Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh Bus Tours

All top attractions covered
All top attractions covered
Regular Schedule. Unlimited rides
Regular Schedule. Unlimited rides
Last minute availability. Instant confirmation.
Last minute availability. Instant confirmation.



Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour near historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus near historic buildings on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, with a view of the iconic Edinburgh Castle in the background
Edinburgh double-decker bus tour passing historic buildings on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off route.
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, passing by iconic landmarks in a double-decker bus
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour near historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus near historic buildings on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, with a view of the iconic Edinburgh Castle in the background
Edinburgh double-decker bus tour passing historic buildings on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off route.
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, passing by iconic landmarks in a double-decker bus
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour near historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour passing historic buildings.
Edinburgh double-decker bus near historic buildings on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, with a view of the iconic Edinburgh Castle in the background
Edinburgh double-decker bus tour passing historic buildings on City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off route.
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, passing by iconic landmarks in a double-decker bus
4.2(470)

City Sightseeing: Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

from
£18
Free cancellation

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

Extended validity
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
Routes
TOTAL DURATION60 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 8:50 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 4:20 PM
Timeline
Map

1

Waterloo Place

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Calton Hill
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk

2

St. Andrew Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
passby-image
Scott Monument
5 min walk

3

Lothian Road

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Usher Hall
2 min walk
passby-image
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk

4

Grassmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
passby-image
Victoria Street
6 min walk

5

Lawnmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
passby-image
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk

6

John Knox House

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
passby-image
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk

7

Holyrood

Get direction

3 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish Parliament Building
passby-image
Holyrood Park
8 min walk

8

Our Dynamic Earth

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Our Dynamic Earth
passby-image
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.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.2
470 ratings
235
168
32
16
19
What our guests say
reviewer
Paul
Nov 2024Verified booking
5/5

The detailed information from the headphones was key to enjoying the experience so much The driver taking there time doing the tour so I could take everything in and take photos when I wanted. I would suggest better pin points on the maps of where people can get the tickets for the tour

reviewer
MRS
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

It was so easy to book online and redeem paper ticket with the bus driver who was very nice and helpful. Really liked the commentary using free headphones when you first get on. A great way to see the city!

reviewer
paul
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Easy to find, passed the best locations, very nice and friendly drivery and staff. Great experience. Will do that again next time we're in Edinburgh.

reviewer
Darlington
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

We did enjoy most of all the sites we visited and also the punctuality of coaches at every site we hop on. The ticketing experience was excellent

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reviewer
Judith
Oct 2024Verified booking
3/5

Route was OK but driver did not stop for main photo opportunities when they arose, eg Holyrood Palace, views were snatched for other locations but insufficient to take them in.

reviewer
Scott
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Easy to arrange ticket buying online. Frequent hop-on hop-off at well-placed stops. Good narration at many of the must see places around Edinburgh. Open top buses add to the experience.

reviewer
Nadia
Sep 2024Verified booking
4/5

The route is very interesting and the information shared helps to understand the history of the city. I recommend it for those who will only be in the city for a short time.

View original review in Portuguese

reviewer
Amy
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

Great way to see the city on our first day in Scotland. We enjoyed the narration explaining a bit of the history as well as information about the location. The stops are really convenient and the option to upgrade to other bus routes is great.

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reviewer
David
Sep 2024Verified booking
4/5

We enjoyed this easy way to see some sights, esp. getting from the New Town all the way uphill to the Castle :-). Ticketing didn't work so well, though - I downloaded the app but it refused to display my reservation (or anything, actually). When we got back on the bus in the afternoon, we were following a completely different route than what the map showed, so we had a hard time following it. Still, it was a good ride.

reviewer
Daniel
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

Tickiting was very simple. Your service allowed us to hop on and off wherever we liked, to see some of the more interesting locations in more detail. We were then able to hop back on at various points of the route to continue the tour. Drivers were very friendly and helpful. We will be back.

reviewer
Barbara
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

Its been a very informativ and lovely adventuring Trip throuoht per beloved Edinburgh💫👍❣️⭐️✨💫🌟👍

