Edinburgh Bus Tours

Edinburgh Bus Tours - A Guide to Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing in Scotland’s Capital

Exploring Edinburgh is easy and enjoyable with the City Sightseeing and Edinburgh Bus Tours. The famous open-top, hop-on, hop-off buses are seen throughout Scotland's capital.

These tours offer a relaxed way to see the city's top attractions, whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to discover more. With multilingual audio, live guides on select routes, and flexible ticket options, the sightseeing buses let you explore Edinburgh at your own pace.

If you stay on board without hopping off, the whole tour takes around 70 minutes, giving you a great introduction to the city's history and landmarks.

Types of Edinburgh Bus Tours

Edinburgh has several popular sightseeing routes. Here are the main ones you'll see around the city:

City Sightseeing Tour (Red Bus)

The most recognisable option, featuring bright red open-top buses.

• Multilingual audio in 9+ languages
• Ideal for first-time visitors
• Covers all major central attractions
• Great value 24-hour or 48-hour passes

Edinburgh Bus Tour

A classic open-top route,

• Strong focus on Edinburgh's history
• Perfect if you enjoy guided commentary
• Covers the major central attractions
• Can buy a 48-hour ticket

Majestic Bus (Blue Route)

This route heads beyond the Old and New Towns.

• Travels to Leith, Royal Botanic Garden and Royal Yacht Britannia
• Includes the coast and lesser-visited areas
• Ideal if you want to see more than the city centre

Royal Edinburgh Ticket

A premium combination ticket that includes:

• 48 hours of unlimited bus travel
• Entry to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and The Royal Yacht Britannia

This one is excellent value if you plan to visit all three attractions.

Key Stops on the Tour Routes

All tours stop near Edinburgh's most iconic attractions, including:

• Edinburgh Castle – perched above the city on Castle Rock
• The Royal Mile – home to St Giles' Cathedral, Mary King's Close, shops and historic closes
• Holyrood Palace – the King's official residence in Scotland
• The Scottish Parliament – an architectural landmark
• Dynamic Earth – science centre and planetarium
• Grassmarket & Victoria Street – colourful streets and great food spots

These stops let you hop off, explore, and rejoin the next bus whenever you're ready.

Where Do the Edinburgh Bus Tours Start?

The main departure point is:

Waterloo Place (Stop ZG), just off Princes Street

However, your ticket allows you to join the tour at any stop on the route, which is ideal if you're already exploring the city centre.

Ticket Prices and Options

Exact prices may vary, but here's a typical guide:

• Adult: from £18
• Royal Edinburgh Ticket: from £76 for adults

Combination deals often include entry to top attractions, offering excellent savings.

How to Buy Tickets

You can purchase tickets:

• Online (usually the cheapest option)
• On the bus
• At ticket kiosks around Princes Street and Waverley
• Using the Edinburgh Bus Tours app, which also provides real-time bus tracking

Why Take an Edinburgh Sightseeing Bus Tour?

• Perfect for first-time visitors – see all major landmarks quickly
• Hop-on, hop-off flexibility – explore the city at your own pace and get off at the attractions you want to
• Live guides or multilingual audio – learn about the city in a fun way
• Accessible for all visitors – wheelchair friendly lower deck, subtitled screens
• Pet-friendly – assistance dogs are welcome

The tours are also great if you're short on time or visiting in winter, when walking long distances and the poor weather is less appealing.

FAQs About Edinburgh Bus Tours

How long does the Edinburgh bus tour take?

If you stay on for the whole route, most routes last around 70 minutes.

Can I buy tickets on the day?

Yes — tickets can be bought online, on the bus, or at kiosks across the city.

Do the buses run all year?

Most routes operate year-round, with extended hours and buses in summer.

Are the buses wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the lower deck is fully accessible, and ramps are available.