Edinburgh, the city that acts as the beating heart of Scotland, has striking buildings, majestic monuments and captivating stories in abundance through every street.

History becomes something palpable as you explore the meandering alleyways under the ever-watchful gaze of the grand old castle — and one of the best ways to not miss out while exploring the capital is with a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Edinburgh.

The city is built on seven hills bedecked in medieval and Georgian buildings, lending Edinburgh a fairytale-esque quality — and it's easy to understand why thousands of tourists undertake the trip to the north to simply bask in its beauty. But it's down on the street level where Edinburgh truly comes to life with its narrow winding roads weaving their way past countless historical sites.

Here's what you need to know about hop-0n hop-off bus tours, one of the best options for sightseeing in Edinburgh.

What are the best Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tours? What do they cost?

Edinburgh City Sightseeing bus tour

It’s easy to recognize the world-famous City Sightseeing’s red bus, and this international company is the go-to hop-on hop-off bus tour operator across the globe. This open-roof bus allows you to take in Edinburgh’s most popular attractions at your own pace — enabling you to conduct a thorough exploration of the capital’s attraction-filled historic center.

The tour comes in numerous forms, with 24- and 48-hour tickets available, as well as offerings that include entry to major attractions. Once purchased, you’ll enjoy access to an audio guide in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Mandarin. These hop-on hop-off bus tours also include an audio guide called “Horrible Histories” specifically created to keep younger minds entertained — making it the perfect outing for families.

Route

The City Sightseeing red route starts at Waterloo Place, traveling to St. Andrew Square next before stopping at Lothian Road and Grassmarket respectively. Following this, it journeys on to Chalmers Street and Johnston Terrace, before quickly stopping at Edinburgh Castle.

The next stop is the fascinating National Museum of Scotland and the bustling High Street. After exploring Edinburgh’s commercial center, you’ll travel to Canongate and Holyrood Palace.

Finally, the bus heads to the innovative and interactive Dynamic Earth Science Center, the pub-filled streets of Abbeyhill. The bus will make it’s last stop at Regent Road, before the loop starts again.

Timetable

This hop-on hop-off bus tour starts at 9 AM with the last bus setting off from the starting point at 6 PM. It takes the bus 60 minutes to complete a loop of the route and there will be a bus available every 12 minutes.

There are no City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses available from 24 to 26 December, nor from 31 December to 2 January.

Tickets

There are a number of ticket options available for City Sightseeing tours in Edinburgh, making it easy to find the perfect offering.

Iconic: This is the most affordable of City Sightseeing’s hop-on hop-off bus tours. An adult ticket (aged 16 years and older) will cost £16 per person, while children under 16 are free of charge.
Essential: This option is identical to the “Iconic” option, except that it includes a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Glasgow. It will cost £32 for an adult (aged 16 and older) and £9 for children (aged 5-15).
Value: This option gives you access to the bus tour for 48 hours, and you may also choose from other route options. A 3-hour boat tour is also included, making it a great option for travelers spending a couple of days in the capital. It costs £40 per adult (aged 16 and older) and £20 for children (aged 5-15).
Supreme: This option includes all of the routes included in the “Value” option, as well as a tour to the Scottish Highlands. The foray outside of the city only operates on Tuesday and Saturday, something to keep in mind when booking. An adult ticket (aged 16 and older) will cost £76 while a child ticket (aged 5-15) costs £55.
Ultimate: As the name suggests, this is the premium hop-on hop-off bus tour available from City Sightseeing. You’ll have 48-hour access to all the routes included in the “Value” option, excluding the boat tour. Instead, all of the entrance fees to the major attractions will be covered — including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Tickets cost £65 for an adult and £35 for a child.

Edinburgh Bright Bus Britannia tour

Bright Bus Tours may be a relatively new addition to Edinburgh’s sightseeing scene, but these distinctive orange-colored busses are here to stay — with the company and its routes quickly becoming favorites of travelers to Edinburgh, due to their innovative approach and affordable prices.

Usually, hop-off hop-on bus tours that venture outside of the capital’s historic center are only available when you purchase more expensive options. This meant that travelers had to purchase a 48-hour or combination tour if they wanted to visit sights like Newhaven Harbor or the Royal Yacht.

All of these attractions and more are available during Bright Bus’ Britannia tours — helping to shine a light on the world outside of the city walls. The onboard audio guide offers a unique take on the history and legends of Edinburgh — and is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Route

As is the case with most hop-on hop-off bus tours in Edinburgh, it starts at Waterloo Place. From here, it will travel to St. Andrew Square, the Royal Botanic Garden and New Haven Harbor.

