Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh's historic Old Town
- Visit the iconic Edinburgh Castle
- Discover the Royal Mile's vibrant culture
- Enjoy panoramic views from Calton Hill
- Experience the beauty of Holyrood Palace
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Unlimited 24-hour access to the bus tour
- Free entry for children under 5 years old
- Audio commentary in multiple languages
- Food and beverages
Important information
Know before you book
- Children under 5 travel free; no ticket required
- Audio commentary is available in multiple languages
- The tour operates daily; check for any seasonal variations
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring attractions
- Bring a camera to capture the city's stunning views
- Check the bus schedule for the latest operating hours
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Visit Scotland 5 star award-winning tour and Gold Green Tourism award winner
- Until 31st October 2026: First departure from Stop 1 at 8:45am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 6pm. Tour duration: 70 minutes approximately. Frequency: every 7 - 10 minutes
- 1st November 2026 - 20th March 2027: First departure from Stop 1 at 8:55am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 3:55pm. Buses run every 20 minutes. Tour duration: 70 minutes approximately
- Mobile and printed paper vouchers are both accepted on this tour and can be redeemed at any of the stops along the route
- Vouchers are valid for 12 months from 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 2027
- Friday 14th August: Due to an event taking place, Stops 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be out of service between 6pm and 7:15pm
Traveler reviews
The BEST Way to See a City
I recommend the Hop On Hop Off bus experience for any city you visit. I have used it in 4 different European cities. The bus gives you a great orientation to the city, historical information and anecdotes, through ear buds, as you travel by the location. If you get the 48 hour ticket, it’s helpful for traveling to sights you may want to get off, visit and then hop back on to another location.
The iformation provided...
The iformation provided is brief but good, at one point not in sync with location of bus due to traffic
Scam!
We never had access to the tickets!!! However, my account was charged!! It's scandalous!!!
Fantastic way to see the city
If it's your first time visiting Edinburgh, this is a fantastic way to see the city. We had an amazing time, made even better by the tour bus experience. Our tour guide (I apologise as I've forgotten his name, but he was from Sri Lanka) was clear, concise, and very informative. He shared so much about the beautiful city of Edinburgh and made the tour both enjoyable and engaging. From collecting our tickets with one of the representatives outside Waverley Centre, the whole process was smooth and well organised. The support we received was excellent. A special mention also goes to Dave, our bus driver. He gave everyone a warm welcome as they boarded, had a great sense of humour, and made the journey even more enjoyable. He also handled a situation where another driver's actions could have caused an accident. We really appreciated that he checked to make sure we were all okay afterwards. Well done, Dave! We will definitely be using this tour again when we return to Edinburgh. Highly recommended!
Cost effective way to get around town and learn its history
On Off bus stops are by far the best way to get to know the city easily. Great stops and commentary. Cost effective way to get around town.