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reviewer
Todd
Sep 2024Verified booking
3/5

The drivers were excellent at maneuvering in Ediburgh's narrow streets. The quality of the sound of the "guide" was marginal. hard to understand the guide sometimes. The route and stops were well-placed.

reviewer
Linda
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

Fab wonderful time so interesting and kids loved it All staff so helpful and friendly oor driver was very patient with kids getting on off bus can't fault this trip

reviewer
Angela
Aug 2024Verified booking
3/5

The bus was fine, like other tours I have taken. What I didn't like was that the tour was an audio recording, not a live guide. That is what I like most about these tours is that every time you get on, even if it's in the same place you hear something new. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great and that was what I was expecting.

reviewer
Christine
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

Ticketing was very easy with headout! We hadn't planned ahead and didn't have tickets yet for simply the Edinburgh Castle entry, but we were able to purchase a package of Hop On Hop Off that included the Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, and other great sites. Purchasing the package was the way to go!

reviewer
Thomas
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

The tour provided a narrative of the historic city of Edinburgh. The ease of hop on hop off made it most comfortable for Seniors. Being valid for 24 hours allowed us to see the various sites at different times of the day/night. The complexity of streets and different highlights made Headout the only way to go.

reviewer
Patricia
Aug 2024Verified booking
4/5

The person that printed our tickets was so very nice and helpful! The ride was great. The commentary was interesting. Unfortunately we had a passenger that smelled very strongly like stake urine. It made it difficult to breathe.

reviewer
Naja
Aug 2024Verified booking
4/5

Ticketing was eay. But we wandered arround a bit just tryng to find the pickup point. The driver did a good job considering the extreme traffic jams all over the city. I loved being able to book tickets for the Castle on board as they were sold out everywhere else.

reviewer
Alice
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

How easy it was, loved the commentary, there was charging portals on the bus, sound quality, the route. Loved everything about it. So handy and fun

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reviewer
Valérie
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

The ticketing experience was super easy and stress free. The tour guide was friendly and super knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. We weren't going to do it at first as our weeklong bus tour group was providing a tour of the city, but that one turned out to be rushed and very limited in what they showed us. We will definitely do Hop On Hop Off again and will recommend it to others.

reviewer
Wendy
Aug 2024Verified booking
4/5

a bit complicated to book adn get teh app but it worked! The horrible histories channel is a brilliant idea for children adn swent down well!

reviewer
Cheri
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

Like all Hop On tours, I enjoy getting an overview of the city I'm in and the opportunity to easily visit sites I'm interested in without hiring cabs or negotiating an unfamiliar mass transit system. I've always found the commentary to be fun and a good history of the area. The staff has always been patient and helpful.

reviewer
Mary
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

It was a fantastic experience, my kids loved every moment of it. We really had fun and learnt a lot about history and the museum was the best experience for us

reviewer
Frederick
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

I set up the tour online, it was very easy. The tour was very interesting, I loved the history and the architecture, beautiful! Thank you!

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BIbekananda
Aug 2024Verified booking
4/5

It was good to go around and check all interesting places and then choose the right place what interest you the most. That way it was useful

Show more reviews
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city landmarks and attractions
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket hop-on-hop-off tour in Edinburgh, showcasing city's landmarks and attractions
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city landmarks
HOHO Bus near Edinburgh Castle
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in the historic city of Edinburgh
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city's landmarks and attractions
Couples standing on Royal Yacht Britannia
Royal Yacht Britannia
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring skip-the-line entry tickets to 3 royal attractions and hop-on hop-off bus tours
Passengers on the upper deck of HOHO bus
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city landmarks and attractions
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket hop-on-hop-off tour in Edinburgh, showcasing city's landmarks and attractions
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city landmarks
HOHO Bus near Edinburgh Castle
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in the historic city of Edinburgh
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city's landmarks and attractions
Couples standing on Royal Yacht Britannia
Royal Yacht Britannia
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring skip-the-line entry tickets to 3 royal attractions and hop-on hop-off bus tours
Passengers on the upper deck of HOHO bus
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city landmarks and attractions
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket hop-on-hop-off tour in Edinburgh, showcasing city's landmarks and attractions
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city landmarks
HOHO Bus near Edinburgh Castle
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in the historic city of Edinburgh
Tourists enjoying The Grande Ticket tour on a double-decker bus in Edinburgh, showcasing city's landmarks and attractions
Couples standing on Royal Yacht Britannia
Royal Yacht Britannia
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring skip-the-line entry tickets to 3 royal attractions and hop-on hop-off bus tours
Passengers on the upper deck of HOHO bus
4.5(267)

