English
English
City Sightseeing Edinburgh Bus Tours
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Lothian Road
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
4
Grassmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
5
Lawnmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
6
John Knox House
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
7
Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
8
Our Dynamic Earth
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
See Edinburgh's top 14 sights on a bus tour, perfect for those short on time.
- 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.
See Edinburgh's top 14 sights on a bus tour, perfect for those short on time.
- 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
Red route
Hop aboard the iconic red double-decker and soak up Edinburgh’s magic! This lively route zips you past the mighty Edinburgh Castle, down the historic Royal Mile, and around the grand Holyrood Palace. Wind through Princes Street Gardens, where blooms pop against ancient stone, then brace yourself for breathtaking views of Arthur’s Seat.
Popular stops: Lothian Road, Grassmarket, Lawnmarket & Regent Road
- 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
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Snapshots from our guests
4.4
647 ratings
346
232
43
12
14
Guests from United States, Germany, Canada and over 45 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
James
Jun 2025Verified booking
My family of 5 from US took a tour in late May. Stop #6 was very convinient to our hotel and was attended so our online thickets were scanned so we did not have to when we got on the bus. Handed a disposal set of head phones that plugged in nicely in front of us. The RED guided tour was very informative and helpful. Wish we had more time to take one of the longer tours. Highly recommend this to all first time visitors to Edinburgh. Mind the weather ; we were able to sit outdoors on the top making it a vey comfortable trip around the city. Thanks.
Tanya
May 2025Verified booking
Learning history of Edinburgh through the headphones was great! We had a fantastic day out in Edinburgh as a family of four and would reccomend this tour. Staff were super friendly, and the buses were regular. Superb!
Jerry
May 2025Verified booking
Seeing the sights and being able to stop and walk around and get on another bus throughout the day
Syed
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything was brilliant but the documentary was amazing. I love that.
Dince
Apr 2025Verified booking
It is easy to go around the main visiting site. Easy to get the bus and Easy to travel.
Zunaira
Jun 2025Verified booking
The whole experience of sightseeing with 15 other family members. It was exciting and fun though the sun was scorching that day.
Kimberly
Jun 2025Verified booking
Easy on and off access for disabled people with a access ramp and friendly and helpful bus driver and very informative tour. Stops were conveniently located to everything we wanted to see. including Holyroodhouse Palace and Edinburgh Castle.
Janine
Jun 2025Verified booking
So easy to book a ticket online and one of the best hop on hop off tour I've done in Scotland. I saw everything I wanted to see and stops in all the right places. Edinburgh is awesome!
Erzsebet
Jun 2025Verified booking
Shopping with Headout was pretty easy, although we didn't get the promised discounts, which was a bummer. The city tour was good, it gave us what we expected: a comprehensive view of the city.
Mark
Jun 2025Verified booking
This service was very easy to use and myself with mobility issues found that I could pop off and on to buses easily. Also all drivers and staff should be commended , as all very very helpfull. We done a full loop with earphones, and the decided where to get off on the second loop. WELL DONE
Andrew
May 2025Verified booking
Love the option of open air and covered seating. Love the narration along the way. Love the flexibility to hop on hop off. It's just a great way to see the city!
MICHAEL
May 2025Verified booking
Easy to book.... wonderful view of the city... easiest way to get to the waterfront. Only problem was that at one on the minor stops, the driver didn't automatically stop, so I was left standing there :-( didn't realize I needed to flag him down
Chelsie
May 2025Verified booking
Brilliant day out and the bus service is brilliant, so many stops that you can just jump off and back on again to go to another part of Edinburgh. The price is very reasonable too. I would recommend it to anyone
PHILIP
May 2025Verified booking
The buses were delayed and over-crowded. There must be a better way to manage crowds when such delays occur. Staff at bus stops told us they didn't know what was going on!
Annette
May 2025Verified booking
Best way to get an impression of the city, the explanation in several languages via headphones very nice and vividly told, highly recommended
View original review in German
Ana
May 2025Verified booking
We loved the route, but mostly the audio It was clear, easy to understand and with good information. One of the best hop on hop off tours we have taken Highly recommended
Lisa
May 2025Verified booking
Fabulous hop on hop off bus, got to see so much more of edinburgh which we otherwise would have missed. Ticketing through Headout was great.
Christine
May 2025Verified booking
Friendly nice staff Clean bus Good narrative Would be great if you could number the stops with the pickup points on the map. It took a while to find you.
Anne
May 2025Verified booking
The stop was just around the corner from my hotel. I jumped on the bus to get me anywhere and everywhere and it was unbelievable how convenient it was.
Ruth
Apr 2025Verified booking
A terrific way to visit the city. Drivers were exceptionally pleasant and helpful. Sat up top in the sun. A wonderful time. Would recommend it for everyone.
