edinburgh bus tour 2 for 1 prices

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Hop On Hop Off Edinburgh - Bus Tours

Edinburgh sightseeing bus tours, ( ) experiences found.

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Experience Edinburgh in Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

Explore Scotland at your own pace during your sightseeing trip. This flexible tour stops at the top Edinburgh attractions, putting you in control of your own destiny during your vacation! See Edinburgh on a bus tour that includes discounts on attractions, eateries, and more. Or you can decide between a 24-hour or 48-hour tour that runs on three different routes. You can even see the capital of Scotland in a comfortable Mercedes mini-coach as part of a special tour. And, if you want to go all out, opt for a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour with fast-track entry to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood House Palace, and Royal Yacht Britannia. It’s one of the best things to do in Edinburgh!

Other Hop On Hop Off Destinations

• New York City
• San Francisco
• Washington DC
• Los Angeles
• Johannesburg
• San Antonio
• Reykjavik Iceland
• St-Petersburg
• Benalmadena
• Thessaloniki
• Kristiansand
• BUENOS AIRES
• Hop On Hop Off Bus Offers and Deals

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Hop on Hop off Edinburgh Bus Tours

Whenever we're offering one of our free Edinburgh walking tours, there's always a chance that we'll get asked about all the double decker buses driving through the city.

With that in mind, we created this post to cover each of the hop on hop off bus tours available in Edinburgh.

We provide details about locations included on each route, how to get tickets, how to save money on admission and more.

City Sightseeing

Bright bus tours.

• Edinburgh Tour
• Majestic Tour

Pros and Cons

Hop on hop off bus tours are a great way to learn a lot of details about Edinburgh.

In addition to the tour, you’ll also have the chance to jump off the bus at a variety of notable and historic landmarks throughout the city.

Although this service can be very useful, some travelers will get more out of a hop on hop off bus tour than others.

This is one of the most popular hop on hop off bus tour companies in the world, and it’s no surprise that they’ve made a name for themselves in Edinburgh.

Currently, they offer just one route and 14 total stops throughout the city, including landmarks such as Holyrood, Waverley Bridge, the John Knox House and much more.

No matter where you’re traveling from, chances are you’ll be able to understand their audio guide, as it is currently available in the following 9 languages:

English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Portuguese.

They also have a commentary designed specifically for kids!

Iconic Ticket Prices

• 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
• Access to the Red Route (14 stops)
• £16/Adults | £15/Seniors & Students
• Kids between the ages of 5-15 are FREE

NOTE: This tour is included with at least one tourist pass, and it is also part of a combo ticket. Check our deals section for more details.

Ultimate Ticket Prices

• 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus
• Entrance to Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Entrance to Edinburgh Castle
• Entrance to The Royal Yacht Britannia
• £65/Adults | £60/Seniors & Students | £35/Children (5-15)
• Kids under the age of 5 are FREE

Essential Ticket Prices

• 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Glasgow Bus Tour
• £32/Adults | £9/Children

Purchase tickets or learn more .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by City Sightseeing Worldwide (@citysightseeingworldwide)

With at least 7 hours to experience the full tour, you’ll have more than enough time to hop off and explore multiple sites at your leisure.

Once you’ve finished looking around, just jump back on and continue the tour!

Tickets are valid for a total of 3 months after purchase, giving you plenty of time to use them.

If you decide not to use your ticket, it can be returned for a full refund up to 24 hours before the chosen date of your tour.

If you’re looking for a somewhat more affordable option, this company offers some of the best prices for hop on hop off Edinburgh bus tours.

In addition to their competitive pricing, they also have a total of 16 stops in the city, including the Museum of Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace, Waverly Bridge, Johnston Terrace, The Mound and more.

Much like their competitors, Bright Bus Tours also provides its audio guide in the following 9 languages: English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Japanese, Russian and Chinese.

Edinburgh Ticket Prices

• £16/Adults | £14/Seniors & Students | £8/Children
• Family Ticket (2 Adults + 3 Children): £32
• Free for children under the age of 5

Britannia Ticket Prices

Edinburgh + Britannia Ticket Prices

• £20/Adults | £18/Seniors & Students | £10/Children
• Family Ticket (2 Adults + 3 Children): £40

NOTE: This hop on hop off bus tour is included with an Edinburgh tourist pass that you can use to save even more money. Check our deals section for more details.

This tour takes about 1 - 1 ½ hours to complete and tickets last from 9 am - 5 pm each day, giving you plenty of time to jump off and see several different locations in Edinburgh.

• Edinburgh Bus Tour

As with their competitors, this company provides a very similar service of 14 stops throughout the city, and their prices are pretty much exactly the same as other hop-on-hop-off bus tours in Edinburgh.