3-Route Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

from
£24
Free cancellation

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

Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
Guided tour
Routes
TOTAL DURATION80 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 9:10 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 3:40 PM
TOTAL DURATION70 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 9:00 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 4:00 PM
TOTAL DURATION60 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 8:50 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 4:20 PM
Timeline
Map

1

Waterloo Place

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Calton Hill
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk

2

Holyrood

Get direction

3 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish Parliament Building
passby-image
Holyrood Park
8 min walk

3

St. Andrew Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
passby-image
Scott Monument
5 min walk

4

Royal Botanic Garden

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 min walk
passby-image
Inverleith House

5

Newhaven

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Newhaven Harbour Lighthouse
2 min walk
passby-image
Newhaven Fish Market
2 min walk

6

The Shore

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
The Shore
1 min walk
passby-image
Nelson Monument
12 min walk

7

Ocean Terminal

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Royal Yacht Britannia
4 min walk
passby-image
Ocean Terminal Mall
7 min walk

8

Bonnington Rd

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches
10 min walk
passby-image
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
5 min walk

9

Leopold Place

Get direction

1 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Gayfield Square
5 min walk

1

Waterloo Place

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Calton Hill
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk

2

St. Andrew Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
passby-image
Scott Monument
5 min walk

3

Charlotte Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
The Georgian House
passby-image
Princes Street Gardens
9 min walk

4

Lothian Road

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Usher Hall
2 min walk
passby-image
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk

5

Grassmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
passby-image
Victoria Street
6 min walk

6

Lawnmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
passby-image
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk

7

John Knox House

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
passby-image
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk

8

Holyrood

Get direction

3 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish Parliament Building
passby-image
Holyrood Park
8 min walk

9

Our Dynamic Earth

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Our Dynamic Earth
passby-image
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk

1

Waterloo Place

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Calton Hill
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk

2

St. Andrew Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
passby-image
Scott Monument
5 min walk

3

Lothian Road

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Usher Hall
2 min walk
passby-image
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk

4

Grassmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
passby-image
Victoria Street
6 min walk

5

Lawnmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
passby-image
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk

6

John Knox House

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
passby-image
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk

7

Holyrood

Get direction

3 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish Parliament Building
passby-image
Holyrood Park
8 min walk

8

Our Dynamic Earth

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Our Dynamic Earth
passby-image
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.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.5
267 ratings
166
76
13
4
8
What our guests say
reviewer
Peter
Dec 2024Verified booking
5/5

I bought my ticket online, quickly and easily. I really enjoyed the live commentary on the Edinburgh tour (Green route) and David was very entertaining.

reviewer
Nora
Nov 2024Verified booking
4/5

Nice commentary in the pre-recorded guide, well designed routes. I would recommemd though to decribe the routes better on the website - the Regal tozr is hard to find.

reviewer
Sebastien
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

Handy for discovering the city and getting to the various points of interest. The guide on the green route was interesting and humorous.

View original review in French

reviewer
Frans
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

The HOHO-buses are a good means to get an overview of Edinburghs highlights. Especially I enjoined the tours with personal guide!

reviewer
Ian
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

The convenience and an easy way to see the layout of the city. The following day we went again knowing where we want to see.

reviewer
Joell
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

It was a great way to see the ocean and take a break from all the walking. It stopped several places so I could hop off anytime.

reviewer
Stephanie
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

Easy to purchase tickets. Lots of staff available to ask questions of. Great drivers. Tour guide Colin had lots of interesting information. Liked the three different routes.

reviewer
Lynaire
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Really enjoyed the commentary on the bus, all staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgable and it stopped at some great spots!

reviewer
Jennifer
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Such a fantastic way to see beautiful Edinburgh. Each of the 3 routes offered something different and we managed to go on all 3, would highly recommend doing that if time permits. We stopped off at the botanical gardens and enjoyed some quiet time there wandering around. It is very easy using the hop on hop off buses and the drivers were very helpful and the commentary is great.

reviewer
Heidrun
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

All the bus drivers were very friendly and helpful. The tours cover lots of great sights. So we liked it. We would love to do it again.