David
Jul 2025Verified booking
Friendly drivers, frequent buses, choice of routes
Susanna
Jul 2025Verified booking
Kind staff Excellent tour with good translation There could be more stops
View original review in Italian
David
Jun 2025Verified booking
Great services and over all experience.
Vikas
Jun 2025Verified booking
Very informative narration. Covered most of the important spots . For a short time visitor it was a good experience.
Julie
Jun 2025Verified booking
Friendly driver lovely view, good commentary.
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
3
St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
4
Royal Botanic Garden
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 min walk
Inverleith House
5
Newhaven
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Newhaven Harbour Lighthouse
2 min walk
Newhaven Fish Market
2 min walk
6
The Shore
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Shore
1 min walk
Nelson Monument
12 min walk
7
Ocean Terminal
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Royal Yacht Britannia
4 min walk
Ocean Terminal Mall
7 min walk
8
Bonnington Rd
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches
10 min walk
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
5 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Charlotte Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
The Georgian House
Princes Street Gardens
9 min walk
4
Lothian Road
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
5
Grassmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
6
Lawnmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
7
John Knox House
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
8
Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
9
Our Dynamic Earth
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Our Dynamic Earth
The Queen’s Gallery
6 min walk
1
Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Calton Hill
1 min walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 min walk
2
St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 min walk
Scott Monument
5 min walk
3
Lothian Road
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Usher Hall
2 min walk
Traverse Theatre
1 min walk
4
Grassmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Grassmarket Square
1 min walk
Victoria Street
6 min walk
5
Lawnmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1 min walk
Writers’ Museum
1 min walk
6
John Knox House
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
National Museum of Scotland
2 min walk
Bedlam Theatre
2 min walk
7
Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 min walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 min walk
8
Our Dynamic Earth
Get direction
2 attractions
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.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.6
411 ratings
279
102
17
4
9
Guests from United States, Germany, Australia and over 39 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Thomas
Jun 2025Verified booking
The opportunity to choose between three lines and explore the individual sights. Then get back on and continue your journey. The friendly staff contributed to an unforgettable experience.
View original review in German
JANUSCH
May 2025Verified booking
Red and blue route - highly recommended Both the Red and Blue Routes were excellently organized. It was extremely helpful to discover so many sights in such a short time and to quickly find your way around the city - simply great! One suggestion for improvement concerns the buses on the Green Line: it would be desirable if these were also equipped with multilingual audio guides. Currently, the information is only available in English, which can be a challenge for some travelers. However, the staff were friendly and helpful throughout - even when there were language barriers. Special praise also goes to the bus drivers: attentive, courteous and a real rarity in this form. All in all, a great experience - we'd love to do it again
View original review in German
Deborah
May 2025Verified booking
Great way to get about Edinburgh ,especially for first time visitors. Explore awhile then hop back on. Staff very helpful.would definitely recommend.
Cassie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Purchasing tickets was very easy and we were able to see so much of Edinburgh in the short time we were there. We took the blue and green routes and enjoyed hearing the history and seeing the beautiful sights of the city.
Carolyn
Jun 2025Verified booking
Great way to see the city! Great service
SIRJE
May 2025Verified booking
Ease of ticket purchase and all the information about the city , which I really liked. Good luck !
This review is translated. Show original review.
Muller
Apr 2025Verified booking
Going hop and off as we wish. Having a guided tour thanks to the earphones. The drivers are really nice .
DI
Jun 2025Verified booking
Ticketung experience was very good:information on website were clear and everything run easy. The tours were very well organised, audioguides run perfectly, we received many useful and interesting information.
Bléry
Jun 2025Verified booking
As always, this type of transport is ideal for discovering the sights - it couldn't be better! What's more, in Edinburgh the audio system was recent and fully functional, which is not always the case.
View original review in French
Wayne
Jun 2025Verified booking
The map provided is a bit confusing. We wanted the Blue Royal line and the map shows stops along the Royal Mile. But the Red line bus takes you to the 1st stop where you can transfer to the Blue Bus. We asked about getting as close to St. Giles Cathedral as possible and your emplyees were very, very helpful getting us on the right bus. Drivers were friendly , understanding and very helpful. Commentary was excellent.
Jacqueline
Jun 2025Verified booking
Thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour in Edinburgh. The three routes all had their own uniqueness and gave us a good overview of this amazing city.