This tour includes stops at such sites as Waverley Bridge, the John Knox House, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth, Charlotte Square, and the Museum of Scotland.

Unlike some of their competitors, customers can expect live guides to provide commentary in English.

If you’d rather stick to live commentary, this is one of the best options in Edinburgh.

They also offer access to all three of the other major bus tours, and this offer is accessible via both their 24 and 48 hr tickets.

24-Hour Ticket Prices

• £22/Adults | £20/Seniors & Students
• Free for children under the age of 15

48-Hour Ticket Prices

• £26/Adults | £24/Seniors & Students | £13/Children

NOTE: This tour is included on at least one tourist pass and it’s also part of a combo package. Check our deals section for additional information.

The full tour is about 1 hour in length and they provide service from 9 am - 5:30 pm during the summer and 9 am - 4 pm in the winter.

With 7 hours to take a 60 minute tour, you should have a lot of time to stop at several notable locations and get a good look at quite a few landmarks in Edinburgh.

Tickets are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase when you buy them online. Once activated, they will be valid for that day.

• Majestic Bus Tour

This is the one hop on hop off bus tour in Edinburgh that will take you North of the city centre to see several additional landmarks not included on other tours.

During this outing you’ll have the opportunity to see and learn about sites like the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Botanic Garden, Scottish Parliament and more.

This bus tour does not include live commentary, but the audio guide is available in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Portuguese.

With only 13 stops on the Majestic bus tour, this is the least extensive service on our list, but it also provides transportation to and coverage of sites that aren’t available from any other hop on hop off bus tour.

Of course, if you're interested in some of the hop-on hop-off bus tours in Edinburgh, there's actually a Multi-Tour Ticket that includes admission to all of them for just £4 more!

Ticket Prices

Multi-Tour Tickets

• £20/Adults | £19/Seniors & Students

This tour lasts for approximately 1 hour and it is available from 9 am - 6 pm during the summer and 9:30 am - 4:30 pm in the winter.

No matter when you visit Edinburgh, you should be able to stop off at multiple locations and get a good look at several popular landmarks during the 7 ½ - 9 hours you’ll have on this hop on hop off bus tour.

Your ticket will be valid for a total of 6 months, but once it is activated, you’ll only be able to use it on the date of activation. 

This section will cover each of the deals that are currently available for Edinburgh hop on hop off bus tours.

We’ll start off with combo packages and finish things off with details about tourist passes.

Grand 48 Combo

Although each Edinburgh hop on hop off bus tour is only available for 24 hours, there is one combo deal you can use to get a 48 hour bus ticket which includes admission to 3 of the 4 tours on this post.

This combo package includes the following bus tours at one flat price for 2 days:

• City Sightseeing Tour

There are a lot of advantages to purchasing one ticket which covers multiple bus tours, but the main benefits are that you can enjoy live commentary, audio guides in several languages, and coverage of popular royal landmarks in Edinburgh.

Grand 48 Combo Prices:

• Family Ticket (2 Adults + 3 Children): £59
• Free for children under the age of 5.
• Purchase the Grand 48 Combo or learn more .

In addition to this option, there is also a Grand 48 + Combo Pass which includes an additional bus and boat tour which will take you to Queensferry and Inchcolm Island.

Royal Edinburgh Ticket

This option includes a Grand 48 ticket in addition to the following popular activities and attractions:

• Fast-track entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Fast-track entrance to the Royal Yacht Britannia
• Fast-track entrance to Edinburgh Castle

If you're interested in visiting these locations at some point during your trip to Edinburgh, this is an excellent way to save both time and money on tickets.

• £69/Adults | £65/Seniors & Students | £36.50/Children
• Purchase the Royal Edinburgh Ticket or learn more .

Tourist Passes

Every Edinburgh hop on hop off bus tour is included with at least one tourist pass, each one covering admission to several additional attractions or activities.

Most bus tours are only available through a prepackaged pass known as the Royal Edinburgh Ticket.

This ticket includes the Grand 48 combo package in addition to tickets for Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia.

If you’re more interested in Bright Bus Tours, the Edinburgh City Pass includes admission for this 24 hour hop on hop off service in addition to more than 20 popular attractions in the city.

Here are some of the more popular activities included with tourist passes in Edinburgh:

• Edinburgh Castle | £19.50
• The Royal Yacht Britannia | £17
• Edinburgh Dungeon | £14
• Butterfly and Insect World | £8
• Scott Monument Museum | £8
• Harry Potter Tour | £12
• Forth of Firth Boat Tour | £15
• Dynamic Earth | £16
• Edinburgh Zoo | £20

Depending on which pass you choose and how you use it, you should be able to save at least 25% - 60% off general admission prices.

For more details, please read our post covering Edinburgh tourist passes .