View original review in German

reviewer
Claudia
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

That I was able to see the whole city in an afternoon. I went to Edinburgh for a conference and I had only a few hours to visit the city. Although everything went well I want to mention something that was not nice. I was waiting for the blue line bus around 5 pm. I knew it was the last one. The bus came and stop behind a green one but did not approach the stop completely. The driver didn't see me because he did not care to see if someone was there. When I called, he saw me but left!! And it was the last one! I was at market square so I was able to ran to the next stop and get it. I talked to the driver. He was not very nice. But then the ride was great.

reviewer
Dena
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

It was convenient and the best way to get around the city on a chilly day! We got the three bus pass and we're able to hop on and off the red, green and blue bus and see the whole city.

reviewer
Geoffrey
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

The ease of getting to where we needed to go. Although, the traffic and traffic lights makes it a very long day and limited times to do it a short period.

reviewer
linda
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

I loved that I was able to explore Edinburgh easily without having to drive through the city also I was able to learn the history of Edinburgh through the guides ❤️❤️❤️❤️

reviewer
Jane
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

The drivers were great, and the three different routes were helpful in understanding the layout of the city. We took full advantage of our 48 hour pass, and even though we had been to Edinburgh before have a better understanding of its history.

reviewer
Pietertje
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

Many pick-up points during the route green/red and/or blue.... Seen a lot of the city! Do wear walking shoes because we took 20,000 steps a day despite the bus .

View original review in Dutch

reviewer
Ben
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

The weather was on point for a change 😆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The ability to get on and off and frequency off Buses. headphone Commentary was good but not loud enough.

reviewer
Othmar
Sep 2024Verified booking
5/5

it was well organized, online booking and hop on hop off perfect. in my opinion to many busses ... it should be reduced, also if you have to wait some minutes longer. too many busses in Edinburgh... !!!!

reviewer
Elizabeth
Aug 2024Verified booking
3/5

I really enjoyed seeing the city with less walking. I also enjoyed getting out to the port and seeing a different side of the city, and enjoying a flight of whiskey at the distillery. However the bus that was supposed to come every 20 minutes finally came after an hour, took me to Waverly and then announced that "they were done". I don't think I got my money's worth and I would have been better off taking the bus. When I was waiting at the Brittania stop there were 4 buses and 3 trams that went by during my time there. I did enjoy the green line the most as I enjoyed the live commentor. I had no idea how to access the audio guide for the blue or the red and there was no instructions from the driver. When trying to find a stop for the blue line I was directed to a location where the road was closed. Edinburgh was a bit of the mess with the fringe so they might not have known.

reviewer
Edward
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

We've been to Edinburgh several times but stayed mostly in the Royal Mile. The tour helped us see there's much more to Edinburgh than the castle! Being able to choose any of the three tours allowed us to see more than if restricted to only one. Thank for that offering!

reviewer
Maria
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

The stops on the tour were perfect for what we wanted to see. Also, we were recommended at the ticket kiosk to take the route with the live guide. The gentlemen giving the information were friendly, informative, and helpful. I can't wait to go back for my next visit!

reviewer
Stephane
Aug 2024Verified booking
4/5

Overall the experience was very good. It was easy to buy the tickets online and the staff in the office were expedient and courteous. The bus rides were great - it's an excellent way to start a stay in Edinburgh and find out what interests you. The guide for the green ride, Scott, was awesome. He was knowledgeable and very funny. The only thing is that the green and red rides were very similar. Probably don't need both.

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reviewer
Maren
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

Great as always! Buses clean! Drivers nice, friendly, helpful! Translation terminals work perfectly! Always happy to return! Thank you!