Next, you’ll have the option of exploring the Royal Yacht Britannia before traveling on to Broughton Road and Stockbridge. The next stop is the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, before heading to the Edinburgh International Conference Center.

The final part of the tour heads to Bread Street and Johnston Terrace, before ending at the storied halls of Edinburgh Castle.

Timetable

Edinburgh’s Britannia hop-on hop-off bus tour operates from early morning until late evening — with the first bus leaving at 9 AM and the last at 6 PM. It takes 1.5 hours for a bus to complete a loop and there will be a bus available every 1 hour.

Tickets

A Bright Bus hop-on hop-off tour along the Britannia route offers good “auld” fashioned value for money.

An adult ticket (aged 16-59) on the Britannia route will cost £18 per person. Senior travelers (aged 60 and older) only need to pay £16 per ticket as is the case for students — however, both groups will need to provide proof or documentation to qualify for the discounts.

A child’s ticket (aged 5-15) will cost £9 per person, and children younger than 5 will travel for free. A family ticket is available for £36, and it includes tickets for two adults and three children.

How do hop-on hop-off bus tours in Edinburgh work? What do they include?

The biggest advantage of a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Edinburgh is the fact that you can get off at any point of the route and then explore the area at your own pace, seeing what you want to see and avoiding attractions that don’t interest you.

After you’ve done your exploring, you’ll simply stroll to the nearest bus stop, as indicated on your map or app and board the bus. While the busses have set routes with a starting point, you may begin your Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tour at any of the stops on the route. To do so, simply board the bus and present your ticket, QR code or app. Once you buy a ticket you will be able to use it at any point for 12 months from the date of purchase.

The time that you are able to use the bus service depends on the type of ticket you’ve purchased — and there are 24-, 48- and 72-hour tickets available. Your time starts as soon as you board the bus for the first time — so be sure to do some planning beforehand to make the best of your time on the bus. Not to be missed are Edinburgh Old Town and the Royal Mile.

Hop-on hop-off bus tours in Edinburgh will typically include an audio guide, while some tours may feature live commentary of passing landmarks. Generally, a bus will be available every 15 minutes and the tours usually run from 9 AM until 6 PM.

Are there any combined tickets including Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tours?

Combining your hop-on hop-off bus tour with another activity or attraction in Edinburgh is a wonderful way to save yourself some time and money.

Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tour with boat tour

Get the most out of your day in the Scottish capital with this combination hop-on hop-off bus tour. The ticket will allow you 48-hour access to three of the different bus routes, allowing you to explore Edinburgh in an unrivaled fashion.

After exploring the city to your heart’s content you’ll enjoy a 3-hour long boat tour on the Firth of Forth — a wonderful way to explore Edinburgh's waterways, landmarks and historic bridges.

The combination tour costs £40 for an adult (aged 16 and up) and £20 for a child (aged 5 to 15). Seniors (aged 60 and older) will need to pay £38 and there’s also a family ticket available for £90 — covering the costs for two adults and three children.

Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tour Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness combination tour

This hop-on hop-off tour option is also called the “Supreme” package, and it’s easy to understand why. Not only will you enjoy 24-hour access to the Red-line bus tour, but you’ll also receive a day trip that heads into the Scottish Highlands.

Here you’ll learn the difference between Scottish and Highland cultures, visit a world-famous whisky distillery and even have the option to go monster hunting at the famous Loch Ness.

Your adventure in the Scottish Highlands will keep you occupied for 12 hours — and will cost £76 for an adult (aged 16 and older) and £55 for a child (aged 5 to 15). Unfortunately, children younger than 5 are not allowed on the Highlands tour.

Know before you go

Before hopping off, consider staying on for a full loop to get an overview of the sights and layout of the city. This will also help you decide which stops you want to prioritize.
Edinburgh's weather can be unpredictable. Bring an umbrella and wear layers so you're prepared for both sunshine and rain, especially if you plan on sitting on top of the bus.
Most buses provide headphones for the guided commentary. If you're particular about sound quality or hygiene, you might want to bring your own.
Carry a bottle of water and some snacks, especially if you're traveling with kids. Some routes can be quite long, and having something to nibble on can keep energy levels up.

What other sightseeing tours can you do in Edinburgh?

Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Edinburgh