If all else fails, you can also check websites such as Groupon to see if they are offering any deals for hop on hop off bus tours in Edinburgh.

In addition to the deals you can find on these sites, they also frequently offer additional promo phrases you can use to save an extra 10% - 20% off admission prices.

Before you purchase any tickets on these sites, make sure to check both the top and bottom of the page for promo codes you can use to save even more money!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Edinburgh Bus Tours (@edinburghbustours)

Excellent Overview

If you’re looking for a tour that covers all the basics about the history of this city, taking a hop on hop off bus tour should do the trick. 

In addition to learning about Edinburgh, you’ll also get a good sense for where everything is located and how to get around with ease.

Simple to Use

You can start your tour at any of the included stops along the mapped routes and buses run quite frequently, making this a fairly easy service to use.

Even better, you can hop off at any of the designated stops, take as much time as you want to look around, and get back on the bus afterward!

Reasonable Prices

Edinburgh hop on hop off bus tours range from £10-£24 on average for adults and £6-£15 for kids, making this a fairly affordable activity.

Live Tour Guides

In addition to the audio guides that you can listen to on these outings, some hop on hop off bus tours also include live commentary from professional tour guides.

Even if this is a wise investment for most visitors, some travelers may find that a hop on hop off bus tour doesn’t provide enough value for them.

Here are some of the cons you should think about before making a purchase.

General Commentary

Although you can learn a lot of useful information by taking a hop on hop off bus tour, the details their guides provide are typically very general.

If you’re looking for a more detailed tour, this may not be the best option available in Edinburgh.

Not Very Efficient

While it’s nice that you can jump off and explore the city at your leisure, doing so also makes it difficult to finish your tour as quickly as possible.

If you’re looking for a faster and more efficient tour of Edinburgh, you may want to consider another alternative.

No Assigned Seating

Some fully guided bus tours include assigned seating, ensuring you’ll always have a place to sit.

Unfortunately, hop on hop off bus tours offer first-come, first-serve seating, so you never know which seat you’ll get!

If having a window seat or just being able to sit while riding from one site to the next is important to you, it might be necessary to consider another type of tour.

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• About this activity

City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Contactless mobile redemption at all stops
• Multilingual audio commentary available
• Access to 14 stops across the city
• Up to 3 kids can travel for free per adult ticket!
• Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date selected

Activity location

• Waterloo Place
• EH1 3bh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

• st. andrew square stop YD
• EH2 1AF, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

• Sat, Jun 29 -
• Sun, Jun 30 $23
• Mon, Jul 1 $23
• Tue, Jul 2 $23
• Wed, Jul 3 $23
• Thu, Jul 4 $23
• Fri, Jul 5 $23
• Sat, Jul 6 $23
• Sun, Jul 7 $23
• Mon, Jul 8 $23
• Tue, Jul 9 $23
• Wed, Jul 10 $23
• Thu, Jul 11 $23
• Fri, Jul 12 $23
• Sat, Jul 13 $23

24-Hour Ticket

• Activity duration is 1 day 1d 1d

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included 24-hour bus ticket
• What's included What's included Audio tour commentary in 10 languages (plus headphones)
• What's included What's included Stops near all the major sights and attractions around Edinburgh
• What's excluded What's excluded Entry to attractions

Know before you book

• Visit Scotland 5 star award-winning tour and Gold Green Tourism award winner
• Until 23rd March 2024: 9am - 4pm, every 30 minutes
• 24th March 2024 - 2nd November 2024: 8:45am - 5:57pm, every 10 - 12 minutes
• 3rd November 2024 - 31st March 2025: 9am - 4pm, every 30 minutes
• Tour duration without hopping off is 60 minutes
• On 24th and 31st December, the service will end at 3pm
• Vouchers can be redeemed at any of the stops along the route. Both mobile and paper vouchers are accepted on this tour and are valid for 12 months from the travel date selected at check-out
• Kids go free! Up to 3 kids can travel for free per adult ticket. Child tickets must be added to basket when purchasing tickets. Valid for travel before 31st March 2025

What you can expect

Discover the very best of Edinburgh on an award-winning unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour. With a 24-hour ticket, you can explore the city to your own schedule, seeing all of the key landmarks along the way, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Grassmarket, Canongate, Waverley Bridge, John Knox House, Old Town, the National Museum of Scotland, Our Dynamic Earth, Johnston Terrace and much more!

At City Sightseeing we pride ourselves on offering a wide array of tours and attractions in over 100 cities and 35 countries worldwide, however, the health and safety of our staff and guests is our top priority.