Laura
Jun 2025Verified booking
We loved the tour and the company. Very friendly staff. As the only negative comment, there are totally blue buses on the route, and when you see it arrive at the same stops you think that the bus being blue you are undermining the blue route, and it is red route despite the color of the bus. It creates a lot of confusion. For the rest everything was great
View original review in Spanish
Rory
Jun 2025Verified booking
A reccomended must do when visiting Edinburgh, provides a great incite to the history of the city, we found it very interesting
Charles
Jun 2025Verified booking
Purchased tickets online and everything went as planned. The buses came around as promised and both the audio and live guides were great. The drivers were most helpful with directions to the attractions. Well worth the money
AA
Jun 2025Verified booking
It's a great way to get you started in exploring the city. You get lots of information about the different landmarks and the history of the city. After a round on the bus you know exactly where to go to see the places that interest you.
Sarah
Jun 2025Verified booking
Buying the tickets was easy and straightforward. The guides on the street were very helpful and the drivers friendy (changing shift). What made it excellent, though, was our guide, James. He was so entertaining, engaging, and a font of interesting knowledge - 10 out of 10 James! Would definatey recommend.
Olivieri
Jun 2025Verified booking
The tours, the kindness of the drivers and the audio guides are very well done. Thank you for this tour of Edinburgh.
View original review in French
Dale
May 2025Verified booking
The tour guide on the green line was great relaying information live. The recorded information on the red and blue lines was okay but not as good as the live person. Was convient to get around the town. The only issue is on Marathon Weekends the routes are disrupted and go slower.
Grant
May 2025Verified booking
Everything ran smoothly and on time. We did all 3 courses and got a great feel for Edinburgh in a short time over a few days. Was perfect, thankyou
Silvia
May 2025Verified booking
We liked everything, we chose the three-bus tour and it is the perfect experience, especially if you are only staying a couple of days.
View original review in Italian
Donna
May 2025Verified booking
The buses ran pretty much on time and it was easy to change between the lines if you bought the regal ticket. Buses were never full like in some cities so no issues getting in a us when we wanted.
philippe
May 2025Verified booking
Les commentaires sont clairs et précis, bien calés à la position du bus Les arrêts bien définis Le personnel très agréable Manque toutefois le numéro de l'arrêt !! Sur le panneau d'arrêt de bus. Nous avons attendu un bus rouge au mauvais endroit Buckingam
Jane
May 2025Verified booking
We really enjoyed all 3 routes around Edinburgh. Buses were frequent and stops very handy for all attractions and places we wanted to visit. Both the recorded audio commentary and the live tour guide commentary were excellent. The booking process was very easy. Loved the App to show us where we were going. We had the 48 hour pass and it was great value for money. Thank you!
Sharon
Apr 2025Verified booking
The audio was in sync with the location. That's not the norm on these city tours. We have been on 8 of these tours around Europe & this was the best. Very enjoyable.
Jonathan
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved the commentary. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Took us to lots of locations we would otherwise never had visited.
Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Dungeon Tickets + Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
from £33
£31.35
5% off
Pair Edinburgh Dungeon frights with flexible sightseeing across Edinburgh’s top landmarks.
- Everything you get at the Edinburgh Dungeon: Your ticket includes timed entry to the dungeon with thrilling live shows. Encounter Maggie Dickson, known for her miraculous survival, and hear gruesome stories of Burke and Hare, all performed by actors in immersive settings.
- Everything you get on Edinburgh HoHo bus tour: Enjoy 24-hour hop-on access to 14+ stops, audio in 9 languages, child-friendly Horrible Histories storytelling, and free headphones. Tickets are valid for 12 months and kids go free, making it ideal for families.
- Why choose this combo: Perfect for visitors wanting convenience! With only 5-mins between the dungeon & the bus stop, it’s easy to enjoy both in one go!
Pair Edinburgh Dungeon frights with flexible sightseeing across Edinburgh’s top landmarks.
- Everything you get at the Edinburgh Dungeon: Your ticket includes timed entry to the dungeon with thrilling live shows. Encounter Maggie Dickson, known for her miraculous survival, and hear gruesome stories of Burke and Hare, all performed by actors in immersive settings.
- Everything you get on Edinburgh HoHo bus tour: Enjoy 24-hour hop-on access to 14+ stops, audio in 9 languages, child-friendly Horrible Histories storytelling, and free headphones. Tickets are valid for 12 months and kids go free, making it ideal for families.
- Why choose this combo: Perfect for visitors wanting convenience! With only 5-mins between the dungeon & the bus stop, it’s easy to enjoy both in one go!
Inclusions
Edinburgh Dungeon
- Entry to the Edinburgh Dungeon
- 80-mins show
Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- 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
Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Entry tickets to attractions
Edinburgh Dungeon + Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Ensure your entry tickets and ID are on hand for a smooth experience.
- This experience is accessible to wheelchair users.
Edinburgh Dungeon
- Sharp metallic tools or objects, drones, alcohol, smoke bombs, fireworks, glass bottles, illegal substances, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, and large bags are not permitted on this experience.
- Your pets are not permitted on this experience.