View original review in German

reviewer
Joanne
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

I loved everything about this experience. There is no way we would have seen all of those sights without the guidance and friendly staff. Thank you so very much for the experience. I would highly recommend this tour upon visiting Edinburgh.

reviewer
Roni
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

On every trip I took, the drivers were friendly and helpful to everyone. Even though I am sure they answer the same questions all the time. The customer service was amazing to watch.

Show more reviews
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, with a view of the iconic Edinburgh Castle in the background
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Visitors exploring the historic interiors of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring iconic landmarks like the Edinburgh Castle, on a hop-on hop-off bus
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets, including a visit to the historic Edinburgh Castle
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets
Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh with visitors exploring the deck.
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring skip-the-line entry tickets to 3 royal attractions and hop-on hop-off bus tours
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, with a view of the iconic Edinburgh Castle in the background
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Visitors exploring the historic interiors of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring iconic landmarks like the Edinburgh Castle, on a hop-on hop-off bus
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets, including a visit to the historic Edinburgh Castle
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets
Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh with visitors exploring the deck.
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring skip-the-line entry tickets to 3 royal attractions and hop-on hop-off bus tours
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Edinburgh, with a view of the iconic Edinburgh Castle in the background
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
Visitors exploring the historic interiors of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring iconic landmarks like the Edinburgh Castle, on a hop-on hop-off bus
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets, including a visit to the historic Edinburgh Castle
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets
Royal Yacht Britannia docked in Edinburgh with visitors exploring the deck.
Tourists exploring the Royal Edinburgh Tour, featuring skip-the-line entry tickets to 3 royal attractions and hop-on hop-off bus tours
Tourists exploring Edinburgh's royal attractions with skip-the-line tickets, enjoying a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
4.3(70)

Edinburgh: Royal Attractions Tickets + 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

from
£69
Free cancellation

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

Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
Audio guide
Routes
TOTAL DURATION60 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 8:50 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 4:20 PM
TOTAL DURATION70 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 9:00 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 4:00 PM
TOTAL DURATION80 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 9:10 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 3:40 PM
Timeline
Map

1

Waterloo Place

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Calton Hill
1 min walk
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Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk

2

St. Andrew Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
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Scott Monument
5 min walk

3

Lothian Road

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Usher Hall
2 min walk
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Traverse Theatre
1 min walk

4

Grassmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
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Victoria Street
6 min walk

5

Lawnmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
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Writers’ Museum
1 min walk

6

John Knox House

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
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Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk

7

Holyrood

Get direction

3 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
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Scottish Parliament Building
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Holyrood Park
8 min walk

8

Our Dynamic Earth

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Our Dynamic Earth
passby-image
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk

1

Waterloo Place

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Calton Hill
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk

2

St. Andrew Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
passby-image
Scott Monument
5 min walk

3

Charlotte Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
The Georgian House
passby-image
Princes Street Gardens
9 min walk

4

Lothian Road

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Usher Hall
2 min walk
passby-image
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk

5

Grassmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
passby-image
Victoria Street
6 min walk

6

Lawnmarket

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
passby-image
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk

7

John Knox House

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
passby-image
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk

8

Holyrood

Get direction

3 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish Parliament Building
passby-image
Holyrood Park
8 min walk

9

Our Dynamic Earth

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Our Dynamic Earth
passby-image
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk

1

Waterloo Place

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Calton Hill
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk

2

Holyrood

Get direction

3 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
passby-image
Scottish Parliament Building
passby-image
Holyrood Park
8 min walk

3

St. Andrew Square

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
passby-image
Scott Monument
5 min walk

4

Royal Botanic Garden

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 min walk
passby-image
Inverleith House

5

Newhaven

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Newhaven Harbour Lighthouse
2 min walk
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Newhaven Fish Market
2 min walk

6

The Shore

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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The Shore
1 min walk
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Nelson Monument
12 min walk

7

Ocean Terminal

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

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Royal Yacht Britannia
4 min walk
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Ocean Terminal Mall
7 min walk

8

Bonnington Rd

Get direction

2 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches
10 min walk
passby-image
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
5 min walk