Tour Information:

• Season - All year round

Tour Stops:

• Waterloo Place (opposite the Apex Waterloo Hotel)
• St Andrew Square
• Lothian Road
• Grassmarket
• Chalmers Street
• Johnston Terrace
• National Museum of Scotland
• High Street
• Our Dynamic Earth
• Abbeyhill Crescent
• Regent Road
• waterloo place
• eh1 3bh, edinburgh, United Kingdom
• EH8 8DD, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• 25 Johnston Terrace
• EH1 2NH, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• 20 George IV Bridge
• EH1 2PH, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• 1 Canongate
• EH8 8BX, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• lothian road stop XD
• EH2 4AH, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• Holyrood Road
• EH8 8AS, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• EH1 2HJ, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• regent terrace bus stop edinburgh old town
• EH8 8DP, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• High Street high street
• EH1 1SR, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• 21 George IV Bridge chambers street
• EH1 1EN, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• lauriston place chalmers street
• EH3 9DE, edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
• Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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3 city tour routes

© Edinburgh Bus Tours

Waterloo Place

Edinburgh Bus Tours GRAND24 Ticket

Enjoy all three Edinburgh Bus Tours routes for 24 hours - Edinburgh Tour, Regal Tour, City Sightseeing Edinburgh. Hop-on and hop-off as much as you want on all three routes.

The Grand24 is one ticket covering all three Edinburgh Bus Tours City Tour routes. Enjoy the Old Town and Georgian New Town with a live guide on our green Edinburgh Tour . Head north of the city centre towards the coast with stops at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Britannia on our Regal Tour . Hop on our audio commentary City Sightseeing Tour focussing on Edinburgh's Old Town and with a Horrible Histories children's commentary too. You don't have to choose, you can have them all!!

Tours leave Waterloo Place every from 0900-18.00 ( 0900 to 1600 Nov- March)

Access Guide - https://www.accessable.co.uk/visit-scotland/access-guides/edinburgh-bus-tours

From £24 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• 44 (131) 5562244
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

• Level Access
• Pets Welcome

Tour information

• Edinburgh - City Centre
• Large Group (31+)
• Architecture
• Ghosts and Supernatural

Tour prices

From £24 Per Adult £22 Concession

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour gallery

Tour company information, edinburgh bus tours.

Hop-on, hop-off and discover the best of Edinburgh with an open-top Edinburgh Bus Tour. The 5-star rated tours showcase the best of Edinburgh with a choice of a specially trained live guide or multi-lingual commentary . Get a unique view of Scotland's capital from the top deck of our 3 city tour routes and enjoy sights such as Edinburgh's Medieval Old and Georgian New Towns, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse , The Royal Yacht Britannia and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. See more for less and make the most of your visit with a choice of multi-tour tickets for 24 or 48 hours

Social Channels

Visit Edinburgh Bus Tours

Opening times

Departing Waterloo Place every day from 0900-18.00 (09.00 -16.00 Nov-Mar) www.edinburghtour.com Download our new app ,live times plus info on attractions & discounts edinburghtour.com/app

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The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

• [email protected]

Scotland Welcome

• Attractions

Hop On Hop Off: Grand 24 Ticket

Culture Vultures, Family Friendly, First Timers

Discover Edinburgh with the iconic hop on hop off City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Are you ready to explore the magnificent Scottish capital? See as much of Edinburgh as possible on 3 different hop on hop off busses.

To begin with, you could start your journey at St Andrew’s Square. Alternatively, you could join the bus at any stop along the route. Either way you will enjoy all the City Sightseeing Bus Tour has to offer. Prepare yourself for an adventurous journey all around the heart of Edinburgh. Furthermore, we’ll take you to many great locations, all of which give Edinburgh its character and heritage.

Buy your ticket online today and start planning your sightseeing! 24-hour ticket for all three City Tours (Edinburgh Tour, Majestic Tour and City Sightseeing Edinburgh)

Edinburgh Tour (green bus)

Explore Edinburgh’s city centre with one of our tour guides. Take in the spectacular buildings including Edinburgh Castle. Likewise, the Scottish Parliament and the architecture of the Georgian New Town will dazzle you along thee route.

Majestic Tour (blue bus)

The Majestic Tour heads north of Edinburgh’s city centre towards the port of Leith. In particular, enjoy highlights including Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh & The Royal Yacht Britannia. Finally, who could forget the Queens official residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

City Sightseeing Tour (red bus)

See all the main attractions with CitySightseeing Edinburgh. There’s multi-language commentary and a special Horrible Histories commentary for your children, narrated by Terry Deary himself!