- Photography is strictly prohibited at the venue.
- For safety reasons, guests under the age of 4 years are not allowed on this experience.
- Note that children under 15 must be accompanied by a guardian.
- Guests aged 16 or 17 are required to present ID or a parent/guardian’s written permission.
- The recommended age for the dungeon is 8 and above.
- For your convenience, elevators are available throughout the venue.
- Safety first! Some shows of this experience are restricted for people with back issues and pregnant people.
- For your convenience, guide dogs are welcome to join you.
- Available facilities: restroom.
Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- 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.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.4
737 ratings
410
249
49
13
16
Guests from United States, Canada, Germany and over 48 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
James
Jun 2025Verified booking
My family of 5 from US took a tour in late May. Stop #6 was very convinient to our hotel and was attended so our online thickets were scanned so we did not have to when we got on the bus. Handed a disposal set of head phones that plugged in nicely in front of us. The RED guided tour was very informative and helpful. Wish we had more time to take one of the longer tours. Highly recommend this to all first time visitors to Edinburgh. Mind the weather ; we were able to sit outdoors on the top making it a vey comfortable trip around the city. Thanks.
Tanya
May 2025Verified booking
Learning history of Edinburgh through the headphones was great! We had a fantastic day out in Edinburgh as a family of four and would reccomend this tour. Staff were super friendly, and the buses were regular. Superb!
Anuj
May 2025Verified booking
The staff was very talented. Great performances.
Jerry
May 2025Verified booking
Seeing the sights and being able to stop and walk around and get on another bus throughout the day
Syed
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything was brilliant but the documentary was amazing. I love that.
Dince
Apr 2025Verified booking
It is easy to go around the main visiting site. Easy to get the bus and Easy to travel.
Zunaira
Jun 2025Verified booking
The whole experience of sightseeing with 15 other family members. It was exciting and fun though the sun was scorching that day.
Nils
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was very well orchestrated and the actors very good. As a foreigner though, it was rather difficult to follow what they were saying due
Kimberly
Jun 2025Verified booking
Easy on and off access for disabled people with a access ramp and friendly and helpful bus driver and very informative tour. Stops were conveniently located to everything we wanted to see. including Holyroodhouse Palace and Edinburgh Castle.
Janine
Jun 2025Verified booking
So easy to book a ticket online and one of the best hop on hop off tour I've done in Scotland. I saw everything I wanted to see and stops in all the right places. Edinburgh is awesome!
Erzsebet
Jun 2025Verified booking
Shopping with Headout was pretty easy, although we didn't get the promised discounts, which was a bummer. The city tour was good, it gave us what we expected: a comprehensive view of the city.
Terri
Jun 2025Verified booking
Was a great experience with the ride being the best part! definitely recommend - you need to have a great sense of humor and like to participate!
Mark
Jun 2025Verified booking
This service was very easy to use and myself with mobility issues found that I could pop off and on to buses easily. Also all drivers and staff should be commended , as all very very helpfull. We done a full loop with earphones, and the decided where to get off on the second loop. WELL DONE
Andrew
May 2025Verified booking
Love the option of open air and covered seating. Love the narration along the way. Love the flexibility to hop on hop off. It's just a great way to see the city!
MICHAEL
May 2025Verified booking
Easy to book.... wonderful view of the city... easiest way to get to the waterfront. Only problem was that at one on the minor stops, the driver didn't automatically stop, so I was left standing there :-( didn't realize I needed to flag him down
Chelsie
May 2025Verified booking
Brilliant day out and the bus service is brilliant, so many stops that you can just jump off and back on again to go to another part of Edinburgh. The price is very reasonable too. I would recommend it to anyone
PHILIP
May 2025Verified booking
The buses were delayed and over-crowded. There must be a better way to manage crowds when such delays occur. Staff at bus stops told us they didn't know what was going on!
Annette
May 2025Verified booking
Best way to get an impression of the city, the explanation in several languages via headphones very nice and vividly told, highly recommended
View original review in German
Ana
May 2025Verified booking
We loved the route, but mostly the audio It was clear, easy to understand and with good information. One of the best hop on hop off tours we have taken Highly recommended
Sara
May 2025Verified booking
An absolutely fantastic experience. Staff were amazing, the experience was tremendous fun and educational along the way. Highly recommend it!
Lisa
May 2025Verified booking
Fabulous hop on hop off bus, got to see so much more of edinburgh which we otherwise would have missed. Ticketing through Headout was great.
Christine
May 2025Verified booking
Friendly nice staff Clean bus Good narrative Would be great if you could number the stops with the pickup points on the map. It took a while to find you.
