Edinburgh: Big Bus Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour by Open-Top Bus
Old Town, Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Visit top sights like Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the National Museum of Scotland as you discover the city at your own pace.
Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh’s landmarks at your own pace with an open-top, double-decker bus tour suitable for visitors who want flexible sightseeing options.
Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh’s landmarks on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour
- View Edinburgh Castle from the open-top bus
- See key sights like the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Yacht Britannia
- Listen to onboard audio commentary about Edinburgh’s history
- Enjoy panoramic city views from the double-decker bus
Description
Discover Edinburgh’s famous landmarks including Edinburgh Castle, the Grassmarket, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Mile on the Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour. Start your tour at Waterloo Place and access the City Tour route, which stops near attractions like the Scottish Parliament, National Museum of Scotland, and historic streets.
Choose from a 48-hour City Tour ticket or a 48-hour combined City and Britannia Tour ticket. The Britannia Tour extends beyond the city centre to visit the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Yacht Britannia.
With frequent stops, informative audio commentary in nine languages, and great views from the upper deck, this tour offers a convenient and flexible way to experience Edinburgh’s culture and history.
The City Tour includes:
- Waterloo Place
- St Andrew Square
- Lothian Road
- Bread Street
- The Mound
- George IV Bridge
- Lauriston Place
- Grassmarket
- Chambers Street
- John Knox House
- Canongate Kirk
- Holyrood Palace
- Dynamic Earth
- Abbeyhill
- Regent Road
The Britannia Tour includes:
- Waterloo Place
- Gallery of Modern Art
- Royal Botanic Garden
- Pier Place
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- The Shore
- North St David Street
Includes
- 24- or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket
- Access to City Tour (all options)
- Access to Britannia Tour (48-hour combined ticket only)
- Audio commentary in nine languages
- Dog friendly
Excludes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Important Information
- Operates daily except 25 December and 1 January, with reduced service on 24, 26, and 31 December
- City Route runs every 15 minutes until 5 pm, then every 20 minutes; full tour lasts approximately 1 hour 10 minutes
- Britannia Route runs every 60 minutes, duration approximately 55 minutes; available only with the 48-hour combined ticket
- Infants aged 3 and under travel free without a ticket
- Download the free Big Bus Tours app for real-time tracking, stop locations, and service updates
- Dogs welcome, including service animals and pets
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
For best experience, bring weather-appropriate clothing and book tickets in advance to secure your preferred start time.
