English
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This historic fortress offers panoramic views of the city and houses the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. It's a symbol of Scotland's heritage and a must-see landmark.
Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh Bus Tours
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Waterloo Place
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Lothian Road
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
4
Grassmarket
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
5
Lawnmarket
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
6
John Knox House
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
7
Holyrood
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
8
Our Dynamic Earth
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
- Discover the best of Edinburgh on this unlimited 24-hour hop-on-hop-off bus tour, giving you maximum convenience.
- Get access to the Red Route, with over 14 stops dotted around the Scottish capital, near all major sights with buses arriving every 10-12mins.
- Learn about the city's iconic attractions through the audio guide available on board and enlighten your kids with the kid's commentary ‘Horrible Histories.’
- The open-top double-decker bus will give you the best views of the city, including Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, the Royal Mile and Johnston Terrace.
- Discover the best of Edinburgh on this unlimited 24-hour hop-on-hop-off bus tour, giving you maximum convenience.
- Get access to the Red Route, with over 14 stops dotted around the Scottish capital, near all major sights with buses arriving every 10-12mins.
- Learn about the city's iconic attractions through the audio guide available on board and enlighten your kids with the kid's commentary ‘Horrible Histories.’
- The open-top double-decker bus will give you the best views of the city, including Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, the Royal Mile and Johnston Terrace.
Inclusions
- 24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
- Access to Red Route
- Audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian
- Horrible Histories' kid's commentary
- Headphones
- Free kids' tickets
- Flexible validity for up to 12 months from your selected date
Exclusions
- Entry tickets to attractions
Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.
Red Route
- First bus: 8:45am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 5:57pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: every 10 to 12mins
- Popular stops: Lothian Road, Grassmarket, Lawnmarket & Regent Road
Join the tour at any stop and hop on and off throughout your ticket's duration.
- Tip: Want to take a break from exploring? Savor Scottish cuisine: haggis, fish and chips, and Scotch whiskey by exploring local spots for authentic flavors.
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
- Wheelchairs must be no larger than 70cm wide, 120cm long, and 135cm high to board the bus. If unsure, contact the service provider.
- Just a heads up, each bus can only accommodate 1 wheelchair at a time. If there is already a passenger in a wheelchair, please wait for the next one.
- Children aged 3 and under travel for free. Child tickets must be added to the cart at the final stage of booking.
- Small and well-behaved dogs allowed onboard.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- These tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Waterloo Place
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
Holyrood
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
3
St. Andrew Square
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
4
Royal Botanic Garden
Nearby things to do
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 min walk
Inverleith House
5
Newhaven
Nearby things to do
Newhaven Harbour Lighthouse
2 min walk
Newhaven Fish Market
2 min walk
6
The Shore
Nearby things to do
The Shore
1 min walk
Nelson Monument
12 min walk
7
Ocean Terminal
Nearby things to do
Royal Yacht Britannia
4 min walk
Ocean Terminal Mall
7 min walk
8
Bonnington Rd
Nearby things to do
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches
10 min walk
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
5 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Charlotte Square
Nearby things to do
The Georgian House
Princes Street Gardens
9 min walk
4
Lothian Road
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
5
Grassmarket
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
6
Lawnmarket
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
7
John Knox House
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
8
Holyrood
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
9
Our Dynamic Earth
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Lothian Road
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
4
Grassmarket
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
5
Lawnmarket
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
6
John Knox House
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
7
Holyrood
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
8
Our Dynamic Earth
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
- Explore Edinburgh's royal history on a 24/48-hour hop-on hop-off tour, riding an open-top double-decker bus for a perfect city view in a flash.
- Enjoy access to 3 different routes each with over 15 convenient stops, and hop on and off as many times as you like.
- Tune into a multilingual audio guide or a live guide's narration of the city's tales on the green route plus, score cool discounts at attractions.
- Pass by must-sees! Glide past the lively Grassmarket, admire the iconic Edinburgh Castle, dive into the National Museum of Scotland's exhibits, and more!
- Explore Edinburgh's royal history on a 24/48-hour hop-on hop-off tour, riding an open-top double-decker bus for a perfect city view in a flash.
- Enjoy access to 3 different routes each with over 15 convenient stops, and hop on and off as many times as you like.
- Tune into a multilingual audio guide or a live guide's narration of the city's tales on the green route plus, score cool discounts at attractions.
- Pass by must-sees! Glide past the lively Grassmarket, admire the iconic Edinburgh Castle, dive into the National Museum of Scotland's exhibits, and more!