Jump aboard all of our city tours with our 24-hour unlimited access ticket

Select participants and date

• Adult Number of Adults
• Child 5-15yrs
• Number of Students Number of Students

Checking Availability With Our Providers

• Edinburgh Castle
• Holyrood Palace
• The Royal Mile
• Royal Yacht Britannia
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Scottish Parliament
• Dynamic Earth
• National Museum of Scotland
• Greyfriars Bobby
• Green Bus has live guide
• Red bus has audio guide in 9 languages
• 24 hour unlimited access on all 3 official Edinburgh Bus Tour hop on hop off buses.
• Entry to any of the attractions

Meeting Point

How long is my ticket valid, do children need to be accompanied, is the bus accessible, can i bring my dog, can i join the bus at any stop.

Enjoy this experience with our trusted partners: Edinburgh Bus Tours

FREE CANCELLATION

Plan ahead risk free. Cancel at least 24hrs before your booking for a full refund

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Popular currencies

More currencies, 3-route edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tour with optional access to royal attractions.

Discover Edinburgh with the freedom of a flexible itinerary with 2 different hop-on hop-off tours. Choose between 24 or 48-hour validity.

Get ultimate savings on your Edinburgh trip with the 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour on the open-top upper decks.

Traverse the city’s old and new regions with 3 routes and 12+ stops dotted along the way and hop-on and hop-off unlimited times.

Choose the Royal Edinburgh ticket, which includes guaranteed access to Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The buses are equipped with either multilingual audio guides for kids narrated by Terry Deary or a live guide on the Red Route.

A few popular spots along the way include Lauriston Place, Scottish Parliament, Royal Mile, and more.

24/48-hour hop-on hop-off tour of Edinburgh

Access to 3 routes: City Sightseeing, Edinburgh tour, Regal tour

Entry to Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, the Palace of Holyroodhouse (optional)

Audio commentary in English, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Scottish, German, Portuguese, Spanish & Chinese (City Sightseeing & Edinburgh tours)

English-speaking guide (Edinburgh tour)

Children's audio guide by Terry Deary (City Sightseeing tour)

Free headphones onboard (City Sightseeing & Edinburgh tours)

Discounts at the Royal Botanic Garden, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse & more ( full list here )

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Routes & schedule

Saving money and time and guaranteed discounted entry to the Royal Botanic Garden, Royal Yacht Britannia, and Palace of Holyroodhouse, this ticket is all you need to explore the city of Edinburgh. What’s more? You can also choose from 24 or 48 hours depending on your budget and flexibility.

City Sightseeing tour (classic route)

With buses arriving every 30 mins, catch glimpses of the city’s top sights, across the 14 stops. Also, Horrible Histories commentary, narrated by author Terry Deary for your kids, will immerse them throughout the tour.

First bus: 8:45 am from Waterloo Place

Last bus: 5:57 pm from Waterloo Place

Frequency: every 10-12 mins

Popular stops: Historic Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, Old Town, Royal Mile

Edinburgh tour (across Old Town and Georgian New Town)

The Green Route takes you to the city center with an English-speaking guide onboard. Buses arrive every 30 minutes along the 15 stops dotted along the way.

First bus: 9:10am from Waterloo Place

Last bus: 3:40pm from Waterloo Place

Popular stops: Georgian New Town, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse

Regal tour (leaving city center to the coast at Newhaven)

This route moves north of the city center, making way to the Leith Port. With 12 stops, and a multilingual audio guide in 10 languages, listen to intriguing stories about royal life and more.

First bus: 9:20am from Waterloo Place

Last bus: 3:50pm from Waterloo Place

Frequency: every 15 mins

Popular stops: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse

Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.

Join the tour at any stop and hop on and off throughout your ticket's duration.

Know before you go

Accessibility.

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Mobility scooters are allowed if folded and stored as luggage.

Low-floor ramps are available for easy access.

Screens are conveniently available on the lower decks of City Sightseeing and Regal route buses.

Your guide dogs and dogs are welcome aboard.

Additional information

• Great news! If you're traveling with children aged 15 and under, they can hop on board for free with the 24-hour ticket.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

No printout required! Just show your mobile voucher to the driver and collect your bus ticket.

Please check your final voucher for the boarding point details and specific instructions.

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The Best Sightseeing Bus Tour in Edinburgh

19 June 2024

Explore the breathtaking city of Edinburgh in the most exciting way with Bright Bus Tours. Our open-top hop-on, hop-off bus tour provides a bird’s eye view of the city’s iconic landmarks and rare sights. Join us for the best sightseeing bus tour in Edinburgh and fall in love with the Scottish capital.    

Keep reading to discover how Bright Bus Tours offers the brightest way to enjoy Edinburgh!     

Why We Offer the Best Sightseeing Tours in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a city filled with history, culture, and stunning architecture, and there’s no better way to experience it than with Bright Bus Tours. Here are the reasons why Bright Bus Tours, Scotland’s Official Open Top Tour and Airport Connection, provides the best Edinburgh sightseeing tours.                 