9

Leopold Place

Get direction

1 attractions

Nearby things to do

passby-image
Gayfield Square
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.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.3
70 ratings
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What our guests say
reviewer
TAN
Nov 2024Verified booking
3/5

My experience on the 1 day trip was fine. My disappointment was the unavailable of the Britannia trip, as it was closed for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. My visit was Monday. I e. I only visited 2 out of three attractions that I purchased. The free bus services does not cover the trip to the Britannia, as it was way out of the 48 hours limit. Propose do not set the limit of the bus services, since there is possible of venue closure. Thanks for your attention. Cheers. John

reviewer
Andrei
Nov 2024Verified booking
5/5

Stop locations were well placed, drivers were informative and polite. Had a live guide providing live commentary on one bus....wish I had got his name since he was great.

reviewer
Barbara
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Was able to visit all the sites we wanted to see .. didn't need to drive our vehicle.. eliminated finding and paying for parking. Drivers were friendly .

reviewer
K.A.
Sep 2024Verified booking
4/5

When you do not have so much time, hop on hop off is a splendid way to see a lot in short time. We did the tour with granted acces to the Edinburgh castle, holyroodhouse and the Brittannia. Validatie the tickets was easy, since the little offucehouse was in front of our building g. Good experience. Enjoyed it.

reviewer
Daniel
Jul 2024Verified booking
4/5

Bus tours were great! Informative and funny. Made it to the castle and palace quickly. Only knock I have is the need to make our way to Waterloo Place to validate our tickets. Required a Tram from the Ocean Terminal to St. Andrew's Square rather than catching the Tour at the Ocean Terminal.

reviewer
Miss
May 2024Verified booking
4/5

Ease of hop on buses helpfulness of staff. Negative was Holyrood Was not open during our stay yet still paid for the entrance.

reviewer
Mair
Apr 2024Verified booking
5/5

All 3 attractions were so interesting. The 3 different coloured buses were so regular and we have to mention our trip on the Green one with commentary from Joy and the bus driver David. It was really enjoyable, Joy was both informative and funny. A great way to see Edingburgh and would really recommend this trips.

reviewer
concetta
Jan 2024Verified booking
4/5

Quella del biglietto 48 ore con l'ingresso a tre attrazioni direi che è stata una decisione strategica che consiglio a chiunque abbia poco tempo a disposizione. E' il modo migliore per visitare la città. Devo esprimere però una nota positiva a favore dello staff, in particolar modo di SARA, che abbiamo avuto la fortuna di conoscere la mattina del nostro inizio tour presso il luogo indicato come cambio del voucher - Waterloo Place. E' stata sempre gentilissima e disponibile ma soprattutto ci ha risolto un problema imprevisto, ovvero la chiusura del Castello a causa del vento forte. Avevamo programmato la visita il giorno prima della partenza e andar via senza vedere uno dei simboli più importanti della città sarebbe stata una enormedelusione, come se non avessimo visto nulla. I tempi di risposta per email purtroppo sono lunghi e seguono orari di ufficio, quindi lei ha spiegato il problema al suo supervisor Roberto (presenti entrambi in quei giorni al punto di Waterloo Place) ed insieme hanno spostato l'appuntamento al mattino seguente, rendendo la nostra visita ad edimburgo decisamente soddisfacente. Grazie di cuore per il servizio e spero che vi arrivi il ringraziamento anche alle persone sopracitate Buon lavoro a tutti

reviewer
Marie-Christine
Jan 2024Verified booking
5/5

The staff at the bus station are very friendly and the explanations are very clear. It's really nice to have the audio explanations in French on the bus, thanks to the headphones. The sites to visit are well worth the effort. Great memories! I'll be back very soon to do these tours again, as I love travelling around the city by bus.

View original review in French

reviewer
Tirtha
Dec 2023Verified booking
5/5

Hassle free entry to all the 3 venues and hop on, hop off experience on all routes were excellent way to explore the city.

reviewer
Gary
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Great value package and a very easy way to experiance visiting all the sightsp

reviewer
Jane
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

The ease of having the 48 hr bus ticket and entry to three sites was good.

reviewer
Uwe-Carsten
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Everything! The explanations, the friendly drivers and the overall experience. The Hmy Britannia was impressive. Thank you!