Inclusions
- 24/48-hour hop-on hop-off tour of Edinburgh
- Access to 3 routes: City sightseeing tour, Edinburgh tour, Regal tour
- Audio commentary in English, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Scottish, German, Portuguese, Spanish & Chinese (City Sightseeing & Edinburgh tours)
- English-speaking guide (Edinburgh tour)
- Discounts at the Royal Botanic Garden, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse & more (full list here)
- Headphones (Regal tour)
Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
City Sightseeing tour (Classic red route)
- 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 (Green route)
- First bus: 8:51am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 5:51pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: every 10-12 mins
- Popular stops: Georgian New Town, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Regal tour (Blue route)
- First bus: 8:40am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 5:25pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: every 15 mins
- Popular stops: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Tip: Don’t forget to grab discounted tickets to iconic food places like Street Burger by Gordon Ramsay, Hard Rock Cafe, and Bread Street Kitchen & Bar.
- 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 pet dogs are welcome aboard.
- Great news! If you're traveling with children aged 15 and under, they can hop on board for free with the 24-hour ticket.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Waterloo Place
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Lothian Road
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
4
Grassmarket
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
5
Lawnmarket
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
6
John Knox House
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
7
Holyrood
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
8
Our Dynamic Earth
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Charlotte Square
Nearby things to do
The Georgian House
Princes Street Gardens
9 min walk
4
Lothian Road
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
5
Grassmarket
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
6
Lawnmarket
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
7
John Knox House
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
8
Holyrood
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
9
Our Dynamic Earth
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
Holyrood
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
3
St. Andrew Square
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
4
Royal Botanic Garden
Nearby things to do
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 min walk
Inverleith House
5
Newhaven
Nearby things to do
Newhaven Harbour Lighthouse
2 min walk
Newhaven Fish Market
2 min walk
6
The Shore
Nearby things to do
The Shore
1 min walk
Nelson Monument
12 min walk
7
Ocean Terminal
Nearby things to do
Royal Yacht Britannia
4 min walk
Ocean Terminal Mall
7 min walk
8
Bonnington Rd
Nearby things to do
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches
10 min walk
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
5 min walk
Palaces, panoramas, and pounds saved! Edinburgh’s best sights in one cost-saving combo.
- Edinburgh's royal sights are yours to see on this 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour with direct access to 3 popular attractions – your wallet will thank you later.
- Discover royal history at Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace and tour the floating Royal Yacht Britannia, all easily accessible on your HOHO route.
- Marvel at medieval rooms, precious jewels, and Mary, Queen of Scots' living spaces and peek into the Queen's private rooms and fancy tea areas.
- Explore Edinburgh your way with the flexible HOHO pass. Three routes and 50+ well-placed stops let you see top sights like the Parliament and the Botanic Garden.
- Catch a double-decker every 30 mins and pick from various language audio guides or enjoy lively English commentary on the green route.
Palaces, panoramas, and pounds saved! Edinburgh’s best sights in one cost-saving combo.
- Edinburgh's royal sights are yours to see on this 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour with direct access to 3 popular attractions – your wallet will thank you later.
- Discover royal history at Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace and tour the floating Royal Yacht Britannia, all easily accessible on your HOHO route.
- Marvel at medieval rooms, precious jewels, and Mary, Queen of Scots' living spaces and peek into the Queen's private rooms and fancy tea areas.
- Explore Edinburgh your way with the flexible HOHO pass. Three routes and 50+ well-placed stops let you see top sights like the Parliament and the Botanic Garden.
- Catch a double-decker every 30 mins and pick from various language audio guides or enjoy lively English commentary on the green route.
Inclusions
Royal Attractions
- Entry to Edinburgh Castle (Close to stop 6, Red route & stop 8, Green route)
- Entry to Royal Yacht Britannia (Close to stop 14, Blue route)
- Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse (Close to stops 11 & 13, Red route, stops 13 & 15, Green route & stop 3, Blue route)
- Audio guide in 30 languages (Royal Yacht Britannia)
- Audio guide in 9 languages (Palace of Holyroodhouse)
Edinburgh HOHO
- 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red, Green & Blue routes
- Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Scottish & Portuguese (Red & Blue routes)
- Horrible Histories children’s commentary
- English-speaking guide (Green route)
- Headphones
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red route
- First bus: 8:50am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 4:20pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Edinburgh Castle, Old Town, Royal Mile
Green route
- First bus: 9am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 4pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Georgian New Town, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Blue route
- First bus: 9:10am from Waterloo Place
- Last bus: 3:40pm from Waterloo Place
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Royal Attractions
- Tip: Don't miss the Honours of Scotland exhibition at Edinburgh Castle, showcasing the oldest Crown jewels in the British Isles!
- Parts of Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse are wheelchair accessible.
- The Royal Yacht Britannia experience is wheelchair accessible.
- Note that the ticket lets you visit Edinburgh Castle and Royal Yacht Britannia within 48 hours. If you need to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse outside of that timeframe, your ticket will still be valid.
- Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult or senior citizen during their visit.
Edinburgh HOHO
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
- Mobility scooters are allowed if folded and stored as luggage.
- Your guide dogs and pet dogs are welcome aboard.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Hop on, hop off, and see what fellow travelers are saying!