Karina
May 2025Verified booking
This was such a fun morning with surprises around every corner .. I did expect more of a scare fest, but the anticipation and acting was brilliant! Highly recommend 👏🏼 10/10
Anne
May 2025Verified booking
The stop was just around the corner from my hotel. I jumped on the bus to get me anywhere and everywhere and it was unbelievable how convenient it was.
Ruth
Apr 2025Verified booking
A terrific way to visit the city. Drivers were exceptionally pleasant and helpful. Sat up top in the sun. A wonderful time. Would recommend it for everyone.
Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Zoo Tickets + Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
from £50
£47.50
5% off
Ride through Edinburgh’s top 3 routes, then roam Scotland’s most popular wildlife park.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh Zoo: Visit a world-class 86-hectare zoo home to endangered species like red pandas, pygmy hippos, and sun bears. Watch feeding sessions and learn about global conservation efforts through engaging keeper presentations.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh bus tour: Access three scenic bus routes across Edinburgh for 24 hours with unlimited rides, multilingual commentary, headphones & discounts at top attractions like the Royal Yacht Britannia & Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- Why choose this combo: Enjoy easy access to over 15 city attractions & 1500+ animals. Travel freely across the city & explore the zoo at your own pace.
Ride through Edinburgh’s top 3 routes, then roam Scotland’s most popular wildlife park.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh Zoo: Visit a world-class 86-hectare zoo home to endangered species like red pandas, pygmy hippos, and sun bears. Watch feeding sessions and learn about global conservation efforts through engaging keeper presentations.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh bus tour: Access three scenic bus routes across Edinburgh for 24 hours with unlimited rides, multilingual commentary, headphones & discounts at top attractions like the Royal Yacht Britannia & Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- Why choose this combo: Enjoy easy access to over 15 city attractions & 1500+ animals. Travel freely across the city & explore the zoo at your own pace.
Inclusions
Edinburgh Zoo
- Standard entry tickets to Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- 24-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)
Edinburgh Zoo + Edinburgh bus tour
- Ensure your entry tickets and ID is on hand for a smooth experience.
- This experience is accessible to wheelchair users.
- For your convenience, guide dogs are welcome to join you.
Edinburgh Zoo
- Sharp metallic tools or objects, alcohol, drugs, drones, radios, scooters, bikes, rollerblades, roller skates, hoverboards, barbecues, balloons, balls, ice-cream sticks and glass items are not permitted on this experience.
- Your pets are not permitted on this experience.
- For safety, guests under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Smoking is prohibited, including e-cigarettes.
- This experience is accessible to pram/stroller users.
- Available facilities: parking.
- Visitors wearing costumes may be asked to remove them for safety reasons.
- Re-entry after admission is not permitted without prior approval from park authorities.
- In case of extreme weather, the park may close; tickets will be transferred to a convenient revisit date.
Edinburgh bus tour
- Pets are allowed on the bus.
- 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.
- 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 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.5
248 ratings
161
69
10
2
6
Guests from United States, Germany, Australia and over 31 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Thomas
Jun 2025Verified booking
The opportunity to choose between three lines and explore the individual sights. Then get back on and continue your journey. The friendly staff contributed to an unforgettable experience.
View original review in German
JANUSCH
May 2025Verified booking
Red and blue route - highly recommended Both the Red and Blue Routes were excellently organized. It was extremely helpful to discover so many sights in such a short time and to quickly find your way around the city - simply great! One suggestion for improvement concerns the buses on the Green Line: it would be desirable if these were also equipped with multilingual audio guides. Currently, the information is only available in English, which can be a challenge for some travelers. However, the staff were friendly and helpful throughout - even when there were language barriers. Special praise also goes to the bus drivers: attentive, courteous and a real rarity in this form. All in all, a great experience - we'd love to do it again
View original review in German
Deborah
May 2025Verified booking
Great way to get about Edinburgh ,especially for first time visitors. Explore awhile then hop back on. Staff very helpful.would definitely recommend.
Cassie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Purchasing tickets was very easy and we were able to see so much of Edinburgh in the short time we were there. We took the blue and green routes and enjoyed hearing the history and seeing the beautiful sights of the city.
Carolyn
Jun 2025Verified booking
Great way to see the city! Great service
Megan
Jul 2025Verified booking
The animals where not all out or the bits with animals was closed getting things done didn't get to see the griraff the bear the lion the tiger the sloths a lot was a bit disappointed after the money we spent on tickets
DI
Jun 2025Verified booking
Ticketung experience was very good:information on website were clear and everything run easy. The tours were very well organised, audioguides run perfectly, we received many useful and interesting information.
Wayne
Jun 2025Verified booking
The map provided is a bit confusing. We wanted the Blue Royal line and the map shows stops along the Royal Mile. But the Red line bus takes you to the 1st stop where you can transfer to the Blue Bus. We asked about getting as close to St. Giles Cathedral as possible and your emplyees were very, very helpful getting us on the right bus. Drivers were friendly , understanding and very helpful. Commentary was excellent.
