in the desolate North, going behind the scenes of the making of the show as you travel South towards warmer lands. You’ll get to see incredible authentic sets and costumes, spectacular visual effects and immersive interactive experiences to bring the tales of Westeros to life.

Speaking about the tour, actor Ian Beattie, who played Meryn Trant, told Reuters: “Fans are just going to be delighted with a studio tour because everything they see here was used in the show.

“These are the actual sets that we walked on. These are the actual costumes we wore, the swords we swung - you name it, it’s all here.

“And unlike the show where you don’t always see it, you will actually get to see the incredible detail that went into every aspect of the making of this show.”

The tour is a self-guided experience which will allow guests to shape their visit and set their own pace.

An audio guide will be available for purchase which will provide a deeper insight into the tour, as well as exclusive content such as interviews with key creators from behind the scenes.

There will also be a range of photo and selfie opportunities during the tour, including green screen locations that will transport guests into the heart of the Game of Thrones set - and for an extra special highlight, you can also take a turn sitting on the iconic Iron Throne.

The tour opened to the public today, Friday 4 February.

Will food and drink be available?

While guests are permitted to bring their own reusable water bottles on the tour, only food and drink purchased at the studio tour can be consumed on site.

The Studio Cafe is a seated restaurant found at the centre of the tour, and will serve a range of food from breakfast until closing.

The Studio Tour website says: “All our menus are made using the finest local ingredients and designed to suit all tastes from firm favourites such as Ale Batter Fish and Chips to plant-based dishes such as Grilled Mushroom & Roasted Onion Burger with beetroot relish.

“There are plenty of options for little ones too, alongside a tempting selection of sweet dishes and a wide range of soft beverages to quash your thirst.”

Alternatively, there is also the Lobby Cafe, which is found at the entrance to the tour. Available at this cafe is a range of drinks, handmade cakes and lighter snacks to enjoy on the go.

Can I get tickets?

Tickets are now available to purchase online on the Games of Thrones studio tour website. 

You must purchase tickets in advance of your visit.

Tickets cost:

• Adult (16 to 65) tickets are £39.50
• Student (16+, must present a valid student ID upon request) tickets are £31.50
• Senior (66+, must present a valid ID upon request) tickets are £31.50
• Child (five to 15, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+) tickets are £27.50
• Infant (zero to four) tickets are free - you should contact the visitor services team on +44 (0) 28 40 464 777 or email [email protected] to add an infant onto your booking
• Family (two adults and two children) tickets are £115 - any additional adult or additional child will be charged at full adult and/or child admission price 
• Family (one adult and three children) tickets are £109 - any additional adult or additional child will be charged at full adult and/or child admission price 
• Carer tickets are free as well - one adult providing essential assistance to a guest already in possession of a valid ticket. Call the visitor services team on +44 (0) 28 40 464 777 or email [email protected] for more information 

Individual or family tickets can be purchased for up to nine guests. If you’re looking to book a group visit of 10 to 24 guests, visit the Game of Thrones studio tour group booking section.

If your group has 25 guests or more, you’ll need to fill out the Groups Booking Form.

For more information, you can email [email protected]

If, after you’ve booked your tickets, find that you need to change the date or time of your visit, you can do so by contacting the visitor services team. Alternative dates and times are subject to availability, and a £5 charge per booking will be applied to each occasion a booking is amended.

Tickets are ultimately non-refundable and non-transferable, with tickets made void if defaced or altered.

How do I get there?

The Game of Thrones studio tour is located outside of Belfast, on the outskirts of the town of Banbridge in Northern Ireland.

All guests arriving by car, minibus or motorcycle can use the complimentary guest parking which is available at the studio tour car park, located at The Boulevard, Banbridge.

The address you’ll need if you’re using something like Google Maps to plan your journey is:

Game of Thrones Studio Tour Parking

The Boulevard

Banbridge

Northern Ireland

BT32 4LF

Everyone arriving by car, minibus or motorcycle must park here and board the complimentary studio tour shuttle bus to the main tour entrance.

Visitors are warned not to drive directly to the Game of Thrones studio tour as there is no onsite parking available. Taxi drop offs or pedestrian arrivals at the studio tour are also not permitted.

What are the opening hours?

The studio tour is open each week from Monday through to Sunday.

January to March and October to December:

• 9:30am - first shuttle bus departure
• 10am - first tour admission
• 3:30pm - last tour admission
• 6pm - tour close
• 6:30pm - studio store and building close
• 7pm - last shuttle departs to Games of Thrones studio tour parking 

April to June and September:

• 9am -  first shuttle bus departure
• 9:30am - first tour admission
• 5:30pm - last tour admission
• 8pm - tour close
• 8:30pm - studio store and building close
• 9pm - last shuttle departs to Games of Thrones studio tour parking 

July and August:

• 8:30am -  first shuttle bus departure
• 9am - first tour admission
• 6pm - last tour admission
• 8:30pm - tour close
• 9pm - studio store and building close
• 9:30pm - last shuttle departs to Games of Thrones studio tour parking 

The studio tour will also be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

What Covid-19 precautions are in place on the tour?

The tour has a number of Covid-19 safety measures in place to ensure the safety of both visitors and the staff.

Capacity restrictions have been adopted to make sure that social distancing is maintained throughout the studio tour, as well as staggered entry times to control the flow of visitors and to reduce overcrowding.

Face masks must be worn throughout your visit and can only be removed for eating and drinking. Hand sanitising stations can also be found throughout the site. Face masks must also be worn on the shuttle bus service.

The Lobby and Studio Cafe also operate on a card only basis, with cash not accepted.

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