Sightseeing Tours That Show the Best of Edinburgh

Bright Bus Tours offers the most in-depth sightseeing experiences in Edinburgh. We provide two expertly crafted tours: the City Tour and the Britannia Tour . Both tours are designed to highlight the best of the city, from Old Town to Edinburgh’s royal roots.   

City Tour: Explore Edinburgh’s Historic Heart  

Embark on our City Tour and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s historic city centre. This tour takes you through the winding, cobbled streets of the Old Town, revealing its world-class sights.   

These are just some of the 16 top attractions you’ll get to see on our City Tour:

Edinburgh Castle

Located atop an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline. Step back in time as you explore the castle’s rich history, from its ancient dungeons to the stunning Crown Jewels. The panoramic views from the castle walls are not to be missed!

Johnston Terrace

Discover the charming Johnston Terrace, a delightful street lined with colourful houses and quaint shops. This hidden gem offers a glimpse into Edinburgh’s unique architecture and is the perfect spot for a photo.

National Museum of Scotland

Learn about Scotland’s fascinating history and culture at the National Museum of Scotland. This museum has something for everyone, from its vast collection of artefacts spanning millions of years to ancient Egyptian mummies.

Scottish Parliament

Visit the modern Scottish Parliament building, an architectural marvel that highlights Scotland’s distinctive style. Learn about the country’s political system and witness democracy in action as you observe live debates and committee meetings.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Explore the majestic Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Stroll through the state apartments, admire the exquisite gardens, and discover the palace’s royal history, including its connections to Mary, Queen of Scots.

The full tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, with buses running every 15 minutes from Waterloo Place or any of our City Tour stops.      

Britannia Tour: Explore Edinburgh’s Royal Heritage       

For a regal flair and a visit to Leith’s shore, join our Britannia Tour . This Edinburgh bus tour takes you along the iconic Royal Mile, past the Royal Botanic Garden, and all the way to the majestic Royal Yacht Britannia.     

Here are some of the sights you’ll get to see along the 14 stops on our Britannia Tour:

Stroll along the historic Royal Mile, the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. This picturesque thoroughfare connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It offers a wealth of attractions, shops, and restaurants along the way. Soak up the atmosphere and discover the city’s rich history at every turn.

Royal Botanic Garden

Immerse yourself in the abundant greenery of the Royal Botanic Garden, a tranquil retreat in the city centre. With over 70 acres of stunning landscapes, glasshouses, and exotic plants from around the world, this garden is a must-visit for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful escape.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Step aboard the magnificent Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen’s former floating palace. Explore the ship’s five decks, from the elegant State Apartments to the crew’s quarters, and gain a fascinating insight into royal life at sea. Don’t miss the on-board tea room, where you can enjoy a delightful afternoon tea with a regal twist.

Wander the vibrant port district of Leith and learn about its maritime history. Explore the trendy shops, galleries, and restaurants, or take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque waterfront. You can also seek out the perfect souvenir at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre or sample the catch of the day at one of the many seafood eateries.

Calton Hill

Climb to the top of Calton Hill for breathtaking views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. This landmark is home to several historic monuments, including the National Monument, Nelson Monument, and the City Observatory. It’s the perfect spot for photographers and those seeking the best view of the city.

With a journey duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city’s royal legacy and stunning coastal areas. Buses run every hour from Waterloo Place or any of our Britannia Tour stops.   

Sightsee at Your Own Pace with Our Tours

Our hop-on, hop-off tours allow you to create your own itinerary, spending as much or as little time as you like at each destination. Choose to stay on the bus for the full Edinburgh sightseeing tour and soak up the city’s magic from the comfort of your seat, or hop off at Princes Street Gardens for a taste of the lush greenery — the choice is yours!

When you’re ready to continue your journey, simply hop back on the next available bus at any of our designated stops. With frequent departures and easy-to-spot bus stops, our hop-on, hop-off tours offer the ultimate flexibility and convenience for your Edinburgh sightseeing adventure.

Unbeatable Views from Our Open-Top Buses   

Experience sightseeing in Edinburgh from a whole new perspective with Bright Bus Tours’ open-top buses. As you sit back and relax on the upper deck, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the city. 

Whether you’re marvelling at the grandeur of the Royal Yacht Britannia, views of the majestic Edinburgh Castle, the historic Royal Mile, or the bustling city centre, our open-top buses ensure you won’t miss a thing.  

In summer, you can enjoy the refreshing breeze as you take in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of Scotland’s capital. The open-top design of our buses also provides the perfect view for capturing stunning photographs and creating lasting memories of your Edinburgh adventure.    