Laura
Jun 2025Verified booking
We loved the tour and the company. Very friendly staff. As the only negative comment, there are totally blue buses on the route, and when you see it arrive at the same stops you think that the bus being blue you are undermining the blue route, and it is red route despite the color of the bus. It creates a lot of confusion. For the rest everything was great
View original review in Spanish
Heather
Jun 2025Verified booking
The reception people went out of there way to ensue my ticket was valid even though they never heard of Headout. Was not happy with Headout to ensure the zoo that they were a valued vendor of the tickets. I have since deleted the Headout app as I feel like I was scammed.
Charles
Jun 2025Verified booking
Purchased tickets online and everything went as planned. The buses came around as promised and both the audio and live guides were great. The drivers were most helpful with directions to the attractions. Well worth the money
Sarah
Jun 2025Verified booking
Buying the tickets was easy and straightforward. The guides on the street were very helpful and the drivers friendy (changing shift). What made it excellent, though, was our guide, James. He was so entertaining, engaging, and a font of interesting knowledge - 10 out of 10 James! Would definatey recommend.
Silvia
May 2025Verified booking
We liked everything, we chose the three-bus tour and it is the perfect experience, especially if you are only staying a couple of days.
View original review in Italian
Donna
May 2025Verified booking
The buses ran pretty much on time and it was easy to change between the lines if you bought the regal ticket. Buses were never full like in some cities so no issues getting in a us when we wanted.
Jonathan
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved the commentary. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Took us to lots of locations we would otherwise never had visited.
Astrid
Apr 2025Verified booking
Helpful and friendly driver. Nice tour, although it started to rain later. The botanical garden is very beautiful.
View original review in German
Yvonne
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was easy to buy the tickets and the tour was very informative and fun to listen to. The app was easy to use and help me decide where to visit throughout the day
Fabio
Jul 2025Verified booking
Both ground staff and drivers were very kind and helpful
View original review in Italian
Angela
Jun 2025Verified booking
Staff lovely at check in. Weather was great and baboons were on form.
Els
Jun 2025Verified booking
A very fun way to explore the city.
View original review in Dutch
Matt
Jun 2025Verified booking
Great day out! Penguins definitely the highlight💚
HITESH
Jun 2025Verified booking
Great experience at the Edinburgh zoo.Everything was good and i loved my first visit.Highly recommend.
Kristina
Jun 2025Verified booking
Easiest way to see everything and navigate the city! 10/10 recommend!
jacques
Jun 2025Verified booking
ease of use, very interesting explanations, choice of stops and routes
View original review in French
Simon
Jun 2025Verified booking
Excellent routes, great views and enjoyed the commentary.
Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Gin Tasting + Edinburgh Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
from £46
£43.70
5% off
Make the most of Edinburgh with 24-hours city access and gin flavour exploration.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh Gin Tasting: A guided 65-minute journey through Edinburgh Gin’s distillery spaces, tastings with matched mixers and garnishes, a welcome serve on arrival, and time to unwind at the in-house Distillery Bar.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: One-day access to key Edinburgh landmarks on the Red Route, audio guides in nine languages, fun kids’ commentary, headphones, free children’s tickets & a flexible pass valid for up to 12 months.
- Why choose this: Combine independent city exploration and expert-led gin experiences in one easy ticket, offering maximum value and minimal planning stress.
Make the most of Edinburgh with 24-hours city access and gin flavour exploration.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh Gin Tasting: A guided 65-minute journey through Edinburgh Gin’s distillery spaces, tastings with matched mixers and garnishes, a welcome serve on arrival, and time to unwind at the in-house Distillery Bar.
- Everything you get at Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: One-day access to key Edinburgh landmarks on the Red Route, audio guides in nine languages, fun kids’ commentary, headphones, free children’s tickets & a flexible pass valid for up to 12 months.
- Why choose this: Combine independent city exploration and expert-led gin experiences in one easy ticket, offering maximum value and minimal planning stress.
Inclusions
Edinburgh Gin Distillery:
- 65-mins guided tour of the Edinburgh Gin Distillery
- Tour of Flavour Arch & Still Room
- One welcome drink
- Sampling several gin variations with mixers and garnishes
- Visit to Distillery Bar
Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- 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
Edinburgh Gin Tasting + Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- Ensure your entry tickets and ID are on hand for a smooth experience.
- This experience is accessible to wheelchair users.
- For your convenience, guide dogs are welcome to join you.
Edinburgh Gin Tasting
- Food & beverages and smoking are not allowed on this experience.
- Your pets are not permitted on this experience.
- For safety reasons, guests under the age of 18 years are not allowed on this experience.
