Discover our guide to hop-on, hop-off bus tours and see the city in a unique way.
Exploring Edinburgh is an unforgettable experience, and one of the best ways to see the city’s iconic sights at your own pace is with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. These convenient tours allow you to hop off at attractions that interest you and hop back on when you’re ready to move on. Here’s everything you need to know about two of the city’s most popular bus tours.
Edinburgh Bus Tours
Tours available & what’s included
Choose from three tours by Edinburgh Bus Tours, all which are hop-on, hop-off.
City Sightseeing Edinburgh ventures through Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town and the Royal Mile, and even have a Horrible Histories children’s channel. You’ll have the chance to visit the Scottish Parliament, National Museum of Scotland and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Edinburgh tour is a live guided tour in English travelling through the Georgian New Town, past Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood as a team of your guides share interesting stories of Edinburgh and point out the main sights of the city. Or explore all things historic with their Regal tour, exploring the Palace of Holyrood, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Royal Botanic Garden.
Both Citysightseeing Edinburgh and the Regal tour have multi-lingual audio commentary, and all tours are wheelchair accessible.
Length of ticket
An individual city tour is valid for 24 hours. Their Royal Edinburgh Ticket is valid for 48 hours and is best for exploring royal attractions such as The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Their Multi Tour is valid for either 24 or 48 hours and can be used for unlimited travel on all three city tours.
Main departure point
Their main departure point is Waterloo Place, however you can board ay any tour stop on each tour route. Please signal clearly to the driver that you wish to board.
How and where to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased on board any of their bus tours, or from a ticket seller on Waterloo Place during their operating hours. They also recommend to book in advance.
Big Bus Edinburgh
Tours available & what’s included
Big Bus Edinburgh offer two hop-on, hop-off bus tours that will allow you to explore Edinburgh in a comfortable way. Their City tour takes you through the bustling streets of the city as you learn about all things from the Scottish Enlightenment to the sinister stories associated with Edinburgh’s underground with the option to hop-on or off at some of the city’s must-see sights. You’ll see landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, Scottish Parliament and the National Monument of Scotland.
Or if you’d prefer their Britannia tour, you’ll see iconic landmarks like St Andrew Square, Port of Leith, The Shore, and many more! Their Britannia tour travels past the Royal Botanic Garden and Newhaven Harbour, then ventures all the way to Leith and the majestic Royal Yacht Britannia, Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating residence.
These tours include multi-lingual audio commentary and guides and are wheelchair accessible.
Length of ticket
Big Bus Edinburgh offer a Discover Ticket, valid for 24 hours. This ticket can only be used on the City tour. Their Essential Ticket is valid for 48 hours and can also only be used on the City tour route. Finally, their Explore Ticket is valid for 48 hours and can be used on both the City tour route and Britannia tour route.
All tickets are fully flexible, and the date can be changed free of charge.
Main departure point
The principal starting location for both hop-on, hop-off bus tours is 27 Waterloo Place, outside Princess Suit Hotel. However, you can join their hop-on, hop-off bus tours from any stop. Visit find a bus stop to find your nearest stop.
How and where to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased online through the Bright Bus Tours website, from one of their on-street ambassadors or directly at their tour stops. Buying in advance is recommended to secure your preferred times and routes.
Whether you’re interested in history, stunning sights, or simply want a convenient way to get around, Edinburgh’s hop-on, hop-off buses provide a flexible and enjoyable way to explore the city.
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