Friendly & Insightful Sightseeing Tours  

At Bright Bus Tours, we’re all about offering the most engaging sightseeing tours in Edinburgh. Our guides are enthusiastic storytellers who love sharing fascinating tales, tips, and local recommendations with our guests. They’re not just here to point out landmarks — they want to make sure you have the time of your life exploring the city!     

We firmly believe that a sightseeing tour should be so much more than just sitting on a bus. It’s all about the interaction, the laughter, and the shared moments of discovery. That’s why our on-street ambassadors are always ready to answer your questions, lend a helping hand, and go the extra mile to make your journey truly special.   

Our hop-on, hop-off bus tours let you explore the city at your own pace, giving you the freedom to disembark at your favourite spots. Plus, our immersive onboard experience includes an audio guide with commentary available in 10 languages.

Sightsee at your own pace with our friendly guides and open-top buses that provide the best views. Book your tickets today and get ready to discover the magical beauty of Edinburgh! 

Explore Edinburgh at the Most Affordable Rates

We believe everyone should have access to the wonders of Scotland’s capital city, which is why we provide the most affordable ticket prices for our hop-on, hop-off bus tours.     

Choose between our two incredible tours — the City Tour or the Britannia Tour — and enjoy unlimited travel for either 24 hours or two days. Our 24-hour tickets are priced at just £16 , giving you a full day to explore Edinburgh’s top attractions at your own pace. For those who want to make the most of their visit, our two-day tickets , priced at £20 , allow you to experience both tours across two days, providing even better value for your money. 

If you want the ultimate Edinburgh experience, go for our Edinburgh Explorer best-value tickets, priced at £25 . This incredible deal includes a week of unlimited travel on both our Bright Bus tours as well as a return ticket for the Bright Bus Airport Express . 

Families will love our special family ticket , which costs only £40 and covers two adults and up to three children. Children under the age of 5 travel completely free, making our tours an excellent choice for families on a budget.  

We also offer concession tickets priced at £18 for students and travellers over 60 years.  

Book Sightseeing Tickets Your Way  

Booking your Bright Bus Tours tickets has never been easier! We have a range of convenient options to ensure you secure your seats on our sightseeing bus tours without any hassle.   

If you like to plan ahead, simply visit our website and buy your tickets online. Once your booking is confirmed, your tickets will be sent directly to your email address, allowing you to print them out or keep them on your mobile device for easy access when you arrive in Edinburgh.     

If you’d like to buy tickets in person, our friendly team is always ready to assist you with ticket purchases once you arrive in the city. We’re located in and around St Andrew Square, Waverley Bridge, and Waterloo Place (where our tours begin).    

If you’re already on board one of our buses and haven’t bought a ticket yet, don’t worry! You can easily buy tickets directly from your driver. We accept a wide range of cashless payment options for your convenience, including contactless card payments.   

Exploring Scotland’s capital has never been easier or more affordable. Book your tickets with Bright Bus Tours today and uncover the vibrant history of Edinburgh! 

Are the Bright Bus sightseeing tours suitable for families with young children? 

Absolutely! Our tours are designed to be enjoyable for all ages, and we welcome families with young children. Children under the age of five can travel for free on our buses, making it a budget-friendly option for families. 

Additionally, our open-top buses offer a unique and exciting way for children to explore Edinburgh, with stunning views and engaging commentary that will keep them entertained throughout the tour.  

Can I use my Bright Bus Tours ticket to visit the attractions along the route? 

Your Bright Bus Tours ticket allows you to hop on and off our buses at any of the designated stops, giving you the freedom to explore Edinburgh’s top attractions at your own pace. 

However, please note that entry fees to individual attractions, such as Edinburgh Castle or the Royal Yacht Britannia, are not included in your bus tour ticket. You’ll need to purchase separate tickets for these attractions either in advance or upon arrival.   

How do I recognise a Bright Bus Tour bus stop?  

To recognise a Bright Bus Tours bus stop, keep an eye out for our distinctive branding and signage. Our bus stops and buses feature the Bright Bus Tours logo, which includes our name and a vibrant orange colour scheme that’s hard to miss.   

In addition to the signage, our bus stops are often located near popular attractions, landmarks, and transport hubs throughout Edinburgh. Refer to our route map, available on our website, to familiarise yourself with the specific locations we serve.   

Bright Bus Tours: The Most Enjoyable Way to See Edinburgh   

Founded in 2019, Bright Bus Tours has become the go-to choice for tourists visiting the captivating city of Edinburgh. With over four years of experience in the sightseeing industry, we have honed our services to provide the most immersive and enjoyable tours in Scotland’s capital.

In January 2024, we were honoured with a 4-star rating from Visit Scotland’s Quality Assurance Award Scheme . This award showcases our commitment to providing high-quality experiences for our guests. Furthermore, our exceptional customer service was awarded 5 stars, reflecting the passion of our friendly guides.  