- For your convenience, elevators are available throughout the venue.
- There’s no charge for carers supporting guests with accessibility needs. However, only the paying guest will craft a bottle during the gin-making session.
- Only guests aged 18 and over may enter the venue or join experiences. Children are welcome in the distillery shop when accompanied.
Edinburgh bus tour
- Pets are allowed on the bus.
- 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.
- Great news! If you're traveling with children aged 15 and under, they can hop on board for free with the 24-hour ticket.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.4
647 ratings
346
232
43
12
14
Guests from United States, Canada, Germany and over 45 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
James
Jun 2025Verified booking
My family of 5 from US took a tour in late May. Stop #6 was very convinient to our hotel and was attended so our online thickets were scanned so we did not have to when we got on the bus. Handed a disposal set of head phones that plugged in nicely in front of us. The RED guided tour was very informative and helpful. Wish we had more time to take one of the longer tours. Highly recommend this to all first time visitors to Edinburgh. Mind the weather ; we were able to sit outdoors on the top making it a vey comfortable trip around the city. Thanks.
Tanya
May 2025Verified booking
Learning history of Edinburgh through the headphones was great! We had a fantastic day out in Edinburgh as a family of four and would reccomend this tour. Staff were super friendly, and the buses were regular. Superb!
Jerry
May 2025Verified booking
Seeing the sights and being able to stop and walk around and get on another bus throughout the day
Syed
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything was brilliant but the documentary was amazing. I love that.
Dince
Apr 2025Verified booking
It is easy to go around the main visiting site. Easy to get the bus and Easy to travel.
Zunaira
Jun 2025Verified booking
The whole experience of sightseeing with 15 other family members. It was exciting and fun though the sun was scorching that day.
Kimberly
Jun 2025Verified booking
Easy on and off access for disabled people with a access ramp and friendly and helpful bus driver and very informative tour. Stops were conveniently located to everything we wanted to see. including Holyroodhouse Palace and Edinburgh Castle.
Janine
Jun 2025Verified booking
So easy to book a ticket online and one of the best hop on hop off tour I've done in Scotland. I saw everything I wanted to see and stops in all the right places. Edinburgh is awesome!
Erzsebet
Jun 2025Verified booking
Shopping with Headout was pretty easy, although we didn't get the promised discounts, which was a bummer. The city tour was good, it gave us what we expected: a comprehensive view of the city.
Mark
Jun 2025Verified booking
This service was very easy to use and myself with mobility issues found that I could pop off and on to buses easily. Also all drivers and staff should be commended , as all very very helpfull. We done a full loop with earphones, and the decided where to get off on the second loop. WELL DONE
Andrew
May 2025Verified booking
Love the option of open air and covered seating. Love the narration along the way. Love the flexibility to hop on hop off. It's just a great way to see the city!
MICHAEL
May 2025Verified booking
Easy to book.... wonderful view of the city... easiest way to get to the waterfront. Only problem was that at one on the minor stops, the driver didn't automatically stop, so I was left standing there :-( didn't realize I needed to flag him down
Chelsie
May 2025Verified booking
Brilliant day out and the bus service is brilliant, so many stops that you can just jump off and back on again to go to another part of Edinburgh. The price is very reasonable too. I would recommend it to anyone
PHILIP
May 2025Verified booking
The buses were delayed and over-crowded. There must be a better way to manage crowds when such delays occur. Staff at bus stops told us they didn't know what was going on!
Annette
May 2025Verified booking
Best way to get an impression of the city, the explanation in several languages via headphones very nice and vividly told, highly recommended
View original review in German
Ana
May 2025Verified booking
We loved the route, but mostly the audio It was clear, easy to understand and with good information. One of the best hop on hop off tours we have taken Highly recommended
Lisa
May 2025Verified booking
Fabulous hop on hop off bus, got to see so much more of edinburgh which we otherwise would have missed. Ticketing through Headout was great.
Christine
May 2025Verified booking
Friendly nice staff Clean bus Good narrative Would be great if you could number the stops with the pickup points on the map. It took a while to find you.
Anne
May 2025Verified booking
The stop was just around the corner from my hotel. I jumped on the bus to get me anywhere and everywhere and it was unbelievable how convenient it was.
Ruth
Apr 2025Verified booking
A terrific way to visit the city. Drivers were exceptionally pleasant and helpful. Sat up top in the sun. A wonderful time. Would recommend it for everyone.
David
Jul 2025Verified booking
Friendly drivers, frequent buses, choice of routes
Susanna
Jul 2025Verified booking
Kind staff Excellent tour with good translation There could be more stops
View original review in Italian
David
Jun 2025Verified booking
Great services and over all experience.