View original review in German

reviewer
Carla
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

Beautiful royal residence. With the audio guide you get around very well, it is very explanatory.

View original review in Italian

reviewer
Mrs
Oct 2024Verified booking
4/5

Great being able to get the hop on hop off bus to Edinburgh attractions so easily.

reviewer
RHONDA
Oct 2024Verified booking
5/5

HOLYROOD PALACE WAS MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCE

reviewer
M
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

Easy very reliable service with the attraction tickets included in the 48 hours pass made our trip a lot easier

reviewer
Sara
Aug 2024Verified booking
5/5

Great views from the bus, stops near the attractions and frequency of buses is brilliant.

reviewer
Mr
Mar 2024Verified booking
4/5

Was a good way to see the sight and get about the city. A convenient pass

reviewer
Janet
Feb 2024Verified booking
5/5

Very simple process. Bought tickets online and redeemed on arrival in Edinburgh. Staff Thomas really helpful.

reviewer
Claudia
Dec 2024Verified booking
4/5

reviewer
Paul
Dec 2024Verified booking
4/5

reviewer
Christopher
Dec 2024Verified booking
5/5

reviewer
ACM
Dec 2024Verified booking
5/5

reviewer
Prashant
Dec 2024Verified booking
5/5

Show more reviews

Hop on, hop off, and see what fellow travelers are saying!

Everything you need to know about Hop-on Hop-off tours

With insightful commentary and the freedom to hop off at your favorite stops, Hop-on Hop-off tours are the perfect way to discover Scotland’s capital at your own pace. From the historic Royal Mile to the grandeur of Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace or panoramic views from Arthur’s Seat, ensure you don’t miss a single highlight in this captivating city.

Why choose Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh bus tours

Edinburgh HOHO
  • 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

Edinburgh HOHO

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.

Edinburgh HOHO

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.

Edinburgh HOHO

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.

Edinburgh HOHO

Solo travelers

Hop-on Hop-off tours provide a dependable, easy, and customizable way to explore for solo travelers in any new city.

Edinburgh HOHO

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.

Edinburgh HOHO

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.

Edinburgh Walking Tour

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

George Street edinburgh

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

Inverleith Park edinburgh

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

Finding the perfect Hop-on Hop-off pass duration

  • Routes: City Sightseeing has a 24-hour pass that exclusively covers all of Edinburgh’s main attractions on the Red Route, like the Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, and St. Giles Cathedral. If you’re in the city for longer or seek a more in-depth exploration, upgrade to the 3-route Hop-on Hop-off tour. At a minimal cost, see the New Town and waterfront areas with a 24/48-hour pass, along with the Red Route.
  • Perks: Peruse through the different ticket options that offer a variety of perks like entry to royal attractions, an English-speaking guide for the Green route, Horrible Histories’ kids commentary, audio guides in 30+ languages, and more.

How to book tickets

Step 1

Scan the different tours and routes to make your choice.

Edinburgh HOHO

Step 2

Purchase tickets online via Credit or Debit card.

Edinburgh HOHO

Step 3

 Look out for the ticket voucher in your inbox.

Edinburgh HOHO

Step 4

Display the voucher digitally with a valid photo ID or redeem your tickets for a physical copy to start your journey.

Edinburgh HOHO

Step 5

Hop on and off at any point along the bus routes.

Tips to make the most of your Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh bus tour

  • Edinburgh’s weather can be unpredictable, so it's best to dress in layers and carry an umbrella.
  • Take a full loop of 60-90 minutes to enjoy scenic views, and identify which landmarks pique your interest the most.
  • Comfortable shoes are a must while exploring Edinburgh’s cobblestone streets.
  • If you’re visiting in August during the Fringe Festival, buy your tickets in advance and check the official website for updates that might affect your Hop-on Hop-off itinerary.
  • Take some time out to soak in the city's charm at Grassmarket or have a picnic at the Princess Street Gardens.

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.