Our buses offer spectacular views of the city’s landmarks, while our engaging guides bring the stories of the past to life with their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the city. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or looking to soak up the local atmosphere, our carefully planned routes ensure that you won’t miss a thing.           

Join us on the best sightseeing bus tour in Edinburgh. Book Bright Bus Tours’ affordable tickets today — we can’t wait to welcome you on board!    

THE ROYAL MILE

Burns monument, edinburgh castle, scottish parliament, grassmarket, palace of holyroodhouse, camera obscura and world of illusions edinburgh, dynamic earth, the edinburgh dungeon.

Choose Your Ticket This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

24 March 2024 – 29 June 2024 0845 - 1757 Every 12 Minutes

30 June 2024 – 7 September 2024 0845 - 1805 Every 10 Minutes

8 September 2024 – 2 November 2024 0845 - 1757 Every 12 Minutes

3 November 2024 – 5 April 2025 0900 - 1600 Every 30 Minutes

Edinburgh Bus Tours operates all year round daily

The full tour lasts around an hour. Please note timetables are subject to change.

Route Map of CitySightseeing Tour

You can join this tour at any bus stop, and hop-on hop-off for the duration of your ticket.

LIVE TOUR TIMES

Download the Edinburgh Bus Tours App for live bus times, information on discounts and attractions. Available free for iPhone and Android

Get directions to Waterloo Place

Find your nearest CitySightseeing stop

The CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour features a multi-lingual commentary in 9 languages. Headphones are provided on board.

We also offer Horrible Histories Children’s commentary – narrated by Horrible Histories author Terry Deary... history with all the gory bits left in!

Tour Description

See all the main attractions with CitySightseeing Edinburgh. Take in the wonderful history of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the Grassmarket. Visit the Scottish Parliament, National Museum of Scotland and the Palace of Holyroodhouse all within walking distance of our CitySightseeing route.

Accessibility

All of our tour buses have ramped access.

A Class 2 mobility scooter is welcome on board if a wheelchair accessible space is available. Please note that legally wheelchair users have priority over the use of these spaces. Alternatively, Mobility Scooters can be folded and stored as luggage.

Display screens are located on the lower deck showing subtitled commentary.

Dogs, including assistance dogs, are welcome on all of our tour buses.

Looking for more? Try our other tours...

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Getting around Edinburgh

Edinburgh public buses.

The public buses are the best way  and sometimes the only way of getting to the city centre from the outskirts . Buses run 24 hours a day and are extremely frequent.

Various companies

Edinburgh has several bus companies that run through the heart of the city, but the most important are Lothian and First . Both companies share the same bus stops, but the bus numbers are different and each company has its own ticket.

Lothian is the dominant city operator with most buses and routes , while First, has fewer bus routes and focuses on the city's outskirts. 

If you’re not going to buy a day-ticket, then you won’t have to worry about what bus you take. However, if you decide to stay a little further away from the centre and need to buy a day-ticket, it’s important to see which bus line runs closest to your accommodation. Normally, the best option is to get a Lothian day-ticket, but it will depend on where you're staying. 

First and Lothian have similar prices but not exactly the same. For example: 

• Single-journey adult ticket : A First ticket costs from £ 1.80 ( US$ 2.30) (depends on the distance of your trip), and a Lothian ticket is £ 1.70 ( US$ 2.10).
• Single-journey child ticket : Both Lothian and First single tickets cost £ 0.90 ( US$ 1.10).
• Lothian adult DAYticket : Lothian offers unlimited use of their buses and Edinburgh trams for one day for £ 4.50 ( US$ 5.70). First doesn't offer this type of ticket.
• Lothian child DAYticket : £ 2.20 ( US$ 2.80).
• Lothian Adult Airport DAYticket : This ticket offers unlimited use of Lothian buses and trams and includes travel to and from Edinburgh Airport for one day for £ 9 ( US$ 11.40). First buses do not run to the airport. 
• Lothian Child Airport DAYticket :  £ 4.50 ( US$ 5.70).

Lothian and First both allow its passengers to purchase the tickets on the bus.

Note that a Lothian DAYticket is not valid on the night buses or on the Airlink (service 100) to Edinburgh Airport .

Exact change

If you want to purchase your single, return or day-ticket from the bus driver you have to have the correct fare as the drivers cannot give you any change . The tickets are bought from small ticket vending machines on the bus, so remember to save your change for these occasions .

The day buses run from 6 am until midnight . Outside this schedule, Edinburgh has night buses (the N lines).

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Edinburgh is a relatively small city, and its medieval air makes it ideal to visit by foot.

The Edinburgh tram was inaugurated, following several years of delays, in mid-2014. It has fifteen stations, which connect the airport with the new part of the city.

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