Vikas
Jun 2025Verified booking
Very informative narration. Covered most of the important spots . For a short time visitor it was a good experience.
Julie
Jun 2025Verified booking
Friendly driver lovely view, good commentary.
Why choose the Edinburgh City Sightseeing tours?
Comprehensive coverage
Explore iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Holyrood Palace, offering a thorough overview of the city's history and culture.
Flexibility
With hop-on hop-off access, you can explore at your own pace, getting on and off at any stop along the route.
Informative audio guide
Enjoy informative and entertaining audio guides are available in multiple languages for both kids and adults, providing fascinating insights into Edinburgh's rich heritage.
Discounts and offers
Your ticket includes access to popular attractions and restaurants at discounted rates, helping you save money and make the most of your Edinburgh experience.
Panoramic views
Open-top buses offer breathtaking views of Edinburgh's skyline, historic architecture, and natural beauty.
Edinburgh City Sightseeing routes, stops and maps
City Sightseeing Tour
This classic route showcases Edinburgh's rich history, featuring major attractions like Holyrood Palace and the National Museum.
- First stop: Waterloo Place
- Timings: 8:45am to 5:57pm
- Frequency: Every 10-12 minutes
- Number of stops: 8
- Full loop duration: 1 hour
Edinburgh Tour
Focused on the Old Town, this tour showcases the city's medieval architecture, historic sites, and scenic views.
- First stop: Waterloo Place
- Timings: 8:50am to 6pm
- Frequency: Every 10-12 minutes
- Number of stops: 9
- Full loop duration: 1 hour
Regal Tour
Explore Edinburgh's royal connections with stops at Holyrood Palace, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and other regal landmarks.
- First stop: Waterloo Place
- Timings: 8:40am to 5:25pm
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes
- Number of stops: 9
- Full loop duration: 1 hour
Highlights of your Edinburgh City Sightseeing tour
Edinburgh Castle
Route name: City Sightseeing and The Edinburgh tours
Attraction timings: 9:30am to 6pm
Read more
Suggested Edinburgh City Sightseeing Itineraries
Edinburgh in 1 day/24 hours
Edinburgh in 2 days/48 hours
If you have just one day in Edinburgh, combine the City Sightseeing Tour, The Edinburgh Tour, and The Regal Tour to explore top attractions.
- Start at Edinburgh Castle for panoramic city views.
- Visit the National Museum of Scotland and explore its rich collections.
- Hop off at the Royal Yacht Britannia to learn about royal history.
- Explore the picturesque Royal Mile and its historic landmarks.
- Stop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official Scottish residence.
- End the day at the vibrant Princes Street Gardens for shopping and dining.
Day 1: City Sightseeing Tour
Spend two days exploring Edinburgh's top attractions with City Sightseeing's hop-on hop-off tours, focusing on the City Sightseeing Tour on Day 1 and The Edinburgh and Regal tours on Day 2.
- Start at Waverley Bridge and hop off at Edinburgh Castle for stunning views
- Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament Building
- Explore the Royal Mile and stop at Greyfriars Bobby
- Visit the National Museum of Scotland and the Grassmarket
- End the day with a stroll through the Georgian New Town
Day 2: The Edinburgh and Regal Tours
Spend two days exploring Edinburgh's top attractions with City Sightseeing's hop-on hop-off tours, focusing on the City Sightseeing Tour on Day 1 and The Edinburgh and Regal tours on Day 2.
- Begin at Waverley Bridge and head to Holyrood Park for views of Arthur's Seat
- Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith
- Explore the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Yacht Britannia
- Return to the city center and visit the National Galleries of Scotland
- End the day at Princes Street Gardens for shopping and dining.
Edinburgh City Sightseeing: FAQ's
How do City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses work in Edinburgh?
Buses allow you to board and alight at various stops, providing a flexible way to explore key attractions.
What is included in a Edinburgh City Sightseeing Tour ticket?
The ticket includes unlimited rides on the tour buses, audio commentary in multiple languages, access to various sightseeing routes, entry to popular attractions, and discounts at iconic landmarks and restaurants.
How often are the Edinburgh City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses?
Buses run every 10-15 minutes.
How many Edinburgh City Sightseeing routes are there?
There are three main routes: City Sightseeing Tour, The Edinburgh Tour, and The Regal Tour, each covering different areas of the city.
Are there audio guides on the Edinburgh City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tours?
Yes, audio guides are available in multiple languages for both kids and adults, providing informative commentary on the city’s landmarks and history.
Are the Edinburgh City Sightseeing bus tours accessibility-friendly?
Yes, the tours are accessibility-friendly, with buses equipped to accommodate those with mobility needs.
How long is my ticket valid for?
Tickets are typically valid for 24 or 48 hours from the time of first use, depending on the ticket purchased.