Why choose Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh bus tours
- Explore Old and New Town: Hop-on Hop-off tours in Edinburgh seamlessly connect between historical landmarks in the Old Town, sites of the Georgian New Town, as well as the peaceful waterfront with a blend of maritime history.
- Discover scenic routes: From the towering Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock to the rugged cliffs of Arthur’s Seat, Hop-on Hop-off tours give you the opportunity to take in the city’s iconic skyline, cobbled streets, and surrounding landscapes.
- Find hidden gems: While the Red Route covers the city’s top attractions, the Blue and Green Routes allow for the discovery of lesser-known gems like Dean Village, Dunbar's Close Garden, and Stockbridge.
- Access live commentary: The multilingual audio guides help form a personal connection with Scotland’s history, traditions, and famous residents, through local stories and fascinating anecdotes.
- Get entry to royal attractions: Some Hop-on Hop-tours in Edinburgh exclusively include entry to royal attractions like Edinburgh Castle, and Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is much more economical than separately buying tickets for each attraction.
Hop-on Hop-off buses are the perfect choice for
First-time visitors
Hop-on Hop-tours in Edinburgh help newcomers get a sense of the city’s layout and history, without having to worry about navigation.
Families
With a mix of flexibility and comfort, Hop-on Hop-off buses are designed for families and elderly visitors, inclusive of wheelchair accessibility and special audio guides for children.
Time-savers
For those with limited time in the city, Hop-on Hop-off bus tours maximize sightseeing efficiency. Visit multiple locations across Edinburgh’s different neighborhoods in a cost-effective way.
Solo travelers
Hop-on Hop-off tours provide a dependable, easy, and customizable way to explore for solo travelers in any new city.
Photography enthusiasts
The open-top Hop-on Hop-off buses offer unique vantage points for capturing the city’s stunning architecture, iconic skyline, and natural beauty.
History buffs
Hop-on Hop-off tours are great for history and culture buffs who want to connect with Scotland’s past while discovering hidden gems.
Exploring Edinburgh with City Sightseeing
Whether you're interested in Edinburgh's rich history, stunning architecture, or scenic waterfront, City Sightseeing's hop-on hop-off tours gives you the freedom to explore all of it on your own terms. Choose from any of its 3 comprehensive routes: Classic Red Route, Green Route, or Blue Route.
City Sightseeing Tour (Classic Red Route)
Ideal for: History buffs and architecture lovers, as you'll pass by the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and key spots right at the heart of Edinburgh’s old town.
Popular spots: Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace
Timings: 8:45am (first departure) and 5:57pm (last departure) from Waterloo Place
Frequency: Every 10 to 12 minutes
Stops: 9 stops
Edinburgh Tour (Green Route)
Ideal for: Nature, art and history lovers, as this route highlights Edinburgh’s New Town, known for its neoclassical Georgian architecture and sophisticated shopping streets.
Popular spots: St. Andrew Square, Lawnmarket, Dynamic Earth
Timings: 8:51am (first departure) and 5:51pm (last departure) from Waterloo Place
Frequency: Every 10 to 12 minutes
Stops: 9 stops
Regal Tour (Blue Route)
Ideal for: Families and travelers looking to explore Edinburgh’s modern waterfront, with scenic views and maritime history.
Popular spots: Royal Botanic Garden, Ocean Terminal, Holyrood
Timings: 8:40am (first departure) and 5:25pm (last departure) from Waterloo Place
Frequency: Every 15 minutes
Stops: 9 stops
How to book tickets
Step 1
Scan the different tours and routes to make your choice.
Step 2
Purchase tickets online via Credit or Debit card.
Step 3
Look out for the ticket voucher in your inbox.
Step 4
Display the voucher digitally with a valid photo ID or redeem your tickets for a physical copy to start your journey.
Step 5
Hop on and off at any point along the bus routes.
Top Edinburgh landmarks on the Hop-on Hop-off tour
Edinburgh Castle
Read more
Frequently Asked Questions about Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh bus tours
What is the frequency of Hop-on Hop-off buses?
Depending on the operator and traffic conditions, Hop-on Hop-off buses in Edinburgh usually arrive every 15-20 minutes.
Are Hop-on Hop-off tours child-friendly?
Yes, children aged 5-15 years get free entry on most Hop-on Hop-off tours in the city.
What languages are available for the audio guides?
English, French, Italian, Scottish, German, Spanish & Chinese are some of the common languages for audio guides.
Are guided tours included?
City Sightseeing has a live English-speaking guide for the Green Route.
Are the Hop-on Hop-off buses wheelchair-accessible?
Yes, most Hop-on Hop-off buses in Edinburgh are wheelchair-friendly, with ramps and designated seating areas.
What are the operating hours for these tours?
The Hop-on Hop-off tours usually run from 9am to 6pm, but hours may vary by season or specific operator.